ENERGY STAR® Appliances Program
What is this program all about?
Electric cooperatives, with grant funding from the S.C. Energy Office and Central Electric Power Cooperative — the co-ops’ wholesale power provider — are piloting a series of energy efficiency research studies with their members. The studies will seek to determine which energy efficiency measures work best in the state’s manufactured and site-built homes that are served by co-ops.
How will it work?
Each participating co-op will accept applications from its members for its assigned research studies. Applications will be available online and in print. Many co-ops will include applications in their issues of South Carolina Living magazine. Others will distribute applications via direct mail or make them available at co-op offices. After the application period ends on May 14, 2010, a limited number of member-owned and occupied homes served by participating co-ops will be selected for each of the studies, with some of the research specifically for manufactured housing and some for site-built homes.
Why are the co-ops doing this?
As independent, not-for-profit businesses owned by their members, co-ops are different. Their mandate is to provide affordable and reliable power to the people they serve, and look out for the best interests of their member-owners. As the economy struggles to recover, the co-ops and their members continue to face real challenges. More members are joining the co-ops every day, increasing demand for power across the state. Wholesale energy costs are expected to continue to rise worldwide, and anticipated federal climate change legislation could force consumer costs even higher. The simplest and cheapest way to address these challenges is for S.C. co-op members to start using energy more wisely and efficiently at home.
Which S.C. electric co-ops are participating in the ENERGY STAR® Appliance Program?
Participating co-ops include Coastal, Marlboro, Palmetto, Tri-County and York.
How will homes be selected?
Members must complete an application to be considered for program selection. Depending on the program, only S.C. co-op members who live in a site-built or manufactured home are eligible to be chosen for these studies. Since each study targets either site-built or manufactured homes, not all homeowners who apply will qualify for their co-op’s program(s). Expert panels, including co-op staff, will choose a designated number of homes for each study based on research requirements, how well the home matches the specific program needs and other factors as outlined in the rules.
What if my home is picked for one of the studies?
The designated energy efficiency measure for that study will be applied in your home in 2010 at no cost to you. Once you sign the final agreement to participate, the co-ops will collect energy use data before and after installation so that they can later gauge the effectiveness of the measure.
What are the selection criteria for receiving the ENERGY STAR Appliance upgrade?
You must own your home and the property. We are looking for single and double wide homes built between 1976 and 2008, and will give preference to homes that are all electric. Preference will also be given to homes with older energy-wasting appliances. Your local cooperative may perform a phone interview or site visit to assess your appliances prior to acceptance in the program.
What types of appliances are you replacing?
We will replace two appliances in your home. Appliances that may qualify include the refrigerator, water heater, clothes washer, dish washer and freezer.
Can I decide which appliances you replace?
No. The age of the appliances as well as the needs of the study will determine which appliances get replaced. In most instances, the refrigerator will be upgraded. We are looking to upgrade appliances that will offer the greatest energy savings for the investment.
Can I pick the appliance color and/or style?
No. The color of the ENERGY STAR appliances will be white with a size comparable to your existing appliances.
Who will do the work?
Hired contractors will deliver and install the appliances in your home. For the ENERGY STAR water heater, licensed contractors and plumbers will be used.
Who warranties the work?
The appliance contractor warrants the installation and the equipment will be warranted by the manufacturer.
What happens to my old equipment?
The contractor will remove and properly dispose of your old appliances.
Who owns the appliances?
Central Electric will own the appliances for the duration of the study which ends September 30, 2011. They become yours after that date.
What kind of information are you looking for in this study?
Your local electric cooperative will compare your whole house electric use from before and after the appliance upgrade. Some homes will have monitoring equipment attached to the appliances which will capture their specific energy use.
Will my power bill go down?
Most participants will see their electric energy consumption go down (as compared to not changing the appliances) after the installation of these energy efficiency upgrades. ENERGY STAR appliances often offer significant energy savings over older equipment. Because these appliances are but a part of your overall electric consumption, your lifestyle and existing home loads may mask the savings realized by these upgrades.
What is my role in this pilot program?
In addition to giving us permission to have access to your electric energy consumption, you will be asked to provide information on your home and electric consumption, give us access to your home for the assessment and improvements, and fill out questionnaires before, during and at the end of the study. Some homes will have utility-owned energy monitors on the appliances and access to your home to download this information throughout the study may be required. Though the study officially ends September 30, 2011, we will continue to monitor your electric consumption beyond that date. |
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