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FAQ
How does Progress Energy’s Home Advantage program work?
Home Advantage is a new, residential construction program that offers cash rebates and other incentives for building ENERGY STAR® certified homes in Progress Energy Carolinas’ service territory. The program is open to builders and developers of new single family, multifamily and high-rise multifamily dwellings, and to manufactured housing manufacturers and retailers. Incentives are also available for additional energy efficiency measures that can be added to the ENERGY STAR certified home, as well as advertising and sales support.
Progress Energy Carolinas awards a $400 cash rebate to builders or developers for each ENERGY STAR certified Home Advantage home. Manufacturers of manufactured homes receive a $300 rebate per certified home; retail sales lots receive $100 for each home sold. These rebates help defray additional costs for meeting program requirements.
Click here for a complete overview of program requirements and incentives.
Why is Progress Energy offering this program?
The Home Advantage program is designed to increase the number of energy efficient ENERGY STAR certified homes, as well as homes that exceed those standards, built in the Progress Energy Carolinas service territory. This will result in the reduction of electricity use, especially during periods of high demand, which can delay the need for new power plants.
ENERGY STAR homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). In addition, it is generally less expensive to build homes to higher energy-efficiency standards than to retrofit the homes later.
As this area continues to experience a high level of new residential construction at approximately 16,000 new housing units each year—it is critical to everyone’s energy future, that these new homes be as energy efficient in possible. Unfortunately, in 2007, fewer than 3 percent of new homes in our Carolinas service area met ENERGY STAR standards.
Programs like Home Advantage will continue to be part of Progress Energy’s balanced solution for meeting the challenges of growing energy demand, rising fuel costs and global climate change.
What qualifies a home as Home Advantage?
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All homes must be certified as ENERGY STAR by an independent Home Energy Rater (HERS Rater).
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Requirements for each incentive measure must be met as outlined.
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The structure’s permanent meter must already be installed by Progress Energy.
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Permanent meters must be set on or after Dec. 1, 2008.
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The home can use any type of fuel for heating and cooling.
What exactly is the role of the HERS rater and how do I find one?
In order to qualify for the Home Advantage program, the home must be certified as ENERGY STAR by an independent HERS rater. The rater tests the home to verify that it meets the requirements and can also assist with recommendations for energy-saving features for the home. The cost of the test is the responsibility of the builder and/or buyer and typically costs between $500 and $800, depending on the size of the home and travel time for the rater.
The HERS rater can also handle all required paperwork for the ENERGY STAR certification, as well as the Home Advantage rebates. For a list of qualified HERS raters, click here.
Where can I learn more about ENERGY STAR’s requirements for new homes?
A HERS rater is the best resource for helping ensure that your homes meet ENERGY STAR requirements. You can also visit ENERGY STAR’s Web site at www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index for complete details on the program.
After meeting the program requirements, how do I get my rebates and other incentives?
For program rebates, return this completed form to Progress Energy along with your ENERGY STAR certificate. Rebate checks will be mailed within four to six weeks of the request. Forms may be completed and submitted by you or by the HERS rater.
For co-op advertising reimbursements, call us at 800-327-8704 for details. (Progress Energy awards $50 per dwelling [50 percent match/up to $50 per dwelling] toward advertising that promotes ENERGY STAR certified Home Advantage homes.)
For additional marketing support, you can request Home Advantage customer brochures, site signs and open house materials via HAsupport@pgnmail.com or call us at 800.327.8704.
How does the Home Advantage program benefit homeowners?
Home Advantage homes are built to save homeowners money, provide greater comfort and help protect the environment by using less energy.
Because they are certified as ENERGY STAR, these homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than standard homes. They also enjoy a 5 percent Progress Energy discount for the life of the house.
All this translates into a lower cost of home operation for the homeowner. For example:
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If you add $1,500 for energy-efficiency upgrades to the cost of a $200,000 home:
- The mortgage goes up by just $9/month, assuming a fixed 30 year, 6 percent mortgage.
- The monthly utility bills could come down by at least $31/month.
- That's a savings of $22 per month in the first month of ownership.
- The homeowner could ultimately save at least $264 a year.
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Who do I contact with additional questions about the Home Advantage program?
Call us toll free at 800.327.8704 for assistance.
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