Energy Conservation

Saving energy, water, and money is easy! Small steps can make a big difference, and we are here to help. By participating in the Home Improvement Program, you can learn conservation tips and receive free resources (low flow shower heads, LED light bulbs, weatherstripping, shower timer, adjustable toilet flapper, and more) to help you get started saving energy, water, and money at home. 

The Home Improvement Program (HIP) is designed predominantly for the low-income households located within the city limits of West Palm Beach. The main purpose is to help our residents to begin a journey to saving energy, conserving water, and discovering additional resources.

HIP Program Requirements:

• Applicant should be a City of West Palm Beach resident.

  (Check on Palm Beach County Property Appraiser for your municipality: City of West Palm Beach, https://www.pbcgov.org/papa/)

• Household has not participated before. (One bundle of free resources per household)

• Resources obtained through this program are to be used on the property specified on the application.

• Participant of the program will be requested to provide feedback on the received resources, installation process and savings.

Neighborhoods, Non-profits, Churches & HOA's are encouraged to contact our office Sustainability@wpb.org  or (561) 804-4994 to schedule a HIP workshop for your community.

Upcoming Public Programs (registration is required):

• Thursday, October 17, 2024. Registration will be posted soon!
  

• U.S. Department of Energy Tools: Learn how to use energy in your home more efficiently with DIY projects for heating, cooling, weatherization and water heating. Explore the Energy Saver Guide and Conservation Tips:

  • DOE Energy Saver website

  • DOE Energy Saver Guide

  • Do it Yourself Energy Savers Projects

• Energy Star: Find all the information you need to choose ENERGY STAR certified products, including rebates, and retailers near you. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA, helping you save energy and money while protecting our climate by making choices that count for a clean energy future. 
• FPL Energy Manager: Monitor your home energy usage over time with Energy Dashboard. Energy Analyzer will show you where your home uses energy. Complete the Energy Survey to activate the Energy Simulator to see how small changes can save big over time. 
• My Florida Home Energy: Conduct a virtual home energy tour! Learn about how much energy you use in your home and how much you can save by following some energy-saving tips. The site also has other links to energy incentives and annual energy reports.
• Home Energy Saver: Use the energy calculator to help your family save money and live better. HES recommends energy-saving upgrades that are appropriate to the home and make sense for the home's climate and local energy prices. 
• WaterSense: Take steps each day to save water and protect the environment by choosing WaterSense labeled products in your home, yard, and business.

• Florida Power and Light Programs and Rebates:
  • Florida Power and Light energy-saving programs and rebates  
  • Onsite Home Energy Survey
  • Residential On Call

   

• Palm Beach County Resources:
  • Replace A/C Unit: PBC’s Community Services Department (CSD) is implementing a Crisis Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Replacement Program. This program assists low-income PBC County homeowners in need of replacing their home’s air-conditioning system, with the assistance of up to $15,000. Clients must be income eligible, live in Pam Beach County, and show that they are in a crisis.
  • Palm Beach County Utility Assistance: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) are both designed to provide financial relief from high-energy costs to prevent service disconnection for families in crisis. Services include crisis utility and water payment, home energy assistance, and HVAC system replacement (only for homeowners).

Federal Programs:

• DOE Online Energy Saving Hub: The U.S. Department of Energy has launched an online one-stop shop for all the helpful information regarding renewable energy incentives, home energy audits, electric car resources, tax credits, and more. You can find everything you might need for energy savings in one place.

• Weatherization Assistance Program by Centro Campesino: The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is administered by local office for the Palm Beach County - Centro-Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc. The total household income may not be more than 200 percent above the national poverty level. 

• Florida Department of Revenue Sales Tax Exemption:

  • Home hardening

  • Energy Star 

• MySafeFlorida: This program was enacted by FL Legislature to help Florida residents prepare for hurricanes. Under this program, you may qualify for a free home hurricane inspection and qualify for up to $10,000 in grants to help get your home ready. For every $1 you spend, you can qualify for $2 in grants up to $10,000.

Tax Credits:

• Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers: Making our homes more efficient when purchasing efficient appliances and products such as heat pumps, AC, windows, and more.

• Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics: This guide provides an overview of the federal investment tax credit for residential solar photovoltaics (PV). 

• Credits and Deductions Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: From purchasing clean vehicles to making your home more energy efficient, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 may have a significant effect on your taxes. This major legislation will affect individuals, businesses, tax exempt and government entities. 

• Federal Income Tax Credits and Incentives for Energy Efficiency 

• Rewiring America’s IRA Savings Calculator

• SELF - Solar and Energy Loan Fund: This is an independent non-profit, community-based lending organization with a primary focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate resilience in low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Qualifying improvements include rooftop solar, septic to sewer conversion, weatherization, insulation and more.

• Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a financing mechanism that enables low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects (and in the State of Florida, also wind hardening). PACE financing is repaid as an assessment of the property’s regular tax bill. PACE is independently administered by multiple PACE Providers on behalf of a District. State of Florida law allows Districts to levy additional taxes which allows the PACE Providers to directly bill the Tax Collector to add a non-ad valorem special assessment to the annual property tax bill. In 2012, the City of West Palm Beach became one of the first municipalities in Florida to offer PACE financing for commercial properties, and in the spring of 2016, PACE started to become available for residential properties as well. The City adopted a PACE ordinance that includes citizen protections (read ordinance 4669-16 here).
  • Current PACE Providers:
    • Renew Financial
    • Florida PACE Funding Agency
    • Ygrene, Residential
    • FRED, Commercial PACE

     

• Other Financial Mechanisms: Learn more about different types of energy-efficient mortgages (EEMs) sometimes referred to as green mortgage, provide a handy way for current and prospective homeowners to finance the cost of energy-efficient upgrades in both new and existing homes while being more eco-friendly and enjoying significant cost savings.

• SolSmart Gold: SolSmart is a national designation program that recognizes cities fostering the development of mature local solar markets. In 2018, the City earned the designation of being a SolSmart Gold Community with special recognition for permitting and inspection requirements. The City achieved this by providing clear guidance for solar installation in historic and special use districts. 

• Expedited Solar Permit: If your project is a small-scale residential solar PV (photovoltaic) system that is 10 kW or less, you can apply for Expedited Solar Permit through the online Enterprise Permitting and Licensing System (EPL). Permitting will only take up to 3 business days and significantly lower the “soft cost” to as low as $450 + insignificant state surcharge. This will remove any impediments for the residents in achieving their solar energy goals and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
  • Expedited Solar Permit Checklist
  • Expedited Solar Permit Process Form

   

• Solar United Neighbors (SUN): This is a national non-profit that helps residents and businesses better understand what goes into going solar. By organizing Solar Co-ops SUN is helping homeowners and small business owners learn about solar together and purchase solar panels at a group rate from a single installer. Joining a co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar or chargers. Instead, each member will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer's group rate.

• FPL's Solar Programs:
  • SolarTogether: By subscribing to FPL SolarTogether®, you’ll receive bill credits for your share of the solar energy generated at the FPL SolarTogether solar energy centers, lowering your bill over time.
  • SolarNow: When you join FPL SolarNow you will be joining other customers supporting the sustainment of solar energy projects in local public areas like parks, zoos, and museums that help encourage future generations to learn about clean solar energy. Fees may apply.

• Plug In America: The nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public, automakers and policymakers on the efficacy and benefits of driving electric. Explore EV Guide, EV Charging 101, EV safety, and much more.

• PlugStar: You can see which EV models and home chargers are the best matches for you, get equipped for charging at home, find qualified electricians for home upgrades and charger installation, and more.

• Alternative Fueling Station Locator: Find alternative fueling stations in the United States and Canada. For U.S. stations, see data by state. 

• Charge@Work is a program designed to bring electric vehicle (EV) charging to American workers by engaging workplaces, public officials, and community leaders to start workplace charging programs. Charge@Work can provide technical, practical, and financially tailored solutions customized to the workplace.
  • Sign the Charge@Work Pledge here:  https://chargeatwork.org/pledge/

• FPL Evolution: This program will permit, install and maintain a level 2 charger and the required 240-volt circuit in your garage for a faster and more convenient charging experience. There is no upfront cost for equipment or installation. Just plug in and forget it – chargers will be programmed to automatically start charging so you can enjoy the benefits of unlimited weeknights and weekend off-peak charging, all for one low monthly cost.

• Federal Tax Credits for Plug-in Electric and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Purchased in 2023 or After: The availability of the credit will depend on several factors, including the vehicle's MSRP, its final assembly location, battery component and/or critical minerals sourcing, and your modified adjusted gross income (AGI). 

• EVAL: The Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) is a workplace charging certification program that provides technical assistance and recognition for organizations that support the adoption of clean transportation. EVAL Certification distinguishes employers as leading the charge in addressing climate change and lowering emissions by providing clean transportation options at the workplace, including EV charging, options for carpooling, biking, and public transportation, and employee incentives.