Avoid the Audit

If you want to avoid getting a home energy audit performed on your residence, you can choose to have the home upgrades performed. If you choose to get the upgrades done, you have two options:

1. AUSTIN ENERGY'S POWER SAVER PROGRAM - FREE HOME IMPROVEMENTS  

2. ENERGY STAR® HOME PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION

  a. Rebate Program

  b. Loan program

What is the difference between the City of Austin Weatherization "Power Saver" Program and the Energy Star Home Performance Certification?  

If you are a low-to-moderate income household and meet Austin Energy's qualifications, you are eligibile for FREE home improvements (this includes the cost of a home energy audit, materials and installation of upgrades). 

However, if you DO NOT qualify for the free upgrades, you can participate in one of the two Energy Star® Home Performance Certification Programs. Whether you qualify and receive the free improvements done by the City of Austin or pay for the upgrades yourself via the Home Performance Program, you can avoid getting an audit done.

Listed below are the specifics on each option:

1. AUSTIN ENERGY'S WEATHERIZATION "POWER SAVER" PROGRAM - FREE HOME IMPROVEMENTS: 

Austin Energy offers FREE home improvements for any qualified (see qualifications below), low-to-moderate income households through their Weatherization "Power Saver" Program. The material and installation costs for these improvements are paid for by the City of Austin and will give residents lower energy costs and a more comfortable, efficient home. The following improvements are covered under this program:

• Attic insulation
• Minor duct repair and sealing
• Caulking around plumbing penetrations
• Weather stripping around doors
• Solar screens

To qualify for these free home improvements, Austin Energy specifies the following requirements: 

• You must be an Austin Energy electric customer
• You must occupy the home to be upgraded (see Renter qualifications below)
• You must have lived in the home for at least three months
• The residence must be a single-family home, mobile home, or duplex
• If the home's value is appraised to more than $150,000 (excluding land value), the home may be ineligible
• Documentation to verify income and/or disability status for everyone 18 and older in your home (See Income Guidelines below)

If you are a RENTER, Austin Energy requires that:

• You have lived in the rental home for at least three months
• The household income meets listed income guidelines
• The residence is a single-family home, mobile home, or duplex
• The owner agrees to the improvements and signs an Austin Energy Rental Release form 
• The renter provides a copy of the lease/rental agreement

To look at specific INCOME GUIDELINES, follow this link.

To APPLY for the Free Home Improvements/Power Saver Program, follow this link.

2. ENERGY STAR HOME PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION:

If you don't qualify for free upgrades, to avoid getting an audit done, you can choose to participate in the Energy Star® Home Performance Rebate OR Loan program:    

A. REBATE PROGRAM: 

You will contact a City of Austin-recognized contractor who will  provide a free home energy audit, then perform the necessary improvements. You will pay that contractor, then receive a rebate check 2-4 weeks later from the City of Austin.

The Austin Energy rebate covers 20% of home improvements costs (up to $1575) PLUS a tax credit incentive. 

B. LOAN PROGRAM: 

Austin Energy offers low-interest loans to qualified customers to cover the costs of these home improvements.

(Details regarding each of these programs can be found on BS&S' Energy Star® Program page)

If you have questions about how to avoid having an Energy Audit performed on your home, or want to learn more about the options above, call us at 512-279-0634.