BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new PPL program could help Lehigh Valley homeowners save money on electric heating and cooling costs while increasing energy efficiency.
- PPL’s Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot program is open to residents with electric heating, or non-electric heating with central A/C
- A “whole-home” approach is used to connect contractors who aren’t cross-trained
- There’s more than $5,000 available through rebates and tax credits to help offset costs
“Basically, what you're doing, if you do a deep energy retrofit, is you're reengineering your home to be more comfortable, healthier, more energy efficient and last longer,” said Hap Haven, the pilot manager for PPL’s Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot program. “So it's a comprehensive package.
“Some houses perform better than other houses. You have low-performing houses and you have high-performing houses. The question is, ‘Where's yours?’”
Haven on Tuesday hosted a webinar on the program. The service is aimed at customers with electric heating, or non-electric heating with central A/C, who are planning to upgrade their homes for energy efficiency. There is more than $5,000 available through rebates and tax credits to help offset costs.
“It's for people who want to do everything all at one time — a comprehensive solution,” Haven said.
The program takes a “whole-home solution” approach, Haven explained. Homeowners are paired with a lead contractor who assesses both the inside and outside of the home for opportunities to improve efficiency. That lead then connects and works with electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians and carpenters to get the work done.
"It takes a special person to be able to understand all the interactions between the home systems."Hap Haven, the pilot manager for PPL’s Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot program
“These are all the different home systems and they do interact, but if you are a contractor that does air sealing, there's a good chance you weren't trained on heating or lighting,” Haven said. “If you're an HVAC guy, there's a good chance you weren't trained on insulation.
“And so it takes a special person to be able to understand all the interactions between the home systems.”
What is a home energy audit?
A home energy assessment or audit can help residents learn how they use energy, determine where it’s being wasted and prioritize efficiency upgrades, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Homeowners who make the upgrades identified generally save between 5% and 30% on monthly energy bills.
And the cost savings are only one benefit — considering energy efficiency at home can also help fight climate change.
In 2020, the U.S. spent $1 trillion on energy, about $3,039 per person, according to the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems.
“Environmental impacts associated with the production and consumption of energy include global climate change, acid rain, hazardous air pollution, smog, radioactive waste and habitat destruction,” according to researchers.
While electricity consumption has increased 13-fold from 1950 to 2021, miscellaneous plug loads per household doubled, according to the center.
“These are appliances and devices outside of a building’s core functions (HVAC, lighting, etc.) such as computers, fitness equipment, computers, TVs, and security systems,” researchers said. “In 2021, miscellaneous loads consumed more electricity than any other residential end use (lighting, HVAC, water heating, and refrigeration), accounting for 37% of primary energy and 50% of electricity consumption.”
But cooling and heating still take up huge chunks of energy, and there are solutions available to make homes more efficient.
‘Our job is also to help you afford it’
After an assessment is completed through the PPL program, the lead contractor sits down with the homeowner to review the costs and available rebates, Haven explained. Those rebates act as an “instant discount” for the homeowner on the price of the job.
Here are some of the rebates and tax credits available, per PPL’s website:
- $350 rebate – Home Energy Audit (blower door, electric heating + central A/C)
- $500 maximum rebate – Attic insulation (electric heat)
- $400 rebate – ENERGY STAR certified ductless (mini-split) heat pump
- $400 rebate – ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater
- $350 rebate – Comprehensive retrofit bonus tier 1+2
- $3,200 maximum 2023 federal tax credits
The program requires all three services: in-home or virtual audits, air sealing and insulation, and mechanical upgrades, Haven said, explaining that the goal is to “broaden and deepen” the residential energy retrofit market in the region, Haven said.
“That's because in the Lehigh Valley, in the Poconos and things like that, you are much more likely to find a contractor that does one-offs,” Haven said. “They do the heater, they do the air conditioning, they do insulation, they do whatever — they don't do anything comprehensive.
“So you know, PPL electric utilities is very interested in developing this market so customers can get comprehensive energy services, and our job is also to help you afford it.”
For PPL customers who don’t qualify for the BLANK program, the company has a webpage of other available incentive programs.
