Progress Energy rebates for energy efficiency: weatherization

In my last post I focused on Progress Energy’s rebates for duct testing, which can be applied towards a full energy audit done by one of their approved contractors, like us. This post will outline how Progress Energy helps its Carolina customers follow up an energy audit with weatherization to improve a home’s energy efficiency.

Basically, PE provides rebates for weatherization in the areas of duct sealing (covered in the last post), air sealing, and insulation. They will also help homeowners replace their heat/AC systems if you replace them with high efficiency systems. And finally, they offer rebates on window replacement. We don’t happen to think that replacing your windows is the best way to use energy efficiency dollars, but in case you disagree with us or have other compelling reasons to change our your windows please take advantage of this rebate.

Here are the details on PE’s rebates for air sealing and insulation:

They will give you a rebate of $.375/sq. ft for air sealing your attic and improving your insulation levels up to $375, if…

• You are improving your insulation from less than R-19 and going up to at least R-30. (For more information then you’ve ever wanted to know about “R” values and what they mean, please go to this website).
• AND you have a centrally ducted Heat/AC system
• AND you have the work done by someone on their contractor list (and YES, we are on that list, too)
• AND you are a Progress Energy customer.

That last one seems a little dumb to have to add, since we are talking about Progress Energy, but I guess they get enough non-customers asking for their rebates that they had to put that in the description.

Anyway, this is a really, really great deal for homeowners. But here’s the kicker: do not, I repeat, DO NOT do the easy thing and just hire an insulation contractor to dump a bunch of insulation on top of what you already have. No sirree! Be sure to have your audit first so you can show your contractor where you have leaks in your attic, then SEAL THE ATTIC (!!), then add the insulation.

Seriously. Dumping more insulation on top of an unsealed attic is like…I can’t think of a good analogy right now – but it’s not a smart thing to do. Sealing the attic is the #1 most important thing in this whole equation.

Seal it. First, have an audit (and get your rebate for duct testing). Then seal your attic…then, and only then, increase your insulation.

Please.