Energy Efficiency Subsidy

South Africa is the unfortunate position of having it’s friendly behemoth ESKOM run it’s Solar Water Heater subsidy program, in the name of energy efficiency. Great idea, poor execution. Let’s see what the UK & US are doing:

Obama Announces Cash for Caulkers Program

* Small-scale upgrades like insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and doors would be eligible for 50 percent rebates up to $1,500 or combined upgrade rebates of up to $3,000.

* Entire-home retrofits would be eligible for a rebate of $3,000 towards an energy audit and upgrades amounting to 20 percent energy savings. Any savings over that would be eligible for more rebates.

* Safeguards would be put in place to ensure that the upgrades actually improve efficiency: all contractors must be certified in energy efficient installations and independent auditors will perform surveys to make sure upgrades were installed correctly and are saving energy.

* The program would also help state and local governments create financing options for these retrofits so more consumers can participate.

UK launches Pay as you Save “Greener Homes Strategy”

* Cut emissions from homes by 29% by 2020.

* Give up to 7 million homes eco upgrades by 2020.

* Create up to 65,000 jobs in the green home industry.

Guess we could do a lot more to ramp up our Energy Efficiency programmes...

Frank