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1. What is the Southampton Green Homes Program?

100% grant funded by the federal government, this program is a way for you to see just where you’re losing money on inefficient home heating and cooling. By participating you may be able to not only reduce your carbon footprint but save money too! You’ll be provided with a comprehensive report about your home’s problem areas like air leakage, poor insulation, or old, inefficient heating and cooling equipment.

2. What will the Green Homes Program cost me?

The initial energy assessment is completely free of charge, if your household income is under $215,000. If your income exceeds $215,000/year, you will pay no more that $250, on a sliding scale, with the cost shared by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA), the sponsoring state agency. In addition, the program contractors will identify available incentives and rebates for you.

3. Why should I make improvements to my home?

You are under no obligation to make recommended improvements to your home. However, there are many benefits to doing so, like:

• Improved comfort of rooms due to better insulation and less draft
• Increased resale value. Your home will be more efficient and less costly to run.
• Energy savings can mean additional savings.
• The rebates and incentives could reduce the cost by 10% to 50% depending upon your income level.

4. What is Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification?

There are only a limited number of home improvement contractors that have completed the coursework and certification process through the Building Performance Institute (BPI) necessary to participate in this innovative program. They will be looking at your house to evaluate how all of the systems work together. They’ll look for health and safety issues like carbon monoxide levels and mold, as well as energy efficiency. They’ll start in the basement and finish in the attic. They will use up-to-the-minute diagnostic equipment and computer software to get a before and after picture of your home’s energy consumption.

5. How can I pay for the work to make my home more energy efficient?

Besides the immediate reduction in the cost due to rebates and incentives that are currently available, there are some very attractive options available to pay the balance:

• Pay cash
• Take a low-interest rate loan that the installer can initiate with you
• Use your energy savings to make your loan payments so that there are no out-of-pocket expenses to you. The interest rates are as low as 2.99% currently; subject to change.
• Make your payment to the lender, identified by the contractor — or —
• Make the payment directly to LIPA. They will add a separate line item on your monthly bill to make the process easy and seamless.

6. How do I get an energy assessment?

Here are your next steps:

1. Go to the website www.southamptontownny.gov/energy-audit and fill out the request for more information. Or you can call 631-702-1751. We’ll get the application out to you right away.
2. Fill out the application, check the box that states < 200% of AMI (area median income) if your household income (all members over 18 who are working) is under $215,000/yr.
3. Gather energy usage for one year (12 months), typically LIPA/PSEG and oil usage. If you contact your utility providers, they can easily provide you the requested information. (This is so that a realistic estimate of energy savings can be made.)
   
4. Mail the application to the Albany address at the bottom of the application. Once your application is received, it typically takes 1-2 weeks for NYSERDA to generate a reservation number. This reservation number is what makes the program free to you and also pays the contractor performing the audit. While you’re waiting for your application to be processed, you can begin interviewing contractors from the list that we will provide. You may ask for references if you like.
   
5. When you receive your reservation number (in your email – if you provide it) you can then call your selected contractor with that reservation number to schedule your energy assessment.