The Energy Upgrade California in LA County program provides LA County homeowners who make energy-saving home improvements with rebates and incentives of up to $4,500—in addition to savings on monthly utility bills. Now, for a limited time, homeowners can receive incentives of up to $6,000, funded by an increase of $1,500 in the incentives provided by LA County. Energy Upgrade home improvements that qualify for rebates and incentives include insulation, sealing, HVAC upgrades, energy-efficient windows, tankless water heaters and other “fixed” improvements. The program emphasizes a “whole house” approach, rather than installing individual improvements, as the most efficient and effective way to save money on energy bills and qualify for the maximum rebate available.

To learn more about the Energy Upgrade CA program, come to an Energy Upgrade CA Kick-off Event to be held Saturday, July 23 in Monterey Park in the Community Room at Monterey Park City Hall. The event will feature booths, displays and a presentation about the program and current incentives. Local contractors who are participating in Energy Upgrade CA will also be available to answer your questions. For more about this event and to register, please visit or call (626) 457-1800.

“Southern California’s summer heat inevitably brings higher bouncy castle for sale costs for cooling your home, so this is an ideal time to consider energy-saving home upgrades,” said Howard Choy, general manager of the Los Angeles County Office of Sustainability. “It’s our hope that the increased incentives offered this summer encourage more LA county residents to take advantage of energy improvements that will help them save money, create more comfortable indoor environments and contribute to our county-wide energy-efficiency efforts as we head into the hot summer months of high energy use.”

Upgrades such as sealing and insulating the home can maximize the efficiency of a new air conditioner or whole house fan, creating a cooler, more comfortable home and helping to save on energy costs. Homes that have undergone energy efficiency upgrades can often use smaller air conditioners than those that have not, so homeowners considering the purchase of a new AC unit this summer should plan on making energy efficiency improvements before they buy to save money now and in the future.

The increased summer rebate is available while funds last or through Labor Day 2011. After Labor Day, the LA County rebate will return to its original amount of $500, and homeowners will be eligible for a maximum of $4,500 in incentives. For more information about qualified upgrades and available incentives, program guidelines and finding a participating contractor, visit energyupgradeca.com/LA County before beginning upgrade work.

In order to be eligible for all rebates and incentives, energy efficiency upgrades must be performed by an Energy Upgrade California participating contractor. Through the Energy Upgrade California website, homeowners will be directed to the list of participating contractors specially trained in energy efficiency upgrades.

About Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County

Energy Upgrade California is a statewide energy efficiency program for homeowners and collaboration among the California Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, utilities, local governments and the private sector. Funding for the Energy Upgrade California program comes from multiple American Reinvestment and Recovery Act sources, including: Los Angeles County’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant; U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program funding; and a California Energy Commission discretionary grant. Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County is administered and overseen by an alliance among LA County, Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company. Los Angeles County is one of the first counties in California to roll out this program. Locally, county officials are coordinating with the utilities to provide homeowners with information on home upgrade benefits, financing, incentives and home energy ratings, and help with finding participating contractors. For more information, consumers can visit www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org or call (877) 785-2237.