Description

In August 2010, the City of Atlanta launched the Sustainable Home Initiative in the New Economy (SHINE) Program. This pilot program offers rebates for energy efficiency improvements to Atlanta residents. A rebate of 25% (up to $2,000) of the cost of installing qualifying measures is available during the program pilot phase of the program. In order to qualify, the home must be assessed by a Georgia Power Home Energy Improvement Program contractor. An energy assessment will determine which energy efficiency improvements will be undertaken. A variety of improvements are eligible for this program, including insulation improvements, programmable thermostats, duct and air sealing, caulking and weather-stripping, and the replacement of doors and windows. After the work has been completed and the homeowner has paid the contractor, the contractor submits the rebate form to the city on behalf of the customer for the appropriate rebate amount. There is no expiration date for the rebate program, but it will close when funding is exhausted.

In January 2011, the City of Atlanta launched the SHINE Silver Program. SHINE Silver is a single-measure energy efficiency rebate program focused on high-efficiency domestic water-heating appliances. Multiple technologies could qualify, including high-efficiency electric and gas tankless water heating, high-efficiency storage, and solar water heaters certified to the OG-300 standard. Rebates vary by technology; the maximum rebate for efficient hot water appliances is $1,500. This program was designed as an addition to the SHINE Gold program, and to complement the Georgia Power Home Energy Improvement Program so that homeowners may take advantage of all available rebates.

See the program web site or Atlanta Gas and Light for details and additional eligibility information regarding SHINE program incentives.

Note: This program is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) BetterBuildings Program. The DOE has awarded over $500 million in federal funds to more than 40 states, local governments, and organizations to administer local programs targeting a variety of building types. Combined, these local programs are expected to improve the efficiency of more than 170,000 buildings through 2013 and save up to $65 million in energy costs annually.