The Votes Are In!
2024 Readers' Choice is back, bigger and better than ever!
View Winners → Arcadia Saving Energy, Creating Jobs Through HERO Program
Arcadia Weekly May 10, 2017
by
share with
Cost-effective directive makes quick impact for these workers. – Courtesy photo
$3.52 Million in Economic Impact; 17 Jobs Created
When California state legislators voted to approve Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and encouraged local communities to embrace this innovative home energy and efficiency financing model, Arcadia was quick to act. Arcadia, as well as surrounding cities, adopted PACE with the goal of helping local homeowners make renewable energy and energy- and water-efficiency upgrades that could reduce utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions while creating local clean-energy jobs.
It’s clear that the PACE financing model is working. Through the state’s largest PACE program, HERO, more than 60 homeowners in Arcadia have made over 150 energy efficiency, water efficiency or solar power improvements to their homes over the last three years. HERO is just one of several PACE providers in the county.
Since PACE became available, Arcadia has also seen a positive impact on the local economy. For example, HERO-funded home improvement activity has generated $3.52 million in new economic activity. By stimulating home renovations, PACE increases demand for local contractor services. As a result, the HERO Program is now supporting an estimated 17 regional jobs through this boost to the local economy. Many of these jobs, like those in the local construction sector, cannot be automated or outsourced.
PACE enables homeowners to make energy and efficiency improvements and to pay for them over time at a fixed interest rate through an additional line item on their property taxes. The resources saved through PACE-financed efficiency upgrades are significant. For example, for every 1,000 homes that complete HERO-financed efficiency upgrades, on average, carbon emissions saved are equivalent to taking 8,500 cars off the road for one year; energy saved is equivalent to powering 13,800 homes for one year, and water saved is equivalent to 2.7 million showers.
“PACE financing gives homeowners an innovative way to access home improvements such as new windows and doors, high-efficiency HVAC systems, water-efficient landscaping and even rooftop solar,” said Blair McNeill, Vice President of Market Development at Renovate America, the company that administers the HERO Program, adding, “the goal is to help homeowners lower utility bills, reduce carbon emissions, and in the process, create local jobs.”
Because of the public-private nature of the program, PACE financing offers significant additional consumer safeguards not found with other forms of home-improvement financing. One significant new safeguard is that PACE providers are required to give homeowners “Know-Before-You-Owe” disclosure forms so they can easily understand the terms of their PACE financing. Providers that are members of PACENation, the non-profit advocacy organization that promotes PACE financing, are required to go further and conduct live, recorded phone calls to confirm financing terms and reinforce the written disclosures. In addition, members must offer programs to assist homeowners with post-project issues and to assist homeowners who experience unexpected financial hardship.
More information about PACE can be found at PACENation.us. Residents interested in HERO financing for their homes are invited to visit www.heroprogram.com/ca/central-california.
