Green Contractor Rebate Program
The Green Contractor Rebate Program is a partnership between the City of San Antonio Office of Environmental Policy (OEP) and Build San Antonio Green (BSAG) that provides incentives for builders to renovate existing homes through BSAG’s Green Retrofit Program.
Rebates are available for up to 150 homes (will vary based on size of homes and rebate amounts). Rebates will only be awarded with proof of performance and will require filling out a program application. Contractors are only eligible for $50,000 in rebates through this program.
It is essential that potential participants talk with Build San Antonio Green staff (Aaron Stein, Project Manager, 210-224-7278) before work begins to ensure eligibility. Not every project will be eligible, only those for major renovations with significant energy improvements.
Program participants must:
- Registered contractor with the City of San Antonio
- Membership in Build San Antonio Green (may join after the program start date)
- Attend orientation session
Step 1: Ensure registration with City and membership in BSAG. Attend orientation session
Step 2: Contact BSAG (Aaron Stein, Project Manager, 210-224-7278) to indicate potential participation and provide age of structure. If the home is over 45 years old, it is considered historic and be reviewed by the City and potentially the State Historic Preservation Officer (could at 1 month+ to process)
Step 3: Begin work by following the Green Retrofit Guidelines and Checklist. Conduct a pre-construction HERS test by a RESNET accredited rater. The contractor is required to pay for the rater and construction costs at the time of service and will be rebated following successful completion of the project. A post-construction HERS test is also required
Step 4: Complete application form (and all required attachments) and send to:
City of San Antonio Office of Environmental Policy
PO Box 839966
San Antonio TX 78283-3966
The rebate will take about one month to be processed. To expedite payment it is recommended that contractors fill out the COSA Vendor Master Creation Request Form.
1. What kinds of rebates are available?
Rebates are eligible to cover the pre and post-HERS test to the home (up to $1000), Build San Antonio Green certification costs, and cash incentives based on the level of performance achieved ($1,500 for L1 and $2,500 for L2).
2. What do I have to do to be eligible?
You must be a registered contractor with the City of San Antonio and a member of Build San Antonio Green.
3. How much paperwork is involved?
There is a 1 page rebate application that you submit to the Office of Environmental Policy for each project and a one-time vendor application.
4. How long does it take to get a rebate?
After achieving BSAG certification you submit the application and it should take a month to receive your check (unless the home is 45 years or older).
5. What happens if the home is 45 years or older?
The project will have to be submitted to the City of San Antonio for review before work begins if you want to participate in this program. This could add a month to the process.
6. What types of projects are eligible?
Any residence within the CPS Energy service territory is eligible but must go through the Green Retrofit program. This is a whole-house renovation program and includes measurable energy improvements. The Level 1 certification requires at least 30% improvement from the pre and post-HERS test and the Level 2 requires at a least 50% improvement.
7. How can I be sure if I can achieve 30% improvement?
While it is not a sure thing our past retrofit projects have seen up to 70% improvements. The most important thing is to contact a RESNET accredited energy rater who can help you figure out what needs to be done.
8. How do I get started?
First you must become a member of Build San Antonio Green. Contact BSAG (Aaron Stein, Project Manager, 210-224-7278)with the project information and BSAG will help you both with the Green Retrofit process as well as with the rebate process.
- For incentives to be paid, the application must be completed entirely and submitted with required documentation (see below).
- Maximum HERS Index ratings must be achieved for reimbursement to occur
- Must be a registered member of Build San Antonio Green before submitting rebate application. Builder or contractor must be licensed by the City of San Antonio.
- All required permits must be filed and inspections completed by the City of San Antonio.
- Individual HERS Index ratings of individual units must be conducted by a Texas-listed RESNET® Certified Rater.
- This form must be used for homes with a Building Permit dated after 1/01/2010.
- A RESNET® Certified Rater inspection/testing/rating/verification of each unit is required. Rebates are not available to residential units achieving ENERGY STAR® certification through Builder Option Package procedures, or procedures allowing individual units to be certified without onsite blower door, thermal bypass, and other ENERGY STAR® testing/verification.
- By participating in this program, the builder or contractor agrees that the City of San Antonio obtains and/or retains ownership of all rights existing and future emission credits, renewable energy rights to existing and future emissions credits, renewable energy green tags, tradable renewable certificates and/or any and all other environmental benefits associated with constructing or renovating the home to ENERGY STAR® standards.
- Contractors are limited to a maximum of $50,000 in benefits through this program
- Notify the Office of Environmental Policy if the house is 45 or more years old before beginning work.
- Form is subject to change per any federal provisions
Required Documentation in addition to the program application form include:
- The Build San Antonio Green™ (BSAG) Certificate of Validation for the residential unit identified by address.
- Pre-construction HERS Documentation (including the HERS Index)
- Post-construction HERS Documentation (including the HERS Index)
- For renovations that earn the ENERGY STAR® label, a copy of the ENERGY STAR® Home Certificate and ENERGY STAR® Home Report
- Receipts from HERS rater (for reimbursement purposes)
For further information, please contact Aaron Stein at Build San Antonio Green via email or at 210-224-7278.
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