Due to changes in the North Carolina building code Central Electric Membership Corporation is no longer offering rebates for new homes following ENERGY STAR guidelines. Instead, as of February 1, 2013, CEMC will award refunds to High Efficiency Residential Option (HERO) built homes. Houses under this criteria tend to be 30 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the state's current code.

Features and Benefits

HERO uses two methods to accomplish greater energy efficiency: The Prescriptive Path and The Performance Path. While both are effective, Central Electric plans to require The Performance Path. CEMC feels it is more flexible and can better serve our members.

In order to be sure that your home meets the HERO requirements completely, we recommend that you read fully the North Carolina Energy Conservation Code (NCECC), which can be found at www.energycodes.gov.

One important improvement is a reduction in the fenestration solar heat gain coefficient to 0.30 (from 0.40). This is a 25 percent improvement in heat gain reduction.  Fenestration U-factors were lowered across the state from 0.40 to 0.35, this improvement will be felt the most during the heating season.

Air leakage control in the 2012 NCECC has become a significantly higher priority. Building envelope air tightness must be demonstrated either through compliance with an air sealing checklist or, alternatively, a blower door test that demonstrates delivered air tightness at less than 5 ACH50. When the air leakage test option is elected, the value must be displayed on the building certificate along with all other construction attributes required.

All HVAC ducts must be tested, demonstrating leakage no greater than 6 CFM per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area. Like building envelope testing, tested duct leakage performance values must be shown on the compliance certificate.

Efficiency gains are also delivered through the requirement that at least 75% of the lamps in permanently installed fixtures will be high efficiency lamps.

The new HERO program will require the services of a home energy rater and building diagnosticians for duct testing, envelope testing and building modeling, to determine code compliance.

How to receive your rebate

Central EMC members who build or purchase a new HERO built home will qualify for a rebate of $200-$600.  These energy efficiency improvements can save homeowners about $115 per year on utility bills.

In order to apply for a rebate, complete a Central Electric HERO Home application and return it along with all diagnostic testing forms and a REM/Rate Home Summary Report completed by a qualified HERS rater.

Contractors:
If you build a new speculative HERO certified home that receives electricity from Central EMC, you will receive a $400 rebate once the home has been checked for compliance by a licensed independent HERS rater and all appropriate paperwork has been submitted*.

Members:
If you move into a new home that has been HERO certified, members will receive a $200 rebate. For members who have a HERO home custom built, members will receive a $600 rebate once the home has been checked for compliance by a licensed independent HERS rater and all appropriate paperwork is submitted*.

Click here for a list of certified raters in North Carolina, as well as a list of specifications for qualifying homes.

To download a rebate form, click here. Forms may be e-mailed to Janet Jackson or Nancy Gust. They may also be printed and returned to the co-op.

Rebates are subject to change without notice. Applications for both contractors and members must be completed and certification verified before rebates are issued. All rebates are subject to approval and are contingent upon fund availability. All rebates are contingent upon the final report of an independent HERS rater.

For more information, contact Nancy Gust or Janet Jackson at 800-446-7752.