CPS Energy is offering incentives to builders and contractors for new home construction that will result in lower monthly utility bills for the homeowner and will be good for the environment!

CPS Energy incentives for new residential construction are based on a “whole house performance” concept.  To receive an incentive for energy efficiency in new home construction, the building must be at least 15% more efficient than the City of San Antonio (CoSA) building codes (IECC 2009) implemented in January 2010.  The building codes and related efficiency incentives were adopted from recommendations provided by the Mayor’s Task Force on Sustainable Buildings, a diverse community stakeholder group.  Recommendations for building codes and incentives were formalized in the City's Sustainable Building Code ordinance.

No specific efficiency measures are identified as being eligible for energy incentives.  This provides builders the flexibility to use whatever building methods they feel appropriate to meet the standards. 

CPS Energy incentives can be determined by using ENERGY STAR® HERS rating or other approved testing methods.  See application for a list of other approved testing methods.

Incentive Levels Using ENERGY STAR®:

• ENERGY STAR® compliant with (HERS rating of 75 to 58) = $ 800 per home
• ENERGY STAR® compliant with (HERS rating of 57 or less) = $1,500 per home

Incentive Levels Using Other Testing Methods:

• Other methods under (2009 IECC) energy codes at (15% to 30% above code) = $ 800 per home
• Other methods under (2009 IECC) energy codes at (31% or greater above code) = $1,500 per home

Build San Antonio Green can help!  Task force recommendations also call for local programs to collaborate to provide consistent community-wide approach to educating and incentivizing new construction.  Build San Antonio Green aligned their home certification programs to match the incentive levels.  So, if you qualify for Level 1 or above in the Build San Antonio Green program, you automatically qualify for CPS Energy incentives!

Building within the City of San Antonio?:

To qualify for CPS Energy's New Home Construction incentive program:

• Obtain a permit in 2010 from the City of San Antonio's Planning and Development Services Department.
• Provide energy modeling documentation as allowable by the Planning and Development Services Department (such as RESCheck).

Building outside of the City of San Antonio (within CPS Energy service area)?:

Building codes will vary in the local suburban cities and county areas.  To verify that new residential construction in these areas meet the same efficiency levels as a home built within the San Antonio city limits, CPS Energy will require these homes to be certified using Build San Antonio Green’s certification program.

CPS Energy customers interested in building a green-certified home should review the criteria and work with their homebuilder to meet eligibility requirements.  For more information on guidelines for certification and the review process, call CPS Energy at 353-2SAV or see Build San Antonio Green's Web site.

Build San Antonio Green certification program levels:

• Certified Level - A home built to meet and exceed the 2009 IECC with additional green features health, materials, and site section with a maximum HERS Index of 85.  Homes built under this level will be approximately 7% above the 2009 IECC. 
• Level 1 - A home that is 15% above the IECC 2009 energy code (HERS rating of 75 to 58).    
• Level 2 - A home that is 30% above the IECC 2009 energy code (HERS rating of 57 to 50).
• Level 3 - A home that is ≥35% above the IECC 2009 energy code (HERS rating of 51 or less)