Alameda County has over 430,000 single-family homes, of which 70% were built before the California Energy Code. This means that many of our existing homes may lack features such as wall insulation, air sealing, energy efficient windows, and other elements that help make a home comfortable and affordable that are standard in new construction. To help close this gap, StopWaste and BayREN have programs that connect homeowners with information about their homes, rebates and financing for making upgrades, and contractors who can do the work.
EASE Home
A more comfortable, healthier, and energy-efficient home is easier to achieve than you might think. Many Bay Area homes lose heat in the winter and cool air in the summer through small gaps, thin insulation, and leaky ductwork, making HVAC systems or space heaters work harder and raising energy bills. Home weatherization upgrades can make a big impact in reducing or eliminating these issues. Homeowners who address these issues often see around 15% or more savings on heating and cooling costs, along with fewer drafts and better indoor air quality.
And because nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. homes are under-insulated, most households stand to benefit. So why don't more people upgrade? Time, project management, and cost can all be barriers. That's where EASE Home comes in.
How Does EASE Home Help You Upgrade?
Improving your home's comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency is easy with BayREN's EASE Home program, offered in partnership with StopWaste. EASE Home takes the guesswork out of home upgrades by providing technical assistance, pre-vetted contractors, and 80% cost coverage for income-qualified households.
What do I get from EASE Home?
- Attic Insulation is one of the most cost-effective home energy improvements, with typical payback periods of 2-5 years and annual savings of $200-$600.
- Duct Sealing or Replacement stops heated or cooled air from leaking out of your ducts. This can reduce up to 20% of the energy wasted by your heating system and help your system run more efficiently.
- Whole-Home Weatherproofing includes weather-stripping and sealing common air leaks around windows, doors, and other gaps. These measures add 5–10% in energy savings and greatly improve indoor comfort by reducing drafts.
- + More upgrade measures available!
How do I sign up?
Sign up for a free site visit and learn more about EASE Home from our partners at BayREN:
- Phone: (866) 998-8655
- Email: EASEHome@BayREN.org
Green House Calls
Green House Calls is a free energy and water efficiency service offered by Rising Sun Center for Opportunity in partnership with BayREN. Participating households receive a no-cost home assessment that identifies opportunities to save energy and water, plus a set of efficiency products like LED bulbs, aerators, and more. The service is available to Bay Area residents who haven't received a Green House Call in the last five years, with no income requirement. By signing up, you get practical ways to lower utility bills and support local youth trained as Energy Specialists.
Home Energy Labels
Identifying the best starting place to upgrade a home's energy efficiency can feel overwhelming. What projects are your best solution to reduce utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions while making your house more comfortable? Getting a Home Energy Score through BayREN can help answer these questions.
Home Energy Score is a standardized label from the U.S. Department of Energy that acts like a miles-per-gallon rating for your home. A certified Assessor will visit your house to collect information on its construction and energy features, then provide you with a report showing your current score from 1-10 (5 being an average home, 10 being most energy efficient), estimated energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and options for upgrading your home and increasing your energy score.
Real Estate Education
If you are a real estate agent or appraiser working in Alameda County, BayREN has free trainings, practical tools, and expert guidance to help you highlight the value of energy-efficient homes. Our foundational courses equip you to educate clients on the benefits of energy efficiency so they can make informed choices when buying, selling or renovating.
Want to learn more? If you would like to learn more about energy efficiency resources, including those for renters or for help getting discounts on your utility bill, visit the BayREN Home Learning Center.