Comfort Advantage

Why Comfort Advantage?

Pearl River Valley Electric believes it is important to help members use energy wisely.

The objectives of the Comfort Advantage Home Program are:

To reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat and cool a home
To make a home generally more energy efficient
To make it more comfortable
To enable our members to save on their energy bills
To increase the resale value associated with the home

In short, Comfort Advantage Standards helps create a comfortable, energy-efficient home designed to reduce its energy consumption and add to its value.

Comfort Advantage Incentives*

For New Homes

Comfort Advantage (Basic)

Free underground service up to 150' :

Installing a 14.3 SEER2 or a 15 SEER Heat Pump

Comfort Advantage (Plus)

Free underground service up to 150' and $500:

*Installing a 15.2 SEER2 or a 16 SEER or higher Heat Pump

*Installing a qualifying Ground Source Heat Pump

*$150 for each additional qualified heat pump system

For Upgrading an Existing Home

$400: Installing a Heat Pump in a non-Comfort Advantage Home

Note: Comfort Advantage incentives are paid to whoever decides to incorporate Comfort Advantage Standards - Owner or Builder

*$150 per additional qualified heat pump system.

Why a Heat Pump?

Even Comfort - Heat pumps provide heating and cooling comfort throughout the house, without drafts or hot/cold spots.
Economy - Properly sized heat pumps can be as efficient as any other kind of heating/cooling system. A SEER rating of 14.3 SEER2 or 15 SEER or higher is required.
Safety - Heat pumps provide comfort without fumes, ashes or soot.
Convenience - System operation is simple and automatic. Set it once to maintain comfort all year round.
Wise Investment - An electric heat pump system enhances the value of your home

Additional Requirements of a Comfort Advantage Home

INSULATION

Ceiling - Flat ceiling areas must be insulated to a minimum of R-30. Either batt or loose-fill blown insulation is acceptable. If loose-fill blown insulation is used, the minimum number of inches (depth) and number of bags per I 000 sq. ft. must be properly installed as specified by the manufacturer to meet R-value requirements. A minimum of R-19 must be installed in roof/ceiling combinations.
Walls - A minimum insulation value of R-18 must be installed in exterior walls and in wall areas exposed to attic spaces or other exposed partitions.
Floors - A minimum insulation value of R-19 must be installed over vented and open crawl spaces, garages, open areas or unconditioned basements.

ATTIC VENTILATION

All attics must be adequately vented to reduce heat and moisture buildup. A continuous ridge and continuous soffit ventilation provide an excellent natural ventilation system for most common roof configurations.

INFILTRATION CONTROL

Required measures include: weather stripped doors; sealed openings on exterior walls; caulking and sealed shim space around windows and exterior doors. Vapor barriers are also recommended.

DOORS

Metal insulated foam core doors are recommended. Solid wood doors or a combination of hollow core and storm doors also meet standards.

WINDOWS

Windows are the greatest source of heat loss and gain in a house. They must be double glazed or stormed to reduce these factors to a minimum. Total windows must not exceed 20% of the floor area. (A limited amount of single glazed decorative glass is allowable)

HEAT PUMP

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system must be an electric heat pump system designed for whole conditioning. For even comfort, the system must be properly sized and must have a seasonal energy rating of 14.0

WATER HEATING

Water heating is to be supplied electrically by ASHRAE 90 certified efficient equipment. A heat recovery device or a heat pump water heater is strongly recommended. Water storage tank insulation and hot water supply piping insulation are required. Natural gas instantaneous water heaters may now be used in Comfort Advantage homes (electric instantaneous water heaters do not qualify).

ENERGY REQUIREMENTS

All energy requirements must be served by Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association through one meter.