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WRCOG Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Program for WesternRiverside CountyResidential HERO Program HandbookMarch 2018

WRCOG HERO Program TMHandbookTable of Contents1 Program Introduction.11.1Program Overview . 11.2Handbook Structure . 11.3Other Terms and Disclaimers . 22 Program Contact Information .22.1Program Website . 22.2Program Offices . 22.3Program Call Center. 22.4Program Contact Information and Other UsefulResources . 33Future Program Changes .64 Program Eligibility.64.1Eligible Products . 64.2Eligible Costs . 74.3Eligible Contractors . 74.4Eligible Rebate Programs and Tax Credits . 84.5 Eligible Number of Assessments . 95 Program Requirements .95.1Contractor Registration . 95.2Self-Install Agreement . 95.3Building Permits and Inspection . 105.4Fraudulent Activity . 105.5Required Documents. 106 Financial Terms .106.1Costs to Apply . 106.2Assessment Costs . 106.3Annual Repayments . 126.4Prepayments and Discharge. 127Program Process .128Dispute Resolution.139Additional Requirements andTerms.1310 Appendices .14Appendix A: Glossary of Terms . 14Appendix B: Additional Requirements and Terms . 18Appendix C: Program Forms and Documents . 0Appendix E: District Map . 1

WRCOG HERO Program TMHandbook1 Program Introduction1.1 Program OverviewIn July 2008, the State of California approved Assembly Bill 811, authorizing cities and counties toestablish voluntary contractual assessment programs as a new financing mechanism used to pay forenergy efficiency and renewable energy products which are permanently attached to property. In 2009,the State of California approved Assembly Bill 474, which added water efficiency Improvements andallowed Joint Powers Authorities such as Western Riverside Council of Governments (“WRCOG”) toestablish this type of program. The WRCOG Executive Committee voted to commission a program in2009.The WRCOG Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Program for Western Riverside County wascreated and approved by WRCOG and its participating members to assist property owners who want toimprove the energy and/or water usage of their home or building while lowering utility bills andgreenhouse gas emissions. As such, the WRCOG Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (“HERO”)Program (the “Program”) provides this financing for residential property owners. Through the Program,property owners may borrow money to finance the installation of eligible, permanently fixed, renewableenergy systems, energy efficiency products, and/or water efficiency products on their property (“EligibleProducts”) and repay the financing through an assessment on their property tax bill. Participati on in theProgram is voluntary and requires the full consent of the property owner. Property owners signcontractual assessment agreements, and agree to repay the amount financed over a 5-, 10-, 15-,20-, or25-year period, depending on the type of property, the financing amount, and the expected usefullifetime of the installed Eligible Products. An assessment lien is recorded on the property to secure thefinancing.Property owners in the following communities are eligible to apply for assessments: the Western portionof the unincorporated area of the County of Riverside and the Cities of Banning, Calimesa, CanyonLake, Corona, Eastvale, Hemet, Jurupa Valley, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Murrieta,Norco, Perris, Riverside, San Jacinto, Temecula and Wildomar.In addition, property owners must meet all of the eligibility requirements and agree to comply with allthe Program rules for the application and funding processes, installment of Eligible Products, andrepayment of the assessment.1.2 Handbook StructureThe purpose of the handbook is to help property owners apply for and receive financing for renewableenergy systems and energy and water efficiency products. The handbook is divided into nine sectionsplus appendices, which will take the reader through the process necessary to complete and fund theEligible Products.Section 1:Section 2:Program Introduction provides a brief overview of Program basics;Program Contact Information includes a chart with Program contacts andadditional resources;Section 3:Future Program Changes discloses WRCOG’s right to change theHandbook;Program Eligibility describes eligibility requirements for residential properties,property owners, and Eligible Products;Program Requirements outlines the requirements for Program participation;Section 4:Section 5:Page 1 of 22

WRCOG HERO Program TMHandbookSection 6:Section 7:Section 8:Section 9:Appendices:Financial Terms outlines the cost of the Program;Program Process provides a description of the Program process;Dispute Resolution provides summary of steps to take if an applicant wishesto dispute decisions by the Program;Additional Requirements and Terms provides information about additionalProgram requirements and terms; andAppendices provide important forms, definitions and Eligible Products List, which arerequired by the Program.For purposes of the handbook, all references to “days” are in calendar days, unless otherwisespecified.1.3 Other Terms and DisclaimersAll applicants must (and interested parties such as contractors should) read the Additional Terms andRequirements section in Appendix B. This section outlines many of the legal issues associated with theProgram, including the responsibilities and obligations of both participating property owners andProgram staff.2 Program Contact Information2.1 Program WebsiteThe Program website will provide a variety of useful information, including information on how theProgram works, Eligible Products, available rebates and tax credits, and Program news and events. Inaddition, residential property owners will be able to apply online and contractors will be able to registeronline. Frequently Asked Questions, the Eligible Products List, and certain other documents will alsobe available for download. The Program website address is www.renovateamerica.com.2.2 Program OfficesThe Program office is located in WRCOG’s headquarters at 3390 University Avenue, Suite 450Riverside, CA 92501.The offices are currently open from 7 am to 6 pm, Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays.Property owners and contractors may visit the WRCOG offices to ask questions about the Program,pick up and submit hard copy applications or Program brochures, and so on.2.3 Program Call CenterProperty owners and contractors may call 855-HERO-411 to ask questions about the Program orrequest a copy of the application by mail or email. Program Call Center hours are:Monday through ThursdayFriday8 am to 10 pm8 am to 9 pmPage 2 of 22

WRCOG HERO Program TMHandbookSaturdaySunday10 am to 8 pm10 am to 6 pmPlease see the Program website at www.renovateamerica.com for recent updates about the callcenter operation times, phone number and other relevant information.2.4 Program Contact Information and Other Useful ResourcesGeneral questions about the Program can be answered by visiting the Program website atwww.renovateamerica.com, visiting the WRCOG offices, calling the Program’s toll free number at855-HERO-411, or clicking “Chat Now” at the top of any WRCOG HERO Program webpage.Program AdministratorsPhone Number(s):Program Address:WRCOG(951) 405-6700Riverside County Administrative Center Annex3390 University Avenue, Suite 450Riverside, CA 92501-3609Renovate America,Inc.Program Call Center Number:855-HERO-411Address:16409 W. BernardoDrive, San Diego, CA,92127Program Fax Number:(858) 815-6860Program Email:wrcog@heroprogram.comContractor Email:contractor@heroprogram.comOther Useful InformationCalifornia SolarInitiative (Go SolarCalifornia)The California Solar Initiative (CSI)is the solar rebate program forCalifornia consumers that arecustomers of the investor-ownedutilities, including SouthernCalifornia Edison (SCE).http://www.GoSolarCalifornia.ca.govSouthern CaliforniaEdisonSCE is an investor-owned utility thatprovides electricity services to mostof Riverside County.http://www.sce.comSouthern CaliforniaGas CompanySCG is an investor-owned utilitythat provides gas services to mostof Riverside County.http://www.socalgas.comCorona Departmentof Water and PowerCorona DWP provides electric andwater services to certain residentswithin the City of Corona.http://www.coronautilities.org(866) 584-7436 (technical) Solar PV – SC Edison(800) 799-4177 (general) Solar PV – SC Edison(800) 799-4177 Solar Thermal – SC Edison(800) Gas-2000 Solar Thermal -- SoCalGas(800) 655-4555 24-Hour Customer Service(800) 427-2200(951) 736-2321Page 3 of 22

WRCOG HERO Program TMHandbookCity of BanningElectric UtilityCity of Banning Utility provideselectric services to City of D 57City of RiversidePublic UtilityCity of Riverside Public Utilityprovides electric services to the Cityof Riverside ctric.aspMoreno ValleyElectric UtilityCity of Moreno Valley Utilityprovides electric services to selectproperty owners within the City ofMoreno Valley.http://www.morenovalley.ca.us/resident services/utilities/indexutil.shtmlContractors StateLicense BoardThe Contractors State LicenseBoard (CSLB) protects consumersby licensing and regulatingCalifornia's construction industry.www.cslb.ca.govCLSB License CheckFederal Tax CreditsInformation page about federal taxcredits available for energyefficiency and renewable 70010.htmState and LocalRebatesSee your local utility companyinformation above. See also,Energy Upgrade California tosearch for rebates by zip code.See local utility company information above. Seealso Energy Upgrade side/overview(800) 736-4777 SC Edison EUC Program(800) 427-2200 SoCalGas EUC ProgramEnergy StarEnergy Star is a governmentbacked program helping businessesand individuals protect theenvironment through superiorenergy efficiency. Energy Starprovides energy efficiencystandards, qualified and labeledenergy efficiency products andrecommended installation methods,among other things.www.energystar.govBPI is a national standardsdevelopment and credentialingorganization for residential energyefficiency retrofit work – providingtraining through a network oftraining affiliate organizations,individual certifications, companyaccreditations and qualityassurance 51) 922-3185(951) 826-5485(877) 811-8700check Contractor’s License Status 1(800) 321-CSLB (2752)Energy Star Hotline for specific questions aboutspecific products (888) 782-7937(877) 274-1274http://thecbpca.orgCalifornia BuildingPerformanceContractorsAssociationCBPCA is a non-profit 501c-6 tradeassociation that develops, trainsand promotes whole house energyefficient retrofitting for contractorsand professionals in the buildingperformance industry. Offers BPIand HERS training/certification.(510) 433-5042Page 4 of 22

WRCOG HERO Program TMHandbookCalCERTSCalCERTS is an approvedCalifornia Energy Commission(CEC) Home Energy Rating System(HERS) Provider. CalCERTS, Inc. isa private organization that providesservice, support, training andcertification to HERS raters.https://www.calcerts.com/(877) 437-7787Riverside CountyBuilding and SafetyDepartmentBuilding and Safety Department –information about building permitrequirements for all unincorporatedareas of Riverside County. Forincorporated cities, please go toyour city’s official website or callthe city pxTitle 24 Hot LineThe Title 24 Hotline is provided bythe California Energy Commissionand is intended to help contractorsand others interpret and understandthe rules in California’s Title 24regulations for new construction ofand retrofitting of residential andcommercial buildings.(951) 800) 772-3300Mon.-Fri. 8AM – 12 PM, 1 PM – 4:30 PMPage 5 of 22