Educational Resources
Virginia has its very own energy efficiency education program – Virginia Energy Sense. Additionally, ENERGY STAR® and the U.S. Department of Energy offer a variety of resources for consumers. Some of their most popular web pages are highlighted below, but we encourage you to explore all that these websites have to offer.
ENERGY STAR
- Ways to Save – Browse a list of energy efficiency projects and instructions based on timeline, room type, and whether you rent or own.
- Home Advisor – Create a home energy profile and receive custom recommendations.
- Product Finder – Search for ENERGY STAR equipment. Filter by type, features, or manufacturer to narrow your results.
- New Homes Partner Locator – Building a new home or performing a major renovation? Find ENERGY STAR Partners who have built certified homes in your area.
U.S. Department of Energy
- Energy Saver – The Energy Saver webpages offer a wealth of information about heating and cooling equipment, weatherization, electricity, other fuels, and energy-efficient design.
- Energy Saver Guide – Low/no-cost tips for saving energy and money, including equipment-specific recommendations.
- Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Assessments - List to help pinpoint areas in your home that may need to be addressed.
- Do-It-Yourself Projects – Step-by-step instructions for DIY home energy projects.
Financial Resources
The websites below offer a variety of financial assistance options for energy projects.
- Conservation Assistance Program – The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District offers financial incentives to housing and community associations for energy and watershed conservation projects.
- Fairfax County Solar Equipment Tax Exemption – Qualifying installations entitle the property owner to a tax exemption for five years.
- Virginia Sales Tax Holiday – No sales tax on certain ENERGY STAR and WaterSense appliances the first weekend in August.
- ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder – Use your zip code to find available rebates and special offers on ENERGY STAR certified products.
- Federal Tax Credit – Solar equipment tax credit available through 2023.
- Dominion Energy Programs – For Dominion Energy customers, several programs are available including home energy assessments, smart thermostat programs, appliance rebates, and home retrofits.
- Washington Gas Programs – For Washington Gas customers, several types of equipment rebates are available.
- Columbia Gas of Virginia Programs – For Columbia Gas of Virginia customers, several rebates for qualifying upgrades are available.
- Weatherization Assistance – The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development offers financial assistance for weatherization projects to low-income households.
- Energy Assistance Program – The Virginia Department of Social Services offers bill and equipment payment assistance to eligible low-income households.
