Air Conditioning and the Florida PACE Program

If you’re a Florida homeowner, you’ve probably heard about the Property Assessed Clean Energy or PACE program. And if you’ve been following us, you already know that Super Heat & Air is now an approved PACE contractor, right? …

Oh you haven’t heard? Ok then, let’s give you the rundown about the Florida PACE program and how it relates to air conditioning (and us)!

About the Florida PACE Program

PACE is relatively new, but word has been spreading to Florida homeowners fast! The PACE program began in California about a decade ago and became a massive success. Other states followed suit by adopting it, and Florida jumped onboard the PACE train! The Florida PACE program helps qualified property owners get financing for energy efficient improvements and upgrades at no upfront costs. This may include new roofing, solar panels, spray foam insulation, impact windows and energy efficient air conditioning systems (we’ll get to that).

The Property Assessed Clean Energy program is a huge success in Florida and continues to grow! The demand for PACE is high because it offers a great fixed interest and repayment alternative to traditional financing options. It has also allowed qualified homeowners an easy and affordable way to obtain financing for clean energy living. This saves them money, increases property values and helps protect the environment!

The following is a quick overview of the PACE program:

• PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy.
• It provides financing for clean energy improvements and upgrades to qualified property owners.
• The PACE program started in Berkeley, California in 2007 and was called a “world-changing idea” and one of “20 ways to build a cleaner, healthier, smarter world” by Scientific American magazine.
• PACE projects lower energy bills at a property, which means it could potentially for itself.
• Financing from PACE is repaid on annual property tax bills, which is why no upfront costs are required.
• The financing is tied to the property, not the property owner. So when the property is sold, the new owner may take on the repayment.
• PACE is privately funded by agencies through the government, not by public tax dollars.
• The PACE program creates more jobs for home repair and improvement contractors.
• PACE helps the environment by transitioning properties to clean energy consumption alternatives.

Not Everyone Can Offer It

Becoming a PACE-approved contractor comes with strict requirements. And any contractor that wants to offer PACE financing must pass through a thorough screening. This includes a review of the contractor’s status with the state Contractor Licensing Board, as well as positive online reviews. Contractors must also abide by the rules of the program, which comes with strong consumer protections.