CPEEP

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The California Preschool Energy Efficiency Program (CPEEP) helps center-based child care and preschool facilities in the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) service area be healthier, greener and save money on energy bills—all for free.

CPEEP replaces older, energy-intensive equipment at child care centers with energy–efficient upgrades that can help reduce operating costs. Eligible licensed center-based child care facilities include, but are not limited to, Head Start, state-contracted and private centers served by PG&E.

Program Update: As of September 1, 2013, CPEEP is not accepting new applications for the program. To learn more about other energy efficiency programs offered by PG&E, you can call the PG&E Business Customer Service Center at 1-877-743-7782 or visit www.pge.com.

Results
Since 2006, CPEEP has provided energy audits and retrofits to 2,065 child care centers. These centers serve more than 95,000 children in California. Centers that have received CPEEP grants:

  • Save an estimated 10-30% on annual electric-utility costs
  • Reduce energy usage by approximately 25% per fixture replaced

How It Works

CPEEP is fully funded to provide energy efficiency assessments and installations 100% free of charge to eligible child care centers.

1. Energy Assessment

A contractor will conduct an energy assessment of your center. You will receive an energy recommendation report from the CPEEP contractor that shows the recommended equipment replacements and your center’s potential energy and cost savings.*

2. Installation

Once you approve the recommended upgrades, the contractor will install the energy efficient equipment at your facility. CPEEP will work with you and the contractor to ensure that the project is completed to your satisfaction with minimal disruption to your center. In some instances, installation can happen the same day as the assessment.

Technology and Equipment Covered

The program will replace older, energy-intensive equipment with more efficient alternatives. A few examples include:

  • Linear Fluorescent lamp and ballast replacement (T12 to T8 or 32 Watt T8 to 25 Watt T8)
  • Incandescent light bulb to CFL conversions
  • Occupancy sensors to turn off unused lighting
  • LED lamps
  • Programmable thermostat
  • Air conditioning unit tune ups in eligible zip codes

3. Follow Up

CPEEP will follow up after the installation to ensure your center is satisfied with the upgrades. A representative from PG&E may also follow up to perform an inspection. CPEEP is available to answer questions and assist with problems at any point in the process.

*Note: The costs shown in the initial energy assessment report assume no severe weather conditions or utility company rate increases. Savings calculations are based on statistical means from consumer usage data. Actual energy savings and incentives will vary with each customer’s situation, including but not limited to the actual measures or equipment installed, building construction, customer operation, age of existing equipment and location.

Teaching Kids about Energy Efficiency

These simple, downloadable educational materials teach basic energy efficiency skills and provide energy conservation information to preschool students and their families in both English and Spanish. LIIF appreciates the assistance of the California Head Start Association and its colleagues from the field for developing these educational materials.

Download

CPEEP Materials (English)
CPEEP Materials (Spanish)

CPEEP Brochures

Download more information about CPEEP in your area.
PG&E Customers

Notes
As of December 31, 2012, CPEEP is no longer serving child care centers in the Southern California Edison (SCE) service territory. If you are an SCE customer and would like to learn more about energy efficiency programs for your center, please visit the SCE website.

CPEEP is a short-term program of two years with limited funds. Funds are available on first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out. In case of a waiting list, priority will be given to centers serving low income children and/or with facilities that are more than 25 years old, centers with the most potential for energy saving, and/or larger centers serving 75 children or more. This program may be modified or terminated without notice.

Please note that CPEEP only serves child care and preschool facilities that have a non-residential electric account with Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Currently, the program does not serve family child care programs based out of residential homes or centers that are not served by PG&E. If you are unsure if your center qualifies, please contact CPEEP at cpeep@liifund.org.
This program is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered by utility companies under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission, through contracts awarded to Low Income Investment Fund. California customers who choose to participate in this program are not obligated to purchase any additional services offered by the contractor. The trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

Este programa es financiado por los contribuyentes para uso general de California y administrado por companias de utilidades bajo auspicios de la Comisión de Utilidades Públicas de California, a través de unos contratos concedidos a Low Income Investment Fund. No obligan a los clientes de California que eligen participar en este programa comprar ningun servicio adicional ofrecida por el contratista. Las marcas registradas usadas adjunto son la característica de sus dueños respectivos.

Disclaimer
Reference herein to any specific information regarding Southern California Edison (SCE®) or Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E®) (collectively known as “the utilities”) or any commercial products or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the utilities. The utilities will not be held liable in connection with any of Low Income Investment Fund’s activities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the utilities do not represent or warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the information, content or advertisements contained on, distributed through, or linked, downloaded or accessed from this Web site other than the information contained on the utilities’ Web sites.