Reimagining Resilience in Cuyama
Sometimes the impact of our work can get lost in the jargon of “high performance” and “energy efficiency.” But these technical concepts make a meaningful and lasting difference in people’s lives.
The 2026 Cuyama HVAC Earn-and-Learn, led by 3C-REN and the Blue Sky Center, exemplified the importance of electrification in improving quality of life for communities across the region, from the residents receiving home upgrades to the community members invited to learn.
Rural Cuyama Valley endures temperature extremes exacerbated by older homes with insufficient heating and cooling. In May 2026, two Cuyama homes received high-efficiency heat pump HVAC systems installed by 3C-REN contractor Bee Right There Heating & Air. 3C-REN, the Blue Sky Center, and Bee Right There worked together to combine different funding sources and deliver successful projects at no cost to the residents.
These HVAC installation projects also created an opportunity for Cuyama’s workforce to explore new career opportunities. Bolstered by Blue Sky Center’s Uplift Grant funding, 12 community members spent two days on the job, witnessing cutting-edge HVAC technology in action while getting some real-world experience helping to install the systems.
But 3C-REN’s work is about even more than installing heat pumps and creating pathways to careers in the trades; it is also about the relief that an elderly couple or a family with a newborn baby experience living in a safe and comfortable home through the scorching summers and beyond.
Hitting the Ground Across the Tri-Counties!
3C-REN is more than online trainings, we are out in the community, too. While our service area is vast, we’re making an effort to cover some serious ground with our in-person events. At contractor trainings, community events, and educational programs, we’re spreading the word about energy efficiency across all three counties!
In May, 3C-REN partnered with AIA California Central Coast for a Lunch & Learn at the iconic Madonna Inn in the city of San Luis Obispo, where we led building professionals through energy performance and fire-resistant construction strategies with experts from In Balance Green Consulting.
Green construction and HVAC students at the Center for Employment Training (CET) in Santa Maria and Oxnard participated in hands-on blower door testing, gaining practical experience with one of the industry’s key diagnostic tools for evaluating a home’s air leakage and energy performance.
In June, 3C-REN hosted a tour of a high-performance project from builder Mike Horgan of Cairn Collaborative in Morro Bay. Attendees gained firsthand insights into the techniques employed on this build, including ventilation, insulation, and air sealing strategies.
On June 17 and 18, contractors and students participated in 3C-REN’s Home Electrification Contractor Boot Camp at the SLO County Builders Exchange, where Larry Waters of Electrify My Home led trainings on residential electrification, heat pump technologies, building envelope improvements, load calculations, and customer engagement.
We closed out the month by supporting Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Girls Build Summer Academy, for the fourth year in a row! We teamed up with In Balance Green Consulting and Mike Horgan of Cairn Collaborative to lead a hands-on day all about insulation and air sealing. Our team is so proud to continue supporting young women as they explore careers in the building trades.
We can’t wait to connect with you at one of our upcoming events! You can always find the latest at 3c-ren.org/events – including our next Regional Forum in San Luis Obispo this November.
Incentives Update
- Single Family Home Energy Savings participants can receive up to double the incentives for projects in Ventura County completed by Sept. 30, 2026. Incentives are even higher for customers who meet equity criteria!
- Multifamily Home Energy Savings projects can now receive 30%–40% higher rebates when including heat pumps for water heating or HVAC in their project scope and reserving funds by Dec. 31, 2026.
- Commercial businesses, non-profits, and government buildings that meet equity criteria can now receive 33% higher incentives for projects completed by Dec. 15, 2026.
- Contractors can sign up anytime. You can also check The Switch Is On’s Incentive Finder for additional rebates in your area or contact our 3C-REN team at info@3c-ren.org.
What's New?
- The County of Ventura, in partnership with Local Union 104, will soon launch a new incentive program funded by Clean Power Alliance to help homeowners upgrade to heat pump HVAC systems. Email us for more at info@3c-ren.org.
- 3C-REN’s On-Demand page just got an upgrade! We’ve made it easier to find the training you’re looking for with a new search bar and a menu that lets you filter by topic, audience, instructor, and more.
- Land a spot in 3C-REN’s social media! We are looking for successful energy efficiency and electrification projects to feature on our tours or social media. Got one to show off? Let us know at info@3c-ren.org.
Code Coach Corner
Upcoming Events
IN PERSON
Thurs, Aug 13 @ 7:00 am – 8:30 am
at Cedar Valley Plumbing Oxnard
Register Here
Weds, Aug 19 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Virtual
Register Here
Thurs, Aug 20 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Virtual
Register Here
Tues, Sept 1 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Virtual
Register Here
Thurs, Sept 3 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Virtual
Register Here
All 3C-REN programs and services are free to participants in the tri-county region.
3C-REN offers ICC CEUs and AIA LUs for many of our educational events.
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