Falling in Love with Upgrades at Valentine Rd
3C-REN is proud to be involved in Valentine Road Apartments, a supportive housing project that is converting a former 142-room hotel into 134 all-electric, energy-efficient studio apartments for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Led by the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB), this $32 million development was made possible through the largest Homekey award in Ventura County’s history. The project recently unveiled 63 renovated units, marking real progress toward providing permanent supportive housing in the region.
Through 3C-REN’s Multifamily Home Energy Savings program, the project received a $286,000 incentive to fund several energy-efficiency improvements, including a central heat pump water heating system with pipe insulation and a variable-speed recirculating pump, as well as LED lighting and electrical upgrades. The development also reserved $413,422 in additional rebates from the state’s Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP), with solar and battery systems planned next.
The upgrades will lower energy use, improve comfort, and reduce utility costs for residents. Full completion of the complex is expected by January 2026. With on-site support services and sustainable design, Valentine Road Apartments exemplifies how housing, energy, and community care can create lasting regional change.
3C-REN’s Multifamily Home Energy Savings incentives are available for other projects, offering rebates from $1,000 to over $5,000 per unit for efficiency upgrades in multifamily properties.
More info about our multifamily program.
Toward the Future with Local Reach Codes
Reach codes are local building standards that exceed California’s baseline energy code, allowing cities and counties to advance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. Since buildings account for about 14% of California’s total climate emissions—mostly from gas used for heating, cooking, and water heating—reach codes are a powerful local strategy for meeting statewide climate goals.
Much of California’s housing stock predates energy regulations. More than 75% of homes and commercial buildings were built before the state’s first energy code in 1978. These older buildings often use gas as a heating source and lack insulation and energy-efficient systems, making them major contributors to energy waste and emissions. Recognizing this, some local governments are expanding their reach codes to apply not only to new construction but also to significant remodels and additions.
San Luis Obispo’s Energy Efficient Renovation Requirements for Major Residential Additions and Alterations Program, effective January 1, 2025, exemplifies this approach. Similarly, Ojai and Carpinteria have adopted reach codes targeting substantial renovations and remodels, encouraging the switch to electric appliances like heat pumps and induction when older homes are renovated. These local efforts show how reach codes can modernize aging buildings while advancing community climate goals and statewide decarbonization targets.
What's New?
- The fall calendar is here! Sign up for FREE online and in-person classes on load calculations, balanced ventilation, heat pump water heater installations and more.
- New employee welcome – Please join us in welcoming Garrett Wong to the 3C-REN team! Garrett is Sustainability Manager for the County of Santa Barbara.
- HPWH Trainings – Join us this December for a free, hands-on heat pump water heater (HPWH) installation training! Available at local supply houses across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties.
Wildfire Resiliency Forum
Incentives Update
Contractors can sign up anytime. You can check the Switch is On Incentive Finder for other rebate programs and tax credits available in your area — or contact our concierges at the links above.
Upcoming Events
2025 Energy Code Update for the Building Industry
Weds, November 12 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Virtual
Register Here
Using Wrightsoft for Residential Load Calcs
Tues, November 18 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Virtual
Register Here
HRV and ERV in Existing Multi-family Buildings
Weds, November 19 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
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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