Energy Efficiency Made Easy and Affordable
There is an exciting opportunity in the Edgemoor Neighborhood to reduce energy use, save money, improve comfort, increase home value, and protect our environment. It’s called the Community Energy Challenge (CEC). Developed through a partnership between two local non-profits, the Opportunity Council and Sustainable Connections, the CEC is providing homes and small businesses with technical expertise and financial assistance to cut back energy use and start saving.
Homeowners in Whatcom County are eligible to sign up for a home energy assessment, during which a certified building analyst evaluates the current condition of the home, determining insulation levels, air leakage, heating and cooling system function, as well as any other potential energy losses. Following the assessment, a home energy advisor meets personally with each homeowner to explain the results and provide recommendations for improvement. The CEC can also connect homeowners with qualified contractors to make the recommended repairs and provides 100% quality assurance on all work done through the program.
Though an energy assessment typically costs $600, it is available for only $195 through the CEC, $95 of which can then applied to the cost of completing recommended improvements. Limited-time funding provides cash incentives to cover 30% of project costs and a unique low-interest loan opportunity to cover the remainder of retrofit costs. On average, the CEC has found potential annual savings of $200-$400, or 20-30 percent of yearly energy costs, per home.
While the program will continue in 2012, the current 30% incentive special is only available to the end of the year and spaces are filling up fast, so contact the Community Energy Challenge today if you want to take advantage of this window of opportunity.
For more information, or to sign up for an assessment:
Call: 360-676-6099
Visit: 1322 N State St, Bellingham, WA
Email: communityenergychallenge@oppco.org
Website: www.communityenergychallenge.org
Thanks to Emily Kubiak of Sustainable Connections