City-County Sustainability Office

DURHAM -- Neighborhood groups interested in saving money on their energy bills by improving the energy efficiency of their individual homes now have a chance to apply to participate in the first-ever Neighborhood Energy Retrofit Program.

The program, overseen by the Durham City-County Sustainability Office, is now accepting neighborhood applications. According to Tobin Freid, sustainability manager for the Durham City-County Sustainability Office, the goal of the program is to create jobs in the home retrofit industry while bringing hundreds of homes in several Durham neighborhoods relief from the cold and heat, as well as relief in the wallet of the homeowners

"Our goal with this program is to provide home energy retrofits to approximately 690 homes in up to 14 neighborhoods through two phases," Freid said. "Retrofits include sealing air leaks in heating and air conditioning ductwork, installing programmable thermostats, sealing air leaks in attics and crawlspaces and installing attic insulation. These cost-saving retrofits will not only save the homeowner significant dollars in the utility bill, but will also help our community reduce our carbon footprint by using less energy to heat and cool our homes."

A neighborhood group must submit an application stating that it has at least 100 homes meeting the criteria of being 2,000 square feet or less; single story; free of unvented gas appliances in the living space; and not have other hazardous features. In addition, neighborhoods interested in applying should also have at least 85 percent of the eligible homes as being owner-occupied as well as a minimum of four committed neighborhood volunteers who will help sign up specific homeowners for the retrofits provided by this program as well as teach other neighbors basic, no-cost, and low-cost energy saving techniques.

The retrofits have a market value between $800 and $2,000 depending on the size and characteristics of the house. Participating property owners will be asked to pay between $200 and $300 to cover some of the cost of the retrofits, and must allow access to their energy bills so energy savings can be calculated. Residents of participating neighborhoods will also participate in workshops to learn no- and low-cost, do-it-yourself energy-efficiency projects. The program is estimated to save participants at least 20 percent on their energy bills.

The first phase of the Neighborhood Energy Retrofit Program application deadline is Jan. 30.

For more information on the program or to request a neighborhood application, visit www.greenerdurham.net or e-mail energy@durhamnc.gov or pick up an application at the Durham County Engineering Office, 120 E. Parrish St., from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call Freid at (919) 560-7999.