gchildress@heraldsun.com; 419-6645
CHAPEL HILL -- The town has been awarded more than $504,000 in federal stimulus money to make town buildings more energy efficient and to fund a residential energy efficiency and conservation program.
The Town Council approved the two-pronged plan for use of the grant at its May 24 meeting. The money is courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy, which made its award in April, and it follows $50,000 in planning money the department handed the town last year.
Under the plan, about 60 percent of the grant award -- $305,350 of the $504,900 -- will go toward the creation of the residential program.
"We're trying to create a program that allows residents to reduce energy usage in their homes," said John Richardson, the town's sustainability officer, who added that the program might be extended to small businesses.
Richardson said the residential program will include a community-based outreach person who will work part time connecting residents to private contractors hired to perform energy audits on homes.
"We've got a regional bullpen of contractors that we can work with," Richardson said.
The program will include web support and incentives for residents who take the advice of contractors after an audit is conducted.
The audits, which will be subsidized by the grant, will include blower door tests, light bulb switch-outs to more energy efficient bulbs, replacement of shower heads and aerators to conserve hot water and digital thermostats.
Richardson said the grant will pay for up to 375 energy audits.
The residential program also has $124,000 set aside for additional incentives for residents who decide to make major changes after having an energy audit performed.
The average incentive, estimated at $1,000, will complement some of those already offered by Duke Power, and can be used for such energy-saving measures as a new heat pump or new insulation for a home.
Richardson said details about how citizens may apply to participate in the residential program will be available in the fall. He said the goal is to have the program fully operational before winter.
The other 40 percent of the grant -- $190,550 -- will be used to upgrade and improve lighting in 15 eligible town buildings and facilities, install an energy management system at police headquarters and purchase 125 energy-efficient refrigerators for public housing units.
Town officials hope to use the residential program to leverage other funds the town can use toward community energy efficiency and conservation programming.
