Energy Audit & Retrofit Program Featured on WFMY

Greensboro, NC--Low income families are getting help with their energy bills.

The ENPULSE Energy Conservation program is providing home energy audits and retrofitting homes to make them more energy efficient.

Organizers say it could save 15 to 30 percent on your energy bill.

Qualifying Greensboro residents can get up to 20 free compact fluorescent light bulbs and a programmable thermostat.

"What we're really trying to do is affect the folks that would need this help the most by helping them save money on energy," said Derrick Giles, President of ENPULSE Energy Conservation. "They could use that money on anything, whether it be drugs [medicine], foods, other necessities of life, but not necessarily paying their electric and gas bills."

The program is funded with stimulus money, along with grant money from the City of Greensboro.

For more information on the program or to find out if you qualify, call 336-370-1088 ext. 112.

To see the report, visit WFMY.

Stimulus Funded Energy Audit & Retrofit Program Available in Greensboro

Through a grant administered by the City of Greensboro and funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Recovery (CDBG-R) program, ENPULSE Energy Conservation, Inc. (ENPULSE) is providing free basic home energy audits and energy retrofit services to low-income homes and apartments within the City of Greensboro.

“During tough economic times such as these, it is critical that those with the most need have an opportunity to participate in the critical mission of saving energy as well as money, “said Derrick E. Giles, P.E., Energy Manager for ENPULSE Energy Conservation, Inc. “As ENPULSE began eight years ago, most did not know the meaning or value of sustainability and what it meant for the environment or economy. At ENPULSE, our primary goal is to engage in behavior modification practices intended to increase awareness concerning the value of minimizing energy usage among low-income utility customers.”

The basic home energy audit will include a visual inspection to identify energy and money-saving opportunities for occupants and up to 20 free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). In addition, if occupants currently do not have a programmable thermostat, ENPULSE will install a brand new one at no cost to the resident.

According to an Economic Opportunity Studies report by Meg Power, PhD, the “energy burden” to low-income households in the South can be anywhere from 17% to 19% of income to keep as warm or as cool as five years ago. Those who are not low-income typically spend between 4% - 5% of their total household income on utility bills.

For more information regarding the EARP, contact ENPULSE at 336-370-1088 ext. 112.