Press Mention ABC Chattanooga - Channel 9 October 13, 2021
SACE Quoted
New EPB program aims to help Chattanoogans save on energy bills this winter
In this mention
A new EPB Home Uplift Energy Program in Chattanooga offers free home energy upgrades to qualifying homeowners to help reduce heating bills, which are expected to rise significantly this winter. Forest Bradley-Wright of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy notes that high energy bills compound financial challenges for families. The program provides HVAC repairs, insulation, weatherstripping, and efficient lighting, with participants saving over $400 annually on average.
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New EPB program aims to help Chattanoogans save on energy bills this winter
by Christy Calcagno
Thu, October 14, 2021 at 4:45 PM
Updated Thu, October 14, 2021 at 6:37 PM
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — As temperatures drop this winter, your home's heating bill could be on the rise. But you may be eligible for help.
Some bills are expected to jump as much as 54 percent compared to last year, according to the federal government.
One reason for this is that many homes are energy inefficient.
A study from the WalletHub tells us that Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama are in the top five worst states for energy efficient homes.
"Over the last year and a half, we all have faced increasing financial challenges. And high energy bills can really make that situation harder for families," says Forest Bradley-Wright of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
But, a new Electric Power Board (EPB) program is hoping to help Chattanoogans save on their heating expenses.
The new Home Uplift Energy Program provides homeowners with qualifying homes free home energy upgrades.
"We really want to be that organization that listens and we work with customers as much as we can," says Elizabeth Hammitt of the EPB Residential Energy Solutions.
Energy-saving home upgrades could include HVAC repair or replacement, weather stripping, insulation, and energy efficient lighting.
Average participants save over $400 on their energy bills each year.
A Home Uplift Energy Program participant, Carolyn Humphries, says that before she joined the program her power bill was $350 a month.
"I had to make hard choices between buying food and paying my bills. Now my electric bill is about $86 a month," said Humphries.
Nearly 22% of Americans had to reduce or forego expenses to pay bills according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
"I don't know what to expect this winter. But I know where everything is going up," says Humphries.
On average, EPB says participants save more than $400 on their energy costs each year.
"We definitely partner with several community organizations and stay up to date on the state of need in our community, and we do know that it's grown and we have seen that and we're doing the very best that we can do to respond," says Elizabeth Hammitt, EPB Director of Residential Energy Solutions.
We've made it this far. So we'll do it again," says Humphries.
Nearly half the homes in the U.S. use natural gas for heat. Homeowners could pay an average $746 this winter. That's 30% more than a year ago.
To find out if you're eligible for the EPB home energy program go here.