North Charleston homeowner gets $50K energy makeover. Lower utility bills will be a relief, she says.

A few years ago, Gloria Daniels didn't know what to do.

She has lived in her North Charleston home since 1997. Her energy use was modest, she said. The recommended thermostat setting for the winter is 68 degrees or lower and 78 degrees or higher in the summer. Even when she followed these recommendations, she knew her Dominion energy bills would spike, costing her up to $400 a month — unaffordable on her fixed income, Daniels said.

"(When) there were more of us living in the house, I expected it to be like that," she said. But her two children moved out more than a decade ago. The bills didn't get any lower with her living alone.

"I just got used to it," she said. "I just thought it was the norm."

The Sustainability Institute partnered with the Wells Fargo Foundation to give Daniels a complete home energy makeover. It included roughly $50,000-worth of upgrades, including solar panels and new energy-efficient appliances. The upgrades are expected to cut Daniels' energy costs by 72 percent — which would shave hundreds of dollars off her highest utility bills.

The project was funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which partners with organizations to build more resilient communities through weatherization and sustainability projects, said Pam Bryant, philanthropy and community impact specialist at the bank foundation. The Sustainability Institute provides energy assistance, repairs and weatherizes homes and promotes energy efficiency in the Charleston area.

Volunteers from the institute and Wells Fargo completed the work on Daniels' home on March 14.

"To me, they are a godsend because I was stressing out because of bills," Daniels said. "Every time winter come around or summer come around, I knew the bills would get higher."

Now, Daniels' home is a local model of energy efficiency, said Laura Addis, the institute's marketing director. It is the first Addis is aware of to receive this level of upgrades.

It's not uncommon for homeowners in the area where Daniels lives to shoulder a high energy burden, said Stacey Washington, clean energy and equity director at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, at a March 14 press conference. When energy costs 6 percent of a household's monthly income, it's considered a high burden. In the neighborhoods around Daniels' home, this energy burden can be as high as 9 percent, Washington said.

Many factors contribute to a home's energy use, Dominion spokesperson Paul Fischer said. These include the age and condition of the home, insulation levels and efficiency of appliances, especially the heating and cooling system, he said.

Daniels' home is older, the appliances were older and gas-powered and the attic lacked sufficient insulation, all contributing to higher levels of energy use, Addis said.

The institute and bank foundation replaced Daniels' washer, dryer, refrigerator, water heater and HVAC system with energy-efficient models. They replaced her old gas stove, which was susceptible to gas leaks, with a new gas stove.

Air Pros Heating and Cooling installed an electric heat pump to replace an outdated furnace system and rigid ductwork. The new ductwork will prevent air from escaping and potential contaminants and pests from getting in. This makes it more efficient while also promoting better indoor air quality, Addis said.

Shine Construction installed the solar panel system, which will offset 46 percent of the home's energy consumption, said Bryan Cordell, the institute's executive director.

Flaig Plumbing modernized the house's hot water system with an electric water heater. Attic and Crawlspace Solutions sealed the attic and installed a kitchen range hood. Roofmaxx of Charleston treated the roof to extend its lifespan. Cantey Foundation Specialists installed a sump pump in Daniels' basement, which has a history of flooding, to keep water away from the new HVAC system and water heater. Travis White Electric ensured the house's electrical system could handle the new appliances, Cordell said.

An energy monitor will track her energy use and actual savings over time.

"(Daniels) will be able to track her efficiency and see if there is anything that isn't operating the way that it should be," Addis said. "Outside of basic maintenance, she won't have to do anything to maintain her energy savings."

The Sustainability Institute also is leading a project in North Charleston's Union Heights neighborhood. The project will fund 10 new affordable, energy-efficient homes and repair and upgrade 50 existing homes to reduce utility costs.

Clarification: A previous version of this story did not specify recommended thermostat settings for winter and summer. The recommended thermostat settings for efficient energy use in winter is 68 degrees or lower and 78 degrees or higher in summer.

Toby Cox is on the Rising Waters team. Reach her at tcox@postandcourier.com or at (843) 670-8651. You can also reach her securely on Signal at (843) 670-8651.