The 2014 Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest will provide an energy efficiency makeover valued at up to $50,000 for an Arkansas electric cooperative member that owns an all-electric manufactured home.
“For the past six years, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have offered the Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest as a way to teach our members how to use energy more efficiently, thereby reducing their electricity bills and increasing the comfort of their homes,” said Sandra Byrd, vice president of public affairs and member services for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. “Since approximately 15 percent of Arkansans reside in manufactured housing, we decided to focus on this segment of our membership for 2014. Technological advancements in energy efficiency retrofit components and measures are now applicable to manufactured dwellings. Our team of experts will transform the winner’s home into an energy efficiency marvel.”
Over the next few weeks, Energy Efficiency Makeover 2014, Manufactured Home Edition, will be promoted via social media channels and Arkansas Living magazine. Applications can be obtained from Arkansas Living magazine, at http://www.smartenergytips.org or by visiting a local electric cooperative office.
To enter, contestants must complete and sign an entry form, answer questions about their residence, submit an image of their manufactured home (which must be their primary residence), and be a cooperative member in good standing. The deadline for entries is July 15. Entrants must reside in Arkansas, be a member of a participating Arkansas electric cooperative, and own and occupy an all-electric manufactured home.
For the purposes of the contest a “manufactured home” is a structure in one or more sections, with each section originally transportable on axles attached to a permanent chassis, and when all sections are combined constitute a dwelling with not less than 320 sq. ft. The manufactured home must be on piers, footing or other permanent support and anchored to the ground. Travel trailers are not eligible.
In addition to the grand prizewinner, 16 runners-up will receive an energy efficient Marathon water heater.
“The Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest has helped numerous electric cooperative members increase the comfort of their homes while lowering their utility bills,” said Bret Curry manager of residential energy marketing for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. “Currently six previous makeover winners are enjoying lower utility bills in the comfort of their transformed homes. Even though only one can win the overall makeover, hundreds are also winners because they are following each makeover and learning how to implement energy efficiency components and measures one at a time.”
To view photos, videos and information from previous Energy Efficiency Makeovers, go to: http://www.aecc.com/energy_efficiency_makeover.shtml and to Facebook/smartenergytips.org.
The project’s major sponsors include: WeatherBarr Windows of Fort Smith; General Electric Appliance Division; Rood Heating and Air of Russellville; Water Furnace International Geothermal; Roof King, Sealant Tech, Marathon Water Heaters; and Summit Builders Group Air Barriers.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to approximately 500,000 homes, farms and businesses in Arkansas and surrounding states.
For additional information, contact:
Rob Roedel, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, 501.570.2296 or rroedel@aeci.com
