Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest Application Process Begins
May 8, 2009 — As the emphasis on energy efficiency continues to increase, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas announce the second annual energy efficiency home makeover contest for electric cooperative members. The winner’s home will be transformed into an energy-efficient home. Entrants must reside in Arkansas, be a member of a participating Arkansas electric cooperative and own and occupy an all-electric home.
“The 2008 contest was very successful and enabled the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas to make great strides in educating our members about energy efficiency practices,” said Doug White, vice president of systems services for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. “The most difficult aspect of the contest is selecting the winner as there are many deserving applicants. However, all consumers can be winners if they apply the energy efficiency tactics that are used on the winning home.”
White said the 2008 contest winners, Carroll and Sue Luten, were selected from more than 1,000 applicants. As the winners, they received energy efficiency home improvements valued at about $50,000. The 1,517 sq. ft. home in Donaldson had numerous air leaks. According to a blower door test, the home had a rate of 1.8 natural air changes per hour. After the improvements were made, a final blower door test that revealed the house was down to .7 natural air exchanges per hour, a major improvement, resulting in a far more comfortable home and significantly lower humidity levels, White said.
The home energy efficiency makeover will be promoted via television, radio, the Internet and through other communications vehicles in an effort to reach the cooperatives’ nearly 490,000 members. An application may be obtained at your local electric cooperative or by visiting http://www.smartenergytips.org.
The grand prize winner could receive up to $50,000 worth of energy-efficiency improvements to create a more comfortable home with lower utility bills. To enter, contestants are asked to fill out and sign the required entry form, answer a few energy-oriented questions about their homes, take a photograph of their homes and include a copy of their electric bills. In addition to the winning cooperative member, there will be 16 semi-finalist, who will receive a free energy efficient 40-gallon Marathon water heater
The makeover home will receive a complete pre- and post -diagnostic energy audit, including a blower door test and infrared thermography.
The project’s sponsors include: Doug Rye; Marathon Water Heaters; Rood Heating and Air of Russellville; and Trane.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives; Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides various services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 490,000 members, or customers, in Arkansas and surrounding states.
