Seventeen electric cooperative members will be selected as grand-prize winners in the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Eighth Annual Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest. The winning members, one from each of Arkansas’ 17 electric distribution cooperatives, will each receive up to $3,000 in energy efficiency improvements to their homes. The application deadline is July 15.
According to Bret Curry, manager of residential energy marketing for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, seven previous winners are enjoying comfortable homes with lower utility bills. “The Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest has been a great way to showcase proven energy efficiency components and measures while teaching fellow Arkansans how they can make their homes more efficient one step at a time.”
“Once the winners are selected, our trained contractors will visit each home and complete a comprehensive energy audit to pinpoint problem areas,” Curry said. “The makeover solutions will target areas of unwanted air infiltration, proper installation of attic insulation, repairs and sealing of heating and cooling system ductwork and the installation of energy efficient light bulbs. The 17 makeovers are valued at up to $3,000 each and will help lower electric bills, while improving the comfort level of the winning homes.”
Curry said the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have long promoted energy efficiency, and the Energy Efficiency Makeover contest is a major part of that effort. “Although only 17 people will win grand-prizes, the project is designed to have a much broader impact,” he said. “By documenting the process of the makeovers via the Internet, Arkansas Living magazine, Facebook and other media outlets, the cooperatives help educate Arkansans on methods to make their homes and businesses more energy efficient.”
To be eligible for the 2015 contest, applicants must be members in good standing with one of Arkansas’ 17 electric distribution cooperatives and have all-electric homes. Comprehensive energy audits will be performed on each winner’s home both before and after the makeover project.
Members may apply online at www.ecahomemakeover.com.
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.
