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Last updated on Wednesday, November 5, 2014
(BLOOMINGTON) - The City of Bloomington’s efforts to help residents reduce energy consumption will continue this year with the fifth annual round of free home energy assessments offered through the Beat the Meter Blitz.
For the first time this year, the initiative will be open to rental homes. As in previous years, the limited-time program will provide free energy assessments via a lottery system.
This year's effort will also be linked to the soon-to-be-launched Monroe County Energy Challenge. The Challenge is focused on reducing energy use in residences, municipal facilities and schools as part of the community's participation in the nationwide Georgetown University Energy Prize.
Nearly 150 audits have been provided over the life of the program and have helped homeowners identify and implement energy-saving improvements.
For example, nearly 40 percent of participating households from the 2012 Beat the Meter Blitz have completed at least one improvement and 12 percent completed all of the improvements included in their pledge, which they signed as part of the program.
Continuing partners in the program include the City's Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department, the Economic and Sustainable Development Department, and Earth Care, a local organization that unites local faith communities to reduce energy use and curb climate change. Harrell-Fish, Inc. Mechanical Contractors (HFI) has signed on as a new partner this year, and will provide 10 audits as part of the program.
The free assessments, awarded via a lottery system and conducted by City staff, HFI staff, and Earth Care volunteers, will help residents and landlords determine how to prioritize energy projects. To be eligible, the property must be a single-family home or duplex and located within the Bloomington city limits. In exchange for the free assessment, participating homeowners or landlords will be asked to sign a pledge stating their commitment to implement some of the suggested improvements.
Interested homeowners, renters and landlords can enter the lottery by emailing their name, phone number and address to energy@bloomington.in.gov or by calling 349.3837. For renters entering the lottery, the City will seek landlord approval before initiating an energy assessment. All lottery entries must be received before 5pm EST on November 10. Assessments will be scheduled during the second week of December.
For more resources on saving energy in your home, visit www.bloomington.in.gov/energyresources.
More information on the Georgetown University Energy Prize competition is available at www.guep.org.
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