ADECA and the Wiregrass Electrical Coop Join to Help Customers

Viewed: 1937

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Jan 07 2013 3:48 PM

In 2010, Wiregrass Habitat launched its "Critical Home Repairs and Weatherization Program." And that’s when a

partnership opportunity with Wiregrass Electric Cooperative became possible. Here’s how it works. At Wiregrass Electric, they attempt to schedule an energy audit with every member who contacts us with a high bill complaint. If their bill is unusually high, the reason is often that the home is wasting electricity.

 

Someone with the Energy Services Department looks for areas where air is entering and escaping a home. After a thorough

inspection, their team presents the homeowner with a plan for making improvements to their home that will

increase its energy efficiency.

 

Here in lies the gap. If a homeowner is having trouble paying a high power bill, they usually do not have the

additional funds to pay or invest for the energy efficiency improvements.That’s where our revolving loan fund comes in.

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative has committed $100,000 to be placed into a revolving loan fund to be used by the

Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity for energy efficiency improvements.

 

When we identify a member whose home is in need of repair, and they indicate a lack of funds to make those repairs, Wiregrass Habitat can use these monies to fund energy efficiency improvements for members of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. The member repays the money, according to their ability, at a zero interest rate over a long term, as much as ten years.

 

Today, ADECA joins that partnership with its donation of $50,000 to our revolving loan fund. They are excited to work/partner together with ADECA. We know that this partnership will benefit our entire community. We also believe that this model can one day allow all of the electric cooperatives in Alabama to's partner with ADECA and an organization like Habitat for Humanity, and through these partnerships fix the problem instead of treating the symptom. Thank you again for joining us today.

<- back