Friday, March 14, I had the privilege of speaking at the Sustainability Institute’s (SI) Home Energy Makeover event in Charleston County, SC. Thanks to the homeowner, Ms. Daniels, funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Sustainability Institute, and its contractors, Ms. Daniels’ home received energy efficiency improvements and a solar system with a modeled energy savings of 72%. This will take her bills from about $350 to about $90 per month. This initiative demonstrates what can be accomplished with energy efficiency and renewables. 

How did this happen?

A couple of years ago, Ms. Daniels attended a local market and talked to someone from Dominion Energy South Carolina about her high energy bills. They told her about SI. She contacted SI, and they came out and conducted an energy assessment. One year later, SI contacted her and stated that her home was perfect for this Home Energy Makeover opportunity. 

Improvements included

Ms. Daniels’ home received top-to-bottom energy efficiency upgrades including:

• ENERGY STAR appliances – washer, dryer, stove/oven, refrigerator
• Electric heat pump water heater
• Heat pump with rigid ductwork and sump pump
• Attic insulation and air sealing
• 5 kW solar system
• Basic weatherization – weather stripping, gasketing, door sweeps
• Home Energy Monitor to track and manage energy use

Low-income residents are in need

Energy Burden refers to the percentage of income required to pay for electricity in a home. A 6% energy burden is considered high, and according to the National Renewable Energy Lab’s State and Local Planning for Energy Platform, the area where Ms. Daniel’s home is located has an energy burden of 6.74%, and surrounding areas are close to 8-9%.

In Charleston County, just by making energy efficiency upgrades, homeowners have the potential to save almost $600 each year in energy bill reductions. If we look at this statewide, low-income residents throughout South Carolina have the possibility of saving even more. There is so much potential, and we can do more to help our communities. Between low-quality housing stock and low/fixed income, there is a lot of need. 

Take this statewide

Wouldn’t having this type of program throughout South Carolina be great? That has been a dream of mine and many in South Carolina, and it’s time for it to become a reality. With proper funding and a trained workforce, we can greatly improve homes in this same fashion. It will take a coordinated effort amongst diverse stakeholders such as non-profits, advocacy organizations, utilities, and others. I hope this model inspires you to invest in South Carolina communities to reduce energy burdens so residents can live in healthy, efficient homes.

For more energy efficiency data, see SACE’s “Energy Efficiency in the Southeast” report. 

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SC Home Energy Makeover – Let’s Take This Statewide!!