MORE2 helping Oak Ridger save money on utility bills

 

Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2, is making great changes for some Oak Ridge residents. “Saving money” was the response of a recent participant as the most important—and his favorite part—of MORE2.

Saving energy, which can lower utility bills, is one of the primary goals of MORE2, a program funded by the Tennessee Valley Authority that kicked off in April and began retrofitting the homes of qualified Oak Ridge residents with no-cost energy upgrades, such as new HVAC and water heating units.

“My favorite part of this program is saving money, followed by how professional everyone was,” said Mike Holmes, a truck driver who recently retired early due to medical challenges.

Holmes has owned his home about four years and wanted to make upgrades himself, but time, funding, and his health were limiting factors, a press release said. Through MORE2, he received a new HVAC unit, total duct replacement, and floor insulation in his home. With these changes, Holmes noticed an immediate improvement in home comfort and, within the first month, saw his utility bill cut almost in half.

During the initial energy audit, it was determined his home was losing approximately 50 percent of the energy used. After his upgrades were installed, the follow-up audit showed only a 15 percent loss of energy.

“I had no idea my home was wasting so much energy, especially through the floors, and I’m very excited about saving money in the future,” Holmes said.

In addition to installing upgrades, MORE2 is working to empower residents of the Oak Ridge community with energy efficiency education, ultimately leading to lower electric bills and a healthier environment, the press release said.

Qualified homes must be at least 20 years old and have electric heat.

To learn more, you are encouraged to attend the next public event:

• Thursday, October 20, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.—public meeting at the Scarboro Community Center in Oak Ridge

Attendees receive energy saving items, low- to no-expense energy-saving practices, material to immediately improve energy savings in their homes, and information on other energy saving programs.

For more information or to apply, visit MakeOREE.com or call (865) 375-4656.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

 

 

This press release was submitted by Annie Cacheiro of ADFAC.