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MORE2 helping Oak Ridger save money on utility bills

Posted at 10:53 am October 17, 2016
By Annie Cacheiro Leave a Comment

holmes-new-hvac

New HVAC for Mike Holmes (Submitted photo)

 

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. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: ADFAC, Annie Cacheiro, energy audit, energy efficiency, energy saving, floor insulation, HVAC, Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, Mike Holmes, MORE2, saving energy, Tennessee Valley Authority, utility bills

Mother receives free home energy upgrades through city, TVA program; more spots available

Posted at 4:53 am July 21, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

MORE2 Home Improvements Quilliams Heat Pump July 20 2016

Brittany Quilliams of Oak Ridge stands next to a new heat pump installed as part of the Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient program, which is funded by a $2.9 million Tennessee Valley Authority grant announced in September 2015. Quilliams’ home on Bunker Lane is one of the first three improved in Oak Ridge, and she shared her story with media and officials on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 10:15 a.m.

A single mother of two received free energy upgrades to her home through a program funded by a $2.9 million Tennessee Valley Authority grant, and more spots are available for qualified Oak Ridge residents interested in the free energy efficiency improvements.

During a ceremony at lunchtime Wednesday, Brittany Quilliams said the improvements to her home on Bunker Lane in west Oak Ridge include a heat pump, which replaced her old heating and air-conditioning system; ductwork under her house; insulation in her attic; and new vents at the back of her house. The updates were completed about a month-and-a-half ago.

Quilliams said she has noticed that her home, one of the first three to be upgraded in Oak Ridge, is cooling quicker. Though she’s only received one utility bill since the upgrades, she has noticed a change in the bill.

“I think more people should take advantage of it,” said Quilliams, referring to the energy efficiency program. “It saves me money. It’s a great program.”

The program is called Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2. There are 200 spots left in the program, which is available to residents who meet income requirements and live in homes that have electric heat and are at least 20 years old, among other qualifications. Participants can either own or rent the qualifying home, which must be within the city limits.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: attic insulation, Beth Parsons, Brittany Quilliams, Charlie Hensley, ductwork, energy audit, energy efficiency, energy upgrades, Gilmartin Engineering Works Inc., heat pumps, home improvements, HVAC, Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, Mark Watson, MORE2, Sara Blevins, Tennessee Valley Authority, Todd Gilmartin, TVA, TVA EnergyRight Solutions, TVA Extreme Energy Makeover Program, wall insulation, water heaters

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Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

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