The N.C. Energy Office is launching a $3.7 million program to improve energy efficiency in new single-family homes and multi-family housing under construction. Two agencies have been designated to work with the state to develop, implement and monitor a statewide residential energy efficiency program that will provide sustainable energy savings in new homes for both homeowners and renters, while improving the comfort and durability of the homes.
The Appalachian State University Energy Center in Boone and Systems Building Research Alliance, a nonprofit consortium of electric utilities and major manufactured and modular home building companies, have been designated by the Energy Office to lead the effort. Plans are to improve energy efficiency in nearly 2,500 single-family homes and 480 multi-family units, along with 1,700 manufactured homes. The program, funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will demonstrate to builders and homeowners that energy improvements make homes more attractive to buyers, generate greater marketplace demand for energy-efficient homes and result in long-term energy savings.
Appalachian State University will receive $2.6 million to focus on site-built single-family and multi-family home energy efficiency improvements. Systems Building Research Alliance, originally incorporated in North Carolina and now based in New York, will receive $1.1 million to focus on manufactured homes built to federal standards, addressing energy efficiency improvements. The alliance is currently responsible to the federal Environmental Protection Agency for quality control oversight of Energy Star for both manufactured and modular homes.
The two agencies will be responsible for managing the program, recruiting and training local builders and contractors, recruiting participants, monitoring construction and verifying energy savings along with economic benefits – including job creation and retention. Homes participating in the program must achieve a minimum of 15 percent in energy savings, including heating and cooling.
For more information on program participation, contact Appalachian State University at (828) 262-6351 or Systems Building Research Alliance at (212) 496-0900. The N.C. Energy Office is a division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.