Neighborhood Energy Retrofit Program (NERP)

Lochaven Hills applied for and was accepted into the Durham Neighborhood Energy Retrofit Program (NERP), which means that some homeowners in our neighborhood can receive money to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. A qualifying homeowner will spend $200, and the NERP program will contribute up to $1,800. Lochaven Hills is one of just 6 Durham neighborhoods to participate in this program, and it's a great opportunity for homeowners to reduce their energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient. This program is sponsored by Clean Energy of Durham.

Program Summary

    1. This program is funded by federal stimulus funding from the US Department of Energy.
    2. This program targets neighborhoods, not just individual homes. There is funding for 350 homes spread over 6 Durham neighborhoods.
    3. The work done on qualifying homes include:
      • sealing air leaks in heating and air conditioning ductwork
      • installing a programmable thermostat
      • sealing air leaks in the attic floor and the ground floor
      • installing attic insulation
    4. The four projects listed above were determined based on the following criteria:
      • expected high impact on reducing energy use and cost
      • relative ease for completing and replicating the tasks on different types of homes
      • potential benefit in energy savings vs project costs
    5. The average home energy bill in Durham is $1,594 per year. A 20% energy saving, which is achievable with this retrofit program, would save the average household $318 per year.
    6. The market value for materials and contractor services = $800 to $2,000, depending upon size and characteristics of house. The household payment is $200 for Phase 1.
    7. Private contractors will be trained and certified by experts in how to perform these retrofits. Retrofitted homes will receive a quality assurance inspection by a third party.
    8. This program provides job training, employment, community-building, and energy savings to the citizens of Durham.

Next Steps

    1. During May and June, trained volunteers from our neighborhood will contact homeowners with homes that qualify for this program.
    2. Homeowners who want to participate in this program (NERP) must complete and send in an application.
    3. Homeowners who don't qualify for this program may instead qualify for a second program that also offers money to help owners improve their homes.
    4. Homeowners who don't qualify for these two programs can still improve their homes. We will compile a list of interested homeowners and contact the contractors for NERP and discuss doing this same work for other houses. Our hope is that a group offer to the contractors may reduce the price per home.

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