POWERSAVER HOME ENERGY MAKEOVER CONTEST ENTERS FINAL STAGE

For additional information, contact:

Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

Tyler Sewell, 434-227-4666

 

POWERSAVER HOME ENERGY MAKEOVER CONTEST ENTERS FINAL STAGE

Charlottesville, Virginia, September 12, 2011: Ten lucky Charlottesville-area homeowners advanced to the final stage of the PowerSaver Home Energy Makeover Contest, organized by the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP).  The winners, selected from a pool of 1,200 entries, each won a free energy home assessment worth $500.  They are now competing for four home energy makeovers valued between $2,500 and $10,000. Contest partners include the UVA Community Credit Union, the City of Charlottesville, Lite Rock Z95.1, 97.5 3WV, and NBC29.

“Congratulations to the top ten finalists of the PowerSaver Home Energy Makeover Contest,” says Cynthia Adams, Executive Director of the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP). “We had over 1200 entries and while we only have ten finalists, all of our entrants are eligible for cash rebates and special offers to get their home ready for winter. The new PowerSaver loan will help make home energy improvements even more affordable – very low interest rates and longer terms, combined with bundled rebates and a quality job, means homeowners can use the savings on their energy bills to provide the cushion needed to make the payments on their loan.”

The  finalists are Kathleen Brumbaugh of Fluvanna, John Collmus of Albemarle, Christian Dahlhausen of Charlottesville, Jim Duncan of Albemarle, Bill Frannsen of Greene,  Michael Payne of Greene, Jon Salides of Albemarle, Hubert Shaffer of Albemarle County, Rob Tharpe and Trent Coleman of Charlottesville, and Lisa Workman of Charlottesville.

As the final stage of the contest begins, LEAP staff will conduct walkthroughs at the homes of each of the finalists, determining the potential for energy efficiency, and will announce the four winners later this month.   Local contractors will then go head-to-head, competing for each winner’s business.  The company whose proposal achieves the greatest energy savings at the specific price points will earn the right to work on the home.  Projected improvements include air sealing, duct sealing, adding insulation, and the maintenance or upgrading of heating and cooling equipment.

“We join LEAP in congratulating the ten finalists,” says Alison DeTuncq, President/CEO of UVA Community Credit Union. “From our point of view, the contest is a great way to increase awareness of the benefits of energy-efficient home improvements that can not only save energy, but result in more comfortable homes, improved property values, more money in homeowners’ pocketbooks, and a cleaner environment for our community. We’re all winners in this process.”

About Local Energy Alliance Program–LEAP (leap-va.org)

LEAP is a community-based nonprofit created initially from a joint initiative between the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle. Our alliance partners include local government, Dominion Virginia Power, Charlottesville Gas, the University of Virginia, Piedmont Virginia Community College, the business and contracting community, and other nonprofits. Working together, we seek to create unprecedented utility (energy and water) savings by retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient, comfortable, and healthier for those who live and work inside.

About UVA Community Credit Union (uvacreditunion.org)

UVA Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative that provides a wide range of convenient and professionally managed financial services to its more than 55,000 members. Membership Eligibility: Membership is open to those who live or work in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, or Orange. Business Eligibility: Membership is open to any business located in our field of membership.