May 3 2008
Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Nashville, the local affiliate of the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership, and the Tennessee Petroleum Council, a division of the American Petroleum Institute, gathered today to help improve a local homeowner's quality of life, as well as reduce her energy use and save money as part of an energy-efficient rebuild of her home.
The rebuild is part of the Energy Efficient Homes Initiative, a national partnership between Rebuilding Together and America's oil and natural gas industry, which incorporates energy efficiency into home renovations for low-income homeowners nationwide, many of whom are elderly, disabled or have young children. The energy-efficient modifications, which include vinyl siding and roof repair, along with exterior and interior renovations will help reduce the homeowner's heating and cooling bills, and ultimately help preserve her homeownership.
"Our combined efforts have an ongoing, positive impact on homeowners in our neighborhood and across the country," said Laura Price, president of Rebuilding Together Nashville. "The Tennessee Petroleum Council's support enables us to help improve the quality of life for many deserving homeowners who can now live more comfortably, safely and use less energy."
"America's oil and natural gas industry practices energy efficiency every day within its operations, so we know the significant value of such a commitment," said Mike Williams, executive director of the Tennessee Petroleum Council. "We are delighted to partner with Rebuilding Together Nashville in this outstanding initiative. Our efforts will help provide the homeowner with the dual benefit of saving energy and money."
Today, Rebuilding Together Nashville is renovating Sadie May Patton's home with energy-efficient modifications. Ms. Patton, a 76-year-old woman who has suffered from several strokes, has been living with heaters on her walls with no covers, causing a major fire hazard.
"There are no words," said Patton. "I've really been blessed."
"These improvements will allow me to live more comfortably in my own home, while saving money," she added.
Since 2005, the Initiative has expanded its reach, doubling the number of rebuilds conducted nationwide and affording homeowners the ability to save as much as 30 percent on monthly energy bills, thanks to a variety of energy-efficient techniques incorporated into their homes. The Initiative is an additional component of Rebuilding Together which is celebrating 20 years, having revitalized more than 100,000 homes and non-profit facilities with the help of millions of volunteers in communities across America.
In addition to making homes more energy-efficient, the Initiative also provides homeowners, volunteers and others with materials and information with recommendations on how to preserve energy now and in the future.