HOMEstrong Initiative Launched to Aid Louisiana Homeowners
SLIDELL — ReClaim Energy, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, and HousingNOLA have officially initiated the HOMEstrong: Lower Bills, Stronger Homes Initiative, designed to assist homeowners in making upgrades that lower household expenses and enhance home resilience.
Key Features of the Initiative:
- Phase One targets reducing household energy costs through HVAC-efficiency improvements using ReClaim Energy’s Solar Saver technology.
- Announced at a Slidell residence, the initiative features former New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, who aims to show how eligible homeowners can benefit from these improvements.
Program Benefits:
- Up to 200 homeowners can participate at no cost, receiving professional installation of the Solar Saver technology, along with a standard HVAC tune-up.
- The goal is to demonstrate the effectiveness of residential energy-efficiency enhancements and potentially scale the initiative across communities.
Quotes from Leaders:
- Garrett Hartley stated, “Louisiana families shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their homes comfortable and affording their electric bill.”
- Andreanecia Morris from HousingNOLA emphasized that energy costs heavily influence housing affordability: “This program is about putting resources directly into people’s homes… If we are serious about making housing more affordable, we have to consider utility costs.”
Future Expansion
The ultimate aim is to broaden the initiative to serve up to 55,000 households in the Greater New Orleans area, establishing a model for energy efficiency that can reach numerous families.
How Solar Saver Works
- Solar Saver technology enhances the efficiency of HVAC systems by optimizing the conditioned air they produce, reducing overall energy consumption.
- Homes must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify for installation.
Interested homeowners can apply through HOMEstrong’s website or contact 504-224-8300 for more information.
This initiative promises immediate benefits for families while laying the groundwork for substantial improvements in residential energy efficiency across Louisiana.
