|
August 11, 2009
|
|
How$mart Investment Over One Million Dollars
|
|
Midwest Energy’s How$mart® energy saving program recently surpassed the one million dollar mark in energy efficiency investment. The program began over a year ago as a pilot project in four counties, then was offered throughout the Midwest Energy System in the summer of 2008. The How$mart® program provides low-cost capital to Midwest Energy customers, allowing them to improve the energy efficiency of their home or business, through new heating and air equipment installation, insulation and air sealing. Customers then repay the investment with part of the savings on their energy bill.
The program has assisted 203 customers with an investment from Midwest Energy of over $1 million, and a customer investment of nearly $270,000. It is estimated that customers using the program will save over 400,000 kilowatt hours per year, the equivalent of the electricity use of 40 homes. Customers are also saving 46,000 therms of natural gas per year, which is equivalent to the natural gas use of 58 homes.
How$mart is good for the environment. The energy saved by completed projects will result in approximately 13,000 less tons of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere over the next 20 years.
According to Earnie Lehman, President and General Manager of Midwest Energy, “We serve our customer-owners better when we help them save money by using less energy. We know customer bills will be lower and customer satisfaction higher because of How$mart® and our other energy-efficiency programs. We couldn’t do this without our experienced, trained and certified energy auditors and other dedicated employees. We’re really pleased with the results. ”
How$mart® was recently recognized by the Environmental Defense Fund as one of America’s best energy innovations. The Kansas Energy Office intends to use $34 million in federal stimulus funds to create a state-wide program similar to How$mart®, named “Efficiency Kansas.”
Customers interested in participating in the How$mart® program should contact their local Midwest Energy office by calling 1-800-222-3121, or on the web at www.mwenergy.com.
|
| Return to News Page |
|
