Shoreline Homeowners Tap Stimulus Money to Make Homes More Energy Efficent

Soon after Bill Hickey and Karen Summers bought their northeast Shoreline home in 2008, they did considerable work to over the next few years to make it more energy efficient and cost effective.

The home was built in 1957 before the environmental movement led to changes in construction practice.

They installed insulation throughout the house, replaced up to nine of the aluminum-framed windows with double panes, and created vents in the kitchen and other rooms.

The work paid off, as their heating bill dropped 40 percent. They only had to fill the oil tank to heat the house once last winter compared to three times the first year.

Still, the couple wanted to do more, or see if they could do more, so when the opportunity arose to do a reduced price energy audit through city of Shoreline partner Sustainable Works, they jumped at the chance.

“We want to reduce our carbon footprint, save energy and money,” Hickey said.

Hickey and Summers were among 200 Shoreline homeowners to sign up with Sustainable Works and more can do so through August. As of June 24, 114 audits had been done so far. The home energy audits cost $95 compared to the typical $600, said Kellie Stickney of Sustainable Works.

If the audit reveals insulation needs to be added or a water heater needs to be replaced, Sustainable Works helps pay for some of that as well.

“If you’re not insulated well, that’s the number one thing you can do to drastically reduce your bills,” Stickney said. “It’s also luckily one of the most low-cost things you can do in your home, compared to replacing your windows or buying a new furnace.”

The funding for the program comes from $4 million in federal stimulus money from the Department of Energy. The program is being administered in Washington state through the Washington State University Extension Office and is supported by Seattle City Light. The money runs out Jan. 1, 2012.

"Never again will there be that much," stimulus money for these types of projects, Stickney said. 

Seven communities in Washington including Shoreline and Edmonds, are receiving the stimulus money to do the audits and make the homes more energy efficient.

Energy auditors, like Chad Bushman, who evaluated the couple's home, use a check list to go over homes in a four-hour audits.

Bushman measured the windows and footprint of the house, including the crawl space. He counted its light fixtures, replacing old bulbs with energy efficient, compact fluorescent lamps when necessary.

He numerous tests including a "blower door" test, which forces air throughout the house and uses a manometer to monitor the pressure while he checks to see how much leaks out. 

"The smaller the number the tighter the house," he said. 

Once the audit is completed, an energy consultant from Sustainable Works reviews the findings with the homeowner and suggests the most cost-effective steps to reduce energy use.

The homeowner then can decide whether to proceed with the updates or not. 

Sustainble Works coordinates the subsequent project—hiring contractors, financing, project management and final inspection.

The company pays up to 40 percent of the improvement costs and depending on income the homeowner to can get a zero percent or low-interest loan to do the work. The highest rates are under five percent. 

Sustainable Works also only hires contractors that pay family-supporting wages and benefits, and have apprenticeship programs. 

To sign up for an audit, go to the Sustainable Works Web site and fill out this form.