Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania help make low-income home more energy efficient
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, the local affiliate of the nation’s largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization, and the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania along with ConocoPhillips’ Trainer Refinery, today helped a low-income homeowner 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 Initiative is an additional component of the 19-year-old national Rebuilding Together program, which will revitalize nearly 10,000 homes across the country this year. With the help of the Initiative, Rebuilding Together will give low-income homeowners the ability to reduce their energy consumption by as much as 30 percent.
“This is a wonderful partnership. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of those most in need,” said Stephen C. Seweryn, executive director, Rebuilding Together Philadelphia. “Providing low-income homeowners the tools to dramatically improve energy efficiency enables them to save money and use it for other immediate needs such as food and health care.”
“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 Rolf Hanson, executive director, Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania. “We are delighted to partner with Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and ConocoPhillips’ Trainer Refinery in this outstanding initiative. Our efforts will provide low-income homeowners the dual benefit of saving energy and money.”
Last year, the Initiative was highlighted in 18 rebuilds nationwide, saving low-income homeowners thousands of dollars thanks to a variety of energy-saving features incorporated into their homes.
The homeowner, who is a mother of two, was concerned not just about warmth, but also about the safety of her home. Unfortunately, she had little money to spend on such costly home-improvements. As part of the Initiative, she will receive a new heater, insulation, light fixtures with compact fluorescent lights, and energy-efficient windows and doors. Other renovations include landscaping and painting the exterior of the home.
“I wasn’t sure if I would be selected. I was thrilled when I found out that my home had been picked,” said the homeowner. “I still have to pinch myself.”
“These improvements will allow my children and me to live more comfortably and safely in our home, while saving money,” added the homeowner.
In addition to making homes more energy-efficient, the Initiative also provides low-income homeowners, volunteers and others with materials and information to help them use energy wisely now and in the future.
Rebuilding Together is the nation’s largest non-profit organization whose mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners assuring that they live in warmth, safety, and independence. Rebuilding Together operates through nearly 240 affiliates nationwide that serve 1,879 communities across the country. Each year, more than 270,000 volunteers help to refurbish and revitalize nearly 10,000 houses. For more information on Rebuilding Together, please visit its website: http://www.rebuildingtogether.org.
API, the American Petroleum Institute, is the primary trade association for the oil and natural gas industry in the United States. Representing one of the most technologically advanced industries in the world, API’s membership includes nearly 400 companies engaged in all aspects of the oil and natural gas industry, including the exploration, production, refining, transportation and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and related consumer products. For more information on API, please visit its website: http://www.api.org.
SOURCE Rebuilding Together
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