Kent County Home Energy Efficiency Program Jeff Keesler Jennifer Passmore Wesley Rosekrans Anna Selgert Nicole Schippel Brian Urquhart Kent County Home Energy Efficiency Program 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................. 7 Findings ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Introduction ................................................................................................ 9 Urban Planning Practicum ........................................................................................................................ 9 Client Profile .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Area Community Services Employment and Training Council (ACSET) ................................................ 9 Kent County Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF) ................................................................................. 10 ENTF Energy Efficiency Subcommittee Mission .................................................................................. 10 Project Site Profile .................................................................................................................................. 11 Project Site Overview: Kent County, Michigan ................................................................................... 11 History ................................................................................................................................................. 11 Government and County Services....................................................................................................... 11 Local Economy .................................................................................................................................... 12 Demographics ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Existing Housing Stock ........................................................................................................................ 13 Average Household Utility Bill ............................................................................................................ 15 Housing and Utility Bill Affordability ................................................................................................... 15 Project Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Key Home Energy Efficiency Concepts .................................................................................................... 19 Energy Audit ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Weatherization ................................................................................................................................... 20 Whole-House Energy Efficiency Planning ........................................................................................... 20 Benefits of Home Energy Efficiency ........................................................................................................ 22 Utility Savings Benefits ........................................................................................................................ 22 Benefits for Low-Income Households: Increased Housing Affordability ............................................ 22 Natural Environment........................................................................................................................... 23 Part One: Existing Energy Efficiency Resources in Kent County ........................................................................................................ 24 ACSET: A History of Weatherization ....................................................................................................... 24 Kent County Home Energy Efficiency Program 3 ENTF Energy Efficiency Subcommittee Survey ....................................................................................... 25 Inventory of Home Energy Efficiency Services in Kent County ............................................................... 25 ENTF Energy Efficiency Survey Results by Question ............................................................................... 27 Inventory of Home Energy Efficiency Services in Kent County Matrix ............................................... 29 Energy Efficiency Survey Gap Analysis .................................................................................................... 44 Part Two: Countywide Home Energy Efficiency Program Structure .................................................................................................... 46 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 46 County Case Study Briefs ........................................................................................................................ 47 Milwaukee County, Wisconsin ............................................................................................................ 47 Macomb County, Michigan ................................................................................................................. 47 Ramsey County, Minnesota ................................................................................................................ 48 County Case Study Findings .................................................................................................................... 49 Funding ............................................................................................................................................... 49 Collaboration and Implementation..................................................................................................... 49 State and County Supported National Home Energy Efficiency Program Briefs .................................... 51 Home Performance with Energy Star Program....................................................................................... 51 Weatherization Assistance Program: Starting a Weatherization Information Campaign ..................... 52 Part Three: Designing a Senior Citizen Winter Preparation Program ..................................................................................................... 53 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 53 Interest in Kent County ........................................................................................................................... 54 Agency Briefs ........................................................................................................................................... 55 Community Energy Project ................................................................................................................. 55 Riverside Public Utilities ...................................................................................................................... 56 CCOA – Aging, Weatherization & Human Services ............................................................................. 56 Westchester County, New York Department of Senior Programs and Services ................................. 56 HEET: Home Energy Efficiency Team .................................................................................................. 56 Senior Citizen Weatherization Program Characteristics ......................................................................... 57 Summary of Findings............................................................................................................................... 57 Eligibility and Funding ......................................................................................................................... 57 Kent County Home Energy Efficiency Program 4 Agency Type and Program Structure .................................................................................................. 57 Volunteers ........................................................................................................................................... 58 Accessing Clients ................................................................................................................................. 58 Senior Citizen Home Energy Efficiency Program Matrix ..................................................................... 59 Home Energy Efficiency Tool Kit ............................................................................................................. 61 Beginner .............................................................................................................................................. 61 Intermediate ....................................................................................................................................... 64 Professional ......................................................................................................................................... 67 Summary 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