Mississippi Power Company: Weatherizing Homes

Mississippi’s Grand Gulf nuclear power plant is home to the largest boiling water reactor in the U.S., which alone provides nearly a quarter of the state’s electricity needs. Over the last several years, Mississippi has been active in researching ethanol technologies as an energy alternative source. In 2003, plans were announced to build the Mississippi’s first ethanol production facility.

• •Community action agency WWISCA quadruples contractor pool; uses local vendors for materials
• •State weatherized 2,900 homes, using first half of Recovery Act funds
• •500 new weatherization employees in state since early 2009

Mississippi community action agency WWISCAA is out weatherizing homes and has doubled the number and quadrupled the contractor pool because of Recovery Act funds. Above, a weatherization worker insulates the exterior of a home. | Photo courtesy of WWISCAA

Jean Marie Hill, executive director for Warren Washington Issaquena Sharkey Community Action Agency, is happy to report her organization has doubled the amount of homes weatherized in a year since Recovery Act funds came to Mississippi. She will also tell you that she’s glad WWISCAA can spend twice the amount of money to weatherize each home, from about $3,000 to $6,500.

But what she really gets excited about is the job numbers. WWISCAA has gone from three contractors to 12 contractors, and the organization is helping out local businesses by purchasing equipment for weatherizing homes in the 13 counties it oversees.

Her own staff has even increased—from two people to 14 in order to handle the jump in weatherization projects.

“It has made a difference, and it has, in so many ways, been good for the economy in this area,” says Hill, who has been with the organization for the last 28 years. “That’s nine more contractors, who all have their own employees, getting money in their pockets.”

“And we have heard from vendors that say that all this additional work has kept their doors open,” she adds.

Doubling up

WWISCAA weatherized 424 homes of eligible, low-income residents from April 2009 to March 2010, according to Hill. That’s more than twice what they did the prior year. And now, because of increased funds to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program, agencies throughout the country, including WWISCAA, can spend up to $6,500 per home for energy upgrades.

“The program was a good program,” Hill says, “but it has become a better program; it has improved with these funds.”

Statewide

Hill’s territory isn’t the only area in the Magnolia State that’s seeing a boost in homes weatherized and jobs.

After the Mississippi Department of Human Services was awarded nearly $25 million through the Recovery Act, officials say nearly 3,000 homes were weatherized and 500 workers were hired to perform the work across the state.

Sollie Norwood, a director in the Mississippi Department of Human Services, says the department originally determined the local service providers throughout the state would need 150 workers to weatherize the 30 percent goal of the total target of homes, but ended up needing an extra 350.

“We looked at the number of units we were expected to weatherize and divided out the man power to each agency,” he says. With a total target of 5,400 homes, Mississippi has reached beyond the 30 percent mark, completing 2,900 homes, more than 50 percent of the total target.

This milestone, stipulated by the DOE, makes additional Recovery Act funds available to the state, an additional $25 million. These services will help cut energy consumption for income-eligible residents across the state.

“When you look at what a client paid 12 months before and then the 12 months after, there is a significant savings,” Hill says. “And they are lot more comfortable.”

Energy Tips for Homeowners from Mississippi

Take these simple steps to save energy and money at home. Also, download Tips for Energy Savers (2.2 MB) today and discover many more ways to save energy throughout your home.

Insulation – Inadequate insulation is a common problem in many homes and can lead to high energy bills. Upgrade insulation in attics, basements, exterior walls and floors. It’s a fast and easy way to save up to 30% on your energy costs.

Heating and Cooling – Heating and cooling makes up 45% to 50% of your energy bill. Upgrade with efficient equipment, insulation and programmable thermostats. Also, properly maintaining and adjusting existing equipment can improve energy efficiency by as much as 10%.

Air Leaks – According to the United States Department of Energy (DOE), draft-proofing your home can cut energy costs by up to 10 percent. Test your home for air tightness, and caulk, seal and weatherstrip air leaks around doors, ducts, outlets, and chimneys.

Lighting – Switch to energy saving compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) which last use 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last 7 to 10 time. Replace just 25% of your light bulbs in high-use areas with CFLs and cut your lighting costs in half. And don’t forget, turn the lights off when leaving a room.

Windows – Purchasing new windows? Choose an ENERGY STAR® window. Installing new, high performance windows will improve your home’s energy performance. If you aren’t ready to replace your windows, caulking your window seals around the glass can provide additional insulation.

Appliances – Every appliance has two price tags, a purchase price and an energy price. Look for the ENERGY STAR® when shopping for new appliances. Appliances and other products with the ENERGY STAR® use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment.

Low-Flow Water Fixtures – A typical family uses 700 gallons of water a week, equivalent to one person’s drinking supply for 3 years. Consider switching to low-flow, non-aerating fixtures in your kitchen and bathrooms. Reducing the amount of water in the flow uses less hot water and saves the energy that would be required to heat it.

Landscaping – Just 3 deciduous trees planted on the south and west will shade your house in the summer and allow sun to shine through in the winter. Avoid landscaping with lots of un-shaded rock or cement on the south or west side of your home because it increases the temperature around the house and radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.

Home Office – Working from home saves energy and time, but it may increase your home energy bills. Make sure power management features are activated and shop for ENERGY STAR® office equipment and electronics.