Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report

The Allegheny County Health Department is offering homeowners an opportunity to receive funds for investing in whole-home energy upgrades that reduce energy consumption and improve indoor air quality.

The Healthy Homes Incentive Program is a partnership with Growth Through Energy and Community Health Strategies.

The program provides up to $2,500 in funds to the first 100 qualified applicants who invest at least $5,000 in whole-home energy upgrades. Only non-smoking homeowners in Allegheny County are eligible to apply for the program.

"Our program will help homeowners not only lower their energy bills but also improve their family’s health through energy retrofits that enhance indoor air quality. Increasing energy efficiency also reduces power plant emissions and can help improve air quality outdoors as well," said Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the health department.

Improving indoor air quality is important because the average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors, and it is estimated that indoor air pollutants are often two to five times higher than those found outdoors. The program is funded by a $300,000 grant from the Allegheny County Clean Air Fund.

Participants will be walked step-by-step through the entire energy upgrade process. Homeowners receive consultation and guidance through an energy audit, which will provide an outline of the exact scope of work needed to make their home more energy efficient. The retrofits may include insulation, air sealing, ventilation, moisture control and other whole-home energy, health and safety measures.

Homeowners interested in participating should call Nicole Miller of GTECH Strategies at (412) 361-2099, extension 7. Applicants will be asked to provide up to 13 months of utility data for their homes.

HHIP is being administered by GTECH Strategies' ReEnergize Pgh Program. For more information about GTECH Strategies, please visit www.gtechstrategies.org.