Weatherization Day encourages low-income families to reach out to local assistance programs to keep them warmer in the winter.
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balancing paying for groceries and utility bills is difficult for many Americans, especially during winter months when energy usage increases.
Poor insulation and inefficient appliances, combined with chilly temperatures, add to many homeowners' burgeoning utility expenses. Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAPs) across the country unite on Weatherization Day on Oct. 30, 2010 to call attention to their services.
WAP aims to reduce energy costs for low-income families -- particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities and children -- by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety.
GeoSpring™, GE's hybrid water heater, has piqued the interest of state weatherization programs nationwide. It uses a combination of heat pump technology and traditional electric elements to heat the water. Installing a GeoSpring hybrid water heater can reduce water heating operating costs up to 62 percent, resulting in energy savings of $320 per year*.
"Weatherization programs can make a real difference for families trying to make ends meet this winter," Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson said. "When GE's GeoSpring hybrid water heater is installed as part of those programs, the increased energy efficiency translates into true savings that people will really see in their wallets."
"According to the DOE, weatherization recipients see their annual energy bill reduced by $437**, depending on fuel type. By adding GE's GeoSpring to the program, these savings can double," said Sierra Ashley, market development manager for GE Appliances.
GE is involved with the WAP in Kentucky, New York, Virginia, Texas, Utah and North Carolina just to name a few. Local weatherization agencies in these programs have expressed an interest in providing clients with the GeoSpring hybrid water heater to help them reduce their monthly utility expenses and free up a portion of their income so the decision between purchasing groceries or hot water is vanquished.
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*Based on DOE test procedure and comparison of a 50--gallon standard electric tank water heater using 4881 kWh per year vs. the GE Hybrid water heater using 1856 kWh per year, and national average of 10.65 cents per kWh
** Source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/wap.html?print
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Allison Gatta