Back in the fall, Rocky Mount began a new program to provide assistance to city utility customers in weatherizing homes. This program still is available and still is accepting applications. Despite a mild winter, many can benefit from minor home improvements which will help to make their homes more energy efficient.

Through the Energy Share program, the city’s electric or natural gas customers can receive a cash rebate of up to $500 for work related to attic weatherization or up to $500 for a replacement HVAC system.

There are no income regulations with Energy Share, and the program is available for homeowners and renters. This program is open to all current City of Rocky Mount residential utility customers where the energy source of the home’s HVAC equipment is a city service, either electric or natural gas.

Energy Share participants attend a free energy education class, which includes helpful tips about energy consumption and conservation. This class is taught by trained customer assistance specialists.

The Energy Share program does require that participants schedule a free energy audit of their home. During an energy audit, customers can learn how energy is used in their home, how to reduce consumption, and how to reduce energy costs. Energy audits help customers identify low cost and no cost ways to lower utility bills. Cost cutting and saving opportunities are examined for electric, natural gas, water and sewer usage.

Any city utility customer may request an energy audit. The audit provides great information about low cost energy saving improvements. We encourage all of our customers to have an energy audit to learn more about how they can save energy and money.

All Energy Share participants will also be added to our “Beat the Peak” Load Management Program. Load management is a means of controlling the amount of electricity being used at any one time. When periods of peak demand occur, load management is used to reduce the demand and lower the cost.

Customers will receive a small credit on their utility bills depending the load management devices installed.

To learn how Energy Share can help you lower the cost to heat and cool your home, call the City’s Community Development Division at 972-1100. You can also complete the application online at 
www.rockymountnc.gov, or stop by the Community Development office on the second floor of City Hall. This is a pilot program, and funds are limited. If you would like to participate in Energy Share, please inquire now.

Our City Council and City staff are continuing work to identify ways to lower utility rates; we also stress the importance of weatherizing your home for maximum energy efficiency.

We are pleased we can offer this program to our community.