City of Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation and AEP Texas Make Homes Energy Efficient
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Feb 3, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Residents’ homes received over $700,000 in weatherization improvements
Residents who live at the Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation’s Jose Flores Duplexes that consist of 146 rental units, will enjoy an improved quality of life thanks to an energy efficiency program offered by AEP Texas. The City of Laredo’s Municipal Housing Corporation received $739,406 for weatherization improvements. The improvements are part of the company’s targeted Low Income Weatherization Program offered to not-for-profit agencies that provide energy efficiency improvements to the homes of income-eligible customers in the company’s service area.
Officials with the City of Laredo’s Municipal Housing Corporation and AEP Texas will discuss the benefits Low Income Weatherization Program during a press conference scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Jose Flores Housing Complex located at 563-B Poplar, on the former Laredo Air Force Base. During this press conference, media will also be invited to tour a resident’s home to see some of the specific improvements made.
“On behalf of the members of the Laredo City Council, I would like to express my gratitude to AEP Texas for providing these residents with peace of mind,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas. “They will no longer have to worry about high electric bills and they will be able to enjoy being in their homes during the extreme heat found in Laredo, or, even during the unusual cold temperatures we have been experiencing lately.”
As part of the program, each unit received energy-efficiency upgrades that included ENERGY STAR® central air conditioning units, solar window screens, attic insulation, refrigerators, and compact fluorescent light bulbs. The energy efficiency measures installed at each home are projected to save the tenant over $500 per year on their electric bills based on Public Utility Commission of Texas estimates. The maximum allowable expenditure under the program was $6,500 per home.
Elizabeth Alonzo, City of Laredo Municipal Housing Corporation executive director has indicated that these AEP Texas energy efficiency upgrades will do more than save energy; it will enhance the units, as well as improve the residents’ quality of life.
“These housing units were built in the 1960’s and were acquired in 1973. Throughout the years, improvements have been made to the units; however, this project was a major capital improvement,” said Alonzo. “Thanks to AEP Texas, with the added insulation, solar screens, and brand new energy efficient units, our tenants will now be able to enjoy improved comfortable living and also save money on their energy bills.”
In October 2009, the City Council awarded contracts to Sunbelt Air Conditioning, Freddy’s Insulation, and Avante Construction to carry out the capital improvements facilitated by the grant received from AEP. Additionally, Frontier Associates helped assist in implementing the grant.
“The Laredo Municipal Housing complex is the first regional project for the company’s south Texas region,” said Pam Osterloh, AEP Texas DSM coordinator. “We’re very excited because under this program, each housing unit will receive a major energy efficiency upgrade.”
Osterloh also added that because each housing unit is individually metered, each individual residence should enjoy the savings and benefits that energy efficiency measures will provide.
