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District Heights officials hope that a U.S. Department of Energy-funded program will help residents reduce their energy bills by making improvements to their homes.

The District Heights Energy Efficiency Program kicked off Aug. 25, allowing residents of single-family homes and townhomes to apply through the city for a portion of $250,000 in U.S. Department of Energy grant money awarded this spring, said Samantha Archibald, District Heights' urban planner.

The program covers low-income residents, moderate-income residents and first-time homebuyers seeking a foreclosed District Heights home. A first-time homebuyer may be eligible for a $5,000 grant with proof of income, a title and a sale through the program's Homeowner Foreclosure Incentive.

"It would help to close that gap to be able to afford, to pay for the home," Archibald said. "With any home, specifically for foreclosed homes, a lot of times the homes have not been kept up and a lot of work has to be done."

Examples of upgrades include solar panel installation, heating and cooling systems and new appliances such as refrigerators and clothes dryers. The District Heights Energy Efficiency Program is promoting Energy Star products, which meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy standards for energy efficiency. Eligible homes receive a full energy audit — a survey of the home's heating, gas and insulation — and improvements with city approved contractors certified for home weatherization.

In 2009, the city administration used $25,000 in state Community Legacy grant money to award residents — mostly low-income and seniors — for energy-efficient upgrades, and Commissioner Jamal Miller said the District Heights Energy Efficiency Program is just a continuation of this service. Seven residents received assistance last year, Archibald said.

"This is part of our ongoing process and commitment to doing what we can to promote just the whole green lifestyle," Miller said.

Annie Carter, a resident since 1976, participated in last year's program and qualified for free installation of insulation throughout her entire four-bedroom home and an electronic thermostat, which she said contributed to electric bills that are $25 to $30 lower than last year's. She said the improvements would have cost her between $4,000 and $12,000 if she had paid for them.

"As a result of that, my electric bill has been the lowest it's ever been in the last 10, 15 years," Carter said.

The city hopes to use the grant money for upgrades in 39 homes, Archibald said. The city will make an application available via www.districtheights.org and at the E. Michael Roll Municipal Building at 2000 Marbury Drive.

Low-income residents can get improvements fully paid for if they are in a home where the income is less than or equal to $45,100 for a one-person household, below $51,550 for a two-person household and below $58,000 in a three-person household.

Moderate-income residents have incomes which are equal to or exceed the aforementioned dollar limits. They qualify for getting half of any necessary improvement covered with grant money, while they are responsible for the other half.

The Homeowner Foreclosure Incentive is geared toward first-time homebuyers looking to occupy a vacant city home whose incomes exceed the same dollar limits.

Code Enforcement Officer John Lamarre was unable to provide statistics for the number of foreclosed homes in the city of District Heights by press time.

"We just want anybody who is interested in purchasing a home [to know] that this is what we're offering," Archibald said. "We plan to reach out to different realtors and different agencies to let them know this is available in District Heights."

Resident James Fisher said this is the first he has heard of the program but said it would be a benefit to his neighbors. Fisher said his gas bill in January 2010 was $148 and that he and his wife are typically conscious of their usage.

"I think it's an excellent idea for folks and residents, especially senior citizens who may not be able to afford retrofitting their home for energy efficiency," Fisher said.

nmcgill@gazette.net