Delaware Energy An$wers Appliance Grant Program Ends with Resounding Success: Delawareans Awarded $813,000 in Energy Efficiency Grants; Additional $400,000 in Grants to be Awarded
The Delaware Energy Office would like to thank the thousands of Delawareans who participated in the Delaware Energy An$wers Appliance Grant Program which will end May 30. Since its inception in October 2006, the program received more than 8,000 applications from energy-conscious Delaware consumers seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through the use of ENERGY STAR refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, window air conditioners, high SEER central air conditioning units and efficient hot water heaters.
Since 2006, the Delaware Energy An$wers Appliance Grant Program awarded more than $813,000 in energy efficiency grants with another $400,000 estimated to be awarded after the program ends.
Originally developed with a budget of $400,000, the program will more than triple its initial projections. Calculations to date show that a total lifetime savings of more than 33 million kilowatt hours of electricity will be realized by Delaware citizens. By purchasing energy-efficient appliances, Delawareans will save an average of eight cents per kilowatt hour – an almost 60% savings in electricity costs over the life of the appliance.
The Energy Office will stop accepting applications at the close of business – 4:30 p.m. on May 30. All applications received on and before this date will be processed and awarded as quickly as possible. Information on the program can be found on the Delaware Energy Office website, www.energy.dnrec.delaware.gov or
www.delaware-energy.com
The Energy An$wers Appliance Grant Program is part of Delaware’s Energy An$wers Program, which provides businesses and residents with financial incentives to use energy-saving products or implement measures that will conserve energy. The initiative is a direct result of legislation passed by the 143rd General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Minner in 2006. It provided $8 million in grants through three program areas – Energy An$wers for Business, Energy An$wers for Home Appliances and Energy An$wers for Home Performance.
Delawareans interested in future energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities can look forward to the new Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), which is expected to begin operations in early 2009. The SEU will provide additional funding opportunities for Delaware consumers to save on energy costs covering all energy fuel areas – electricity, natural gas, heating oil, propane, renewable energy technologies, and transportation.Information on the progress of the SEU will be posted on the Delaware Energy Office website or on the SEU website, www.seu-de.org as the SEU is developed.
For more information on the Delaware Energy An$wers Appliance Grant Program, contact Charley Roberson or Charlie Smisson at the Delaware Energy Office at 302-735-3480.
