By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
November 2, 2011

To help Kansas Citians weather the winter a little easier, EnergyWorks KC is offering several financial incentives to make businesses and homes more energy efficient.

“Energy is money and money is hard to come by these days,” Kansas City Mayor Sly James said during a press conference Oct. 20. “It is exciting to be able to announce financing incentives that will allow individuals to move past being aware of a problem and toward implementing a solution.”

A $20 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy made the project, EnergyWorks KC, possible. Through EnergyWorks KC, Kansas Citians can schedule an analysis with a certified energy efficiency analyst for their home, business or property. In addition, the program will assist individuals with contacting certified contractors for a timeframe and cost estimate.

“The program is very simple,” James said. “It works as a one stop shop for all those things you’ll need in order to achieve the goal of energy efficiency. You call and they’ll take it from there. It’s that simple.”

Kansas City Manager Troy Schulte said the program is a tool to reinvest in the urban core.

“Not everything is gloom and doom in the urban core,” Schulte said. “There’s a lot to be proud of and this is a program we think will accelerate the reinvestment and revitalization of our core city neighborhoods.

“Energy improvements are an effective way to create and retain local jobs that cannot be outsourced.”

EnergyWorks KC has been working with local non-profits, including the Metropolitan Energy Center and Mid-America Regional Council, in addition to working with Missouri Gas Energy and KCP&L.

“We want our businesses and homeowners to take real actions and we want those actions to result in benefits, such as lower energy costs, more comfortable homes and healthier homes, too,” said Bob Hausch, executive director of the Metropolitan Energy Center.

Linda Hyrne, who lives at 2700 Benton, is already beginning to benefit from the program. As she stood in front of her home Oct. 20, James presented her with a $900 check to go toward energy improvements in her home. An EnergyWorks KC analyst recently visited her home and detailed items to improve.

“The analysis pointed out potential problems where I as a homeowner would not have recognized on my own,” Hyrne said. “It was very good in that aspect and helpful.”

One issue the analyst cited was a water heater flue that was installed improperly, creating the potential for gas to escape and filter into the house.

“With that process and that knowledge, I can leave here today feeling better and more optimistic going forward on making my house green and energy efficient,” she said.