Local Central Alabama Home Receives Energy-Efficient Modifications

Rebuilding Together Central Alabama and the Alabama Petroleum Council continue commitment to increase energy efficiency in homes nationwide, help enrich homeowners' lives

MONTGOMERY, Ala., May 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Central Alabama, the local affiliate of the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership, and the Alabama Petroleum Council gathered today to help improve an elderly woman's quality of life, as well as reduce her energy use and save money as part of an energy-efficient rebuild of her home.

The rebuild is part of the Energy Efficient Homes Initiative, a national partnership between Rebuilding Together and America's oil and natural gas industry, which incorporates energy efficiency into home renovations for low-income homeowners nationwide, many of whom are elderly, disabled or have young children. The energy-efficient modifications, which include a new central gas heater, windows and insulation, along with exterior and interior renovations will help reduce the homeowner's cooling bills, and ultimately help preserve her homeownership.

"Our combined efforts have an ongoing, positive impact on homeowners in our neighborhood and across the country," said Eileen Knott, executive director of Rebuilding Together Central Alabama. "The Alabama Petroleum Council's support enables us to help improve the quality of life for many deserving homeowners who can now live more comfortably, safely and use less energy."

"America's oil and natural gas industry practices energy efficiency every day within its operations, so we know the significant value of such a commitment," said Dean Peeler, executive director of the Alabama Petroleum Council. "We are delighted to partner with Rebuilding Together Central Alabama in this outstanding initiative. Our efforts will help provide the homeowner with the dual benefit of saving energy and money."

Today, Rebuilding Together Central Alabama is rebuilding 75-year-old Daisy Wiley's home by incorporating energy-saving renovations. Ms. Wiley lives in her home, which has no heater, with her 45-year-old mentally-disabled daughter.

"There are no words," said Wiley. "I've really been blessed."

"These improvements will allow me to live more comfortably, while saving money," she added.

Since 2005, the Initiative has expanded its reach, doubling the number of rebuilds conducted nationwide and affording homeowners the ability to save as much as 30 percent on monthly energy bills, thanks to a variety of energy-efficient techniques incorporated into their homes. The Initiative is an additional component of Rebuilding Together, which is celebrating 20 years having revitalized more than 100,000 homes and nonprofit facilities with the help of millions of volunteers in communities across America.

In addition to making homes more energy efficient, the Initiative also provides homeowners, volunteers and others with materials and information with recommendations on how to preserve energy now and in the future.

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing free home repair and modification services to those in need. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners. In addition to its core home repair work, Rebuilding Together rehabilitates community centers and conducts home modification and repair programs that focus on aging in place, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, and disaster recovery and reconstruction. Rebuilding Together is currently celebrating 20 years as a national organization and the completion of over 100,000 homes thanks to the efforts of more than 200 affiliates nationwide. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

API, the American Petroleum Institute, is the primary trade association for the oil and natural gas industry in the United States. Representing one of the most technologically advanced industries in the world, API's membership includes nearly 400 companies engaged in all aspects of the oil and natural gas industry, including the exploration, production, refining, transportation and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and related consumer products. For more information on API, please visit its website: HYPERLINK "http://www.api.org/" www.api.org.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/

Source: Rebuilding Together

CONTACT: Charlotte Runco, +1-352-494-2934, for Rebuilding Together; or
Eileen Knott of Rebuilding Together Central Alabama, +1-334-262-9969

Web Site: http://www.api.org/

2008-05-31 11:02:49 0374124 PRNEWSWIRE