Schaumburg offers energy audit

Schaumburg was recently awarded $776,500 through the federal government's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Program for energy efficiency initiatives and job creation. Included in this program are commercial and residential building energy audit and retrofit programs.

The village's Residential Energy Audit and Retrofit Grant Program allows residents to receive a free (a $450 value) home energy audit to identify ways to save energy and lower their electric bills.

In some cases, weatherizing your home by completing projects like insulating and air duct sealing can reduce annual energy usage by 30 percent.

Single family homes are eligible for this program and due to their energy inefficiencies, preference will be given to homes built before 1990.

To ensure that this program is reducing energy use in Schaumburg, all participating residents must agree to implement at least one of the recommended permanent improvements in the audit.

After the project's completion the village will reimburse participants 30 percent of the cost of the permanent retrofit up to $1,500. This opportunity can be combined with the federal tax credit for another 30 percent of the direct cost to the resident for the efficiency retrofits, again up to $1,500.

The village's Commercial Energy Audit and Retrofit Grant Program allows small and medium sized commercial and industrial businesses to receive a 50 percent reimbursement (up to an amount of $600) of an energy audit to identify ways to save energy and lower their electric bills. All participating businesses must agree to implement at least one of the recommended permanent improvements in the audit. The grant program also provides a reimbursement for permanent energy efficiency improvements of 10 percent of the cost of the project - up to $1,000.

Additionally, because the village is participating in the ComEd Community Energy Challenge, there is money set aside for Schaumburg businesses to take advantage of ComEd's Smart Ideas for your Business programs. The funds for ComEd's 2009-2010 program have been obligated except for those businesses that are located in municipalities like Schaumburg participating in the challenge. This incentive program is available for lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, motors, and more.

Schaumburg's additional funds must committed to by Schaumburg businesses by the end of January, so now is the time to take advantage of both the audit and retrofit program and ComEd's programs. More information about ComEd incentives can be found at comed.com under "Business Savings." Mark that you are a part of the ComEd Community Energy Challenge on your application.

If you have any questions or would like to participate in the Energy Audit and Retrofit Grant Programs, contact Melissa Steirer in the village manager's office at (847) 923-4702 or msteirer@ci.schaumburg.il.us