Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines and the American Petroleum Institute continue commitment to increase energy efficiency in homes nationwide, help enrich homeowners' lives
DES MOINES, Iowa, May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines, the local affiliate of the nation's largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership, and the American Petroleum Institute gathered today to help improve an elderly couple's quality of life, as well as reduce their energy use and save money as part of an energy-efficient rebuild of their 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 new ENERGY STAR windows, caulking and weather stripping, along with exterior and interior renovations will help reduce the homeowners' heating and cooling bills, and ultimately help preserve their homeownership.
"Our combined efforts have an ongoing, positive impact on homeowners in our neighborhood and across the country," said Lori McCombs, executive director of Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines. API'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 John Kerekes, central region director of the American Petroleum Institute. "We are delighted to partner with Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines in this outstanding initiative. Our efforts will help provide the homeowner with the dual benefit of saving energy and money." Today, Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines is renovating Raymond and Frank Koontz's home with energy-efficient modifications. Frank Koontz, a veteran of two wars, has undergone heart valve and knee replacement recently and also suffers from cancer.
The Koontzes have lived in their home since 1957 and have done their best to maintain their home but have exhausted their funds.
"There are no words," said Frank. "We've really been blessed." "These improvements will allow us to live more comfortably in our home, while saving money," he 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 non-profit 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 http://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: http://www.api.org/. DATASOURCE: Rebuilding Together CONTACT: Charlotte Runco, +1-352-494-2934, for Rebuilding Together; or Lori McCombs of Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines, +1-515-284-7403 Web Site: http://www.api.org/
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