Salt River Power Saver Service sells, finances home insulation. [Phoenix, AZ]

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Public Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:5287488

Athmer, L

The Salt River Power Saver Service in Phoenix developed the philosophy that demonstrable service including inspection of homes and the sale and financing of home insulation must accompany programs in which a utility offers energy saving advice. The Salt River Project, after studies and public surveys, began a free inspection and recommendation service. Costs from installing and financing insulation are recovered by involving local contractors and a bank. Response from local industry and business has been good because the increase in business allowed lower prices and because the public appreciates action more than propaganda. The utilities have developed performance and safety specifications for insulating materials and monitored contracts. Some areas with short supplies of materials may have to use questionable cellulose materials and insure the integrity of the program with extra monitoring. Financing is handled as an installment loan through a bank rather than as an addition to utility bills. The utility provides capital and the bank the accounting, while the property owner puts up collateral. Since the loans are smaller than conventionally available home improvement financing, the project expands the homeowner's financing options. After an hour and a half inspection using a time-motion approach, recommendations are made that emphasize changes with both an immediate and a long-range effect on utility bills. (DCK)

• Research Organization: Salt River Project, Phoenix, AZ
• OSTI ID: 5287488
• Journal Information: Public Power; (United States), Journal Name: Public Power; (United States) Vol. 35:4; ISSN PUPOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
320600 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Municipalities & Community Systems-- (1980-)
CAPITAL
CHARGES
CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACTS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
FINANCING
INDUSTRY
MANAGEMENT
MONITORING
PUBLIC RELATIONS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
RETROFITTING
SAFETY
SPECIFICATIONS
THERMAL INSULATION