Housing agency goes green to save green

Going green is much more than solar panels and wind mills. One local not-for-profit housing agency is finding out first hand how going green is saving green.

“In an older type home, the fact that they have no insulation, these residents on the second floor are going to notice a difference,” said Brock Ehmer of the Indiana Community Action Association.

Adding insulation to an attic is a part of the green energy effort. Though not as visually appealing as wind mills or solar panels, the insulation will save energy and in turn money.

Typically in an older home, heat easily escapes through the ceiling, but by adding insulation, Hoosiers can prevent the heat from escaping and save about 15% to 20%.

Guerin Place, a low-income housing complex run by the non-profit organization Partners in Housing. They pay for utilities in some of their low-income housing units.

Frank Hagaman from Partners said, "The biggest operating expense that we had were our utilities. Last year was a very difficult year for us financially because of the utility cost".

So the organization had an audit done by Indianapolis Power and Light. The changes they made to this home can be done in any home as well, no matter if it is old, or new.

IPL spokesman Crystal Livers-Powers said, "We did low flow shower heads here. We did inspections on the furnace and water heaters and wrapped those for insulation. We have installed CFL light bulbs... those are small changes that people who watch this can implement in their own homes and find some savings."

Finding some savings when little income is available can go a long way.

"What would I do with the money? Probably buy curtains," said Allen Bragdan, a resident of Guerin Place.

Even if Hoosiers participate in a monthly cost control plan, trying some energy saving techniques can reduce monthly bills.

Click here for more energy saving tips.