Habitat mission grants homes a green makeover

JOLIET -- Joliet homeowner Deborah McDonald will save money and use less energy this winter, thanks to a "green" home makeover from U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, Will County Habitat for Humanity and Exelon employee volunteers.

The makeover was one of 70 weatherization projects for low-income Habitat homeowners as part of a three-state pilot program.

"As a longtime supporter of energy-efficient construction and home improvement, I'm very pleased to support this innovative program to weatherize homes here in Illinois," said Halvorson, D-Crete. "It's very important that we educate homeowners about the simple steps they can take to use less energy, which will lower their utility bills and make their homes more environmentally friendly."

Halvorson met with the McDonald family, Exelon employees and Habitat for Humanity representatives. She then spent part of the day helping with the weatherization work, which included cleaning gutters, caulking, and installing weather stripping, insulation, compact fluorescent lighting and water-saving fixtures.

"We thank Congresswoman Halvorson for supporting our efforts to help customers and communities like those in the 11th District of Illinois reduce their carbon footprints and energy costs through easy, low-cost solutions," said Joseph Dominguez, Exelon senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs.

"Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity supports both Habitat's mission of affordable home ownership and Exelon's plan to eliminate the equivalent of our carbon footprint by 2020."

"We are thankful to have a Habitat home, which we've lived in for 15 years," said McDonald. "Because of all the energy-saving improvements that Exelon and Habitat volunteers have made today, we look forward to using less energy, lowering our utility bills and doing our part to help the environment."

The Exelon partnership is the first Habitat for Humanity International program to improve the energy efficiency of existing houses belonging to low-income homeowners, reducing energy usage and lowering their utility bills between 12 percent and 25 percent.

The partnership includes funding for weatherization projects valued at $2,000 to $8,000 per home and may include improvements such as weather stripping, caulking, adding or replacing door seals, installing water-saving toilets, replacing showerheads, replacing water heaters and furnace filters, installing CFL bulbs and insulating attics, basements and outer walls.

In addition to donating $300,000 to fund the program, Exelon is providing technical expertise and will donate an estimated 7,000 Exelon employee volunteer hours for the program.

The Dow Chemical Co. and Whirlpool Corp. also are supporting the weatherization program. Dow is donating insulation, volunteer labor and expertise, and Whirlpool is donating energy-efficient appliances for the projects.

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