In Florida, having an air conditioning system is something to be thankful for, especially an energy-efficient one! Yet for many Alachua County renters – especially low-income households – reliable and affordable cooling can
be hard to attain. Alachua County renter of 23 years, Ms. Betty Ford, had an outdated central AC, little attic insulation and leaky aluminum windows; without the means to upgrade her home to more efficient standards,
she faced high utility bills.
The Alachua County Energy Efficiency Program (ACEEP) helps lower utility bills for Alachua County renters by funding improvements for affordable rental units. Participants can receive home upgrades ranging from attic
insulation and new windows to energy-efficient electrical appliances such as water heaters, stoves, and air conditioners.
Residents in Alachua County face an energy burden – the percentage of a household’s gross income that is spent on utilities – that can reach over 22%. This percentage is especially higher for our low-income neighbors.
Outdated appliances, leaky homes, and the high cost of repairs add to this burden, and families can become stuck in a cycle of unaffordable energy bills. ACEEP helped Ford break out of that cycle by receiving a new AC,
double-pane windows, a water-efficient toilet, and attic insulation! Participants, like Betty and her landlord, can receive up to $15,000 worth of upgrades per rental up to eight units. Property owners are asked to commit to maintaining the affordability of their rental rate for a period of time that corresponds to the value of the upgrades.
“It was just so good,” said Ford about the program. “I couldn’t do it on my own. And these wonderful ladies came to my rescue because my AC was on the blink! Now that I’ve had their help, everything is done. And I would like to thank God and these ladies and their company.”
Without the worries of high bills and upgrading appliances hanging over her head, Ford can focus on things like what shade of purple she will paint her home next – lilac or magenta?
In collaboration with Alachua County and Rebuilding Together North Central Florida (RTNCF), the Alachua County Energy Efficiency Program (ACEEP) helps reduce utility costs for low-income tenants by funding energy-efficient improvements for affordable rental units. https://communityweatherization.org/rental-program-aceep/