SMUD Honored By State & Local Energy Report

The State & Local Energy Report recently honored five organizations for building innovative, energy efficient homes.  The winners of the Residential Energy Efficiency Awards included Alliance Associate Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD).

The Residential Energy Efficiency Awards, which were granted over two ceremonies in March, aim to recognize housing that is energy efficient, visually appealing and good for the community, said State & Local Energy Report Publisher Mark Wolfe, who also serves as the executive director of the Energy Programs Consortium.

SMUD’s Residential Energy Efficiency Innovation

SMUD won the Multifamily Award for helping the low-income senior residents of a retirement community save energy and money.

Throughout 2009 and 2010, SMUD and USA Properties completely renovated the Citrus Heights, Calif.-based Vintage Oaks Senior Apartment Complex to improve energy efficiency, in large part by installing energy-efficient water heaters, lights and appliances complex-wide.  They also implemented virtual net metering, which generates solar power on-site throughout the community without individual generators or solar panels for each housing unit. These improvements decreased energy demand 85% and reduced the average tenant’s energy bill from over $20 to less than $10, said Wade Hughes, manager of SMUD’s Solar Smart Program.

“We have proven with this project that major [energy efficiency] improvements are feasible for low-income residents,” Hughes said. He added that the shared financial benefits for both property owners and tenants of Vintage Oaks could motivate nearby property owners to create similar projects, especially in communities like Vintage Oaks where a utility allowance affects rent prices.

Other Winners: Action Agency, Corporation, University, Housing Authority

The State & Local Energy Report also honored:

• South Central Community Action Agency of Mississippi
• Madison Park Development Corporation
• Florida State University’s Institute for Energy Systems, Economics, & Sustainability
• King County Housing Authority

In addition to being honored, the award winners were given free equipment and training.