Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, the local affiliate of the nation's largest volunteer home rehabilitation organization, and the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania this week helped a woman living on an income of modest means reduce her energy use and save money as part of an energy-efficient rebuild of her home.

The rebuild is part of the Energy Efficient Homes Initiative, a national partnership between Rebuilding Together and America's oil and natural gas industry, which incorporates energy efficiency into home renovations for homeowners living on modest means nationwide, many of whom are elderly, disabled or have young children.

The Initiative is an additional component to the 19-year-old national Rebuilding Together program that will revitalize nearly 10,000 homes across the country this year. With the help of the Initiative, Rebuilding Together will provide low-income homeowners the ability to reduce their energy consumption by as much as 30 percent.

"This is a wonderful partnership. Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of those most in need," said Cindy Gilch, executive director, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. "Providing homeowners living on modest means the tools to dramatically improve energy efficiency enables them to save money and use it for other immediate needs such as food and health care."

"America's oil and natural gas industry practices energy efficiency every day within its operations, so we know the significant value of such a commitment," said Rolf Hanson, executive director, Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania. "We are delighted to partner with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh in this outstanding initiative. Our efforts will provide homeowners of modest means with the dual benefit of saving both energy and money."

Last year, the Initiative was highlighted in 18 rebuilds nationwide, saving low-income homeowners thousands of dollars thanks to a variety of energy-saving features incorporated into their homes. Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh is renovating more than 100 homes throughout the area this year, including one woman's home, which is more than 100 years old.

A cancer victim, currently undergoing treatment, the homeowner was physically and financially unable to make the necessary home improvements herself. As part of the Initiative, her home will receive new weather-stripping and insulation, light fixtures with compact fluorescent lights and energy-efficient windows. Other energy-efficient renovations to the house will include a new gas furnace and a new roof.

"I am so overwhelmed. It is like something out of a storybook," said the homeowner. "I have been blessed. These improvements will allow me to live more comfortably in my own home, while saving money."

In addition to making homes more energy-efficient, the Initiative also provides homeowners of modest means, volunteers and others with materials, and information to help them use energy wisely now and in the future.

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest non-profit organization whose mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners assuring that they live in warmth, safety, and independence. Rebuilding Together operates through nearly 250 affiliates nationwide that serve 1,879 communities across the country. Each year, more than 270,000 volunteers help to refurbish and revitalize nearly 10,000 houses.

For more information, visit the Rebuilding Together website.

8/24/2007