State and Local Climate and Energy Program
Reenergizing our Urban Community Efficiently: Crosland Park
Aiken, South Carolina
Federal Funding: $320,000
Project Timeline: February 2011 – February 2014
Latest Update
The City of Aiken is educating the public about energy efficiency and home weatherization. The City weatherized 100 homes during the summer 2012 weatherization program, which far exceeded their goal of 30 homes. The City provided CFLs to residents, weather-stripped homes, changed HVAC filters, and installed water aerators to reduce water consumption. The City is now collecting electricity consumption data for the homes weatherized during the summer of 2011 to measure resulting energy savings. Workshops were also held in early 2012 about proper caulking techniques and CFLs. The City will hold another workshop on energy conservation later in 2012.
Project Summary
Revitalizing and Re-Energizing a Low-Income Community
The Crosland Park Initiative is part of a larger effort, the Northside Development Plan, to improve housing stock and infrastructure and encourage private investment in Aiken’s Northside neighborhoods. As part of the Crosland Park Initiative, the City of Aiken is helping residents of the low-income neighborhood of Crosland Park lower their utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions by completing 24 to 30 comprehensive energy efficient renovations. The City completes energy audits before and after each renovation to monitor the effectiveness of the initiative. The City is also weatherizing 40 additional homes in Crosland Park each year through a summer job program, and offering educational workshops to educate community members on reducing home energy consumption.
The Crosland Park Initiative renovations include the following strategies:
- installing ENERGY STAR lighting fixtures and appliances, energy-efficient furnaces or heat pumps with programmable thermostats, radiant barrier roofing materials, and tankless and/or solar water heaters,
- sealing the building envelope, and
- installing whole house energy consumption displays to educate homeowners about energy conservation and to promote long-term energy conservation habits.
Community Characteristics
| Population: | 28,884 |
|---|---|
| Area: | 16 square miles |
| Government Type: | City |
| Community Type: | Small Urban |
| Median Household Income: | $52,601 |
Program Results/Estimated Results
| Expected GHG Reductions: | 278 metric tons CO2e annually |
|---|---|
| Actual GHG Reductions (as of June 2012): | 384 metric tons CO2e annually |
| Expected Homes Retrofitted: | 8-10 homes annually |
| Actual Homes with Retrofitting Complete (as of June 2012): | 8 homes |
| Expected Homes Weatherized: | 40 homes annually |
| Actual Homes Weatherized (as of June 2012): | 100 homes |
Media Coverage
- City Seeks Applicants for Crosland Weatherizing
, 06/15/2011