Council hears about energy audit being offered

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Mississippi Power Company customers in Picayune may be eligible for a free insulation upgrade under the Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program.

Randy Fischer, an energy auditor with Mississippi Power, addressed the Picayune City Council during Tuesday’s meeting to ask them to inform constituents about the program. The program applies to all residential structures that are either single family or duplexes. Mobile homes typically do not qualify for the insulation, but Fischer said he can still visit and provide an energy audit and tips to save on their electricity bill.

Eligibility was determined through Census records, and other financial information to find areas of the city with the lowest median income. Within those areas, all homes can qualify for an energy audit, where Fischer will visit the home and determine what level of insulation is installed. If that rating is less than R-19, then the home will qualify for free insulation upgrade paid for by Mississippi Power.

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Any home that requests an energy audit will also receive a six pack of LED bulbs, and an informational meeting with Fisher where he will address energy habits that can be modified to save the customer money.

Residents within the qualifying area will be contacted by Fischer, or if no one is home a door hanger will be left at the home. Residents have to call the number on the door hanger to schedule an appointment with Fischer in order to see if they can receive free insulation.

“It’s a struggle a lot of times to get people to take advantage of this,” Fischer said.

Four areas of the city qualify; they include homes in the areas near East Canal, Neal Road, Palestine Road and S. Beech Street, and Carroll Street to Laird Street.

While not every home in the city qualified, Fischer did say that there are some homes in the city that still qualify.

Anyone who thinks their home would qualify can submit income information to Catholic Charities USA. The nearest location is in Biloxi and can be reached by calling 228-701-0555.

The aim of the program is to minimize consumption of electricity so Mississippi Power Company does not have to build more generation plants, Fischer said.