CHA cuts $1.8 million in energy bills by good planning

CHA cuts $1.8 million in energy bills by good planning

CHA CEO Terry Peterson said he was able to save about $1.8 million on the agency's heat and light bills last year by installing energy-efficient appliances and believes he'll save even more each year with additional improvements.

`We're committed to good fiscal management," he said. "The cost savings we're experiencing allows us to invest more in every day quality of life for our residents."

Some of the additional improvements totaling $15 million include installation of 35,000 lighting fixtures in senior units to reduce energy use, installation of 9,000 shower heads, faucets and low-volume toilets to cut down on water usage, and installation of a decentralized heating system at the Midwest Terrace Apartments, which is a 125-unit senior building that currently receives steam for heat and hot water from the Rockwell Gardens heating plant.

Within the next 18 months, the improvements affecting 9,735 senior units will be completed to save the agency an additional $2 million a year," said Duwain Bailey, who heads CHA Operations.

The CHA Board approved the Operation's Department to move forward on an agreement with Citizens Conservation Services needed to increase the agency's energy service improvement contract from $15 million to $30 million.

Peterson said the opportunity is made available through HUD which provides additional funds to housing authorities that take action to reduce their utility usage and costs.

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