Forty-two homeowners in Machesney Park received supplements totaling $57,371 to purchase energy efficient appliances and other energy-saving measures from a grant funded by ComEd and awarded by the State that offsets the purchase of energy saving measures including lighting, air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more.

“We’ve been making a concentrated effort over the years to apply for grants that benefit our homeowners so they can make improvements to their homes,” says Village President Tom Strickland. “The Retrofit Home program is a partner with our Home Forward program that now is in its 10th year,” he added.

The Retrofit Home Program, announced in February of this year, assists in the cost of making homes more energy efficient. For example, income eligible residents can receive supplements to offset purchases of home energy-saving measures. These include refrigerators, dishwashers, window air conditioners, and furnaces among others.

“Through the Energy Efficient Retrofit Grants from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), we are proud to see that the Village of Machesney Park has helped its residents buy energy saving appliances to reduce their utility bills. Governor Quinn is committed to ensuring that Illinois families can afford to stay warm and healthy during the winter months,” said Gloria L. Materre, IHDA Executive Director.

Through the program, funds were used to help 42 homeowners purchase 31 refrigerators, 11 dishwashers, seven room air conditioners, one furnace, eight bath fans, and two home light fixture replacement packages. Fourteen homes received thermal envelope improvements (windows and/or insulation). All improvements meet Energy Star requirements.

This concludes the second round of funding this year for the Retrofit grant program funded through ComEd. Funding of $64,000 was announced in August, and 14 Illinois communities, including Machesney Park, successfully applied for the funds. The 14 communities shared funds. Machesney Park’s 26 residents utilized nearly $37,000 of the total $64,000 available.

Earlier in February, Machesney Park was awarded $20,608 to assist 16 homeowners purchase Energy Star appliances and other energy efficient measures for their homes.

The total of the two rounds of funding for 2009 brought $57,372 in grant funding to Machesney Park homeowners. The homeowners paid $16,363 toward the energy efficient purchases; Illinois Housing Development Authority contributed $23,921 toward the efficiency upgrades for a total economic impact for the area of $97,656. The purchases brought in $2,663 in area sales tax revenues. Of the 49 Energy Star appliances purchased, 87% were purchased in Machesney Park. The remaining 13% were purchased in Loves Park and Rockford.

The grant is funded by ComEd and administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

For more information, contact Karen Lemmons, community development director, Village of Machesney Park, 877-5432.