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Energy Efficiency & Weatherization

      Sustainability Director

      Patience Melnik [email protected]
      (865) 215-3083

      400 Main St., Room 598
      Knoxville, TN 37902

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      Knoxville Smarter Cities Partnership: Energy Efficiency and Weatherization

      Tennessee Valley Authority's residential energy rates rank among the lowest in the country, yet many communities continue to struggle with high utility bills due to aging, energy-intense homes. The Knoxville Smarter Cities Partnership was created to address this gap, helping thousands of Knoxville residents improve the comfort, quality, and affordability of their homes through energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades.

      In 2013, a grant from the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge provided $400,000 in strategic planning and technical assistance, launching the Knoxville Smarter Cities Partnership, a coalition of over 20 community organizations. This support helped assess and strengthen connections between energy efficiency services, utility bill assistance, and programs serving low-income households.

      By the end of this grant, the Partnership's innovative work had secured more than $20 million to support utility education and home energy upgrades, with a focus on helping low-income families manage their utility costs. A major portion of this funding came from TVA, which selected Knoxville to receive $15 million through its two-year Smart Communities Extreme Energy Makeover Project (the largest award granted) which led to the creation of KEEM, Savings in the House, and KUB Round It Up programs. 

      Programs
        Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover Savings in the House KUB Round It Up  TVA Home Uplift   
      Timeline:  2015-2017   2015-2017 2015 - Present   2018 - Present  
       Program Description: A program representing an unprecedented investment in weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades across Knoxville.   
      		 Educational program that helped Knoxville residents lower utility bills and improve in-home comfort through more than 150 free workshops, reaching over 1,700 participants. A voluntary program that rounds your bill up to the next dollar and contributes those funds to weatherize homes of families in need.
      		 A program created in support of KUB's Round It Up program. Funding provided by TVA doubles the number of homes served with weatherization retrofits.   
       More Information:

       

      		 Resource Guides are available below Round It Up Frequently Asked Questions  Find out if you qualify  


      Savings in the House

                  Energy Resource Guide       Energy Resource Guide (Spanish)       Water Resource Guide   
         Energy Resource Guide   Energy Resource Guide (Spanish)  Water Resource Guide   


      Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover (KEEM)

       Project Team:

      KEEM Partners
      KEEM Partners making home energy efficiency and weatherization improvements

      The KEEM project team was led by the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) in partnership with TVA, the City of Knoxville, Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB), and the Alliance to Save Energy.  

       Project impacts include:
      •  $8.5 million in weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades going to local, small businesses
      •  1,278 lower-income households receiving comprehensive weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades
      •  6,086,500 kWh of energy saved annually
      •  4,300 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided - the equivalent to taking 914 cars off the road

      Although KEEM has ended, the City continues to work with the Knoxville Smarter Cities Partnership organizations and other groups to help residents reduce energy consumption and increase home comfort. Ongoing programs include KUB's Round It Up and TVA's Home Uplift and programs.