WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WGL Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: WGL) today held its fifth annual “Day of Weatherization,” a community initiative helping hundreds of local residents in need across the region to stay warm and lower heating bills when temperatures drop this winter. More than 225 WGL volunteers worked in neighborhoods in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and West Virginia on a range of efforts from weatherizing houses to installing solar arrays.
When volunteers finished today, more than 150 homes across the region were ready to enjoy reduced energy expenses and added warmth in advance of the chilly temperatures and icy conditions expected this winter. According to industry estimates, the typical low-income home saves an average of 25% on energy consumption and saves an average of more than $275 annually in heating and cooling costs after weatherization services.
The annual WGL event is a tradition started in 2005 with the company’s regulated utility, Washington Gas, leading the weatherization of area homes. Today marks the fifth year that WGL’s other entities, including WGL Energy, Hampshire Gas and WGL Midstream, joined together to provide energy efficiency support to low-income residents across all of its service territories.
“WGL is proud of our ongoing commitment to support the communities we serve, and help people in the national capital region to take proactive energy saving steps as winter approaches,” said Terry D. McCallister, Chairman and CEO of WGL Holdings, Inc., and Washington Gas. “We appreciate the dedication of our highly valued employees who continue to give back to the communities we’ve been honored to serve for more than 169 years.”
Throughout the day, volunteers worked to help lower-income families fend off the cold and reduce energy costs by implementing low-cost upgrades:
- installing plastic film on windows;
- replacing or installing caulking on windows and doors;
- replacing furnace filters;
- providing weather stripping; and
- installing faucet aerators that reduce the amount of hot water used.
In addition to these efforts, for the third consecutive year, WGL partnered with GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, a DC-based non-profit organization delivering solar power to underserved communities, to support the installation of a roof top solar system on a home in Northwest, D.C. This is part of the program's initiative to expand the use of renewable options to lower energy bills and drive energy efficiency for those in need.
Click here to learn more about what you can do to prepare for the colder months.
About WGL
WGL (NYSE: WGL), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a leading source for clean, efficient and diverse energy solutions. With activities and assets across the U.S., WGL consists of Washington Gas, WGL Energy, WGL Midstream and Hampshire Gas. WGL provides options for natural gas, electricity, green power and energy services, including generation, storage, transportation, distribution, supply and efficiency. Our calling as a company is to make energy surprisingly easy for our employees, our community and all our customers. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, small business or multinational corporation, state and local or federal agency, WGL is here to provide Energy Answers. Ask Us. For more information, visit us at www.wgl.com.
About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that makes renewable energy technology and job training accessible to low-income communities. We bring together community partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families, providing energy cost savings, valuable hands-on experience, and a source of clean, local energy that benefits us all. More than 7,500 families have benefited from our work to-date, saving $212 million in lifetime electricity costs, and over 28,000 people have received solar training. www.gridalternatives.org/midatlantic.
