CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – UVA Community CU and the Local Energy Alliance Program have rolled out a makeover contest, one that could win someone $10,000 toward making a home more energy efficient.
A second homeowner will win $5,000, and two others will win $2,500 each. The prize will cover expenses such as air and duct sealing, adding insulation, and the maintenance or upgrading of heating and cooling equipment. LEAP promises the winners will get at least a 15% gain in energy efficiency. Ten finalists will receive a professional Home Energy Assessment.
Once winners are announced, contractors will bid for the chance to do the home makeover work, and the one that offers the best value will be selected.
“The twist in this year’s contest is what we’re calling the ‘smackdown,’ a friendly competition among local contractors to win the right to do the home makeover work,” said Cynthia Adams, executive director of LEAP, a non-profit that was created in a city/county partnership last year. “These local contractors will go head-to-head to give the winning homeowners the biggest bang for their free bucks.”
