News Release

November 3, 2006

Kansas Warm Homes Project

The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) through its Kansas Energy Office is pleased to announce the continuation of the Kansas Warm Homes project again this winter.

The Kansas Warm Homes project provides assistance to our most marginalized citizens, helping low-income Kansans make some changes to their homes that will help conserve energy and make them a little more comfortable this winter. This program has the added benefits of continuing to increase awareness of the need for the efficient use of energy and energy conservation, while providing some simple, low-cost measures that all citizens can take to make their living environment more comfortable and energy efficient.

The Kansas Warm Homes project will provide more than six thousand energy conservation kits statewide. Volunteer organizations in 50 Kansas counties - such as civic organizations, churches, and community assistance organizations are joining together to help deliver the Warm Homes kits. Target qualifications for eligibility to obtain a kit are households that fall under 150% of the Federal Poverty guidelines.

The kits include plastic sheeting to cover windows and doors, weather stripping for doors, rope caulking to seal cracks, switch plate insulators to stop drafts and improve the comfort level in older and substandard homes. The custom-designed energy conservation kit also includes energy savings devices such as a door sweep and four compact fluorescent light bulbs.

The energy conservation kits can be installed by residents with minimal instruction needed; volunteers can assist those that are unable to install the kits themselves. The Kansas Energy Office (at the Kansas Corporation Commission) and the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (at the Kansas Development Finance Authority) have teamed up to provide necessary funds to purchase the kits.

For additional information about the Kansas Warm Homes project and how to get a conservation kit, contact the organization distributing the kits in your county or a neighboring county if yours is not listed. You may also contact the Kansas Energy Office at 785.271.3170 or by email at kswarmhomes@kcc.state.ks.us.