A menu of services for residential customers is included in Harlan, Iowa, Municipal Utilities' Efficiency Wise program.

The five-part program helps customers evaluate their energy use and make their homes more efficient. Initiated in August 1997, the program has attracted 25 customers.

The utility calls the program a "whole house approach" that "allows you to identify and understand all of the opportunities for efficiency improvements in your home. You select the measures to be installed and Efficiency Wise can provide you with the financing. You benefit from increased home comfort, increased disposable income, added value to your home, quality work by qualified contractors, and a flexible loan instrument with competitive terms."

Home energy assessments
Before making repairs, customers need to know what steps will lead to the greatest increase in energy and cost savings. Efficiency Wise helps customers with three home assessment packages:

The Home Improvement Assessment helps customers balance comfort and efficiency. A Harlan Efficiency Wise auditor looks over a home, performs a blower door test, and makes low-cost efficiency improvement measures on the spot. The auditor also demonstrates energy-efficient products and recommends additional improvements. The cost is $40 for the two-hour audit.

The Home Health and Safety Assessment checks for air-tightness, potential hazards such as carbon monoxide and lead-based paint, microwave radiation, and other safety hazards. The auditor also demonstrates various safety products, educates the homeowner on energy-related issues, and recommends ways to reduce the home's energy bill. The cost is $40.

The Complete Home Assessment combines energy efficiency, comfort, and health and safety assessments. The assessment also focuses on the home's insulation levels as well as the age and condition of appliances. The cost is $80.

All Harlan Municipal Utilities customers having assessments receive $10 worth of water conservation products, with the option to purchase more. They may also purchase up to two compact fluorescent bulbs at a discounted price to improve lighting efficiency.

Bid review services
Once customers know how to improve their homes' efficiency, they need to find someone to do the work. The Efficiency Wise Program helps customers review bids. The review process ensures the homeowner understands the differences among the bids, the different equipment and products used by contractors, and other aspects. Bid reviews cost $20 per hour.

Contractor qualifications
Efficiency Wise doesn't end with the consumer, however. There are also five contractors who have signed participation agreements with Harlan Municipal Utilities. These contractors have received training on program requirements, carry the appropriate amount of insurance, offer a one-year warranty on work performed, and agree to have Efficiency Wise program staff conduct quality assurance inspections of their work.

Financing
Harlan works with several local lenders to offer financing options to customers seeking to upgrade home efficiency. Efficiency Wise takes customers through every step in the home improvement process.