Rays of Hope

Rays of Hope

Written by Rachel Youens Thursday, 24 April 2008

 

Approximately 300 households per day in Austin are disconnected from their utility service for non-payment of bills. Behind rent or mortgage, utilities are generally a family’s highest cost, and Effie Brunsen recognized that without a solution, poor sectors of the population could never be fully self-sufficient.

“I saw a lot of affordable housing providers and one-time assistance on rent and utility payment,” Brunsen said. “I saw organizations that provide food and other aid, but I didn’t see a whole lot of organizations out there long-term supporting people and payment of their utility bills, which didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me because utilities are often the second highest monthly expense particularly for people with low incomes.”

In the summer of 2007, Brunsen had her dream job with the green building company Designated Tree, but she wanted to have a hobby that reflected her environmental interests as well. The idea for Rays of Hope was born with two main goals: to give social equity for low-income families through affordable utility bills and to offer education in renewable energy advocacy.

Rays of Hope tackles these goals with a two-step process. First the nonprofit identifies a new green home or an existing home to retrofit and evaluate ways to increase energy efficiency. This first part of the process can reduce the utility bill by 30 percent just by increasing weatherization, installing water-efficient appliances and other simple tactics.

In the second step, a solar panel system is installed on the home by a master installer. It is in this step that Rays of Hope’s renewable energy education goal comes. Those interested in learning how to install their own solar panels can pay a fee of approximately $300 to work with the master installer as the solar panels are put on the home, and see hands-on what it takes to go solar.

“The people I’ve talked to who are interested in solar are too intimidated to call up a professional and take up a half hour of their time just asking questions,” Brunsen said. “They also don’t know the questions to ask because until you’re up on a roof doing it, you don’t know what questions you have. This gives people a chance to just see how solar works, and get the questions they have about how the technology works answered by a master installer who is on hand all weekend.”

Right now Rays of Hope is selecting most of its homes through Casa Verde Builders, a program through the American Youth Works charter school. Students learn skills to enter the construction field while building affordable green homes. Brunsen hopes to work with Habitat for Humanity this year as well.

So far, Rays of Hope has completed one home and plans to finish five more in 2008. While the city offers an 80 percent rebate on solar installations, one of the best rates in the nation, panel installation is still costly and the nonprofit is seeking donations from building supply companies.

Effie’s tips for reducing energy use

Rays of Hope asks volunteers to sign a sheet committing to taking a few energy-saving measures. Here are three of the many options:

• Vacuum the coils on the bottom or back of the refrigerator - Dirty coils make the fridge work harder so keep them clean.
• Hang-dry your laundry - You can save about $150-200 per year and your clothes will last longer too.
• Attack your trunk junk - For every 100 pounds you keep in your trunk you will burn 1-2 percent more gas.