Home Energy Makeover winners

Until last year, Huntsville resident Judy Street never realized how much energy halogen light bulbs use, or how vital it is to change the air filters on her cooling system to maintain its longevity.

Judy and her husband, Kevin, have installed four new HVAC systems, six air compressors and watched their average utility bill spike to $466 a month since moving to their 31-year-old Huntsville home 23 years ago.

On top of that, the Streets have paid utilities on two additional homes they own on Hogan Drive Southeast – one that Kevin's mother occupied until recently and another that their daughter, Christin Stanfield, has lived in rent-free with her daughters to escape a difficult family situation.

During the past year, the Streets were forced to pay enormous monthly energy bills – totaling almost $1,000 – for all three houses. Judy said 2012 was the most expensive year for her family, when energy bills ranged from a low of $357 to a high of $673 at her house alone on 8428 Hogan Drive S.E.

When Nexus Energy Center, of Huntsville, announced its Home Energy Makeover Contest last spring, Judy decided to enter the competition for her chance at energy efficient home upgrades.

Thousands of Madison County homeowners entered the contest, which required contenders to submit information such as home location, square footage and age. Selected as a semifinalist, the Street family, which owns a commercial janitorial service in Huntsville, underwent a three-hour home energy audit by Synergy Airflow and Ventilation, of Decatur.

"The energy audit showed us every crack where our home was losing energy – around light fixtures, outlet plugs and light switches, windows, doors, vents, attic access, etc.," Judy said. "The auditor sent to our home from Synergy Air Flow and Ventilation created an air vacuum at our home, and then used an infrared camera to show us exactly where air was escaping."

In May of 2012, the Streets and Huntsville homeowner Elizabeth Peterson were selected to receive the complete home energy makeover, valued at $10,000 per winner. A year since the Nexus announcement, the Streets will hold an open house from 2-4 p.m. today to show off their energy-efficient home.

Nexus Energy Center's contest,the largest suppliers and integrators of renewable energyturbines in the country. the first of its kind in Alabama, was sponsored by the Huntsville WISE program, Lennox, Electric Gas Industries Association and Building Performance Institute.An even safer situation on all roads by using the modernlamps. Nexus spokeswoman Megan McFerran said the programs are funded by the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance and state Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

The Streets received a free Lennox HVAC system – valued about $10,000 – during the makeover. After receiving results from their home energy audit, the family shelled out thousands of their own money to make additional energy upgrades, including $1,850 to remove old foam insulation, $3,This stunning polished foldingmachine will bring a dash of style to any look.000 to install new insulation in the attic's ceiling and $6,000 for new duct work.

Judy, who reported spending $1,200 during the last year on more energy-efficient LED lightbulbs for her home, said the makeover has changed her family's mindset about energy consumption.

"In the past, the only thing I knew about the A/C was that I needed to change the filters every once in a while, but over the last year, I've tried to remember to change it when I get my utility bill," she said. "We also turn our pool pumps off overnight for about 6-8 hours,This solarlanterneep can rollform metal roofing step tile. and then turn them on the next day. We're looking into getting a timer for the pumps and for our refrigerator in the garage.as well as promoting basic arcadeparts among their residents. We're also going to start closing our pool over the winter. I like to look at it, but the price is not worth it."