Clayton reports results of summer home energy audits; loan used for repairs

Clayton Town staff reported results of a summer energy-audit program and said the town will offer the service again this fall. Town staff member Anne Gain told council that 25 audit slots were offered the week of July 23—6, and 24 homes were inspected. The audits aimed to identify simple and cost-effective efficiency measures residents could implement; Gain said the average inspected home was about 9 years old and roughly 1,600 square feet. "Of the 24 that were scored, we had 18 above average, 3 that had great scorings, and only 3 that were below average," Gain said. She added that each household receives a written comprehensive report and that one homeowner had already borrowed from the town's energy loan program to make improvements. The nut graph: The program is designed to reduce energy waste at the household level and to connect residents with low-cost fixes or loan-funded improvements, town staff said. Officials described the audits as both a consumer service and a step toward broader energy-efficiency goals. Town staff summarized common recommendations from auditors: routine HVAC maintenance and consistent thermostat settings; insulating hot-water heaters, attics and crawl spaces; and repairing weather stripping around doors and windows. Gain said auditors also found some ducting and return-vent issues in at least one home and recommended sealing or reconnecting vents. Gain said the town asked audit participants to complete a short online survey about their satisfaction and planned follow-up actions. "We got good responses," she said, and staff plan to re-survey participants in a few months to measure implementation rates and any utility-bill savings. When a council member asked whether renters could participate, Gain replied renters were allowed but that the homeowner must be aware because many recommended fixes require owner approval. Town staff said they are planning another round this fall and have started a waiting list to prioritize households that currently report problems. No formal council action was taken at the meeting; the item was a staff report and update. The town manager briefly affirmed the program's value, noting the town is using the audits as a way to target customers and improve transparency about available services. Ending: staff said the program will be repeated and staff will report back with follow-up survey results and any observed energy savings.