Dominion Energy to offer free home-efficiency upgrades in Batesburg-Leesville; kickoff April 8

Dominion Energy representatives told the Batesburg-Leesville Town Council the utility will run its Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program in town beginning in spring 2025. The company described the program as free to participating customers and said it will provide education and install energy‑saving measures in eligible homes.

Program details provided at the council meeting included the following: customers who live inside the highlighted service-area map or nearby and who are Dominion Energy customers are eligible; there is no customer charge; measures include LED bulb replacements, digital thermostats/switch plate thermometers, low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads, HVAC filters (12 months’ supply), water-heater wraps, weather-stripping and door sweeps, smart strips and shower timers. Dominion said the program is funded by Dominion Energy.

The company will mail a flyer to residents on March 21 announcing the kickoff; a reminder postcard with a scheduled installation appointment will be mailed April 1. The program kickoff is planned for April 8 at the Batesburg historic train depot from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Dominion said it will bring a longer presentation to the kickoff, make staff available to answer questions and provide light refreshments and a drawing for gift cards.

A Dominion representative, Derek McDaniel, described the program at the meeting: “We come out to a selected neighborhood and we offer free energy efficiency education, free energy efficiency and installing free energy efficiency measures into customer homes that are selected.” He said the program has run since 2013, and that towns are selected where at least 50% of the population is 200% below the poverty line (selection criteria stated by Dominion at the meeting). Dominion representatives said the Batesburg-Leesville presence is currently scheduled to run through May, with scheduling flexibility.

Council members asked about expected bill savings and eligibility rules. Dominion staff said the average participating household could see roughly the equivalent of one month’s bill savings over a year if measures are used and customers follow recommended behaviors (example given: setting air-conditioning to 78°F in summer), and that there is no income verification for residents who live inside the eligible map area; the only requirement is Dominion service.

The presentation was informational; no council action or funding commitment was requested or taken at the meeting.

Ending: Dominion encouraged residents to attend the April 8 kickoff to ask program-specific questions and to sign up for home visits and installations.