The following scenarios and impacts are some possible ideas; actual benefits and outcomes will be subject to program design feasibility.
Energy Efficiency – Individual example:
You or your neighbor’s home on the Key Peninsula is really drafty in the wintertime. You notice that even though the heat is on, it’s still chilly around your house. You apply to (or nominate your neighbor for) a program that pays for some weatherization measures to help keep the heat in and electricity costs down.
Impact expectation: Number of homes served could vary widely depending on measures needed. Long-term benefits include saving on energy bills and more comfortable indoor spaces.
Energy Efficiency – Community example:
A community building (could be a community center, school, non-profit, etc.) on the Key Peninsula has an old furnace that’s not working very well. The Key Peninsula Community Benefit Fund pays to replace the old, inefficient system with an electric heat pump that offers both heating and cooling.
Impact expectation: 1-3 buildings every other year, would likely require an application process. Long-term benefits include saving on energy bills and more comfortable indoor spaces.
Energy Assistance – Individual example:
You or your neighbor are struggling to pay energy bills in the winter and are keeping the heat off to save money. You apply to (or nominate your neighbor for) a program that pays for all or part of a utility bill.
Impact expectation: Many low-income households could receive this assistance, but no lasting improvements to buildings would be made.
Energy Assistance – Community example:
Your favorite non-profit on the Key Peninsula could get help with paying for their energy bills during the winter.
Impact expectation: Many community spaces could receive this assistance, but no lasting improvements to buildings would be made.
Energy Independence – Individual example:
Your home gets a good amount of sun, and you think solar panels on your roof could reduce your monthly power bills. You apply to a program that, depending on your income, helps with the purchase and installation of a rooftop solar array.
Impact expectation: 1-4 households every other year, would require low-income status and minimum building qualifications. Long-term benefits include saving on energy bills.
Energy Independence – Community example:
The Key Peninsula Community Benefit Fund could purchase and install solar panels and a battery backup system for a community building (could be a community center, school, non-profit, etc.).
Impact expectation: 1-3 buildings every other year, would likely require an application process. Long-term benefits include saving on energy bills and community spaces that can keep the lights and heat/air conditioning on even if the power goes out.