Energy challenge update

The Neighborhood Energy Challenge (NEC) is in full swing with only slightly more than a year left of the competition. As of September, 634 Takoma Park residents have signed up for the challenge. Of those signed up, 13 participants have completed their Green Home Certification, with 1 person achieving the toughest Dark Green Certification, with two more applicants in the verification stage. The Medium Green Certification is the next most difficult certification, yet 4 residents have still managed to achieve it. The Light Green Certification is the easiest, and 8 residents have met its qualifications.

Although many have signed up, the points in the competition come from achieving the different certifications. Therefore Team Forest Park leads the way in the Neighborhood Energy Challenge even though Team Sligo-Longbranch has the most residents signed up.

There is a $2,000 grand prize for the neighborhood and a separate $2,000 prize for the multifamily building (12 units or more) that has the most Green Certified Homes. The City’s residential and municipal reductions in energy use contribute to Takoma Park’s competition for the $5 Million Dollar Georgetown University Energy Prize.

Currently, Takoma Park is ranked #43 out of 50 for the $5 million Georgetown Prize. We have a lot of ground to make up, but we know we can do it! Keep working towards your Green Home Certifications!

Data on total kBTU (energy use metric) for combined municipal and residential energy use as calculated by Georgetown University Energy Prize committee. Note: the above data has been normalized for weather for the competition.

If you are interested in participating or have questions, please contact Gina Mathias at ginam@takomaparkmd.gov or call 301-891-7623. More information is available at http://takomaparkmd.gov/sustainability/neighborhood-energy-challenge.

This article appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.