Under the Tennessee Housing Development Agency's (THDA) Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program, the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (ICAST) completed its first multifamily weatherization project in Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB)'s 688-square-mile service territory and the state.
Through this new multifamily program, ICAST weatherized 80 units at the Summercrest Apartments in North Knoxville. The project marks the first completion in ICAST's statewide multifamily weatherization assistance program for income-eligible multifamily properties over the next four years. Weatherization improvements in the homes included HVAC upgrades, new lights, dryer vents, faucet aerators, insulation, smart thermostats, and more.
The positive impact of energy efficiency improvements on KUB's customers is substantial. Because energy use is the main driver of utility bills, weatherization and efficiency improvements lower energy costs and significantly enhance quality of life for participants through long-term impacts on comfort, health, and finances.
"We're excited to announce the successful completion of the Summercrest multifamily weatherization project, marking the beginning of a series of WAP projects across Tennessee," ICAST's Founder and President Ravi Malhotra said. "The primary objectives of the program, which are to lower energy expenses and enhance resident well-being and safety, have been met here. Collaborative efforts have enabled us to realize this milestone, and we look forward to continuing our impactful work in the region."
ICAST is scheduled to weatherize another 76-unit property in Knoxville this summer. Through this new weatherization program, ICAST plans to weatherize more than 5,500 multifamily units statewide by the end of 2027.
"KUB has a longstanding commitment to providing customers with a root-cause solution for high utility usage, and it's exciting to see this work offered for multifamily properties in our community," KUB President and CEO Gabriel J. Bolas said. "We are proud to celebrate this partnership between ICAST and THDA to provide such impactful assistance for our customers."
Through programs including the Knoxville Extreme Energy Makeover (KEEM), Round It Up, and TVA Home Uplift, KUB along with its community partners and customers have contributed more than $30 million to energy efficiency for low-income families since 2015. Through these programs, energy usage in single-family homes has decreased by approximately 15% on average.
This new program led by ICAST and THDA builds upon this legacy by serving multi-family properties with weatherization assistance upgrades. These partnerships, including the most recent work completed at Summercrest, have now served more than 2,800 homes in the Knoxville community.
KUB continues to invest $1 million annually for weatherization with a goal to weatherize more than 4,500 homes by 2030. For more information about how KUB supports its customers, take a look at its annual Environmental, Governance, and Social Report at visit www.kub.org/annualreport.
For information about how customers can connect to savings, visit www.kub.org/save.
KUB provides more than 486,000 customers in Knox and parts of seven surrounding counties with safe and reliable electric, fiber, natural gas, wastewater treatment, and water services.
KUB Communications; 865-594-7988
