Problem

Pembroke township is a historic black farming community in rural Illinois, USA. With nearly a quarter of its population living below the poverty line, residents rely on outdated and inefficient heating methods, primarily wood and propane, as they lack access to natural gas or affordable renewable energies. Many homes suffer from poor insulation, leading to high energy costs, with residents spending between $350 and $500 monthly on energy bills and around $1,800 annually on propane, as well as mould and moisture issues.

This situation creates a dilemma for the community, which cannot prioritise affordable energy while also ensuring healthy air and environmental stewardship.

Responses

To address these challenges, the nonprofit organisation CDC-PHP partnered with various stakeholders, including RMI, the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition, ComEd, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy, to launch the Pembroke-Hopkins Park Energy Efficiency Pilot (PEEP) in 2021. This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, indoor air pollution, and energy costs through energy efficiency upgrades and efficient electric alternatives.

As part of the program, ten homes received comprehensive energy audits and upgrades averaging $35,000, including insulation, air sealing, new hot water tanks, and electric air source heat pumps. After these upgrades, residents reported a 30% reduction in air leakage and their electricity bills were cut by 25% or more. Additionally, electrifying space heating could save households in Kankakee County up to $317 annually, reducing an estimated 70% of household emissions per unit of heat delivered.

The success of PEEP has led to plans for a second phase, PEEP 2.0, which aims to assist homes that need pre-upgrade improvements due to mould or structural issues, ensuring that even more residents can benefit from energy-efficient solutions and healthier living conditions.

Find out more: Rocky Mountain Institute, PEEP