Palestine Couple Wins Electric Cooperatives’ Energy Efficiency Makeover

Henry (Lee) and Berthella Thomas of Palestine, members of Woodruff Electric Cooperative, are the winners of the 2012 Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas $50,000 Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest.

The 1,800-square-feet home will receive comprehensive pre- and post-diagnostic energy audits, including a blower door test, duct blaster test and infrared thermography. The home will receive energy-saving transformations, including sealing the building envelope, a foam insulation encapsulated attic, a General Electric GeoSpring Hybrid water heater, Energy Star appliances, an ultra-efficient Water Furnace geothermal heating and cooling system, Harry G. Barr high-efficiency windows and high efficiency lighting.

Approximately 2,000 applications were submitted for the contest. In addition to the grand-prize winner, 16 runners-up will receive high-efficiency GE Hybrid water heaters.

Winners of free GE Hybrid water heaters are:
Rhonda J. Fredrick, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative of Ozark;
Frank Rawls, Ashley-Chicot Electric Cooperative of Hamburg;
Wesley Green, C & L Electric Cooperative of Star City;
Michael Babus, Carroll Electric Cooperative of Berryville;
Spring Young, Clay County Electric Cooperative of Corning;
James Holt, Craighead Electric Cooperative of Jonesboro;
Ron Hutchison, Farmers Electric Cooperative of Newport;
Arran Whitaker, First Electric Cooperative of Jacksonville;
McArthur Hampton, Mississippi County Electric Cooperative of Blytheville;
David Moore, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative of Salem;
Peggy Doherty, Ouachita Electric Cooperative of Camden;
Brian Persing, Ozarks Electric Cooperative of Fayetteville;
Nancy Vinnes, Petit Jean Electric Cooperative of Clinton;
Edward Piekert, Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative of Mena;
Brenda Barham, South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative of Arkadelphia;
Steve Sims, Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative of Texarkana; and
Henry Lee Thomas, Jr., Woodruff Electric Cooperative of Forrest City.

The project’s major sponsors include: Doug Rye; WeatherBarr Windows of Fort Smith; General Electric Appliance, Lighting and Hybrid Water Heater divisions; Rood Heating and Air of Russellville; WaterFurnace Geothermal and BPSi Foam Insulation of Mountain Home.