Habitat for Humanity Choptank Dedicates New Home

From left: JoAnn Hansen, Executive Director, Harry Seldon, home buyer and  Dean Fisher, MEA Program Manger

by Dean Fisher, Energy Program Manager

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) was on hand for the April 27,2019 home dedication of Harry Seldon’s new home in Easton, Maryland. Habitat for Humanity (HfH) Choptank used part of a Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program award from the MEA for energy efficiency upgrades. For a new construction project such as this home, only the incremental purchase cost of upgrading to a higher level of energy efficiency is reimbursable under the Program. For Mr. Seldon’s new home this means upgrading to the following:

• Lights have LED high efficiency light bulbs
• Energy Star Heat Pump Water Heater – saves $325 (on average) compared with a standard water heater of the same size
• Improved insulation and air sealing – reducing utility bills and improving comfort. Tested for whole house leakage.
• Conditioned crawlspace – controls temperature and humidity for improved energy efficiency

Harry Seldon and Jim Thomas, Construction Supervisor

HfH Choptank knows that to be truly affordable, housing must be designed and constructed to last and not require expensive maintenance or utility costs. By leveraging a grant award for these incremental cost measures HfH Choptank and MEA have helped to make a more affordable and better built home. This Habitat home is more than just four walls and a roof – it’s the foundation for building a better future.

Crowd of volunteers and supporters gather to greet the new home owner

“We are blessed to partner with people like Harry,” said JoAnn Hansen, Habitat Choptank’s executive director. “Harry worked extremely hard to put in the required 300 hours of ‘sweat equity,’ reduce his debt and save for his closing costs, and attend homeownership education classes. To see him presented with the keys to his own home and cut the ribbon on that front door was truly inspirational.” – quote from May 10, 2019 Star Democrat article, read full article here.