The CWC Home Energy Tune-up Program works with homeowners and renters throughout Alachua County to perform free Home Energy Tune-ups. Since 2008,  we have helped over 1,800 families save hundreds of dollars each year on their utility bills. Check out this short video to give you a first-hand look at our in-home tune-up program.

CWC’s in-home service operations were put on hold in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep local residents, our volunteers, and our staff safe during this pandemic. A new Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Energy Tune-up Program was developed. Since that time, we’ve served over 175 households with DIY kits!

We are now accepting applications for both programs: our volunteer-led home energy tune-up program, as well as our latest DIY home energy tune-up program. Please read more about each program below.  Simply follow the link to apply to the program that works best for your household!

CWC’s In-Home Service (Volunteer-led Home Energy Tune-up):

Your Energy Tune-up begins with our professionally trained volunteer Energy Coaches performing a comprehensive survey of your home. Our Energy Coaches work alongside residents to review how energy and water are used in a home, and to recommend money-saving changes. Research shows this work saves residents an average of $200-$300 a year on utility costs per home, and shows persistent savings of over 10% per year after 3-5 years.

Volunteer and client

During our visit, hands-on changes are made to the home. These include installation of energy-efficient light bulbs, water saving shower heads, and pipe insulation for water heaters and A/C units. Our Energy Coaches will also sit down with the residents to review utility bills and provide individualized, helpful tips to save even more. Our program emphasis is on helping lower-income families, and decreasing the utility burden costs of those who most need it while conserving our planet’s natural resources.

The CWC also partners with local housing rehabilitation agencies, including Rebuilding Together, the Central Florida Community Action Agency, and Alachua County Habitat for Humanity. You may qualify for additional funding and assistance with weatherization through these programs, or through our municipal utility program, GRU’s LEEP program. Through these partnerships, the CWC has been able to assist dozens of clients in receiving critical home repairs, and more extensive retrofits such as upgraded HVAC systems, new water heaters, building envelope enhancement, and other improvements.

To receive a free home energy tune-up, simply fill out the Online Tune-up Application below:

CWC Home Energy Tune-up Application
I live in Alachua County, FL
I understand that tune-ups are performed by 2 to 3 trained volunteers and not professional energy auditors.
I understand that volunteers have been through >12 hours of training and are background checked.
I will be home during the duration of the home tune-up (plan for at least 3 hours) and will participate as much as I am physically able to in the process.
I will have a recent utility bill on hand for the CWC volunteer Energy Coaches to review.

If you prefer a downloadable application, you can find one here: CWC Tune-Up Application.

CWC ‘s Do-it-yourself (DIY) Home Energy Tune-up:

In the Summer of 2020, we launched a new Do-it-yourself (DIY) Home tune-up program, which has enabled us to equip energy-burdened Alachua County renters and homeowners with the free supplies and steps to save water, energy, and money.

Your DIY Energy Tune-up begins with a 30 minute phone call consultation with our staff where we review your utility bill, discuss household habits, answer any questions you may have about the kit and process, and coordinate your kit pick up or delivery.  We provide a step-by-step checklist, diagrams, YouTube tutorial videos, and virtual coaching for our DIY-ers. Kits are checked out for one week, allowing residents to complete the checklist at their convenience.

Kits are now also available at the Cone Park Library,  Waldo Library, and the Library Partnership Branch.

Apply easily online for a free DIY home energy tune-up using the online DIY application below:

Application for CWC’s DIY Tune-up Program
I live in Alachua County, Florida.
I understand that my DIY tune-up may take 2-3 hours to complete in full, but I may complete it in sections.
I understand that initial kit check-out is for up to one week, and I will do my best to return my kit in a timely manner so it can be used to help another resident.
I agree to review the checklist carefully and return the supplies and tools listed in safe and working order.
I understand that CWC kit availability may be limited at times. CWC staff will contact me within 2 weeks of submission of this form with an update.
If there is any task on the checklist that I am uncomfortable doing, I will not perform the task.
I understand CWC representatives will not be present in my home for the DIY tune-up.
I understand that the CWC is not responsible for anything broken during my tune-up, and will do their best to provide me with proper safety recommendations, videos, and diagrams.

Or click to download a DIY Tune-up Application.

Let’s work together to save you energy, water, and money!

Call us with any questions at (352) 450-4965.

For helpful energy and water saving tips, download this CWC Tip Sheet