Whirlpool, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Energy Star Program and the Edison Electric Institute will host a search throughout the U.S. for 10 energy-inefficient homes, and will provide upgrades to help lower monthly bills while helping the environment. The program is being supported in part by Lowe's. The contest started July 4, 2006, and winners will have upgrades in place by October 2006 in recognition of Energy Awareness Month. Two winning entries will be selected from each of five regions around the country: the West, South Central, North Central, Southeast, and Northeast. <br>
Ten selected households will receive home audits to determine which products will make their homes more energy and water efficient -- from Energy Star-qualified appliances to home sealing products -- providing a blueprint for more efficient living. With rising energy costs throughout the U.S., the program plans to demonstrate how simple, small changes in the home can add up. Whirlpool will return to the contest winners' homes 1 year later to analyze cost and energy savings.