United Electric Cooperative in Maryville is partnering with Community Services, Inc. to offer energy audits not only for their customers but for any interested parties.

For $100, trained professionals perform energy audits and test to discover what changes need to be made to properties to save on energy costs.

Gary Stiens, member services manager for United Electric, said if a person makes the recommended changes within six-months they are reimbursed that $100. They are also given a kit containing weatherization tools worth $60, which Stiens says turns out to be free with that reimbursement.

Most of these changes are as simple and as cheap as putting insulated plug-ins in the walls.

"This will benefit customers by reducing their heating and cooling energy costs," Stiens said.

Any jobs that Stiens or Pat Walter, the other member services manager, cannot manage, will go to members of CSI's weatherization team.

Partnering with Danna Seipel, housing and energy director for CSI, will hopefully be a good relationship Stiens said. He said, just since the beginning of July, he has at least 10 interested in the testing process, and Walter has had several as well.

"Anything in excess they will work with us and pick up the slack, so we don't get too far behind," Stiens said. "I think with awareness we'll get a lot more."

Stiens said that if people wait too long it will be late fall before their homes can be inspected.

United Electric will supply half of the funding for the new partnership while their own supply company, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI) will fund the remaining half of the costs.

Another program offered by United Electric to its customers, exchanges regular iridescent light bulbs with highly efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.

There are also rebates offered on Energy Star appliances and heating and cooling equipment, Stiens said. Rebates are offered on washing machines, dishwashers, air conditioning units, water heaters and a residential heat pump.

All of these programs have been started within the last year as part of the company's Energy Efficiency Program, in hopes of saving consumers money.

For questions on these programs or to contact Stiens or Walter contact the United Electric Cooperative, Maryville office at 1-800-748-1488.