Homeowners in Champaign say Money Saving Plan Backfired
Updated: March 14, 2007
Homes in a new subdivision in North Champaign that run only on electricity have neighbors ready to pack up. The Atkins Group built the homes and says when the project was considered, gas rates were on the rise, thats why they built the homes to run without it. The homes were advertised as energy efficient since they run only on electricity, but homeowners say the rise in electric rates made them anything but. Several neighbors there say their bills have gone from around one hundred dollars, to more than five hundred .
The Atkins Group says it wants to help out. Its offering to help homeowners install la heat pump in their homes. A heat pump works like an air conditioner, only in reverse. The cost to install a heat pump on each home runs about $1,700. The Atkins Group has offered to pick up the tab on around $700.
