The University of Central Florida and University of Florida are in two of 15 partnerships that will split $30 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to come up with energy-efficiency strategies for American homes.

The partnerships will get federal funds for the first 18 months of their projects, with an option to split another $20 million per year afterwards for three potential one-year extensions. The 15 partnerships each will get $500,000 to $2.5 million depending on their performance.

The two local partnerships include:

  • The Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction research team led by UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center. It will focus on cost-effective efficiency solutions for new and existing homes in hot and marine climates.
  • The Building Energy Efficient Homes for America partnership led by the University of Florida and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It will study energy-efficient systems-engineered solutions for homes.

    • “Home energy efficiency is one of the easiest, most immediate and most cost-effective ways to reduce carbon pollution and save money on energy bills, while creating new jobs,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, in a prepared statement. “By developing and using tools to reduce residential energy use, we will spur economic growth in America and help homeowners make cost-cutting improvements in their homes.”

    Source: Orlando Business Journal, UCF, UF getting cash to promote energy-smart homes