From a City of Decatur press release…

The City of Decatur is proud to announce that the Atlanta Decatur Home Makeover Contest will be launching this week. Through a partnership between the City of Atlanta and City of Decatur, two lucky homeowners will receive free energy efficiency improvements – worth up to $10,000 – that will increase the overall comfort of their home and reduce their energy bills. Makeovers will be awarded to homeowners in each city. We anticipate that this contest is going to be a great way to get homeowners thinking about energy efficiency, and hopefully drive them to the DecaturWISE and Atlanta SHINE rebate program.

…The Home Energy Makeover Contest will run through August 19, 2011. Interested homeowners in both cities should visit www.homeenergymakeovers.net to sign up. Contest entrants must be at least 21 years of age and own a single family home in City of Atlanta or City of Decatur. A panel of qualified judges will evaluate entries select a minimum of 8 finalists. Finalists will each receive a free energy use analysis conducted by a certified contractor. After review, contest judges will choose a minimum of 2 winners. The winners’ homes must each be a structurally sound residence and meet specific technical requirements. All determinations by the judges will be final.

Decatur residents can call (678) 553-6577 for more information. Atlanta residents can call (404) 954-8500.

More info can also be found on The Decatur Minute website.

The City of Decatur just put info up on its website announcing “DecaturWISE” (Worthwhile Investments Save Energy), which “is designed to help residential customers increase the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes through a comprehensive home energy analysis and rebates for the installation of energy efficient improvements.”  The program is funded by a Department of Energy grant to the City of Decatur under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

As the website notes, Georgia Power already offers up to $2,220 in rebates based on energy savings.  (More info on that program HERE) Decatur’s grant will award up to $1,000 in additional rebates to the homeowner.  According to the city, “the most impactful improvements to reduce energy use in Decatur homes include insulation, duct sealing and air infiltration reduction.”

Here’s the six step process on how to take advantage of this program, according to the city…

1. Contact a Program Contractor from the list below to schedule your home analysis. 2. Complete the home energy analysis. 3. Contractor will install energy saving upgrades. 4. Complete post-installation inspection 5. Contractor applies for rebates. 6. You receive money back!

The website lists three “participating contractors” in the area that can do the work and apply for the city’s rebate.  A quick look at one of the participating contractors’ websites shows that while savings vary by area, it is possible to exceed 50% savings on these projects.  Not a bad deal.