The Cayman Islands Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency is pleased to announce that all energy audit reports for their Community Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits (CHEER) Programme have been received. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the Ministry’s efforts to help homeowners reduce their energy consumption and utility bills.

Launched in July 2023 with a budget allocation of CI$500,000, the CHEER Programme aims to support homeowners in improving their home energy efficiency. Resilience Cayman, known for its work with vulnerable community members, was contracted to manage the programme, ensuring a seamless application and implementation process.

The initiative is in response to the implementation of strategy 3.3.9 of the National Energy Policy which refers to energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings. The impetus for this programme stems from a public education campaign on energy efficiency which was launched by the Ministry in partnership with the Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd. (CUC) in 2021. The campaign included an opportunity for one homeowner to enter a prize draw to receive a free Home Energy Efficiency Makeover worth up to $35,000. Over 800 people entered the prize draw and the winner received a free energy audit and smart thermostat sponsored by CUC and free attic insulation and a new energy efficient air conditioning air-handler, condenser and ducting, which were sponsored by Cooling Pros and Foam Pros. As a result of the retrofit, the homeowner saw a reduction of 50% in their energy usage. See below graph.

Following the success of the Home Energy Efficiency Makeover, the CHEER Programme was developed with the goal of not only assisting more people to reduce their consumption but also to educate the public with tangible results to show the impact of insulation and an energy efficient air conditioning unit. 109 applications were submitted, with 29 homeowners qualifying based on the criteria of home ownership, home size, income and energy consumption. CUC conducted free energy audits for all qualifying homes to identify necessary improvements.

Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks expressed her excitement about this development, stating, “Receiving the energy audit reports is a crucial step in the CHEER Programme. These reports will guide us in making effective energy efficiency upgrades, helping homeowners save on their utility bills and promoting sustainability across the Cayman Islands. We would encourage all homeowners to explore various options when getting started with improving their home’s energy efficiency, whether that is turning off unused lights, re-sealing window or door frames, installing insulation, or replacing old, inefficient air condition units. Lots of little changes can make a big difference. I also want to thank CUC for their valuable participation in the CHEER Programme by providing free energy audits to these selected homes.”

Sacha Tibbetts, Vice President for Customer Services & Technology at CUC noted “CUC is proud to support the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency in such important initiatives.  Not only is CUC committed to affordable and clean energy solutions, we are also committed to helping customers manage their energy consumption through education and projects such as those offered by the Ministry.” 

The energy audits have revealed that many homes can benefit from insulation and, if within budget, new energy-efficient air conditioning units. To date, 12 homes have received new insulation, and quotes for the remaining homes are being sought by Resilience Cayman.

Troy Jacob, the Acting Chief Officer in the Ministry stated “Every step toward improving energy efficiency in the home is a step in the right direction. We thank our reliable partners like CUC for conducting the energy audits free of charge, in this way, the Government is able to put more funding toward helping those in need.”

“We are proud to be managing this impactful programme that aligns so clearly with our mission to empower all residents of Cayman, and to deliver initiatives in the areas of energy, food and housing security.  CHEER is an especially timely programme given the ongoing cost of living crisis facing families in Cayman” said Jan Gupta, Director of Resilience Cayman.

The Ministry anticipates that these energy efficiency improvements will have a lasting impact, reducing the need for monthly government support by lowering energy costs for homeowners.

For more information about the CHEER Programme and other Ministry projects, visit gov.ky/energy and www.resiliency.ky.