$14 Million Program Will Help Fayette County Homeowners Cut Energy Costs

QTS Data Centers is investing $14 million in a new community resilience initiative designed to help Fayette County homeowners reduce energy bills and make their homes safer and more comfortable.

The Fayette County Community Resilience Program, created with Georgia Power, will fund pre-weatherization repairs for more than 800 eligible households. The work targets foundational problems that must be fixed before standard energy-efficiency upgrades can be installed.

What the Program Will Pay For

The program will address structural, health and safety issues in eligible homes, clearing the way for weatherization improvements that can lower utility costs. Each household’s upgrades will be determined through an individual home assessment.

Potential improvements include:

• Adding attic insulation.

• Sealing air gaps and leaks.

• Installing smart thermostats.

• Sealing heating and air-conditioning ducts.

• Servicing existing heating and cooling systems.

• Upgrading gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters.

The goal is to reduce wasted energy, improve indoor comfort and make homes more resilient during extreme weather. Groundswell says its home-efficiency work is designed to lower utility bills and improve home health and comfort.

Why the Investment Matters

Rising household energy costs can strain family budgets, particularly for older homes that need repairs before efficiency upgrades are possible. By covering pre-weatherization work, the program aims to help more Fayette County residents qualify for improvements that might otherwise be out of reach.

QTS chief development officer Brian Herlihy said the company sees the partnership as an investment in the people who live in Fayette County. Georgia Power senior vice president and chief customer officer Latanza Adjei said the utility works to connect customers with tools and programs that help them save money and energy. More company announcements are available through the Georgia Power News Hub.

How Residents Can Apply

Two nonprofit organizations will support outreach and administration. The Same House will lead local education efforts to raise awareness, while Groundswell will serve as the program’s Energy Navigator.

Groundswell will handle technical screening, application assistance and direct guidance for residents moving through the repair and weatherization process. Its broader work includes home repairs and energy-efficiency upgrades intended to improve affordability and resilience.

Eligible Georgia Power customers in Fayette County can review program details and apply online through Groundswell. Residents who are not selected can explore other options through Georgia Power’s energy-efficiency programs.

Other Energy-Saving Resources

Homeowners can also review federal guidance on saving energy at home through the U.S. Department of Energy. The department explains practical steps such as air sealing, insulation, thermostat settings and heating-and-cooling maintenance.

For income-qualified households, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program provides weatherization services to reduce energy burdens. Georgia residents can also find statewide assistance information through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.