When Energize Pittsburgh launched, the goal was simple: help Pittsburgh homeowners lower their utility bills while making their homes safer, healthier, and more resilient. Over the past two years, this pilot program proved that we can tackle climate and housing challenges at the same time to create lasting change for local families.
A Powerful Partnership
Energize Pittsburgh was a collaboration between the City of Pittsburgh, Duquesne Light Company, ACTION-Housing, and Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. Supported by local and national partners, we focused on neighbors facing the highest energy burdens (the percentage of income spent on utilities), especially those living in older homes that were never built to be efficient.
Rather than just fixing one thing, we took a “whole-home” approach. We paired energy upgrades like insulation and new appliances with critical home repairs. This ensured that investments would last, often fixing leaky roofs or outdated wiring before installing new, energy-saving technology.
By the end of 2025, we completed upgrades in 40 homes across 17 neighborhoods, helping families lower their bills, eliminate electrical hazards, and prepare their homes for future efficiency improvements for a cleaner energy future.
A Whole-Home Approach in Action
The true heart of the program is the homeowners we served. Dainna, a homeowner in East Hills, was navigating rising energy costs while welcoming a new baby and sending a daughter to college.
By combining Energize Pittsburgh with our broader repair programs, we completed nearly $70,000 in improvements at her home. This included a new roof, structural stabilization, and a 5.92 kW solar system. These changes didn’t just lower her bills; they made her home a stable, safe environment for her growing family.
Dainna's East Hills home received almost $70,000 in free upgrades including a new roof, structural repairs, and a 5.92 kW solar panel system.
Results Where They Matter Most
Most households we served live on limited incomes, with an average household income of $23,415. For these families, every dollar saved on utilities is a dollar that can go toward food, medicine, or education.
Click to read more about our 2025 Energize Pittsburgh impact.
Who We Served
- 33 female heads of household
- 13 veterans
- 8 multi-generational households
- 4 individuals living with disabilities
Program Upgrades
- 19 high-efficiency heat pump systems
- 17 electrical service and panel upgrades
- 31 window replacements to keep heat in and cold out
- 8 heat pump dryers and water heaters installed
On average, we invested $11,310 per home. By layering our funding, we were able to bring in three additional dollars for every program dollar spent, allowing for deeper repairs that improved both safety and efficiency.
Building Local Capacity
We also used this pilot to grow Pittsburgh’s green economy. We worked with seven contractors, including three Minority and Women-Owned Business (MWBE) partners. Several of these professionals completed specialized training in heat pump installation, building the local workforce we need for a more sustainable future.
Looking Ahead
The Energize Pittsburgh pilot showed that reducing energy burden requires more than installing new equipment. Many homes in Pittsburgh are over a century old, and meaningful energy improvements often depend on addressing deferred maintenance first.
By pairing energy upgrades with critical repairs, we helped 40 families stabilize their homes and their budgets. These investments will continue to pay off through lower bills and better comfort for years to come.
