Thanks to a grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, some Grand Portage residents are a bit warmer this winter. In November, the Grand Portage Housing Authority (GPHA) purchased a Krendl 475 insulation-blowing machine. Six homes have been completed by GPHA Maintenance Engineer Bill Dahl to date.
Thanks to a grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, some Grand Portage residents are a bit warmer this winter. In November, with the help from the foundation, the Grand Portage Housing Authority (GPHA) was able to purchase a Krendl 475 insulation-blowing machine.
The machine cost $5,795.67 and the foundation grant was $5,000, said GPHA Director Gale Carlson. The housing authority had to come up with the $795, but Carlson said it was an investment well made.
There are a number of houses in the 25-30 year old range among the 61 units that GPHA operates that will benefit from re-insulation. Even newer houses will eventually need to be re-insulated, said Carlson, so the blower will be put to good use.
The new blower is very efficient and easy to use. It takes about 10 bags of fiberglass insulation, at a cost of approximately $300, to complete one house. Six homes have been completed by GPHA Maintenance Engineer Bill Dahl to date and Carlson said residents are already noticing a difference.
“We’ll be comparing utility costs to last year’s bills and we expect a great deal of savings on heating bills,” said Carlson, “but residents have already noticed a difference in their comfort level.”
Carlson said when the GPHA houses are all done, the authority will offer the service to other Grand Portage homeowners, at a minimal cost for materials and labor. “We’re not looking to make money off of this. We just want to help everyone find energy savings,” said Carlson.
Carlson said the housing authority greatly appreciated the assistance from Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation. “We’re extremely happy to be able to upgrade and weatherize our houses.”
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