Native American Energy Efficiency Program

New Mexico Gas Company has developed an energy efficiency program geared specifically for tribal communities to help residents save energy and money. These services are provided FREE to the customer. 

Since 2018, the Native American Energy Efficiency Program has provided free services to over 524 customers across 11 tribal communities. 

THE PROCESS

We have streamlined the process to eliminate individual applications and income-qualification requirements, making it as easy as possible for our customers to participate. We work with tribal leadership and housing authorities to identify the first round of participants. We then host a kickoff meeting for participants, giving them an opportunity to learn more about the process and services, and to meet the staff from our participating contractor, EnergyWorks. We schedule an energy assessment for each participating home to determine eligible services, which includes a safety inspection of each home.

Based on the assessment, our contractor will complete all eligible services, which may include installation of high-efficiency showerheads and aerators, water heater tank and pipe insulation, installation of a programmable thermostat, air and duct sealing, attic insulation and carbon monoxide detectors.

SERVICES OFFERED
NOTES

Home Energy Assessment

Conduct comprehensive review of home to determine eligibility for natural gas energy saving services and blower door air leakage test

Natural gas safety inspection

Conduct safety review of natural gas appliances, gas lines and carbon monoxide detector

High-efficiency showerheads

Install 1.5 GPM handheld and wall mounted showerheads

High-efficiency faucet aerators

Install 1.0 GPM and 1.5 GPM faucet aerators

Water heater tank insulation

Install R-10 water heater tank insulation

Water heater pipe insulation

Install R-3 water heater pipe insulation

Programmable thermostat

Install and program Honeywell programmable thermostat

Air sealing

Caulk and seal window frames, seal penetrations, weatherize exterior doors, and perform pre- and post-pressurization test to measure reduction in air leakage

Duct sealing

Seal return air plenum, ductwork, joint connections, registers, and perform pre- and post-pressurization test to measure reduction in air leakage

Attic insulation

Seal attic air leakage and install blown cellulose insulation to R- 44

Carbon monoxide detector

Install carbon monoxide detector as required

 

New Mexico Gas Company has made a multiyear commitment to the Native American Energy Efficiency Program and expanded the budget through 2025, investing over $1,000,000 thus far. We continue to refine the program in order to make it as easy as possible for tribal communities to participate. The following communities have been served by, or continue to participate in the program:

  • Ohkay Owingeh 
  • Pueblo de San Ildefonso
  • Pueblo of Cochiti 
  • Pueblo of Isleta 
  • Pueblo of Nambe
  • Pueblo of San Felipe
  • Pueblo of Sandia 
  • Pueblo of Santa Ana 
  • Pueblo of Santa Clara 
  • Pueblo of Santo Domingo
  • Pueblo of Tesuque

Overall, participants have saved over 207,000 therms and 2,800,000 gallons of water per year!

Are you interested in taking advantage of these FREE services for your tribal community? We are available at energy.efficiency@nmgco.com or call NMGC Native American Governmental Relations Director Ted Garcia at  (505) 697-3557.

Photos, from top:

1. A kickoff meeting helps residents learn the process and services offered in the Native American Energy Efficiency Program. 

2 & 3. Blown-in cellulose insulation helps to reduce heat loss, keep a home cooler in the summer, and increase energy savings and comfort.

4. A blower door test identifies areas where a home leaks air, providing opportunities to better seal the living space.