New Orleans residents face a pressing challenge – our hot, humid climate demands energy-intensive cooling, and the city’s aging buildings can contribute to energy waste. This combination leads to higher utility bills, placing a significant financial burden on households. Effective energy efficiency programs can help address these challenges.

Energy Smart, Entergy New Orleans’ energy efficiency program, helps businesses save money while meeting energy efficiency goals. In honor of National Energy Awareness Month, Energy Smart announces that the Energy Smart Fund has $5 million dollars remaining in 2024 for businesses in Orleans Parish.

During any given week, Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church in Uptown New Orleans hosts hundreds of people for different activities on its campus. Its buildings serve as gathering spaces and include a sanctuary, multipurpose rooms, commercial kitchen, year-round childcare and pre-k program classrooms, a residential home used for offices and missional housing, and a parsonage. Weekly activities include youth education, community meetings, food pantry outreach and more. All of this activity, while a blessing, means that maintenance and energy efficiency are always top of mind for the church staff.