By TIM SINIARD
Whirlpool Corporation and Habitat for Humanity are working together to build better houses with climate change and energy efficiency in mind.
Earlier this month, Whirlpool announced Habitat for Humanity’s "BuildBetter with Whirlpool" initiative, an expansion of Habitat’s existing BuildBetter program that will deliver more than 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes to hundreds of Americans in need of affordable housing over the next three years.
Through House + Home, Whirlpool will support Habitat for Humanity to construct homes designed to better withstand storm winds, natural disasters and other severe weather events that are intensifying.
The initiative is the centerpiece of Whirlpool Corporation’s 21-year, nearly $130 million renewed relationship with Habitat.
According to Whirlpool, the broadened initiative "sits at the heart of the appliance manufacturer's global corporate social responsibility approach called "House + Home," that contributes to comfortable and nurturing places to live and supports resilient, thriving and sustainable communities.”
D. Jeffrey Noel, Whirlpool’s corporate vice president for communications and public affairs, told the Cleveland Daily Banner that Whirlpool and Habitat want homes they assist in constructing “to be better weather resistant, be more cost effective and be more secure for the homeowners.”
“Every family deserves to have a shelter and a place to call home,” Noel said.
He said the homes will also "help reduce operating costs for homeowners with limited budgets, through an expected improvement in energy efficiency of approximately 15% compared to homes built to current local government code, contributing to a more sustainable future for local communities."
“These are the kinds of things we know really help homeowners, and, if you're a homeowner and you're working on a fixed budget, you can't afford surprises,” Noel said.
He said improving life at home has always been at the heart of Whirlpool’s business strategy.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live — a comfortable, nurturing home is essential for everyone,” he said. “This initiative continues our long history of leveraging our innovative, quality appliances and philanthropic support to improve life at home for people around the world.”
Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, said Whirlpool has been a "tremendous partner in helping us improve and broaden the ways we can help more families achieve housing stability.”
“Through the launch of our BuildBetter initiative, Whirlpool’s support will help us accelerate the construction of resilient, energy-efficient homes and can result in greater savings for families,” he said “Whirlpool’s dedication to this program will enable the focused research needed to expand sustainable housing to even more communities, helping with neighborhood revitalization and environmental impact.”
Reckford said in order to enhance storm-resilient measures, such as secure-and-sealed roof decks, all homeowners under the program will be eligible to choose at least one upgrade that addresses a hazard specific to their state, including enhanced flood or fire defense.
Habitat organizations participating in the program will receive technical guidance on construction design and implementation, as well as funding for energy-efficient upgrades. Whirlpool Corporation employees are volunteering to help build these homes with Habitat for Humanity. Construction began July 2021.
In addition to the BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative, Whirlpool Corporation and Habitat for Humanity are also collaborating to:
• Provide a range and refrigerator for every new Habitat home built in the United States and Canada;
• Help advance the Habitat Cost of Home advocacy campaign, a five-year program through which local Habitat organizations, partners, volunteers and community members across the United States work together to help 10 million people have access to an affordable home.
With the addition of these contributions, Whirlpool Corporation has donated nearly $130 million to Habitat for Humanity International and supported Habitat programs in 45 countries.
Whirlpool operates a plant in Cleveland, where approximately 1,500 are employed.
In 2012, the company relocated to a new one million-square-foot, state-of-the-art, LEED-certified facility on Benton Pike in 2012.
For more details on Whirlpool Corporation's sustainability efforts, please visit the company’s 2020 Sustainability Report at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/2020SustainabilityReport/
