The Seoul Government is helping poor energy households with efficient energy use through green retrofitting. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 16 (Korea Bizwire) – Around thirty social workers specializing in efficient energy use will be deployed this year by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as part of an energy-saving initiative to help low-income households reduce expenditures on heating and air conditioning.
Marking its fourth year in 2017, Seoul’s ‘energy social worker’ initiative will see the local government work alongside the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) with a focus on its green retrofit ramp-up program.
Green retrofitting refers to the maintenance of buildings using energy efficiency technologies such as tight-fitting windows and vacuum-insulated panels.
The Seoul government claims green retrofits can save up to 75 percent of energy spent in older, energy-poor houses by drastically raising energy productivity.
Hwang Bo-yeon, head of Seoul’s climate and environment department, said, “Through green retrofit programs, we’ll make improvements in the lives of poor energy households.”
The ‘energy social worker’ initiative is one of Seoul’s so-called New Deal job programs, which will continue to provide energy-poor households in the region with air conditioners and heaters while teaching them ways to cut electricity bills to make life more affordable.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
