Ameren Missouri partnership yields help for renters

Ameren Missouri partnered with Beyond Housing, a community development organization, to invest in its rental homes in North St. Louis County in 2020, providing more than $600,000 of in-kind donations, which included energy efficiency upgrades, furnace tune-ups and repairs, new HVAC units and labor to hundreds of properties.

In a normal year, Ameren Missouri's CommunitySavers® program help customers across St. Louis prepare for winter by offering no-cost energy assessments. The programs recruit property owners, community managers, and income-eligible customers to receive energy-saving products for their homes and rebates when they make energy-efficient upgrades.

This year, Ameren Missouri couldn’t perform assessments in individual homes. Instead, the utility company partnered with Beyond Housing. All of Beyond Housing’s 405 rental homes received furnace tune-ups, with an estimated value of $300 per home, and new $3,500 HVAC units were installed in 10 vacant homes.

Additionally, 92 properties received $500 in furnace repairs—including furnace heat exchangers and blower motors—as well as new 3-ton, high-efficiency air conditioners and coils so they’re ready when summer finally returns. As a further energy-saving measure, crews also installed Ecobee Tstat smart thermostats.

Because the residents had to relocate briefly while the work was being done, each household received a $100 gift card to cover expenses.

“Ameren Missouri is intentional about these projects, and this allowed us to help customers in an area where we have recognized there is a high need,” said CommunitySavers® program Manager Wanda Sams. “The impact of projects like this one is huge, and it makes a big difference in the day-to-day lives of our customers. These energy-efficient upgrades improve customer homes, help to educate families about energy efficiency, and help our customers save money on their energy statements.”

Ameren Missouri's CommunitySavers® program’s in-kind donation to Beyond Housing totaled more than $400,000. When labor and other expenses are added in, the value was $604,354.

Beyond Housing’s President and CEO Chris Krehmeyer applauded the work of Maintenance Superintendent Justin Waller and Senior Director of Housing Cory Dickens, both of whom were instrumental in the partnership’s success.

“The way we come to the work, build trusting relationships, and respect those we serve is key to ongoing partnerships like this one,” Krehmeyer said. “We have a reputation for our stick-to-it-iveness. We weather the storms and continue to be here for families.”

Ameren Missouri and Beyond Housing worked with environmental consulting company Resource Innovations, a diverse contractor, to implement the program. The final repairs and upgrades were completed in early December—just as temperatures were getting colder and furnaces were cranking up.

“Ameren Missouri's CommunitySavers® program ensures customers receive the benefits of energy-efficient equipment and reduces the energy burden on customers who also struggle with financial security,” Sams said. “Beyond Housing has been a phenomenal partner, and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”