The Hawaii Public Housing Authority wants to lower energy use at 67 of its low-income housing projects through a program that would have a company plan, install and finance energy-saving improvements and reap some of the cost savings.

The authority recently issued a call for proposals from energy-service companies, saying it wanted a contractor to come up with a detailed plan for providing the greatest possible energy, water, operational and maintenance savings at the federally subsidized projects with more than 5,300 units.

If the plan is acceptable, the winning company is to pay for the improvements. In return it will get a contract for up to 20 years, with the authority making payments to the company from the savings it achieves.

Such work could include installing low-flush toilets and restricted water-flow shower heads, more efficient solar heaters, photovoltaic systems, energy efficient appliances, tinted windows, compact fluorescent lights and other cost-saving devices.

The call for proposals comes as Gov. Linda Lingle urges state offices to boost energy efficiency and help lead the rest of the state in reducing use of electricity produced from fossil fuels. Other agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Accounting and General Services are in the process of seeking bids for photovoltaic panels on buildings.

In doing so, the housing authority wants to make use of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program that allows such contracts. In essence, HUD's energy-performance contracting program allows building manager to get energy savings without up-front installation costs.

Housing managers then use money received from HUD for energy costs to pay off the contractors. In some instances the managers can keep the remainder of the HUD energy money to devote to other uses.

The program previously has been used by public housing managers for HUD from California to New Hampshire.

The Hawai'i housing authority is asking contractors to propose "a project that provides the greatest possible energy, water and operational and maintenance savings and the most beneficial project scope," according to the request for proposals.

Energy-service companies, a group of businesses that develop, installs and arranges financing for energy efficiency and maintenance projects, have been used for years in Hawai'i.

These include projects at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo and more than two dozen Kaua'i County facilities and buildings.

Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com.