3 minute read
Energy Navigator
SPRING: A GREAT TIME TO CONSIDER AN ENERGY AUDIT
Submitted by Sean Welsh, Energy Resource Educator
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Spring brings with it warmer temperatures, open windows, and fresh air in our homes; it can be a great time to begin to prepare for the hot days of summer. Adding insulation and air sealing will help with air conditioning in the hotter months and save money on heating in the winter. Taking note of those cold drafty areas in a home or building during the winter can lead to thoughts of having an energy assessment/ audit preformed on your home. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) offers some information about what and how to perform an assessment in your home either from the Do-it-yourself (DIY) angle or information about the diagnostic tools and process that a professional would use to undertake an audit. Tools used by professional energy auditors such as a blower door test, and a manometer can give a far more accurate account of how much air a building is leaking. Each spring I find myself doing an at home do- it- yourself energy audit. Making a small investment in weatherization products each spring/ fall plugging up air leaks, which are easy to access in my own home, has helped save money and keeps the indoor air more comfortable. After five years in our home, I find this is an ongoing process, finding leaks and spots that I can air seal or add some type of material or product to help keep all comfortable inside the house. To learn more about the DIY assessment or the professional assessment you can visit https://energy.gov/energysaver/ weatherize/home-energy-audits. If you are interested in learning more about the different programs in New York State and the Mid-Hudson Valley that can help you get access to a home assessment, or if you are interested in learning more about clean energy technologies such as solar panels, an air source or ground source heat pump, reach out to Community Energy Advisor Sean Welsh at sw288@cornell.edu, or call 845 292 6180 ext. 127. Home energy assessments/ audits are available for New York State residents, depending on income; consumers may be eligible for a free or reduced cost audit and upgrades. To find out if you would qualify for a free or reduced cost audit or weatherization and electric reduction services connect with Sean to begin the process to saving energy and money.
Source: “Home Energy Audits.” Energy. gov. Accessed March 11, 2021. https:// www.energy.gov/energysaver/weatherize/ home-energy-audits.
ENERGY NAVIGATOR VOLUNTEERS BELIEVE IN THEIR SUCCESS
Submitted by Collin Adkins, CCE Dutchess County Energy Educator
Amid the 2020 global coronavirus pandemic, volunteer Energy Navigators and CCE Dutchess and Sullivan staff were wondering how to accomplish a neighbor-to-neighbor energy outreach pilot. Several months later, these same volunteers and staff are celebrating their success on doing just that. In reflecting on the challenges of the past year, success took on many forms. For some success looked like helping friends, family, and neighbors make informed energy decisions to upgrade their heating system and energy efficiency. For others success came to them in the form of forging new connections in their community and with each other. With others success was simply in overcoming life’s challenges to stay engaged with the program and learn lots of new things related to Federal, State, and local energy programs, outreach methods, community solar, new perspectives on solving climate change and much more! At their final monthly gathering of the pilot project--but not the last meeting of this passionate group--Hazel Robin, Energy Navigator and REALIGN Program Manager, reflected on her experience coordinating this project by saying, “This was a truly special project to facilitate and watch grow. I am grateful to have meet so many incredible people through this program who are so deeply committed to helping their communities do good for one another and for the climate.”
