ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Submitted

by Sean

Welsh, Energy Senior Resource Educator

Energy Efficiency is a term I have tended to use loosely over the last couple of years. Taking time to define what energy efficiency is important in relation to consumer decision making. Most consumers wish to make smart choices about their homes and buildings to improve comfort, health and safety, and to provide long term cost savings.

according to United States Department of Energy, energy efficiency is the use of less energy to perform the same task or produce the same result. This broad definition has a big impact on our day to day lives when we apply it to all aspects of our buildings. Looking at how well insulated and air sealed buildings are can be a great starting point to helping occupants live in a more energy efficient building. HVAC systems, lighting, doors, windows, appliances, computers and more can all be energy efficient. Look for the energy star label to ensure it meets energy efficiency standards. Meeting the energy star label standards will often be associated with costs savings, but also give the consumer additional information about the product.

Energy Efficiency can have a big impact on communities whose energy burden is higher as well. Low-income communities facing other environmental impacts like high air pollution rates, often face a higher energy burden. An energy burden is the percentage of gross household income spent on energy costs. Energy efficiency implementation strategies can help lessen the household energy burden. The crossroads of energy efficiency and building science implemented by energy efficiency contractors can have multiple other effects, like cleaning up and ensuring the indoor air quality in the home is at its highest standard. Energy efficiency contractors also look for other health and safety concerns around the home, like gas leaks and combustion appliance safety. Reach out to Sean Welsh at sw288@cornell. edu or call 845 292-6180 ext. 127 to discuss an energy audit program that may be right for your home or other buildings.

Energy Efficiency can be an ongoing battle in buildings. A building in need of retrofit work is a chance to upgrade for energy efficiency, alongside building retrofit improvements, and can present an opportunity for building owners. Ongoing building maintenance also presents an opportunity for occupants to continue to address and improve the efficiency of their buildings. As appliances fail over time, and technology advancements continually improve, new energy efficient technologies offer consumers many choices. Ensuring you are purchasing correctly for each application will come down to the specifications on the label for each.

To learn more about the energy efficiency home improvement tax credit, please visit the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit webpage on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website at: https:// www.irs.gov/creditsdeductions/energy-efficienthome-improvement-credit.

Sources:

“Credits for Energy Efficient Home Improvements.” retrieved on 7.19.23. www.irs.gov/creditsdeductions/energy-efficient-home-improvementcredit retrieved on 7.19.23.

“Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Industry.” retrieved on 7.19.23. www.energy.gov/eere/ energy-efficiency-buildings-and-industry.

IT’S ALMOST FAIR TIME!

By Barbara Moran, 4-H Youth Development Program Manager

The countdown is on for the Sullivan County Youth Fair, to be held August 18-20, 2023, at the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair! The backbone of any fair is the exhibits. It’s a great reason to attend the fair to see all the animal science, horticulture, floriculture, honey, agronomic crops, photography, arts, crafts… the list goes on. All these exhibits are entered by youth from across Sullivan County. The Youth Fair also offers a live auction featuring items raised or produced by youth participants. Please consider making your way to the fair to support the hard work of our Sullivan County kids!