Making your home more comfortable is easier than you think…
If you spend your winter evenings huddled on your couch in a nest of afghans, if your nose never seems to stop running, if you find yourself having to choose between high energy bills or being uncomfortable in your home, you need to attend the Home Efficiency Action Training (HEAT) workshop. HEAT is a collaboration of local energy experts organized to make it easier for homeowners to learn about cost-effective home efficiency upgrades and rebates.
Representatives from PSE, Thurston Energy, Northwest Energy Team, Echo Energy, and Generations Credit Union will be speaking on Thursday January 17th, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at the Lacey Public Library. This workshop is free and open to the public.
Thurston Energy promotes energy efficient technologies and has its own rebate program. “I think one of the reasons people are reluctant to learn more about rebates is because there are so many,” says Mark Rentfrow, Energy Service Manager of Thurston Energy. “It’s important to keep in mind that power companies and energy agencies genuinely want you to use the rebates. They try to keep the forms as simple as possible. Most contractors who are certified by the utilities are happy to help you with the paperwork.”
ECHO Energy, a local energy auditor, uses thermal imaging cameras and blower door tests to help you determine what improvements are most cost effective. “If you start with a home audit you can determine where your upgrade dollars are best spent,” says Kyle Kennemore, co-owner of ECHO Energy. “Some work you can do yourself, other projects require a professional.”
Puget Sound Energy is Washington State’s oldest utility company and is proactive in promoting energy conservation. PSE has over 100 energy efficiency rebates and services currently available to its customers. Farra Vargas, PSE’s Efficiency Outreach Manager will highlight PSE’s most popular rebates as well as introduce the ones she feels deserves more attention. Vargas says, “PSE’s energy-efficiency programs are helping our customers conserve nearly 2.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and over 37 million therms of natural gas- enough ongoing savings to serve over 190,000 households.”
Paul Ivy of Northwest Energy Team will cover basic building science. “The four pillars of an energy-efficient and comfortable home,” says Ivy, “are air sealing, insulation, ventilation, and a high efficiency heat source. All of these ‘pillars’ have rebates through either PSE or Thurston Energy. Or both. You can get up to $2,200 in rebates depending on where you live and what you heat with now.”
Generations Credit Union is one of the first local credit unions to recognize that increasing your home’s energy efficiency will increase its value. Randy Seaburg, Generations Loan Manager, will talk about their low-interest loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements like ductless heat pumps and insulation upgrades to your home.
If your heating bills are too high, if you are too cold in your home, or if you have allergies or dust sensitivities that never seem to get better, take advantage of this free workshop taught by local, award-winning building science professionals. For more information contact Paul Ivy of Northwest Energy Team at 360-357-9167 or email Paul@NorthwestEnergyTeam.com
