Getting Ready for Winter with Energy Literacy Workshops

Ms. Rhonda Vesey of Food Access and Healthy Neighborhoods Now!, a community organization on Syracuse’s Southside, wanted “to get the word out about resources available to our community that so urgently needs energy justice.” So, she partnered with our team’s Kayla Miller – lead energy advisor for Onondaga County – to organize an Energy Literacy Workshop at the Valley Plaza on South Salina Street.

It is easy to understand Ms. Rhonda’s concern: as Central New York prepares for winter, our thoughts often turn to that spike in energy costs that comes with the season. At the same time, the state is abuzz with sound bites about this or that program that may increase our homes’ energy efficiency – what about those drafty windows? Who will service the heating system? Can I upgrade my furnace and other major appliances? What about all those rebates and grants that I keep hearing rumors about? Above all: I have the house or apartment that I have – what can I do right away? By myself?

Exploring the many creative and affordable answers are the Energy Literacy Workshops that EnergySmart CNY is organizing together with community-based organizations in our region. Each workshop helps people get their homes and apartments ready through two strategies: (1) empowering individuals with the knowledge and basic tools to better seal their homes, understand their energy bills, and use energy more efficiently; (2) identifying which local, state and federal programs can assist with know-how and incentives – rebates, grants, and loans.

To get very practical, very quickly, the workshops help each participant create their own “Energy Action Plan” (EAP). In the course of a presentation, and through conversation with the hosts, participants identify what steps they can take to improve things at home. In addition, each participant receives a free Energy Literacy Kit (see box) worth approximately $40. The workshop also helps participants understand their energy bills, identify energy-saving appliances and lighting, and clean energy programs.

For bigger changes including things like insulation and energy efficient appliances, EnergySmart CNY’s advisors are on hand to help participants with information and applications for EmPower+, a NYSERDA program [pdf] that is income qualified and other programs like the Comfort Home program [pdf].

Upcoming workshops will take place at the Northside Learning Center (date TBD) and at the Beauchamp Library (6 PM on 10/17) at  in Syracuse. Several more workshops–including ones in Canastota, Cortland and Oswego–are in the planning stages. Please reach out to our Outreach Coordinator, Suren Moodliar or Events Coordinator, Kayla Miller if you would like to co-organize a workshop with EnergySmart CNY.