Homeowners urged to take advantage of conservation programs

Sept. 14, 2017 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com



SPRINGFIELD – A new program that will allow owners of single families homes in Springfield to see the energy leaks in their residence is designed to spur people to take advantage of energy conservation programs of which they may not be aware.

On Sept. 6, Mayor Domenic Sarno announced how the effort funded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation is part of the city’s  “Strong, Healthy, and Just Climate Action and Resilience Plan,” and its partnership with the ener-G-save.

If homeowners realize they can undertake improvements through existing programs, the greenhouse gases generated by the city will decrease, Sarno noted. Currently, the city’s residences create 31 percent to the greenhouse gases.

The city’s goal is to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emission by 80 percent by 2050. Sarno said. Residences make up for the highest percentage of emissions.

Sarno added the current effort came about through teamwork involving the foundation, Eversource, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Partners for a Healthier Community, among other groups.

The Grinspoon Foundation, according to Uli Nagel, project manager, spent $300,000 to have 6,500 single-family owner occupied homes photographed last winter with thermal cameras that detect heat loss. Those images are being mailed to the residences. Homeowners should look for a white window envelope from ener-G-save.

Nagel said the foundation “wanted to put resources behind that piece” of the conservation effort. She added that only about 3 percent of homeowners currently take advantage of low cost or no cost energy-saving programs set up by utilities such as Eversource.

Gerry McCafferty, director of Housing, said it was “very fitting coming together as a city to address climate change.

All homeowners in the city can call 279-9141 or sign up at www.ener-g-save.com/form to schedule up a free energy audit. Homeowners will also be advised, based on their income, for which programs they qualify.

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