March 22, 2010

Homeowners and Renters Encouraged to Attend “Be Energy Smart – Save Money, Save Energy” Event to Learn How to Save Hundreds of Dollars a Year in Energy Costs

Community Forum at Flushing Mall Saturday March 27, noon to 5 p.m.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is hosting a community event highlighting energy saving benefits and financial incentives available for homeowners and renters to make energy–saving changes in their homes from noon until 5 p.m. Saturday, March 27 at the Flushing Mall in Queens.

The “Be Energy Smart – Save Money, Save Energy,” program will offer a special focus on the needs of the Asian community, including interpreters speaking Mandarin and Korean to answer questions.

“Community events like this are a tremendous opportunity for homeowners and renters to learn more about the importance of energy efficiency and the funding available to help everyone reduce their energy costs,” said Francis J. Murray, Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “We strongly encourage the Flushing community to attend this event to learn how to take advantage of NYSERDA’s energy–efficiency programs and save energy and reduce their energy costs.”

The event will feature NYSERDA contractors and partners to help residents learn about options to help reduce energy use. Attendees also will learn about Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, a program that provides energy audits to show homeowners where energy is escaping from their home, an estimate of how much money they can save with energy–efficiency improvements, and financing options and incentives that can help make improvements more affordable. Attendees will have the opportunity to win donated prizes, including Home Performance energy audits and energy–efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.

“Being an energy–smart homeowner involves more than just buying ENERGY STAR appliances because they're efficient,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “Having your home inspected by an accredited Building Performance Institute (BPI) Contractor to learn if improvements such as new insulation or windows, or simply switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, could mean savings for you in the long run. Look into NYSERDA’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, where you can find a list of BPI Accredited Contractors who can inspect your home and provide you with financial incentives to complete the improvements, and you could be on the way to saving $700 or more per year on energy costs.”

“As energy costs rise and people are growing more concerned about protecting the environment, many New Yorkers are making energy efficiency improvements in their homes,” said City Councilman Peter Koo. “To assist homeowners, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is offering various innovative energy saving programs and environment friendly home improvement guidelines. I encourage homeowners in my district to take advantage of these programs to reduce their energy costs and help our environment.”

“Be Energy Smart – Save Money, Save Energy” Event

Who: Homeowners and renters
What: An energy–efficiency informational event to help consumers learn about the incentive programs available through NYSERDA.
In addition, Mandarin and Korean interpreters will be on hand to help answer questions.

When: Saturday, March 27, from 12 to 5:00 p.m.
Where: The Flushing Mall, 133–31 39th Avenue in Queens,
Why: Learn how to save money and energy.

Contact:
Colleen Q. Ryan, NYSERDA
518–862–1090 ext. 3359
cqr@nyserda.ny.gov