As warm summer weather arrives, costly heating bills seem to vanish. However, these utility expenses will return. Use this time to reduce your heating expenses by making your home energy efficient for the next winter season. A program from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) can help people make their homes more energy efficient while saving money on their utility bills.
This program offers free energy assessments for homes by accredited contractors. After the assessment, the program helps homeowners through the process of financing their home improvements with grants (this is free money – up to $5,000 for a single-family dwelling and up to $10,000 for a two to four family building that eligible homeowners do not have to pay back), or low-interest loans.
Small businesses and not-for-profits can qualify for incentives worth up to $60,000 and financing at about half the market rate for up to $100,000. This opportunity is just one way that New York is making it easier for businesses and organizations to go green and become energy efficient.
This program is available to eligible residents in all eight counties of the Southern Tier: Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Otsego, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins.
For more information or to sign up for a free energy assessment, call the Program Director, Euphemia Martin, at (607) 723-0110 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also email Martin at emartin@ppefny.org. You can also visit their Facebook page and “like” them at www.facebook.com/ppefsoutherntier.
