Kill the Chill: Winterize

At the Community Energy Challenge we care a lot about weatherization, or the practice of protecting a building from the elements in order to save energy and increase comfort for the occupants. As the weather turns chilly it’s time to think about another very important and closely related W-word: winterization. From simple measures such as programming your thermostat or putting weather stripping around your door, to getting a home energy assessment and investing in an insulation upgrade, taking specific steps to prepare your home for winter weather can save you big on energy costs and help you feel cozy even when it’s chilly out.

Click here to learn about 19 ways to make your home feel warmer without turning up the heat.

Local event celebrates energy efficiency successes and ARRA support

Yesterday, a crowd of political officials, non-profit leaders, contractors, business owners, and weatherization personnel gathered at the Building Performance Center’s state of the art training facility to celebrate innovative energy efficiency programs supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Congressman Rick Larsen, Representative Kelli Linville, and Senator Phil Rockefeller (visiting from the 23^rd District) applauded the groundbreaking work being done to increase job training, expand the existing low-income weatherization program, and establish the unique Community Energy Challenge (CEC), which brings affordable energy efficiency services to homeowners and small businesses while creating local green jobs. 

Jennifer Soners, a senior policy advisor from the Department of Energy, flew all the way from Washington DC to witness the event. Representatives from the offices of Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray were also in attendance, as was Bellingham’s Mayor Dan Pike, Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen, and other Whatcom county elected officials. 

So far the CEC has aided over 100 homeowners and 25 local businesses in reducing energy use which, combined with community efforts, will save $269,249 annually to be reinvested in the local community.  As Representative Larsen quipped: “For those nay-sayers on the Recovery Act, I say ‘let them come to Bellingam.’”