Most New Yorkers qualify for a free or reduced cost residential energy audit through Green Jobs – Green New York.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYERDA) is funding these audits on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are committed. In Chautauqua County, a family making up to $102,800 is eligible for a free audit, while families making up to $205,600 are eligible for a reduction in cost of the audit. For Cattaraugus County, free audits are available for families making up to $102,200. Reduced cost audits are available to families making up to $204,400. Family size is not taken into account in determining eligibility.
An energy audit is a review of a homeowner’s heating, electrical, and water utility usage. Air loss and drafts are measured. Infrared inspection of walls, attic, and roof is done to measure insulation. Once the audit is completed, the contractor prepares a Scope of Work, recommendations for energy improvements. The audit must be performed by a participating Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited contractor. A homeowner cannot qualify if he/she has previously received a free/reduced audit. The homeowner must also submit a summary of the annual electric and heating usage for the building.
If the homeowner decides to make recommended improvements, financing options may be available Persons interested may visit www.getenergysmart.org to find participating contractors for their county, to download the application, and to read more about financing options.
There are a number of participating contractors listed for Chautauqua County, but only three are located in the county: Chautauqua Opportunities (366-3333), Superior Energy Innovations (483-0100), and Verdant Home Energy (782-2121). All these contractors stated that they would be happy to help a homeowner complete an application and will work throughout Chautauqua County. Information for Cattaraugus County shows a number of contractors in that area.
William Vogt, Chautauqua Opportunities Director of Housing and Energy Conservation stated, “Energy performance is a huge issue in this area. Forty-seven percent of the houses in Chautauqua County were built before 1939.” He said that Chautauqua Opportunities is experienced in providing the audits and doing the follow-up work.
Michael Kearney of Verdant Home Energy stated he had over 10 years of experience in this type of work. He has already performed some audits under this new program. He said that it is important for a homeowner to submit the application correctly the first time so that it will not be returned.
Albert Simmons of Superior Energy invited the people to visit their website www.superiorenergyinnovations.com. The site provides links to the application for this program as well as information about other programs.
Dayle Zatlin, the assistant director of communications for NYSERDA, provided information that Governor Patterson had released information about the free and reduced audits on Dec. 9. She stated that this program is meant to reach a large number of New Yorkers. She stated, ” Green jobs-Green New York is a good program dealing with energy efficiency, creation of jobs, improvement in the economy, and controlling consumer costs.”
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