When the global warming blues are getting you down, do you ever walk through your house or apartment and think, I wish someone would come tell me what I can do to make my home more energy efficient? Home greening "to-do" lists are a start, but every house is different. A little expertise can be helpful. That's why this summer I'm going to call Rising Sun Energy Center.
If you live in the Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville, San Pablo, San Rafael, the Canal Neighborhood, Marin City/Mill Valley or Novato, you can sign up for a free audit. According to their web site, two Youth Energy Specialists will come out and, "check your household's electricity, gas and water use, and then help you reduce your bills by providing free energy-saving devices. The Energy Specialists provide compact fluorescent light bulbs, water-saving faucetheads, and retractable clotheslines at no cost to home renters and owners."
Rising Sun Energy Center is a Berkeley-based nonprofit that provides training and employment for young people ages 15-21 as Energy Specialists through its California Youth Energy Services (CYES) program.
In 2006, CYES:
Provided employment and training to 80 youth, ages 15-24.
Provided over 1748 households energy savings hardware and information.
Saved residents over $821,600 in energy dollars.
Served 740 non-English speaking households; over 42% of their total clients
They also do workshops in the schools and provide free weatherization to low income customers. How cool is that!
Photo Credit: CYES Energy Team with permission from Rising Sun Energy Center.
Britt Bravo also blogs at Have Fun * Do Good, NetSquared and BlogHer.
