Energy efficiency tips to be featured at Inspired Home Expo
EmPower San Luis Obispo County will be at the Inspired Home Expo in Paso Robles Feb. 21 and 22 sharing what Energy Coach Paul Menconi has learned while inspecting local homes for energy efficiency issues.
“I’m seeing a lot of homes with poor insulation and air sealing, which is driving utility bills up in a big way,” said Menconi, who has more than seven years of experience in home energy efficiency. “The biggest part of the typical energy bill goes to heating and cooling air, but poor air sealing and insulation allows this air to escape our homes without doing much good. Furnaces and air conditioners are then left working overtime.”
In addition to cutting down on bills now, getting energy usage under control can also lead to other savings down the road for homeowners looking to upgrade to solar energy.
“A home that uses less power can get away with using a smaller photovoltaic system, which carries a much smaller price tag,” said Menconi. “It’s why I’m constantly recommending to ‘reduce before you produce.’”
Menconi and emPower staff will be at emPower’s Inspired Home Expo booth 10 a.m-5 p.m. Feb. 21 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 22 offering additional advice. Homeowners will also be able to schedule a free Home Site Visit from Menconi for a comprehensive look at a home’s energy performance, including the condition of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system, insulation levels, water heater, and other major appliances that can contribute to high energy bills.
The expo will be held at 2198 Riverside Road in Paso Robles and is free for attendees.
About emPower Central Coast
The emPower program offers voluntary incentives, financing and other services to help single-family homeowners in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties make home energy upgrades easier and more affordable. EmPower was originally established by Santa Barbara County to help the community preserve the environment by helping to lower energy consumption and stimulate the economy by creating jobs through innovative, voluntary solutions to support a sustainable building performance market.
EmPower is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered by Southern California Gas Company, Southern California Edison Company and Pacific Gas & Electric under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission, the US Department of Energy Better Buildings program and the California Energy Commission with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars. emPower’s low cost financing is offered in partnership with Coast Hills Federal Credit Union and Ventura County Credit Union. More information at www.empowersbc.org.
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