Sustainable Westchester is hosting a series of “Do-It-Yourself” (D.I.Y.) Energy Education Workshops for homeowners and renters to learn about simple, do-it-yourself actions to lower their utility bills. Keep reading to learn more about what these workshops will cover, and how to organize one for your community members!

What’s included in these D.I.Y. Energy Education Workshops?

Participants will receive a tutorial on how to use their free D.I.Y. Energy Kit, containing materials to help them stop leaks, reduce drafts, and lower their energy usage. The workshops also cover cost-saving programs like HEAP, EAP, EmPower+, and Community Solar, and information on funding available for bigger home energy upgrades. 

Included in the D.I.Y. Energy Kit:

• Weatherstripping
• Door sweep
• Window insulation kit
• Foam outlet and switch gasket
• Foam tape for windows/doors​ 
• Power strip 
• 2 LED light bulbs

When and Where? 

Workshops will be held throughout Westchester County from November 2024 through January 2025. We hosted our first workshop with the Fairview Empower Group on Sunday, October 13th, 12pm – 1:30pm at the Theodore D. Young Community Center.

Stay Up to Date on the Workshop Schedule

Contact [email protected] for more information.

Are you a Community-Based Organization looking to book a D.I.Y. Energy Education Workshop with our team? We can work with Seniors Groups, PTAs, Lion’s Club, Community Health Centers, Neighborhood Associations and most any community group! 

Call 914-242-4725 ext.5 or email [email protected]

El 26 de junio del 2024, en colaboración con la aldea y el pueblo de Ossining y Neighbors Link, Sustainable Westchester llevó a cabo su primer taller de ahorro de energía en español en la Biblioteca Pública de Ossining. El taller educó a los miembros de la comunidad local sobre el cambio climático y oportunidades de ahorros energéticos.

¡Participar en los programas de Sustainable Westchester es una forma sencilla de ayudar a combatir el cambio climático y, al mismo tiempo, ahorrar dinero en electricidad! Por ejemplo, nuestro programa Community Solar ofrece una suscripción gratuita a un proyecto solar. Cada suscriptor recibe ahorros garantizados en sus facturas de electricidad, mientras que el proyecto solar entrega energía limpia y renovable a nuestra red eléctrica. Esto da como resultado una red más estable, menos dependencia de los combustibles fósiles y una mejor calidad del aire para nuestras comunidades.

El taller incluyó una sesión de inscripción donde los participantes pudieron inscribirse en los programas y recibir asistencia en persona. Estamos encantados con el éxito de este evento, y Sustainable Westchester espera expandir los eventos de alcance en español para servir mejor al condado de Westchester.

El taller ofreció los siguientes programas de ahorro:

• Community Solar ahorro garantizado en tu factura de la luz. ¡Suscríbase a un proyecto solar y reciba los beneficios de la energía renovable sin instalar paneles solares en su hogar!
• GridRewards es una aplicación gratuita que puede ayudarte a reducir tu huella de carbono y ahorrar dinero. Tome medidas sencillas de energía durante las horas de mayor demanda y obtenga un reembolso en efectivo de Con Edison al final del año.
• Empower+ programa estatal que proporciona fondos a los hogares elegibles para mejoras energéticas en el hogar.
• HEAP (Programa de Asistencia de Energía para el Hogar) ayuda a residentes del estado de Nueva York elegibles con soluciones de calefacción y refrigeración en su hogar.

Pelham, NY – On Friday, August 16, 2024, State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Rewiring America, Sustainable Westchester, the League of Conservation Voters, local advocates, and HVAC and solar experts gathered at the home of Pelham resident Greg Spock to host a “front porch ribbon cutting” celebrating his home energy-efficiency upgrades made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  

The event celebrated Spock’s commitment to home electrification and marked the second anniversary of the IRA, a landmark federal law that has played a pivotal role in making energy-efficiency and electrification upgrades affordable to Americans nationwide.

Michael Hernandez, New York Policy Director for Rewiring America, applauded the IRA for enabling nearly 185,000 New Yorkers to invest in high-efficiency electric appliances and/or rooftop solar. Spock credited the legislation’s electrification tax credits for making it possible for him to install high-efficiency heat pump and water heater systems, and soon rooftop solar, lowering his monthly energy bills and increasing the comfort of his home. 

Local climate advocates and energy specialists urged residents to learn more about how they can take advantage of the tax credits and other local incentives to upgrade their own homes and lower their energy bills. After the ribbon cutting, community members and neighbors were invited to “test drive” electric lawn care equipment and other high-efficiency appliances to learn more about how they work. 

“With the support of the Inflation Reduction Act, we were able to install an air source heat pump, a heat pump hot water heater, lease that beautiful and fast Emerald Lake Lyriq in the driveway, and charge it, with the home charger we installed, said the Pelham Homeowner. “Since making these upgrades, we’ve noticed several benefits. Not only am I contributing to a healthier environment, but our home is quieter, more evenly heated and cooled, and I’ve reduced our utility bills significantly. I expect an even bigger reduction with the solar installation imminently occurring. These changes have made our home more comfortable and efficient, and I feel proud to be part of a growing movement towards 100% clean energy.”  

“The Inflation Reduction Act represents the largest climate investment in U.S. history, allocating funds to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy and addressing climate change across multiple sectors,” said State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “By making transitions to technologies like air source heat pumps, electric cars and electric landscaping equipment, we are taking steps to protect our environment, to live healthier lives and save money. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act these projects are more affordable.” 

“The Inflation Reduction Act is paving the way for a cleaner, more resilient future, and it demonstrates that environmental policy can be a win-win for both our wallets and the environment we live in,” said Melissa Eustace, Board Member of Westchester Chapter of The League of Conservation Voters.  

“Today, we’re here to celebrate the impact the Inflation Reduction Act has had right at our kitchen tables. This law has been a game-changer for homeowners like Greg, establishing incentives to help every American household transition to cleaner, more efficient, and more affordable electric appliances,” said Michael Hernandez, New York Policy Director for Rewiring America.  “It’s thanks to these historic tax credits that millions of households across the country now have the power to fight the climate crisis, lower their energy bills, and increase the comfort of their homes. “

“In the past few years, the Village began electrification projects such as purchasing electric landscaping equipment, installing charging infrastructure, preparing a fleet electrification study, and constructing a new, all-electric municipal center, which will be completed by the end of the year. And in the past two years, numerous residents have reduced their energy consumption and costs through Inflation Reduction Act incentives for electric technologies,” said Yenna Chan, Co-chair, The Village of Pelham Sustainability Advisory Board.  “I am thrilled that Rewiring America has created this opportunity for neighbors and community members to hear from industry experts and try out electric equipment in person.” 

“With the implementation of the IRA and specific guidance from contractors like myself, homeowners are educated to invest in a highly efficient electric mechanical system and the end result is a superbly comfortable home, even temperatures, more comfortable sleeping, and a happy family. All of these are accomplished because you made an educated choice for your home and your wallet,” said Bryan Smith, Innovative Air. “Electrifying is really about choosing highly efficient, high-performance mechanical systems to provide the comfort you deserve. With careful planning, sound recommendations, and overall impeccable execution of installation, you too can move toward the electrification of your home!”  

“Sustainable Westchester is happy to celebrate the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act! As a member of NYSERDA’s Regional Clean Energy Hub, we are part of a statewide network of local organizations providing clean energy solutions to Westchester municipalities, businesses and residents. Our energy advisors can help our neighbors throughout the County access NYSERDA programs. discuss technologies, connect with contractors and navigate rebates and incentives,” said Lauren Brois, Director, EnergySmart Homes at Sustainable Westchester. “We have seen how the IRA’s tax credits have made it easier for homeowners to install energy-efficient appliances, like heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, solar panels, and electric vehicles, significantly reducing project costs and environmental impact. Through IRA tax credits, homeowners can access tax credits up to $1,200 for insulation, $2,000 tax credit for ASHP and 30 percent tax credit for geothermal projects.” 

To find out what federal incentives they might qualify for, New York residents can visit Rewiring America’s Savings Calculator. Residents will only need to input a few details about their households to immediately see all federal electrification and energy-efficiency incentives they qualify for.

The Front Porch Ribbon Cutting series, spearheaded by Rewiring America and Citizens’ Climate Lobby, is a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about the benefits of energy-efficient solutions and the financial incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act.

About Rewiring America

Rewiring America is the leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes, businesses, and communities. We develop accessible, actionable data and tools. Rewiring America helps Americans save money, tackle nationwide emissions goals, improve health, and build the next generation of the clean energy workforce. We believe in an abundant, flourishing, climate-safe future, and know that, together, we can realize one. 

About the New York League of Conservation Voters

The New York League of Conservation Voters is the only non-partisan, statewide environmental organization in New York that takes a pragmatic approach to fight for clean water, healthy air, renewable energy, and open space. For over thirty years, NYLCV has worked to lobby state and local governments on environmental policy, provide objective information to the public, and hold elected officials accountable. For more information, visit www.nylcv.org. 

About Sustainable Westchester

Sustainable Westchester is Westchester County’s leading advocate for local municipalities striving to make their communities safer and more resilient against the threats posed by climate change. It plays a critical role in helping members achieve the goals of New York’s landmark Climate Act by supplying large-scale renewable electricity, implementing innovative clean energy solutions, increasing energy efficiency, saving taxpayers money, and promoting equity and environmental justice. Its diverse hub of popular and high-effective programs developed for municipalities includes Westchester Power, Community Solar, EnergySmart Homes, Commercial Clean Heating & Cooling, GridRewards Demand Response, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure, Zero Waste Recycling, and Sustainable Landscaping. 

Visit our website.