Workshop Educates Pierceton Residents On Energy-Saving Tips
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
PIERCETON - It has become difficult for many residents to pay their energy bills with the current state of the economy.
Pierceton residents learned during a workshop at Pierceton Public Library Wednesday night how to reduce their energy bills.
The workshop was funded by Kosciusko County Community Foundation, REMC Operation Round Up, REMC and United Way of Kosciusko County.Pam Kennedy, Housing Opportunities of Warsaw executive director, demonstrated how weatherization products work. The kits can be used in the home to reduce air infiltration.
"Energy savings are important to affordable housing and it's HOW's mission to keep homes safe and affordable," Kennedy said.
Kennedy said the biggest place that has air loss in the home is the attic access cover. She said, to prevent air from leaking in or out, a person can put weather stripping to fill the access cover.
The participants also took part in interactive activities to access their own home for energy savings.
They also installed outlet seals in the library basement that are part of the weatherization kits. The weatherization kits are put together by REMC for sealing homes.
The kits include door sweeps to be placed at the bottom of the home to prevent air from coming underneath a door; a caulk gun and caulk to seal cracks; window plastic to seal windows; foam outlet seals; and compact fluorescent light bulbs. The light bulb uses one-fourth of the electricity of an incandescent bulb.
Kennedy said there are approximately 100 weatherization kits delivered a year around Kosciusko County. She said the kits have already been delivered for this year, but any homeowner in Kosciusko County can apply for the kits for next fall.
For more information about the weatherization kits, call Housing Opportunities of Warsaw at 574-269-7641.
