About 50 people learned how to reduce energy use and how to lower annual energy costs by an average of $700 on Thursday.
The free Renew Chautauqua County Home Energy Workshop was held at Jamestown Community College Carnahan Training & Conference Center. Those who attended learned about home performance with Energy Star, which is a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority program that uses a whole-house comprehensive energy assessment approach to help residents save energy. People were told how to register for free or reduced-cost energy assessment, cash-back incentives and low-cost financing options from NYSERDA for making energy-efficiency improvements to their homes.
Wendy Sanfilippo, who works with NYSERDA through Cornell Cooperative Extension, talked about why people should do an energy audit to save money. Also, that people can receive free energy audits depending on their income. She said people are also eligible for loans for work done to their home to lower energy use.
''Reducing allowance on fossil fuels,'' is why NYSERDA offers these programs Ms. Sanfilippo said.
Dan Reynolds, Jamestown Board of Public Utilities energy-efficiency coordinator, gave a presentation discussing different BPU programs that included its attic insulation, commercial and industrial lighting and energy audit and weatherization. He said BPU customers have been able to save $357,545 through its energy programs.
The energy workshop promoted the county's website www.renewchautauquacounty.org, which details how people can receive energy saving incentives and is interactive to answer questions on how to save money.
''This is a passion for us to tell people about renewable energy of all kinds,'' said Bill Daly, Industrial Development Agency director.
Other organizations that were present during the energy workshop included Solar Revolution, Chautauqua Opportunities, Superior Energy Innovations and Office For The Aging.
Those who attended the workshop received a National Fuel energy-conservation kit that included energy-saving tips, a NYSERDA guide, an energy-saving light bulb, a Frost King window insulation kit, rubber foam weather seal, vinyl foam weather seal, electric switch sealer and GE silicon sealer.
