Cornell Cooperative Extension

Energy & Money Management

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County has a variety of programs and educational resources on energy conservation and energy savings.

HEAP is an energy assistance program which helps individuals to pay for their heating bills.

Weatherization prevents cold air from entering and heat from leaving a home or apartment. Weatherization’s main purpose is to ensure the efficient heating of your home or apartment, resulting in lower heat bills and greater comfort.

Cornell Cooperative Extension offers home audits to qualified low-income homeowners and landlords. The auditor will use the results of the inspection to decide which energy efficient measures will be done on the home. A trained professional will complete the weatherization work.

Weatherization services are free to income-eligible homeowners. There is a small charge to landlords, if occupants are eligible. Call 765-3539 for further information on this program.

The program identifies and refers HEAP-eligible seniors for home weatherization services to help them stay warmer in winter with lower utility and fuel bills. The free program includes an energy audit. The service plan may include replacement or improvement to: insulation, weather stripping, old windows or doors. Eligibility for other programs (e.g., food stamps) will also be determined through this application process.

EmPower NY assists low and limited income residents with cost-effective electric reduction measures, particularly lighting and refrigerator replacements, as well as other home performance strategies such as insulation, and health and safety measures.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) contracted with Honeywell International to implement the EmPower NY program. The energy efficiency services are delivered by private contractors and participating weatherization agencies all of who are Building Performance Institute (BPI) Accredited.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County offers energy use management and financial management education workshops. These no cost, 2-hour workshops are open to the public, and held throughout the county. These Workshops are part of the EmPower NY Program with funding from NYSERDA.

The "Making Ends Meet" workshop provides an overview of the process for developing and using a household spending plan, as well as ways to maximize resources and reduce energy use.
Workshop participants receive a free money management kit.

The "Control Credit, Manage Debt" workshop provides strategies for selecting and using credit wisely, as well as strategies for paying down debt, obtaining and reviewing a credit report, and understanding a credit score. Participants receive a free folder of credit management resources.

The "Save Energy, Save Dollars" workshop provides low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy and reduce energy bills. It links consumers with programs that provide energy-efficiency improvements with either subsidies, low-interest loans, or free services to qualifying households. Workshop participants receive a free energy kit with outlet/light switch gaskets, outlet caps, rope caulk, tube of caulk, shrink fit window insulation kit and a refrigerator thermometer.

For more information, call 518-765-3559 or click here for a current listing of classes.

In conjunction with NYSERDA, Cornell Cooperative Extension offers distance learning opportunities on a variety of energy related topics. The satellite teleconferences are held in Voorheesville, New York and in the past have focused on energy efficient lighting, solar and wind renewable energy, reducing home energy costs, and energy efficient heating for homes.

Emergency fuel assistance for seniors and disabled customers. The program is funded by the American Red Cross.

Energy Federation
This is an internet site that is essentially a one-stop-shop for an array of resource conservation-related products that are typically difficult to find through conventional distributors and retailers. All types of weatherization products including; weather striping, caulks, spray sealants, energy efficient lighting, exhaust fans etc.
www.energyfederation.org





	Energy & Money Management Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County has a variety of programs and educational resources on energy conservation and energy savings. Energy Programs Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) HEAP is an energy assistance program which helps individuals to pay for their heating bills. Income guidelines, documentation needed and application forms are available on Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) website: www.otda.state.ny.us/otda/heap/ Monthly Income Eligibility Guidelines Weatherization Weatherization prevents cold air from entering and heat from leaving a home or apartment. Weatherization’s main purpose is to ensure the efficient heating of your home or apartment, resulting in lower heat bills and greater comfort. Cornell Cooperative Extension offers home audits to qualified low-income homeowners and landlords. The auditor will use the results of the inspection to decide which energy efficient measures will be done on the home. A trained professional will complete the weatherization work. Weatherization services are free to income-eligible homeowners. There is a small charge to landlords, if occupants are eligible. Call 765-3539 for further information on this program. Download Weatherization Brochure Download Weatherization Application Weatherization Referral and Packaging Program (WRAP) The program identifies and refers HEAP-eligible seniors for home weatherization services to help them stay warmer in winter with lower utility and fuel bills. The free program includes an energy audit. The service plan may include replacement or improvement to: insulation, weather stripping, old windows or doors. Eligibility for other programs (e.g., food stamps) will also be determined through this application process. Income guidelines are available at Albany County Department for Aging website: http://www.albanycounty.com/departments/aging/programs_services.asp?id=87 EmPower NY assists low and limited income residents with cost-effective electric reduction measures, particularly lighting and refrigerator replacements, as well as other home performance strategies such as insulation, and health and safety measures. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) contracted with Honeywell International to implement the EmPower NY program. The energy efficiency services are delivered by private contractors and participating weatherization agencies all of who are Building Performance Institute (BPI) Accredited. Call 765-3534 for further information on this program. Energy Conservation and Financial Management Workshops Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County offers energy use management and financial management education workshops. These no cost, 2-hour workshops are open to the public, and held throughout the county. These Workshops are part of the EmPower NY Program with funding from NYSERDA. The "Making Ends Meet" workshop provides an overview of the process for developing and using a household spending plan, as well as ways to maximize resources and reduce energy use. Workshop participants receive a free money management kit. The "Control Credit, Manage Debt" workshop provides strategies for selecting and using credit wisely, as well as strategies for paying down debt, obtaining and reviewing a credit report, and understanding a credit score. Participants receive a free folder of credit management resources. The "Save Energy, Save Dollars" workshop provides low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy and reduce energy bills. It links consumers with programs that provide energy-efficiency improvements with either subsidies, low-interest loans, or free services to qualifying households. Workshop participants receive a free energy kit with outlet/light switch gaskets, outlet caps, rope caulk, tube of caulk, shrink fit window insulation kit and a refrigerator thermometer. For more information, call 518-765-3559 or click here for a current listing of classes. Energy Teleconference Trainings In conjunction with NYSERDA, Cornell Cooperative Extension offers distance learning opportunities on a variety of energy related topics. The satellite teleconferences are held in Voorheesville, New York and in the past have focused on energy efficient lighting, solar and wind renewable energy, reducing home energy costs, and energy efficient heating for homes. Contact Nancy Lerner at 518-765-3521 or NKL1@cornell.edu. Care & Share Emergency fuel assistance for seniors and disabled customers. The program is funded by the American Red Cross. For eligibility guidelines and more information, please contact 756-8650. Energy Resources & Useful Links Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index A Do-It-Yourself Guide to ENERGY STAR Home Sealing (Sealing air leaks and adding attic Insulation) Free pdf file available from U.S. EPA at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick Use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home's energy efficiency to similar homes across the country and get recommendations for energy-saving home improvements from ENERGY STAR. Go to: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=home_energy_yardstick.showStep2 Energy Federation This is an internet site that is essentially a one-stop-shop for an array of resource conservation-related products that are typically difficult to find through conventional distributors and retailers. All types of weatherization products including; weather striping, caulks, spray sealants, energy efficient lighting, exhaust fans etc. www.energyfederation.org Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index A Do-It-Yourself Guide to ENERGY STAR Home Sealing (Sealing air leaks and adding attic Insulation) Free pdf file available from U.S. EPA at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick Use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home's energy efficiency to similar homes across the country and get recommendations for energy-saving home improvements from ENERGY STAR. Go to: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=home_energy_yardstick.showStep2 Energy Federation This is an internet site that is essentially a one-stop-shop for an array of resource conservation-related products that are typically difficult to find through conventional distributors and retailers. All types of weatherization products including; weather striping, caulks, spray sealants, energy efficient lighting, exhaust fans etc. www.energyfederation.org Low-Cost, No-Cost Energy Saving Tips Energy Saving Monthly Checklist Energy Quiz Energy Conservation Fact Sheets For Home http://www.getenergysmart.org http://homeenergysaver.lbl.gov/ http://www.cce.cornell.edu/housing http://www.eere.energy.gov http://www.energystar.gov