Huntington Partners With Other Towns to Help Long Island Go Green

Going green.

It's one issue towns across Long Island can agree upon. Now they're teaming together to take that message to homeowners. The Long Island Green Homes Consortium comprises seven towns, along with LIPA, National Grid, and the state's Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The mission: work together to help L.I. homeowners cut energy costs.

A press conference was held in Melville on Friday to announce the official launch of the partnership. Green Home-like programs have already been in effect in the individual towns, including the EECO Homes program in Huntington. Now, the effort to save on energy is an Island-wide job.

"There is strength in numbers, and this consortium will be a powerful tool for energy efficiency here on Long Island," NYSERDA President Frank Murray said.

The consortium was first formed in 2009 to apply for a grant from the Department of Energy to retrofit neighborhoods in conjunction with utility programs. EECO Homes, like programs in other towns, has been a success, and the consortium became a sub-grantee to NYSERDA's grant award.

"Seven towns are involved in this right now and that's the important thing, that each town finds a path to help its residents become more energy efficient, and make Long Island more sustainable," said Phil Ingerman, on hand to represent Huntington Supervisor Petrone's office.

Residents can receive a free or low cost home audit, where a contractor will provide recommendations on how to make a home more energy efficient. Partnering with NYSERDA, this will now include providing qualified applicants up to $13,000 in low-interest retrofit financing for any major improvements, such as better insulation or a more efficient furnace.

According to Huntington Town Chief Sustainability Officer Terese Kinsley, residents who have participated in the EECO programs saved around 10 percent on their energy bills. Those that get NYSERDA recommended improvements could save 20-30 percent.

"We focus on low-cost, high impact conservation measures, [like] changing out light bulbs, programmable thermostats," Kinsley said. "If you need more in-depth measures like air-ceiling insulation, we call in a BPI-certified contractor and you go through them in this [new] program."

Kinsley says the town can do free home energy surveys for 2000 town residents, first-come, first-served. She hopes more grant funds will come Long Island's way in the future so they can continue to promote the message of 'going green.' It's a message that has been well received in Huntington so far.

"[Homeowners] love the fact that you come in, sit down at the kitchen table, we're not selling anything, we're just doing what's best for you in your home," Kinsey said. "[it's about] what can you do yourself as a first step to make your home more energy efficient."

Town of Huntington residents can go to www.ligreen.com/huntington to schedule a home energy assessment.