Homeowners Learn How to Save Big at Dobbs Ferry Energy Expo

Gene and Sybil Robins went to the Dobbs Ferry Energy Expo at Springhurst Thursday night hoping to find some relief from high home energy bills.

“We know we have insulation, but there’s cold air coming in we don’t know from where,” said Sybil Robins of their Ardsley home.  “We hope to find the source of our discomfort.”

Her husband added:

“Our most recent utility bill was $948,” Gene Robins told Matthew Phillips, a program manager for Honeywell Utility Solutions, a company that contracts with Con Edison.

Phillips recommended that "an energy audit was the way to go."

ConEd was just one of the representatives at the Expo which was co-sponsored by the Dobbs Ferry Energy Task Force, the Dobbs Ferry PTSA and three student ecology clubs from and and

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Representatives from ConEdison, NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) and private contractors Phoenix and BK Solutions were all available Thursday night to give residents information about improving their home efficiency and about applying for incentive programs that pay for home assessments and energy-saving improvements.

Bernhard Koenig, owner of BK Solutions in Tarrytown, was at the Expo to find potential customers interested in getting a Home Energy Assessment. His company specializes in air sealing and insulation, but Koenig offers Home Energy Assessments as well.

While home improvement is his livelihood, Koenig said he also cares about the environment and was shocked by the differences he saw in American homes compared to his native Switzerland. “I was shocked by how inefficient things were,” he said.

Koenig showed one couple a sample of the cellulose fill he uses for installation jobs. “It’s two to three times more efficient,” he said as he pointed to traditional fiberglass insulation.

Koenig says he tries to find as much business as possible locally. “I try not to take the truck out for more than 20 miles,” he said.

For the homeowners, the expo was a lot to take in, even with guidance.

“We’re learning a lot,” said Sybil Robins. “There’s a lot of confusing terminology, but this is a wonderful opportunity.”

Robins said she and her husband intend to apply for a home inspection through NYSERDA and possibly implement some the home improvements their report recommends.

Elizabeth Silleck of NYSERDA explained homeowners could apply for home inspections. For Westchester County residents with an annual household income of less than $209,400, home inspections are free.

The "Green Jobs, Green New York" incentive is offered to families earning as much as $418,000 annually assessments for $400, a significant savings on a service that can cost as much as $800 at market rate. NYSERDA programs are subsidized through the system benefit charge (SBC) on utility bills.

Silleck said qualified contractors should have information about applying for the incentive programs. The grants programs could cover as much as 50 percent of the cost of efficiency programs. Some programs also pay cash rebates to homeowners after work is completed. Improvements could yield savings of 40 percent on energy costs, according to Silleck.

The Robins said they were really impressed to hear from homeowners like Lori Walsh how much they could save on their energy bills and that the improvements truly were effective.

 “Once a guest came to our home, plunked down a $20 bill and turned the heat up,” said Walsh.

The Hastings resident said she came to the first Springhurst Expo two years ago and organized 14 of her neighbors to get home assessments.

 After installing insulation, Walsh said her 1920's era home is much more comfortable and they are saving about 30 percent on utility bills.

“No one is wearng hats indoors anymore,” Walsh said.

Dobbs Ferry Mayor Hartley Connett was excited about what he saw from the young students at Springhurst and what their involvement meant for the village. 

“We want to encourage them to start at a young age,” he said. More than 40 Springhurst students participate in the Ecology Club. Members of the clubs from each school gave presentations about what they were doing to improve their school communities.

School Board President Jeff O’Donnell commended the students and their faculty advisors, Ellyce Cavanaugh, Dia Ducic and Justine Henry. 

O’Donnell told the audience about a boiler replacement project paid for by energy savings and the creation of energy management systems to maintain facilities more efficiently.

 “We’re saving 5,287 gallons of water a day,” said O’Donnell about new practices in the school system. “Our energy management systems have reduced our energy use by 15 percent compared to last year.”

He added that the school board had also eliminated the use of pesticides and herbicides on school campuses.

“Dobbs Ferry is working for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future,” said Mayor Connett

 To reach that end, the Village has gotten involved in several long term initiatives. “We want to reduce our use of fossil fuel by 20 percent before 2015,” said Mayor Connett, who is working to reach that goal with Dobbs Ferry Energy Task Force Chair Nina Orville. 

They hope 10 percent of Dobbs Ferry residents will increase their home efficiency by 2012. Thursday’s Expo, first held at Springhurst School two years ago, was the start of the campaign.

Orville is working with local municipalities to find new opportunities to get the word out about incentive programs and eco-friendly activities.

She said: “In order to have a lasting impact, it’s critical to reach out to the community.”

More Information:

RenewGreenburgh.org

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