Residential Energy Efficiency

The Finger Lakes Climate Fund will initially fund residential energy efficiency projects for low to moderate income households in the Finger Lakes region. The fund will help pay for insulation, air sealing, energy efficient heating equipment, and other upgrades to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The energy efficiency upgrades are carried out by Building Performance Institute accredited contractors using guidelines provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. These home energy efficiency projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support low income families, and help stimulate our local economy.

Project Verification Process

Verification ensures that carbon offset projects accurately calculate the amount of emissions that will be reduced as a result of the project. Through the Home Performance with Energy Star program, the residential energy efficiency projects follow industry best practices for estimating energy savings. Using guidelines provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the contractors follow a strict protocol for accurately predicting the long-term energy savings that will result from the home energy improvements. The energy saving estimates for the projects are also verified by a third party organization that makes sure the energy saving calculations are accurate. The Conservation Services Group partners with NYSERDA to review all energy saving calculations made by contractors to ensure that the calculations are accurate. This process ensures that your carbon offset donations are resulting in actual greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Profiles

We are proud to present these profiles of the home owners that have benefited from Finger Lakes Climate Fund grants. Thanks to the many donors to the Fund, these local families will be less vulnerable to rising fossil fuel prices and better positioned to remain stable and secure property owners. Over the long term, everyone benefits – the donors, the homeowners, local energy contractors, and the community.

 

The Mazur Home

The Mazur Family of Enfield received our third grant of $2,000 in May 2012. Beth and her two daughters loved the green vistas and rural charm of their new place, but like so many of us they discovered that the house itself was poorly designed in terms of energy and moisture management. Then, to make matters worse, the old furnace ended its life with a sooty fire in its basement chamber.

The folks at Snug Planet did a thorough energy analysis of the house, and proposed a work scope involving major insulation and air sealing, a high efficiency boiler and water heater, and ventilating fans to address mildew and rot problems. The good news was that the Mazurs qualified for a $5,000 grant from NYSERDA for the work; but it was still going to be a big investment for a single mom to handle.

Beth wasn’t sure what to do, but the Snug Planet team helped her apply for additional help from the Finger Lakes Climate Fund. The project offset an estimated 100.4 tons of carbon dioxide, qualifying the Mazurs for our new maximum award of $2,000 to cover 100 tons of emissions. Thanks to the generous donors to the Fund, the Mazurs can relax and enjoy their home in all four seasons.

 

 

 

 

The Rosentel Home

Our second grant was made to Jill Rosentel of Lansing in February 2011. Jill is a real estate agent and a first-time home buyer. Even though she was really excited to own her first home, the heating bills for her old and drafty house were daunting and the furnace had seen better days. ASI Energy evaluated the situation, and detailed a long list of improvements to reduce her heating bills. Jill needed help in order to go forward with the full project, and applied for a Finger Lakes Climate Fund grant.

Jill’s house needed a new, high-efficiency furnace as well as a new water heater, major insulation work, and lots of air sealing. All of these improvements would remove about 130 tons of CO2 over their lifespan, so we gave Jill our maximum grant of $1500 towards her project. Jill is delighted by the improved comfort in her snug home and the cost savings – but she also recognizes the importance of lower carbon emissions and promised to spread the word to her fellow realtors.

 

The Ellis Home

Our first grant award from the Finger Lakes Climate Fund went to the Ellis Family in December 2010. Michael, Sherri, and their daughter, Emily, love their home in the woods, but their wood-burning stove was making Sherri’s allergies worse and it was hard to stay warm because of the drafts and lack of insulation. Michael’s schoolteacher salary needed some assistance in order to make the recommended energy improvements, so their contractor, Tompkins Community Action, suggested they apply for a local carbon offset grant from Sustainable Tompkins.

The work scope for the project was estimated to reduce 50.4 tons of CO2 emissions over 20 years by installing an efficient wood pellet stove, insulating the attic, and sealing a variety of leaks in the house. After review by our grant-making committee of Ian Shapiro, Mark Pierce, Kathy Schlather, and Gay Nicholson, and approval by the Board of Directors, we were happy to award the first grant of $1008 to the Ellis Family.

 

Other Offset Projects

The Finger Lakes Climate Fund is also investigating other cost-effective local carbon offset projects such as solar hot water, solar photovoltaic, biomass heating, and other renewable energy projects. If you would like to submit a proposal for a carbon offset project, please contact us at projects@fingerlakesclimatefund.org.