Beginning last Fall, the Healthy Blocks program has been working to improve the sustainability efforts of Brooks Landing and the Pocket neighborhood. One initiative urged residents to trade their old incandescent light bulbs for newer, more energy efficient CFL bulbs. Healthy Blocks also promoted supporting local businesses, like the Westside Farmers Market, to further reduce the carbon footprint. Another initiative included door-to-door outreach, providing information about free energy audits, conducted by NeighborWorks Rochester’s Energy Services.

An energy audit will test your home for many things including air leaks, insulation and your furnace. Then, the audit will provide solutions for you and your family as a result of the findings. These recommendations will show the most effective ways to make improvements from upgrading appliances to adding more insulation and other cost effective measures to get the most out of your home energy usage. An energy audit also confirms that your house is operating in a safe manner; carbon monoxide, exhaust methods on the furnace and gas leaks are all tested.

As an incentive for residents applying for an energy audit in the Healthy Blocks neighborhoods, they were entered into a raffle to win a free Energy Star appliance of their choosing (up to $750). Early this Spring, Healthy Blocks staff selected the winners! Penny Griffin from the Brooks Landing neighborhood and the Ruth Family from the Pocket neighborhood each received a brand new appliance just for signing up to do an audit.

Our green efforts will continue through this year. Up next, you will find some projects at the craft table at the Westside Farmers Market, teaching kids about sustainability. Congratulations to Penny and the Ruths!

For more information about energy audits and how you may qualify for a free audit, visit our website at: https://nwcprochester.org/programs-services/energy-services/energy-audits/