Our local paper reported that the winter season should cost us from 5-20% more this winter, due to last winter being the warmest on record.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/viewart/20121010/BUSINESS/310100104/Cold-winter-could-costly

So what are we going to do about that, homeowners?  If you are a New York owner occupant, you may want to check out your local contacts for links to information on NYSERDA energy audits, and do this NOW before the winter is upon us.

Having been the recipient of such a grant myself, I can testify to the effectiveness of this program in our state.

An energy audit was completed on my house in 2007, by Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, and soon after I was the recipient of improvements including a new high efficiency furnace AND water heater, some new windows, and an insulation job on my over 100 year old home.  All of these elements had been woefully lacking and my bills were seriously high in the winter.  The insulation was poor and the sound proofing was also affected by that.

My house today is much more comfortable to live in!  My energy bills average around $140/month now vs. over $200/month before this work was done.  If I had to purchase all of these items out of pocket, I would have spent over $18,000 to have all this work done.  Instead, I qualified for a forgiveable grant, and now, 5 years later, the lien that was placed on my home to protect the investment is being totally forgiven, and I am still able to benefit from these improvements and the energy savings that they have provided for my house.

I can't recommend this program enough, and wish to direct you to http://ccetompkins.org/sites/all/files/63/gjgny-energy-audit-app-1.ashx_.pdf which is a link to the NYSERDA energy audit application form.  In some cases, based on income, you can have the audit completed for free.  Please contact your local housing services agency (INHS or Better Housing, if you are in Tompkins County) or myself, for more information.  And get busy!  This is too good to put off doing.

 

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Linda Santos Realtor® Ithaca Fingerlakes NY Real Estate

Ithaca, NY

More about me…

Warren Real Estate

Address: 830 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14850

Office Phone: (607) 257-0666 x 5257

Cell Phone: (607) 227-6062

Email Me

Brief glimpses of the Real Estate Market through the eyes and ears of Special Agent Santos...hold on, she's talking on her shoe phone...!


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