Resources and Answers for All Your Energy Saving Needs

Are you just curious about the programs offered or are looking for good ideas to help go green and reduce energy consumption and loss??

Frequently Asked Questions at RUPCO Green Jobs Green New York

Energy efficiency means using less energy to do the things we do every day, which saves money, promotes a healthier environment and offers other benefits like being more comfortable at home.

  • What is energy efficiency?
  • What affects the energy efficiency of my home?
  • Why should I make energy efficiency improvements?

Find the answers here at Home Energy Efficiency Basics

You might be wondering how NYSERDA can help you. We’re here to tell you and walk you through the programs.

  • Do I qualify for help?
  • How do I get started?
  • What can I get from NYSERDA to help me improve my home’s energy efficiency?

Read more here at Programs and Help from NYSERDA

If you participate in NYSERDA’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, you will work with a contractor that participates in the program. Participating Home Performance contractors are accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI), a national organization that trains and certifies contractors to do energy efficiency work.

  • Who will do the work on my house?
  • How will my contractor know what my house needs?
  • Is my contractor a code inspector?
  • If I have a comprehensive home energy assessment, do I have to commit to making energy efficiency improvements to my home?

Get the answers about the BPI Contractors used by NYSERDA here. 

 

NYSERDA Programs Reduce Wasted Energy and Save People Money

Make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible. See which NYSERDA program can help you Go Green today!

Additional Information and Guides about Heating and Cooling Systems

  • Working with a Heating and Cooling Contractor: For Heating and Cooling system maintenance or to purchase and install new heating or cooling equipment, the following will help you find the right contractor and get a quality installation. Read more at Working with a Heating and Cooling Contractor
  • Understanding and Improving Your Home’s Envelope: The exterior of your home is called the “envelope” or “shell.” You can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs by sealing and insulating your home envelope. Read more at Understanding and Improving Your Home’s Envelope
  • Understanding Options in New Heating and Cooling Systems: Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. Read more at Understanding Options in New Heating and Cooling Systems
  • Maintain Your Heating and Cooling Equipment: Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling system inefficiency and failure. To ensure efficient system operation, it’s important to perform routine maintenance. This heating and cooling system maintenance checklist will help keep your equipment up to par and make your home safer and more comfortable. Read more at Maintain Your Heating and Cooling Equipment
  • Seal Your Heating and Cooling Ducts: About 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts resulting in inefficient HVAC system, high utility bills, and difficulty keeping the house comfortable. Start by sealing leaks and insulating all the ducts that you can access such as those in the attic, crawlspace, basement, or garage. Read more at Seal Your Heating and Cooling Ducts 
  • How to Use a Programmable Thermostat Properly: A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs. Read more at How to Use a Programmable Thermostat Properly
  • High Efficiency Water Heaters- Providing Hot Water for Less Money: Heating water accounts for approximately 15 percent of a home’s energy use. High efficiency water heaters use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models, saving homeowners money on their utility bills. Actual energy savings from high efficiency water heaters depend on family size, heater location, and the size and placement of water pipes. Read more at High Efficiency Water Heaters- Providing Hot Water for Less Money

 

Home Improvement Green Do-It-Yourself Guides

These four guides work together to provide to you a step by step guide to making your home energy efficient.

Sealing Home Air Leaks and Drafts: Sealing and insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient—and you can do it yourself. Even if you have enough insulation in your attic, sealing attic air leaks will enhance the performance of your insulation and make for a much more comfortable home. More DYI tips here Sealing Home Air Leaks and Drafts | a Do-It-Yourself Green Project

 Sealing Attic Air Leaks:  Don’t worry about finding and sealing all the little holes in your attic; your biggest savings will come from plugging the large ones. Once in the attic, refer to your sketch to locate the areas where leakage is likely to be greatest: where walls (inner and outer) meet the attic floor, dropped soffits (dropped-ceiling areas), and behind or under attic kneewalls. More DYI tips here DIY Sealing Attic Air Leaks | a Do-It-Yourself Green Project

Sealing Basement Air Leaks:  A common area of air leakage in the basement is along the top of the basement wall where cement or block comes in contact with the wood frame. After sealing attic air leaks, completing the job by sealing basement leaks, stops the chimney effect. More DYI tips here Sealing Basement Air Leaks | a Do-It-Yourself Green Project

How to Insulate Your Attic:  Now that you’ve air-sealed your attic and basement, check your attic insulation levels and add more if necessary. The attic is the easiest place to add insulation to improve your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home.More DYI tips here DIY How to Insulate Your Attic | a Do-It-Yourself Green Project

 

More Resources by ENERGY STAR

About ENERGY STAR: Learn about ENERGY STAR and take the ENERGY STAR pledge to help protect the environment for future generations by changing to more energy-efficient practices and products today. ENERGY STAR can help. Read more About ENERGY STAR@