As the Weather Gets Cold, Think "Weatherization"

While the chill in the air may be invigorating if you're raking, running, hiking or otherwise enjoying the outdoors, it sure isn't fun to feel it in your house. As we all know, keeping warm costs money. National Weatherization Day, November 1st, was recognized in Troy earlier this month with a demonstration at a Sixth Avenue home in Troy. The day helps to raise awareness about assistance available to families through the weatherization assistance program. Weatherization helps those least able to afford expensive energy bills to significantly lower their costs, allowing seniors and others who would otherwise be forced to leave to stay in their homes. It is also an important step toward a clean energy environment in which homes are made energy efficient.

State and local officials, community leaders and others toured the three-unit building and watched a blower demonstration. Karen Gordon, executive director of the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), said the program helps families in need to conserve energy and reduce their costs for heat, cooling, and electricity. The family at the Sixth Avenue home will save nearly 50% on last year's heating costs thanks to the energy saving measures. They took advantage of the weatherization assistance program through CEO, Rensselaer County's provider agency.  Locally, CEO expects to weatherize 410 houses throughout Rensselaer County within the next year, using federal and state funding.

Families interested in learning more about weatherization services available through the program should contact the CEO at 272-6012.