Become an Energy Navigator in Chemung

BECOME AN ENERGY NAVIGATOR

Learn: Through hands-on classes about energy efficiency, renewable energy, and heating options, and about programs, incentives, and resources available to save energy at home.

Volunteer: Help community members reduce their energy use and energy bills, and enjoy safer and more comfortable homes.

Apply: Contact Jennifer Trimber at (607)734-4453 ext.214.

APPLICATION

Help Others Save Money!

Energy Navigators Explanations

Energy Navigators are concerned and capable residents who help their friends, neighbors and other community members learn about ways they can reduce their energy use and energy bills and use renewable forms of energy to heat and power their homes.

Energy Navigators commit to a year-long program that includes a period of training, followed by supervised outreach and education with community members. Volunteers are expected to give at least 50 hours of their time over the course of the year to related outreach activities, and help at least ten of their contacts with energy-related. See section below for a list of training topics.

Training - The 2020 Applications are Due July 10th, and online classes will begin Wednesdays starting July 29th from 6-8:15 PM and will last ten consecutive weeks. Details will be provided to volunteers.

TRAINING OVERVIEW

2020 Energy Navigator training with Energy Expert

1. Introductions & Overview - Energy use and carbon emission reduction goals, climate change and the importance of residential behaviors
2. Your Energy Use - interpreting energy bills; Is my home “efficient”? Calculating your carbon footprint
3. Home as System/Energy Audit - Building envelope basics and energy audits; DIY vs contractor
4. Electricity, Lighting & Appliances; Electricity basics; Lighting Choices; Appliances and vampire load
5. Heating - Heating systems (furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, wood and pellet stoves), fuel sources and costs; Heat load and BTUs--how many do you need? Fossil fuel vs Renewable heating systems; Importance of efficiency first
6. Solar & Renewables - Efficiency first! Solar hot water and PV; cost comparison solar vs. conventional electricity
7. Transportation alternatives - Electric vehicles and fuel-efficient cars; Active transportation--walk, bike and bus; carpooling; The real cost of driving
8. Outreach - Ways to share with others on reducing carbon footprint, energy use and waste by recycling, composting, reusing and repairing.We need to be more creative during these days of Covid, utilizing social media and video conferencing and other means to reach out to friends and neighbors.
9. Financing & Goal-setting - "Is it worth it?"; Lifecycle costing and return on investment; Local financing options; goal-setting
10. Outreach & Community Building - Supporting friends and neighbors along a path towards reducing their energy use and becoming carbon neutral using approaches that build trust and community

ABOUT

Energy Navigators is a program of Cooperative Extension of Chemung County, and NYSERDA

It is estimated that over a third of the County's carbon emissions are from residential energy use, especially electricity and heating in homes and car-dependent travel. There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of programs that provide tailored support to individuals and families to help them reduce their emissions.

Last updated July 8, 2020