County emPower Program to Host Workshop in North County
SANTA BARBARA — With temperatures heating up, the County of Santa Barbara emPower program is hosting a workshop to help homeowners achieve energy efficiency. The free workshop is 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 27 at Moxie Café, 317 W. McCoy Ln., Santa Maria. Attendees can expect to walk away equipped with fresh ideas for keeping their home temperatures comfortable year-round. Refreshments will be served. RSVPs are encouraged and can be made by calling (805) 568-3566 or email empowersbc@co.santa-barbara.ca.us.
The workshop will focus on common energy efficiency issues in single-family homes and how to make homes healthier, more comfortable and energy efficient. emPower energy coaches and staff will be on hand to discuss common or costly energy inefficiencies, such as poor insulation, cracks and gaps throughout the house that are wasting conditioned air, and outdated appliances in need of an upgrade.
“It’s a time of year when many of us will be turning on the air conditioner for the first time in many months, which can raise questions,” said Lauren Bell, emPower Central Coast Energy Coach. “Common energy questions are ‘Should I change the filter?’ ‘Is the unit too old?’ and ‘What is it driving up my energy bill?’ Homeowners will hear practical information and how to access resources offered by the program.”
The program offers resources to help county residents make home energy upgrades including:
- Free energy coach site visit to evaluate your home’s energy efficiency
- Utility incentives of $1,000 to $5,500
- Low interest, unsecured financing starting at 3.9 percent
- Trained and qualified contractors
The emPower program offers voluntary incentives, financing and other services to help single-family homeowners in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties make home energy upgrades easier and more affordable. emPower was established by the County of Santa Barbara to help the community preserve the environment by helping to lower energy consumption and stimulate the economy by creating jobs through innovative, voluntary solutions to support a sustainable building performance market.