Free Sustainability Workshops	Print Issue
March 2, 2010, Volume 56, No. 24

University City District (UCD) announces the first two in an ongoing series of free sustainability workshops for neighborhood businesses and residents. These first two hands-on workshops will teach participants how to save energy and over 5% on their utility bills by implementing cost-effective energy conservation techniques such as caulking air leakage sites; utilizing expanding foam insulation; installing rope caulk, plastic storm windows, weather-stripping, V-seal and other basic weatherization materials; and switching to compact fluorescent bulbs.

UCD’s Sustainability Workshop Series is one aspect of a larger sustainability initiative UCD is developing, with a goal of working with dozens of partners to realize University City’s full potential as a pioneering green community. According to UCD’s executive director Matthew Bergheiser, “As climate change and rising energy prices become growing concerns, the value of house-by-house, business-by-business and block-by-block energy conservation efforts will become ever more prevalent.  University City has the potential to lead the charge as a model neighborhood for grassroots sustainability efforts.”

Energy Efficiency Improvements for Commercial Property Owners; March 16, 3-4 p.m.; Walnut Street West Free Library. A representative from the non-profit Energy Coordinating Agency will provide simple energy-saving ideas and will give an overview of commercial energy audits and how the information from audits can be used to reduce your energy bills. The workshop will also touch on the upcoming rate increases from PECO and some of PECO’s programs to help reduce energy costs through rebates and credits. You will also learn about how to search for the lowest cost energy suppliers that compete with PECO for business. Hand-outs will be available that summarize what funding is available for business owners at the City and State level to leverage your investment, as well as information about tax credits for business owners.

 Energy Efficiency Improvements for Residential Properties; March 23, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Walnut Street West Free Library.  A representative from the non-profit Energy Coordinating Agency will talk about all the new programs that are available to consumers for energy retro-fits along with how an energy audit works and some ideas on how to start saving money immediately. You’ll also have a chance to learn about all of the PECO, City, State and Federal programs that benefit residential energy consumers.

Workshops are open to all University City residents interested in learning how to make their homes more efficient while saving money. To reserve your spot at one of these workshops, please RSVP at seth@universitycity.org or contact Seth Budick at (215) 243-0555 by Friday, March 12.