An integrated project to help homeowners in the Skiddy Park area of Syracuse’s Near West Side neighborhood assess and improve energy use and indoor environmental quality began in January with the first of as many as 50 families receiving free home energy assessments. Home HeadQuarters is leading the project, with assistance from SyracuseCoE.
The Home Performance Study energy assessments will evaluate energy use along with health and safety issues in participating homes and will help identify needed improvements to reduce energy use that may result in lower utility bills.
Home HeadQuarters is providing Energy Upgrade Mini-Grants of up to $2,500 to help with home improvements identified through the home energy assessments. The mini-grants, available at Home HeadQuarters through the city of Syracuse, are made possible with Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative funding secured by Rep. James T. Walsh (R-NY).
SyracuseCoE staff is offering advice and guidance to homeowners on recommended energy improvement options. Together, Home HeadQuarters and SyracuseCoE are helping homeowners research and apply for additional funding opportunities. Homeowners may also be eligible to try new energy-saving appliances and/or equipment in their homes, which would be made possible through SyracuseCoE. At the end of 2007, Syracuse University, at the request of SyracuseCoE, solicited bids for home assessments from local Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified firms. Three Syracuse firms—TAG Mechanical, Zero Draft, and Comfort Home Improvements—were hired to conduct the assessments.