Sustainable Warwick is calling all local non-profits

WARWICK — The community-based organization, Sustainable Warwick, is announcing that it has “sweetened the pot” of the New York State program known as Energize NY.

The result, the group said in its press release announcing the change, is that local non-profits stand to reap significant rewards.

That state-sponsored program provides incentives for homeowners to weatherize their homes. It starts with a comprehensive in-home assessment (free for over 90 percent of applicants), continues with a written report that details specific energy-saving steps complete with projected monthly savings, and includes various attractive financing options.

“It’s an excellent program,” Sustainable Warwick Chair Geoff Howard said, “with a bottom line of homes that are warmer in winter, cooler in summer and greatly reduced utility bills. In addition, there are financing options that mean that most homeowners can do the upgrades without a single dollar out-of pocket.”

Howard added: “While the program sounds almost too good to be true, it’s not. It’s what happens when New York State puts powerful incentives behind their goal of reducing energy consumption statewide.”

Donations to non-profits
What Sustainable Warwick has done, however, is to take the NY State program and make it better. The result is Energize Warwick where, in addition to all the benefits of the state program, the group has partnered with local sponsors to create a fund that will make $200 donations in the name of each participant who goes through the Energize Warwick program.

Already $200 checks have gone out to local organizations, including churches, youth and school groups, local service organizations and others.

“Our goal is 200 homes,” Howard said, “and if we reach it, that would pump $40,000 into the non-profits who do so much for this community. It would be a triple win – with homeowner, environment and our community all coming out ahead.”

'Energy coach' available
Sustainable Warwick has also made things easier for people once they sign up for the Energize program. Bill Makofske, a member of the organization and an expert in the field of home energy, has signed on as the “energy coach” to answer any question people may have along the way.

“Increasing your home’s energy efficiency can seem complicated and my job is to explain things in plain English so everyone can see what this good deal will mean for them – their home, their situation,” said Makofske.

Also assisting is Meridith Nierenberg, a “customer advocate” working inside the NY State program whose primary responsibility is to answer questions about applying, financing, or working with the state-approved home improvement contractors.

“We’ve tried to think of everything that a Warwick homeowner will need to know, every question they might want to ask, every moment of uncertainty that might have along the way, and then make it easy for them to move ahead confidently,” Howard said.

Essential information
For more information, visit the Sustainable Warwick Web site at sustainablewarwick.org or email Geoff Howard at howards@warwick.net.