By GEORGE FJELD
BRANDON–With winter and its cold air breathing down our necks, the Brandon Energy Committee hosted a free informational meeting at the historic Brandon Town Hall. Approximately 40 people came out to hear about weatherization, heat pumps, and solar installation. Dana Peterson from BROC presented two options they have for reducing your energy needs. The Green Saving Smart program provides coaching to lower-income individuals and families/households. A coach helps participants set financial and energy goals and then helps implement the plans. Rebates and savings are available on electric vehicles as well as weatherization and heat pumps. Another program called Community Action Weatherization Process includes education as well as a comprehensive energy audit. This audit provides a comprehensive look at the needs and opportunities for reducing the energy usage in a home. An evaluation of a home’s electric service is also completed and assistance is given to fix any problems found. This program is available to individuals making $55,050 or less and a family of 4 making $78,600 or less. They are willing to assess your eligibility for this free weatherization program! Last year they served 274 people in 137 households in Brandon. The program is available throughout Rutland County.
Jim Crawford from Green Earth Energy discussed cold-climate heat pumps. These amazing machines function as reverse air conditioners taking heat from outside and bringing it inside. However, they are much more energy efficient than your wall AC unit and can heat a home when outdoor temperatures are lower than 0 degrees Fahrenheit. They also reduce your carbon footprint. A heat pump can provide 1 million BTU’s of heat for about $20 at present electric rates versus $25 for cordwood (at $375/cord). This compares to wood pellets at $30 per million BTU’s and fuel oil at $32 per million. Jim estimates that with the rebates and tax credits offered through state and federal programs, payback can occur in as little as 3-4 years.
Solar energy, through stand-alone or roof-mounted panels, is an option for producing your own energy, says Shannon Jackson from Green Mountain Solar based in Rutland. They use US-made products exclusively! Because these systems can be tied into the grid and excess energy is given credit to be used to purchase power when the sun isn’t shining, they can help with energy independence. Batteries to store power can also be installed. Federal tax credits of 30% for the entire project cost can make investment in these systems pay off in less than a decade.
Tom Perry from ZEN or Zero Energy Now has a program to help homeowners design a manageable and affordable plan to get a household off fossil fuels entirely! They work with a homeowner to utilize all the available rebates and tax credits available in Vermont to make the transformation possible for the average Vermonter. He said, “Remember, it doesn’t all have to happen at once! But you do need a plan.”
