2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:   Gayle Dougherty (gayle@haggman.com), 978-525-3742
                Colleen Ryan (cqr@nyserda.org), 866-NYSERDA ext. 3267

NYSERDA launches Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® on Staten Island
Homes in New York City can be improved to save up to 40 percent on monthly energy bills

Staten Island, NY - OCTOBER 28, 2005: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is announcing today the launch of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® on Staten Island with a practical, solutions-oriented media event.  Developed under Governor Pataki's New York Energy $mart^SM program, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR uses a whole-house approach to improve homes of any style or size and reduce energy use by up to 40 percent.

Steve Thomas, television's home improvement expert and program spokesperson, will lead media on a tour of a real customer's home at 539 Henderson Avenue. Mr. Thomas will first demonstrate how trained and certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Contractors conduct home energy and health and safety assessments, and make improvements to heating and cooling systems, insulation, ducts, and ventilation to help make homes more energy efficient and safe.

 "Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is a great service and value for homeowners," says Peter R. Smith, president of NYSERDA.  "BPI-certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Contractors take a unique, comprehensive approach to home energy usage that looks at the whole house, not just one room or single problem area." Northfield Home Performance, Inc. is the participating BPI-certified contractor who is performing the work on the home. 

"Homeowners are increasingly savvy about energy efficiency.  With an ENERGY STAR whole-house retrofit consumers can reduce their total energy costs by 30 percent or more," said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator.  "Finding and sealing air leaks, evaluating the heating and cooling system and upgrading to ENERGY STAR lighting are just a few areas where these qualified contractors add value."

With the U.S. Department of Energy anticipating home heating costs to rise significantly this winter, New Yorkers will face some tough energy bills. Fortunately, it is not too late for people to reduce their energy usage and minimize those costs. The launch of the Program on Staten Island marks the beginning of the program in the New York City region and moving towards coverage of the entire state.

New York leads the nation in providing residential energy efficiency programs and solutions.  Since the inception of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR in April 2001, more than 8,700 homes across the state have been improved to use less energy. With each family saving approximately $600 per year, that is a cumulative savings of over $5 million per year.  On average, more than 200 New York State homeowners sign on to have the efficiency of their homes improved every month. 

Under the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program, a participating Building Performance Institute (BPI)-certified contractor will conduct a Comprehensive Home Assessment to test a home's energy performance. During the assessment, the contractor will test the home for air leakage using a blower door and look for opportunities to improve the home's insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows, appliances and lighting. The contractor also inspects and tests combustion appliances such as heating equipment, ovens and water heaters to make sure dangerous combustion gases like carbon monoxide are not leaking into the home. When the assessment is complete, the contractor will identify what improvements can be made, the cost of making those improvements and what kinds of financial incentives are available, such as low-interest financing, to homeowners who decide to have the improvements made.

"Becoming a BPI-certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor has allowed us to serve even more Staten Islanders with energy conservation measures.  Our agency has been in the energy conservation business for 23 years and this was a natural next step. We are honored to be part of this market transformation and believe the timing is perfect.  Everyone is aware of the disheartening news about the ever-rising cost of higher household energy prices and Northfield Home Performance, Inc is proud to be part of the solution.  It is very satisfying when customers report their homes are warmer, in addition to much lower fuel bills", states Joan Catalano of Northfield Home Performance, Inc.

In addition to high energy bills, people living in homes that have inefficient heating and cooling systems, insufficient or improperly installed insulation, and air leaks may not be getting the comfort they are paying for. Many homes have rooms that are too hot or cold or have drafts, poor indoor air quality, and ice build-up on the roof that can cause structural damage. These are common signs that the house is not sealed, insulated or heated properly. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors are not only trained to identify these issues, they can correct them too.

For more information and a list of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Contractors, visit www.GetEnergySmart.org or call toll-free 1-877-NY-SMART.

All New York Energy $mart^SM programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, National Grid (formerly Niagara Mohawk), Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.  NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission. New York Energy $mart^SM programs are designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition.  The programs are available to electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) who pay into the SBC.

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. The program is run nationally by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.  More than 7,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit: www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937). 

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the building trades.  BPI sets the standards and administers certifications for technicians and accreditations for companies. Remodelers, builders, insulation contractors, and heating and cooling contractors are only a few of the trades that can benefit from building performance certification.

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