Several members of the EEM “family” participated in the cutting edge Arlington Energy Masters Program to help promote more energy efficient and sustainable communities in the Washington DC area during the Spring 2014 semester.
After going through a training program, Energy Masters Program volunteers assist communities by doing hands-on improvements to increase energy and water efficiency in affordable housing apartments units. In each apartment unit, volunteer teams work through a 25-point checklist of improvements, sealing air leaks around windows, doors and ducts; putting in energy efficiency devices like compact fluorescent light bulbs; and installing water-saving devices like low-flow showerheads.
With estimated savings of more than $250 per year on electricity and water bills for a typical household, residents are gaining concrete savings on their monthly bills, increased comfort, and the satisfaction of doing their part to combat climate change. Since the program’s inception in 2011, volunteers have helped close to 250 families living in affordable housing buildings in Arlington, Virginia decrease their energy and water usage.
The Arlington Energy Masters Program was created in partnership with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services and the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. The program recently recognized with The Washingtonian Green Giant Award, which honors people and groups was who help our environment by preserving historic green spaces, increasing our access to eco-friendly food and drink, and educating us about the natural world.
Additional information on the Arlington Energy Masters Program can be seen at the link http://www.arlingtonenvironment.org/energy/#sthash.JrGTEBrX.dpuf
