Sept 15 & Ongoing: Home Energy Workshops

The City of Aurora is offering monthly seminars to help residents get the best return on their home’s energy efficiency and promote water conservation.

The first workshop series provides residents with information to help reduce their home energy costs, increase comfort and maintain the structural integrity of their home. The program is part of the City’s Aurora GreenWorks Community Education Workshop series and is funded by an U.S. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block federal stimulus grant.

Seminars will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on the following Thursdays:

• Sept. 15, Customer Service Center, 3700 McCoy Drive;
• Oct. 20, Fred Rodgers Community Center, 501 College Ave. (presented in Spanish only);
• Nov. 10, Eola Road Branch Library, 555 S. Eola Road;
• Dec. 15, Fred Rodgers Community Center;
• Jan. 19, 2012, Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Trail Road;
• Feb. 16, Fred Rodgers Community Center;

Another GreenWorks workshop series will focus on reducing water consumption to save money and protect the environment. Seminar topics will touch on how to conserve water, time and money in the backyard with water efficient landscapes, rain barrels and other green tips. Remaining sessions will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Fred Rodgers Community Center and Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Customer Service Center.

Attendance at the seminars is free, but pre-registration is requested. To register, call Karen Zilly, Neighborhood Redevelopment Division Development Coordinator, at 630-256-3323. Registration also can be completed online by visiting www.aurora-il.org, clicking on the “Community Services” tab, selecting the “Neighborhood Redevelopment Division” link and then choosing the “Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program.”

Future dates for both programs will be announced in the spring.

Sept 10: Energy Efficient Home Workshop

Rebuilding Together Aurora (RTA), a local 501©3 non-profit that provides home repair assistance to low-income families, has teamed with the City of Aurora to help Aurora homeowners make their homes more energy efficient.

Any homeowner residing with the Aurora city limits may apply to RTA’s new Energy Efficiency Modification program, which will provide a free three-hour tutorial on do-it-yourself efficiency upgrades and a free energy efficiency tool kit with all necessary materials. Any homeowner that is not able-bodied (seniors and/or individuals with disabilities) that wishes to participate in the program will have the repairs done for them in their homes by qualified volunteers. Both events will take place Sept. 10, 2011 and Sept. 8, 2012. Applications may be obtained online at www.rebuildingtogetheraurora.com, in the RTA office, or requested via phone by calling 630-585-7510.

If interested in volunteering for this event, volunteer surveys can be obtained at the same website listed above. During the two-year program, RTA aims to provide 180 homeowners with the tools kits and knowledge to make their homes more energy efficient. Applications must be received by Sept. 1, 2011 to be considered for the Sept. 10, 2011 event.

In addition to the energy efficiency modification program, RTA will be providing wall and/or attic insulation in 30 additional homes during the next two years. To qualify, the applicant must: reside within Aurora city limits, must own and live in their own home, have homeowner’s insurance, and meet the HUD low-income guidelines. Priority will be given to seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and families with small children. Applications may be obtained at the RTA office or by calling 630-585-7510.