The Town of Wethersfield's Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge recognized three community groups for their help encouraging homeowners to take steps to reduce home energy costs. After the program's first year, the Wethersfield Green Summit Committee received $1,000, the Friends of the Wethersfield Library received $500, and the Wethersfield Senior Center received $250. The prizes will go toward energy-related projects.
The program is part of a 14-town collaborative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to help residents reduce energy use by 20%. Community groups were enlisted to help educate residents and encourage them to receive low-cost home energy audits through the state's Home Energy Solutions program. The groups held workshops, tabled at community events, and communicated with their own members in a friendly competition to reach the most residents.
"We are very happy so many residents attended our home energy savings workshops. We know residents are interested in reducing energy costs and using more renewable energy sources," said Matthew Forrest of the Wethersfield Green Summit Committee.
Residents interested in saving money by making their homes more energy efficient are encouraged to sign up for the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge. As the program enters its second year, a new friendly competition among community groups begins! If your community group would like to get involved, contact Erin O'Neill at (860) 372-4405.