Vermont Business Magazine The Burlington Electric Department invites Burlingtonians and other interested stakeholders to participate in the third annual Home Energy Tour on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 10am to 1pm, featuring five energy efficient Burlington homes. This self-guided tour will offer inspiration on how to reduce home heating and cooling costs, while living comfortably, and give tour participants an opportunity to learn from Burlington home owners who are using solar, heat pump technology, and in-home energy devices plus weatherization to keep their homes warm in winter and cool in summer.
To learn more about the tour, participants are encouraged to visit the BED website for a description of the featured properties, map, and addresses.
“As we work toward our goal of becoming a Net Zero Energy city, my ask of all Burlingtonians is to consider efficiency and electrification every time you’re making a decision about your homes, businesses, and cars,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “This Home Energy Tour offers opportunities to talk with neighbors who already have implemented some of these strategies and to learn first-hand from their experiences and insights. I am thankful to these community members for opening up their homes, and hope that they will help inspire many other Burlingtonians to address building energy use and take meaningful steps in our City’s response to climate change.”
“It’s my great pleasure to have my multi-family home featured on the tour,” said Burlington property owner Damon Lane. “Weatherization has resulted in a 60 percent reduction of energy use and a 94 percent reduction of natural gas use since I moved in 10 years ago. I’m excited to be playing a part in Burlington’s Net Zero Energy city goal and am glad that my tenants appreciate the home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and low energy costs.”
“Saturday’s tour is another example of BED's ongoing commitment to build a sustainable energy future, one based on energy efficiency and including weatherization and new technologies like solar, cold climate heat pumps, and electric vehicles,” stated Chris Burns, Director of Energy Services at BED. “Thanks to these homeowners, Burlington customers will be able to see first-hand what’s possible in their own homes and learn about their prospective roles in moving the City down the path to Net Zero Energy.”
This year’s tour is being sponsored by both the Energy Co-op of Vermont and VSECU, a Vermont-based credit union.
“The Energy Co-op of Vermont is focused on providing members with the knowledge, expertise, and services needed to reduce their carbon footprint and to ensure homes are as energy efficient as possible,” stated Brian Gray, General Manager of Energy Co-op of Vermont.
“VSECU is committed to helping Burlingtonians and all Vermonters make smart investments in our communities and is excited to offer easy, affordable financing for the measures exemplified in the tour through our VGreen program,” stated Laurie Fielder, VSECU VGreen Energy Savings Loan Program Director. “With low-interest VGreen Energy Saving Loans, homeowners can make their energy efficiency and weatherization goals a reality, while saving energy and money over the long-term, ultimately helping to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and making a positive impact on our planet.”
WHAT: 3rd Annual Home Energy Tour
WHEN: Tomorrow/Saturday, October 5, 2019, 10:00am to 1:00pm
WHO: 5 Burlington homes
WHERE: For a tour map, property descriptions, and a video interview with multi-family property owner, Damon Lane, please visit this link.
*Walking, biking, transit, and carpooling recommended.