HOME ENERGY-SAVING AND WEATHERIZATION WORKSHOPS OFFERED

 HARRISBURG, Nov. 3 – If you could shave $60 a year off of your home energy bills just by changing five light bulbs, would you do it? During a news conference at Lowe’s in Plymouth Meeting, state Sen. Connie Williams and Lowe’s talked about how changing light bulbs, choosing energy-efficient appliances and weatherizing the home can help every homeowner to save money on their winter energy bills.

 Additional information will be offered to consumers during two free home energy-saving and weatherization workshops planned for Nov. 5^th. The first will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Haverford Township Free Library, 1601 Darby Rd., Havertown and the second from noon to 1:30 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center, 249 E. Jacoby St., Norristown. Pre-registration is not necessary.

 “Each Saturday, Lowe’s provides free workshops on home improvement topics. The company’s weatherization workshops offered in November should be at the top of every homeowner’s list,” Williams said. “I am working with Lowe’s to bring workshops to my constituents. The workshops will combine information on things that all homeowners can do to keep their homes warmer this winter, with an overview of Pennsylvania’s new Stay Warm PA program.”

 The state’s new program emphasizes home weatherization and conservation measures.

 “There are simple and inexpensive things people can do to prepare for winter, and all they need is one weekend,” Williams said. “Pick up a package of fluorescent light bulbs and replace some of your higher wattage bulbs. Every homeowner should check to make sure the weatherstrip around their doors is intact and that windows and other areas where cold air could enter a home is sealed with caulk. Other projects, like adding more insulation to your attic or putting a programmable thermostat on your climate control system may require professional assistance, but the savings pay for the cost in the long run through lower energy bills and a warmer home.”

The plan calls for the state for the first time to authorize $15 million in state dollars for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to augment federal dollars that may be held to the 1982 level of $1.8 billion, and $3 million in state funds for the Homeowner Mortgage Assistance Program. Additionally, the governor called on energy companies and utilities to make extra investments to help low-income consumers to meet energy bills.

A portion of the governor’s Stay Warm PA program would involve the legislature passing enabling legislation to authorize the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday Program. Williams’ legislation (S.B. 266) would create an Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday Program on the sale of certain energy efficient appliances sold to Pennsylvania homeowners. The Senate Finance Committee in June passed the legislation out of committee.

The program would give consumers two weeklong holidays from sales tax on the retail sale of certain energy efficient appliances. It also would include consumer tax savings on home weatherization supplies, such as exterior windows, exterior doors, storm windows, insulation, home wrap and furnaces.

Appliances that would qualify under the proposal include clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, ceiling fans, programmable thermostats, ventilating fans, compact fluorescent bulbs and residential light fixtures.

“These are the same Energy Star qualified appliances that consumers can find at retail outlets, like Lowe’s,” Williams said. “I hope that today’s news conference and the workshops that will take place on November 5^th will not only help consumers to stay warm this winter, but also allow them to save money on their utility bills throughout the year.”