'Green Your Life' educational series kicks off with Jan. 24 presentation

Reduce your gas bills this winter. Come see how!

The Bay Village Green Team is sponsoring a new program called “Green Your Life” Educational Series. These upcoming classes are FREE and open to the public. Click Events on www.bayvillagegreenteam.com for more information.  

Want to Lower Your Gas Bills and Increase Your Home's Comfort?

Then come to the Green Team's first "Green Your Life" presentation featuring Ray Frank of Columbia Gas.  He will be speaking about Columbia Gas' three subsidized programs that can help lower your home's energy usage. You must be a Columbia Gas customer to take advantage of the programs but anyone who is interested in learning about ways to reduce energy usage should attend. 

This free presentation should last about 45 minutes followed by questions from the audience. Free low flow shower heads will be offered (while supplies last). One programmable thermostat will be raffled as a door prize. A programmable thermostat may be purchased after the presentation for $4.95. The presentation will take place at the Bay Community House, 303 Cahoon Rd., at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 24.

The presentation will discuss three programs:

• The Home Performance Solutions Energy Audit: This professional home energy audit costs $50, but Columbia Gas will pay up to 70% for improvements recommended by the audit. Improvements may include sealing cracks, gaps and holes where air may be escaping; adding attic and wall insulation; and upgrading the gas heating system. The results of the energy audit determine your eligibility for rebates. Estimates of upgrade costs and payback periods are provided after your home energy audit.
• The Simple Energy Solutions Program: This program offers discounted programmable thermostats and low flow shower heads. Programmable thermostats, when replacing a non-programmable thermostat, can lower your energy bills by up to $180 annually. Reducing your water usage with a low flow shower head helps reduce your energy and water bills.
• The WarmChoice program: This program offers home weatherization for income eligible customers.

Not only is lowering your home's energy bills good for your wallet and home resale value, but it is also great for preserving our natural resources and our residents' health. Energy consumption in the typical home contributes twice the greenhouse gas emissions as a typical vehicle in a year’s time. By reducing your home's energy usage, you can reduce these greenhouse gas emissions.

Hold these dates for additional upcoming classes to be offered in the “Green Your Life” Educational Series:

Tuesday, February 28 – Green home renovations with Chuck Miller of Doty and Miller Architects 

Wednesday, April 25 – Rain Barrel Workshop with Amy Roskilly, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District

Wednesday, May 9 – Rain Garden Seminar with Amy Roskilly, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District 

Wednesday, May 16 – Composting in Your Back Yard with Kathleen Rocco, Cuyahoga Solid Waste District

More information about these classes will be provided as event dates approach. Check out the Events page of www.bayvillagegreenteam.com for the most up-to-date listings on these and other events. Note that some events require registration.