SustainableWorks launches Energize Your Neighborhood Challenge

Neighborhood Associations have opportunity to earn money for neighborhood projects by encouraging their neighbors to sign up for an energy audit

Shoreline Neighborhood Associations have the opportunity to participate in “Energize Your Neighborhood” a Neighborhood Challenge being put on by SustainableWorks, a Puget Sound based non-profit, that is offering reduced costs energy audits and retrofits. Neighborhood Associations are invited to register for the challenge by visiting the webpage or calling 206-575-2252. 

Neighborhood Associations will be awarded $100 for every 10 sign-ups they get from their neighborhood. Sign-ups can be turned in online or in hardcopy, but must be clearly marked with the name of the Neighborhood Association to count. Participating Neighborhoods will benefit from a lower carbon footprint, improved housing stock, and funds to help them afford community projects.

SustainableWorks is partnering with the City of Shoreline, Solar Shoreline Project, Sustainable Shoreline, WSU Energy Management, and Puget Sound Energy to bring this energy saving opportunity to the community. The purpose of this stimulus-funded program is to help homeowners and renters (with landlord approval) make home improvements that reduce their energy use and energy bills. Participants can save on items like furnaces, air sealing, insulation, and hot water heaters, and reduce their energy costs by 20-40%. To learn more about the program, or to sign-up, please visit www.sustainableworks.com, or call the SustainableWorks office at 206-575-2252.

Shoreline residents will be able to participate in the community project until mid-July. The goal of the project is to sign-up 500 Shoreline residents for an energy efficiency audit and potential retrofit. If this goal is accomplished it is estimated that the project will reduce carbon emissions by 300,000 lbs annually and create 15 full-time living wage jobs. 136 Shoreline residents have already signed up to be part of the program.

The process begins with a pre-audit to determine eligibility followed by a professional energy audit. Worth approximately $600, the cost of the audit to the homeowner is $95. An energy consultant then explains to the homeowner where they are losing energy and suggests the most cost effective energy saving improvements. Contractors managed by SustainableWorks then complete the energy saving measures chosen by the homeowner. SustainableWorks offers stimulus and utility incentives to cover a portion of the project cost. SustainableWorks also has a loan program with Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union that can help homeowners finance improvements at zero to low interest rates. SustainableWorks strive to design projects that pay for themselves with energy savings.

About SustainableWorks

SustainableWorks is a non-profit focused on creating quality jobs and improving the environment with residential and small commercial energy retrofit projects facilitated through community engagement and participation. SustainableWorks utilizes a $4 million Community Energy Efficiency Program Grant to retrofit up to 2,000 homes and small businesses in moderate-income neighborhoods in Spokane, Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties over the next 2 years. This activity should produce approximately 120 full-time jobs and $12 million in retrofit work, as well as reduce carbon emissions by 3,000 tons.