Are you curious about solar panels, on-demand hot water and home insulation, but not sure if they're right for your home? Interested in seeing these and other energy-saving technologies in real-life settings? If so, the Melrose Energy Commission's Green Buildings Open House tour on Oct. 2 is for you.
This local event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Melrose, is part of a nationwide effort coordinated by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). The self-guided tour, organized by the Melrose Energy Commission (MEC), will enable area residents to see how Melrose homeowners are saving energy through energy-efficient products, appliances and technologies.
In addition, one site will feature a demonstration of infrared camera and blower-door testing to identify the spots where heat – and your dollars – are flying out the window.
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To start the tour, stop by the MEC booth in front of City Hall between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2. MEC members will be distributing tour booklets with directions to the host sites. Free refreshments are available.
"This is a great opportunity for people in Melrose and the surrounding communities to get practical information about energy efficiency and renewable energy," said Ellen Katz, co-chair of the Energy Commission. "You can see how these new technologies work in the home and in businesses, and learn about the benefits, paybacks and available rebates. It's not a sales pitch. You're talking to the homeowners themselves."
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The tour introduces area residents to the energy-efficiency and renewable technologies their friends and neighbors are using to 1) slash monthly energy bills, 2) improve property values, 3) realize tax credits and 4) receive cash incentives as they assert their energy independence and create a cleaner community.
This is the 14th year NESEA (www.nesea.org) has been running Green Buildings Open House tours from Maine to Pennsylvania. In 2009, more than 16,000 people visited 500-plus host sites in the Northeast.
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