Energy Choices for the Home, a panel discussion (Schuylkill Center, 6:30pm)

Posted on | March 27, 2009 | Comments Off

Here’s something to keep an eye on…The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is running a series of evening panel discussions called the Citizen Science Program, which are free and open to the public (i.e., you).

There’s an interesting one next week for those of you with drafty domiciles (i.e., me). Receptions start at 6:30PM and the talk begins at 7PM

Thursday, April 2nd – Energy Choices for the Home, A Panel Discussion

Learn ways to address energy needs in your home, from conservation to alternative fuels. This panel discussion, moderated by Liz Robinson of the Energy Coordinating Agency, will begin with information on home energy audits and financial tax incentives at the federal, state and local levels for reducing energy consumption at home. Mike McKinley, principal of Solar Energy, will speak on utilizing photovoltaic (PV) cells and solar hot water heaters to capture solar energy. Don Hull, owner of Groundsource HVAC and Chimney Fix, will share information on residential geothermal systems and fireplace inserts. Finally, Angela Kassahun, Director of Heating Oil and Marketing for The Energy Cooperative in Philadelphia, will speak on biofuel options for home heating.

Alternative Energy in the recent news:
“A green-tinged stimulus bill” at Grist.org

“Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency” from Energy Star

“Consumer Energy Tax Incentives”

From the Energy Coordinating Agency: http://www.energywisepa.org

About the Panelists:
Liz Robinson has been the executive director of the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia since its inception in 1984. The Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) is a non-profit corporation, founded in 1984, whose mission is to help people conserve energy and to promote a sustainable and socially equitable energy future for all in the Philadelphia region. Our services to low income people are at the heart of our mission and are provided in collaboration with our citywide network of 13 Neighborhood Energy Centers. In the past year, ECA provided over 40,000 low income families 86,218 energy services, valued at $27,376,566, leveraging our budget of $8.4 million more than 3 times on their behalf. These services include: budget and energy counseling; bill payment assistance; energy conservation treatments, and energy education. Our conservation services saved these families an average of 20% of their energy costs, enabling them to meet their expenses and stay in their homes.

Angela Kassahun is the Director of Heating Oil and Marketing for The Energy Cooperative, a nonprofit, member-owned cooperative with over 6500 members throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Energy Cooperative offers bioheating oil for home furnaces in addition to a variety of other energy choices, both traditional and alternative.

Mike McKinley is the principal of Solaris Energy in Philadelphia. The company provides design and installation services for photovoltaic and solar thermal (hot water) systems. Mike is also an activist, educating about and advocating for clean energy.

Don Hull is the owner of two energy conservation companies: Ground Source HVAC which specializes in geo-exchange heat pumps, geothermal systems installation, hybrid heating and cooling (combining an air exchange heat pump with a high efficiency gas or oil heater); and Chimney Fix which specializes in wood stoves and inserts, gas logs/gas inserts, pellet stoves and chimney liners.
Don has been a home energy advocate since the energy crises in the early 1970’s. He is an expert in all areas of residential construction, home energy design, auditing, energy conservation, and passive solar.

He graduated from Philadelphia University with a degree in business, served in the United States Navy for six years, and taught “How to Save Energy in Your Home” at Conestoga Night School.
Memberships include: Crum Creek Sustainable Community, Delaware Valley Green Builders, Sustainable Business Network, and Penn Future.

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