WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderBeloit homeowners get green tips to cut energy costs

Beloit homeowners get green tips to cut energy costs

By Samantha Ptashkin

BELOIT (WREX)- Homes in some of Wisconsin's hardest hit communities see improvements by getting a "green" makeover. It's all part of a new program that teaches homeowners how to cut energy costs, while giving young people a chance to make some extra cash at the same time.

The Home Energy Conservation effort uses about $160,000 from federal funding to train the young green workers, pay their wages and produce the green appliances they give to homeowners.

On the outside Michelle Nora's Beloit home looks just like any other in the community, but for Nora and her family what's happening on the inside is about to change their lives and others' for the better.

Workers like 23-year-old Sharome Crawford examine Nora's home to find out how the family can save energy costs. He and over 20 other workers between ages 18 and 24 travel to older houses across the state, teaching homeowners about cutting energy costs. "It's for people who can't afford everything in their home and their bills are skyrocketing. We're able to come in and help them out by saving bills and it gives us work, so it's kind of killing two birds with one stone," Crawford said.

"We always try to figure out where we can save, we say, 'okay lets unplug this', or 'we're going out of town let's turn off this.' We try to do anything we can to save," Nora said.

From showerheads, to ovens and outlets, there's a way to save energy around every corner. Homeowners get energy efficient light bulbs and low flow shower heads and faucets at no cost.  "It means a lot for us, especially having small children and the costs with that and daycare, so any way we can save around the house is crucial because your household bills are the most expensive you have," Nora said.

The program is expected to employ about 4,000 young adults statewide by 2011.