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Harlem CDC's Weatherization Assistance
Program provides services to make older buildings in
Harlem more
energy-efficient and comfortable for residents, whether
they are renters or
apartment owners.It also provides grants and
technical assistance to retrofit residential buildings. |
The Weatherization Director and his program staff
evaluate residential buildings to determine which
energy-saving measures are appropriate to achieving the
objectives of increased energy efficiency and reduced
operating costs.
 The
Weatherization Program places emphasis on health and safety
issues affecting the elderly, families with children and
persons with disabilities. The scope of services recommended
for a building may include energy conservation measures such
as heating system upgrades or replacement, roof repairs,
replacement and/or insulation, window repair or replacement,
refrigerator replacement, and smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors.
Energy Tips
 Seal
up the largest air leaks in your house. The trouble-spots
that whistle on windy days or feel drafty are usually not
windows and doors, but utility cut-throughs for pipes
("plumbing penetrations"), recessed lights in insulated
ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and
closets.
Small, nearly invisible cracks and holes can waste as much energy
as an open window or door, without you ever knowing it. Sometimes
you can identify the worst leaks yourself. For a more thorough
investigation you can hire an energy auditor such as Harlem CDC’s
Weatherization Assistance Program to check your home using
specialized equipment”. Replace aging, inefficient appliances. Even
if the appliance has a few useful years left, replacing it with a
top-efficiency model is generally a good investment.
Survey your incandescent light bulbs for opportunities to replace
them with compact fluorescent bulbs. These new lamps can save
three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best
targets are 60-100W bulbs that are left on for several hours a day.
Since compact fluorescents are slightly bigger than incandescents,
be sure to measure the clearance in your fixtures to make sure they
will accommodate fluorescents.
Cover and wrap food in your refrigerator. Uncovered food and liquids
release moisture and drive up electricity costs. Decide what you
want from the refrigerator before opening the door, then close the
door quickly afterwards.
Ceiling fans make people feel about four degrees cooler than actual
temperature.
Install a programmable thermostat, and program it to turn down the
heating or cooling when you are not home and when you are sleeping.
Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot. Use hot water only for
very dirty loads. Wash and dry only full loads. Clean the lint
filter after every load.
Use the smallest pans possible; it takes less energy to heat them.
Use lids; they cook food more quickly by keeping the steam in the
pan. Use glass pans in ovens; they heat faster than metal pans.
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