Going green starts at home: E-Conservation workshop Jan. 21

Have you set a New Year’s resolution to be a little greener? Start at home with the E-Conservation program.
Administered by the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension, the program aims to help local residents stay warmer for less money — starting with a Thursday, Jan. 21, workshop that qualifies attendees for discounted home-energy audits.
Residents who complete the workshop qualify for a price cut: If your home is 2,000 square feet or less in size and more than 5 years old, you may be eligible for an audit that costs $100, normally a $350 service.
An audit, extension agents explain, consists of an analysis of the home’s energy consumption by a certified professional who identifies measures that can be taken in the home to decrease its energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, and increase comfort throughout the home. The solutions vary for each home, from installing additional insulation, air sealing the structure and replacing mechanical equipment. The homeowner can complete some energy improvements; others require licensed professionals.
Typically, the auditor also identifies potential dangers in the home, such as carbon monoxide entering the home due to back-drafting furnaces and other combustion devices. The auditor also provides a summary report that details the cost effectiveness and payback of different measures.
You must attend the E-Conservation workshop to receive the subsidized energy audit. Pre-registration for the workshop is necessary, as space is limited. To register, call 255-5522. The extension office, part of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, is located at 94 Coxe Avenue. The workshop starts at 5:30 p.m.