Results of Consumer Energy Initiative

April 2008: Start an “Energy” login group.  Establish a website with links to energy related information.

July 2008: Donna Coffin and Kathy Hopkins selected to lead the Consumer Energy Initiative for the UMaine Extension.

August 13, 2008: Wrote “White Paper” on Consumer Energy

August 18, 2008: Distributed Protocol to county offices to respond to consumer energy questions.

August 2008: Administered an energy needs assessment with a number of fairs.

Topics rating the highest in terms of folks needing more information on included:

  • 70% Install wind energy system
  • 51% Install solar for either water heating or space heating
  • 33% Conduct and energy audit
  • 26% Install alternative fuel heat such as wood, wood pellets, waste oil, corn, geothermal, etc.
  • 21% Seal duct work with appropriate tape

August 2008: Extension Home Energy Display

  • Board of Trustees
  • President’s Development Council
  • Board of Visitors
  • County Commissioners Conference
  • Volunteerism Conference
  • Maine Winter Expo – Bangor Hydro Event

October 15, 2008: Train the trainer program for county energy coordinators and others interested in presenting an energy saving tips program to county residents and responding to Keep ME Warm Kits questions. Received notebook of factsheets, PowerPoint presentation and script.

  • 36 attended the training
  • 13 county energy coordinators plan to do additional educational programs

Post meeting evaluation revealed:

  • Training effectively addressed the topic of working with energy programming.
  • Participants understanding of the topics improved as a result of the training.
  • Participants confidence in the topic of energy improved
  • Participants biggest challenge will be to find the time to devote to energy programming

What additional support/resources would be helpful include:

  • “mini” PowerPoints on specific topics: wood heat regulations/ pros-cons/ efficiency/ etc. alternative energy most people can consider (not wind hydro)
  • Examples of questions and answers. Concerns with moisture in home.
  • Continue developing the web, publications and other ideas. That you for what you have done
  • Provide regional small “posters” and box of demonstration materials to four more sites around the state in addition to the large display and box of materials.
      • Aroostook- Andrew Plant
      • Washington and Hancock – Ron Beard
      • Waldo, Knox-Lincoln and Kennebec – Caragh Fitzgerald
      • Franklin, Androscoggin-Sagadahoc and Oxford – Tori Jackson
      • Piscataquis, Penobscot and Somerset
      • Cumberland and York – Dick Brzozowski

October 18, 2008: Train the trainer program for Master Gardener Volunteers

  • 12 attended the training
  • 3 Master Gardeners plan to do an energy educational program

Post meeting evaluation revealed:

  • Training effectively addressed the topic of working with energy programming.
  • Participants understanding of the topics improved as a result of the training.
  • Participants confidence in the topic of energy improved
  • Participants biggest challenge will be to find the time to devote to energy programming

October 25, 2008 Keep ME Warm Kits distributed from all county offices

  • 2,000 kits were distributed

August – November, 2008 Publications submitted to publications office

  • How to Do a Home Energy Evaluation
  • Pros and Cons of Heating Systems
  • Comparing Heating Values
  • Window Treatments
  • Window Shutters
  • Draft Stoppers
  • Weatherstripping
  • Energy Factsheet for Apartment Dwellers
  • Passive Solar Heating

October Energy Tips Meetings:

  • 11 attended the UMaine Employee Assistance Program

November 13, 2008: Boxes of demonstration materials sent to six areas of the state to use with display and at meetings.

November 18, 2008: Channel 5 in Bangor aired segment on energy filmed at Somerset Office featuring Kathy Hopkins and the state fire marshal.

County Program Plans:

Nov. 15 – Oxford

Dec. 2 – Piscataquis – D-F Kiwanis

Dec. 3 – Piscataquis

Dec. 3 – Oxford

Dec. 4 – Penobscot

Dec. 8 – Andro/Sag

Dec. 8 – York

Dec. 17 – York

Maine Home Energy Factsheets released:

  • Saving Energy in Apartments, #7211 – November 2008