Looking for a way to contribute to reducing carbon emissions in Tompkins County and to help residents, especially those with limited income, increase the efficiency of their home and save money?

Volunteer as an Energy Navigator! Indicate your interest via this online form, and we’ll contact you when the next round of training is scheduled.

Energy navigator volunteers

Think an individual’s actions don’t have an impact? Over half of the County’s carbon emissions are from residential energy use and transportation, mostly from car-dependent travel and the fuel used to heat and power homes. The more individuals who take steps, the larger the impact. 

Energy Navigators are concerned and capable residents who help their friends, neighbors and other community members learn about ways they can reduce their energy use and energy bills and use renewable forms of energy to heat and power their homes. They also try to lead by example!

Energy Navigators commit to a year-long program that includes a period of training, followed by supervised outreach and education with community members and/or K-12 students in area schools, using the PowerHouse when possible. Volunteers are expected to give at least 50 hours of their time over the course of the year to related outreach activities, and help connect their contacts with energy-related actions (see the Energy Navigator Job Description for more information about program expectations).

Above anything else, Energy Navigators are here to help everyone.

Energy Navigators are here to help you create a more comfortable, efficient, low-cost living space.

“There are so many programs available for everyone!” - Virginia Ubari

Photo and editing by Sheri Guo.

Questions? Contact Karim Beers, Get Your GreenBack Tompkins’ Coordinator, at [email protected].

 

About the program

Helping your community navigate their energy usage

Energy Navigators is an award-winning program of Get Your GreenBack Tompkins with the support of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.

Classes are led by Get Your GreenBack staff, along with other educators from Cooperative Extension and other community organizations.


Training Overview

  1. Small Steps, Big Impact - Tompkins County’s energy use and carbon emission reduction goals, climate change and the importance of residential behaviors.

  2. Your Energy Use - Interpreting energy bills; Is your home “efficient”? Calculating your carbon footprint.

  3. Building Science & Energy Audits - Building envelope basics and energy audits; DIY vs. contractor.

  4. Getting Efficient - Federal, state and local programs to help renters and homeowners—especially those with lower incomes—improve their home’s efficiency

  5. Electricity, Lighting & Appliances - Electricity basics; Lighting Choices; Appliances and vampire load; ESCOs don’t have to be a dirty word!

  6. Heating - Heating systems (furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, wood and pellet stoves), fuel sources and costs; Heat load and BTUs—how many do you need? Fossil fuel vs. Renewable heating systems; importance of efficiency first.

  7. Solar & Renewables - Efficiency first! Solar hot water and PV; Cost comparison—solar vs. conventional electricity.

  8. Outreach & Community Building - Supporting friends, neighbors and the public along a path towards reducing their energy use and becoming carbon neutral using approaches that build trust and community.

Perspectives

Read interviews with Energy Navigators:

  • Martha Fischer - who has helped a number of her Enfield neighbors cut down on their energy bills and improve the comfort of their homes.

  • Ron Booker - the program helped him transform his interest in energy into action, helping dozens of colleagues learn about ways to save energy and money at home.

  • Natalya Cowilich - shares how a visit to a rural resident’s home brought energy savings and comfort to her host and joy to Natalya’s heart.