A Very Busy Day

I haven’t had much time to post here. We went on a short trip to the Erie Canal Village on July 4th, and I’ve been preparing my photos for my blog post about that. And today, we have some sub-contractors doing some weatherization for me. I applied and was accepted for the Mohawk Valley Community Action Empower Grant, sponsored by my electric company, National Grid, and my county. I’d been on the waiting list since Februrary. An appraiser walked through the house several weeks ago, inspecting all the areas where the house wastes energy. Something like 100%, lol.

Today, a small crew came over to do things like add insulation to the rim joists in the basement (the connection where the top of the foundation and the wooden foundational sill of the house is a major air leak area), add foam board to my attic hatch and my basement doors, spray expanding foam around electrical wiring and plumbing holes, etc. It’s saving me quite a bit of money and the real great thing is that I don’t have to do it myself!

So, I have had a little time to work on jobs on my laptop, but I am trying to make the best of a very sunny day today by doing outside jobs. I’m repairing my garden fencing this afternoon. I’ve got two strapping young sons who are assisting me.

Your county may have some kind of similar program as mine. Check with your power company– maybe their website will have a link to a weatherization program. Or, call your county clerk or check the phonebook for social services. Most of these services are income-eligibility based. I got my grant because we have received assistance from HEAP in New York. At the very least, someone from the power company can meet with you in an informal consultation and tell you where your house is wasting energy. Anything helps!