UNIVERSITY PARK – Many people are talking about home energy these days, but between light bulbs, appliances and all the little things we hear about that can save energy, it can be challenging to know where to start. To address this problem, Penn State’s Center for Sustainability (CfS) has created a new service-learning program — the Energy Leadership Corps (or “E-Corps”). This program provides students with the skills and tools they need to conduct free basic home energy assessments.
“The goal of the program is two fold,” said David Riley, Director of CfS. “For homeowners, the E-Corps helps people get their arms around home energy issues. For students, the E-Corps is an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience to prepare for work in the emerging green-collar workforce.”
The E-Corps’ approach is specifically designed to assess the individual home and homeowner. This information is used to develop a personal energy “to-do-list” that will help homeowners start saving money on energy. Students conducting these assessments get the chance to become proficient in personal energy issues, while also gaining practical skills putting that knowledge to work.
“There are many new exciting careers in all forms of energy markets,” said Riley. “These students will be well prepared to go to work when they graduate, and also to be good energy citizens.”
To date, CfS has implemented the energy leadership programs in a wide variety of homes, from trailers on an Indian reservation to large modern homes with state-of-the art energy systems. The common theme has been homeowners who are interested in saving energy, but need advice about where to start.
“We offer that, and more, because we help develop a path for them to follow from now on,” explained Riley. “Instead of a one-time activity to assess a house, we start a life-time activity of a well informed homeowner.”
For more information about the Energy Leadership Corps, contact Penn State’s Center for Sustainability online.
View a brief video about the E-Corps online.
