Back in the spring, the Zoo hosted a continuing education session on energy efficiency for our volunteers. Lilah Glick, Marketing & Community Outreach Director for the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) gave the presentation. Afterwards, the two of us spoke and I brought up the idea of doing a workshop or some kind of contest that would bring energy efficiency to the homes of Avondale. She loved the idea of a contest, and we invited Uptown Consortium to join the conversation and the 2011 “Green Your Home Contest” was born! Together, these 3 organizations worked with other community partners to offer a chance for a homeowner to win up to $7,500 worth of home energy improvements, including new windows.
The contest was open to any single family residence in one of the five Uptown neighborhoods (Mt. Auburn, Avondale, Corryville, Clifton and CUF). There were no income requirements. All contestants had to do was sign up through the GCEA website, enter in some information about their energy usage and bills as well as answer a few questions about why they feel they should win the contest.
Congratulations to Vesta Cox, of Corryville, who was selected as the contest winner. Ms. Cox will have her 1930 home improved for free with energy efficiency upgrades including attic, basement and roof insulation; air and duct sealing; and $1,000 in energy efficient windows – totaling over $7,500 in home energy improvements. She started saving money as soon as the work began on her home, and will enjoy improved comfort and safety at home. She is committed to maintaining the energy efficiency in her home once the major upgrades have been made, and will make smaller changes herself. Ms. Cox was selected based on her submitted essay answers, as well as the results of her home energy assessment, which showed great potential for energy savings. Read more about Ms. Cox and the contest in our press release.
Ms. Cox was one of 5 contest semifinalists that received a free home energy assessment. The other semifinalists were: Ozie Davis III of Avondale, Michael Elovitz of Clifton, Cindy Lewis of CUF, and Sharon Morgan of Mt. Auburn. Thanks again to each of our 54 contest applicants. Applicants are still eligible to take advantage of our reduced cost energy assessment, as well as our low interest loan and 35% incentives towards home energy improvements.
The Green Your Home Contest was made possible thanks to the Energy Alliance’s partnership with Uptown Consortium, Tri-State Wholesale Building Supplies, The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, and Bill Groh Construction. These organizations are proud supporters of the contest and hope that other residents can take advantage of the sustainable resources available in the community.
