Community Corner

Winter Contest to Help Residents Support Local Businesses while Saving Energy in their Homes

The following is a press release about the Winterize Brookline contest from Josh Lynch.

Today, in an effort to make homes more energy efficient while helping residents buy local, a coalition of Brookline business and community leaders celebrate the launch of the “Weatherize Brookline” contest.  

The town-sponsored Green Homes Brookline energy efficiency program is teaming up with the Brookline Local First independent business initiative to give residents a new incentive to weatherize their homes and buy local. Residents living in a one to four unit home or building who sign up for a no-cost home energy assessment by March 1st of next year and complete it by April will be entered into a chance to win up to $500 in gift cards to local Brookline businesses.

With this contest, the more people who participate, the more will win. For every 100 Brookline home energy assessments completed by March 1st, 2013, the Boston-born energy efficiency company Next Step Living will donate an additional $1000 in prize money.

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“Everybody wins this winter,” said Chobee Hoy, Chair of Brookline Local First, “The Weatherize Brookline contest will extend the benefits of the holiday shopping season for local businesses, help residents stay warm by insulating their homes, and give several lucky winners the chance to invest in Brookline.”

Residents will start seeing “Weatherize Brookline” all over town after Thanksgiving. A large Weatherize Brookline thermometer showing progress toward the campaign’s energy assessments goal will be displayed in the vestibule just inside the doors of Brookline Town Hall. Local shops will display “Weatherize Brookline” posters in their stores with literature inviting customers to sign up. Community events such as First Light on November 29th and Climate Week happening Jan 26th – Feb 3rd, 2013 will feature Weatherize Brookline and its partners.

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Green Homes Brookline is an innovative energy efficiency partnership with NSTAR and National Grid that provides no-cost Home Energy Assessments and generous energy efficiency incentives to Brookline residents utilizing the Mass Save Residential Energy Services program. The Town of Brookline is working with energy efficiency leader, Next Step Living to serve residents while Climate Action Brookline acts as a core partner for outreach and community support.

Green Homes Brookline participants save energy immediately upon receiving a no-cost Home Energy Assessment. A typical participant will save up to $200 a year with installation of free CFL light bulbs, faucet aerators and programmable thermostats. A completed weatherization that includes insulation and air sealing can save a resident up to $600 in energy costs each year. 

Formed in March 2012, Brookline Local First is a network of locally-owned, independent businesses. The mission is to build a strong local economy and vibrant community by educating residents and local government leaders about the significant environmental, economic, and cultural benefits of doing business with locally-owned, independent businesses.

Weatherize Brookline Official Contest Rules and eligibility details for program incentives are available online at www.greenhomesbrookline.org. To enroll or learn more information, residents should call Next Step Living at (866) 867-8729. Residents who qualify for Fuel Assistance or are on a utility discount rate should contact Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) at 617-357-6012 to learn more about no-cost weatherization and insulation.


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