Button Up Vermont Campaign Underway in 32 Vermont Communities
Burlington, VT
The heating season is upon us, and Vermonters statewide are working together to help fellow residents and homeowners outsmart winter by tightening up their homes. Now in its eighth year, Button Up Vermont is working with local energy groups in 32 Vermont communities to help people reduce their heating and cooling costs through improved efficiency.
Local energy groups are hosting a broad range of events to raise awareness about energy efficiency and help residents find new actions they can take to lower heating costs. These events include weatherization workshops, tabling at farmers’ markets and transfer stations, and hosting open houses.
Everybody can do something to lower their heating costs – from simple no- and low-cost measures, to more comprehensive weatherization.
said Karen Glitman, Director of Efficiency Vermont. We are thrilled to have so many communities actively participating in this year’s Button Up Vermont campaign. We are also excited and grateful to have all of all the state’s major utilities and other key partners participating.
Under the Button Up Vermont campaign, Vermonters are asked to take at least one new action to reduce heating costs. These actions can include simple no-cost measures such as lowering the thermostat or locking window sash locks. Residents and homeowners are also encouraged to undertake weatherization measures, such as air sealing and insulation, by working with local contractors. After taking action, Vermonters are encouraged to register their actions on a community dashboard, accessible through the Button Up Vermont website, making them eligible to win prizes such as a smart thermostat or gift certificate to a local hardware store.
Button Up Vermont is all about helping Vermonters reduce their energy consumption and find ways to save money,
said Johanna Miller, Director of Energy Programs at the Vermont Natural Resources Council. Town energy committees are playing important roles in helping their neighbors identify the big and small things they can do to reduce their energy bills.
Capstone Community Action is again proud to partner on the Button Up Vermont campaign. Here is an opportunity where everyone can make a difference,
said Paul Zabriskie, Director of Capstone's weatherization program. Whether the project is large or small, we see folks win every day when they make the choice to stop wasting energy.
Those who aren’t able to attend a community event are still encouraged to participate in the Button Up Vermont campaign by taking advantage of the many resources available at www.buttonupvermont.org. These include informational videos and a comprehensive energy-saving action checklist. Visit the Button Up Vermont website for these resources and a full list of events and activities taking place across Vermont.
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont avoid over 13.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award for the last eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
About Button Up Vermont
Button Up Vermont is a collaborative effort to cut energy use and keep families warm and healthy throughout the winter. Button Up Vermont partners include: Burlington Electric Department, Building Performance Professionals Association, Capstone Community Action, Efficiency Vermont, Green Mountain Power, Neighborworks of Western Vermont, Vermont Electric Co-op, Vermont Gas Systems, Vermont Energy & Climate Action Network, Vital Communities, and Washington Electric Co-op. For more information visit www.buttonupvermont.org.
Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]