Cambridge College to Host "Fighting Energy Vampires" Event

First in a Three-Part  Home/Community Energy Series with Cambridge Energy Alliance, Next Step Living, and HEET

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In keeping with the spirit of Halloween, Cambridge College will host a community event entitled "Fighting Energy Vampires" on Tuesday, October 16^th at 6pm.  The event will be held on at the Cambridge College main campus at 1000 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge and is being co-hosted by Cambridge Energy Alliance, HEET, and Next Step Living.

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Travis Estes, Director of Community Programs for Next Step Living, will lead the workshop, which focuses on the ways that homeowners and renters can reduce their energy costs and environmental footprint by 1) understanding the systems and thermal dynamics of their living spaces; and 2) eliminating the many sources of energy waste in the average household.  Mr. Estes is a former residential home energy advisor who has helped hundreds of Massachusetts homeowners and renters with energy planning and systems.  His presentation will include a demonstration of infrared heat-tracking technology as well as a discussion of the many tips and tricks that can be used to save energy and contribute to local and global sustainability.  

"Next Step Living is thrilled to be working with forward-thinking organizations like Cambridge College, Cambridge Energy Alliance and HEET to help local residents fight back against higher energy costs," said Mr. Estes.

The event will also feature a raffle with gifts donated by Cambridge College, Next Step Living, and Cambridge Energy Alliance, as well as free cookies from Newton-based Bonnieville's Power Cookies.

"All of us at Cambridge College are truly pleased that we can help provide such an important service to our students, alumni, and community," said Phillip Page, Cambridge College's Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships. "I know that those who attend the event will benefit greatly from the combined expertise of these fine organizations."

The event is the first in a three-part series, with additional installments to be announced in November and December, 2012. Cambridge College encourages students, alumni, and community members to join the event.  No RSVP is necessary, and those interested in attending are encouraged to arrive at the Cambridge College campus (located between Harvard and Central squares) shortly before 6pm on October 16^th. 

About Cambridge College:

Cambridge College (www.cambridgecollege.edu) is dedicated to providing academically excellent, time-efficient, and cost-effective higher education for a diverse population of adult learners for whom those opportunities may have been limited or denied.  Founded in 1971, Cambridge College is a private non-profit institution of higher education accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, (NEASC CIHE). Comprised of four schools –Undergraduate Studies, Education, Psychology and Counseling, and Management – Cambridge College enrolls more than 8,000 students each year in professional education and undergraduate, graduate and doctorate-level degree programs at the main campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts and across seven regional centers nationwide in Springfield and Merrimack Valley, MA; Chesapeake, VA; Memphis, TN; Augusta, GA; San Juan, PR; and Inland Empire, CA. The College accepts selected transfer credits for both graduate and undergraduate programs, and schedules evening and weekend classes designed for adult learners. 

About Cambridge Energy Alliance

The Cambridge Energy Alliance (CEA) is a service provided by the City of Cambridge to help residents and businesses invest in making their homes and buildings smarter and more efficient–saving energy, water, and money. NSTAR, Cambridge's primary electricity and natural gas provider, has programs designed to help property owners retrofit their buildings. CEA helps people make use of these programs, including free energy audits and a number of free or subsidized efficiency measures. CEA can also put people in touch with renewable energy services. For more, please visit the CEA website at cambridgeenergyalliance.org.

About Next Step Living 

Next Step Living (NSL) is a residential energy efficiency and renewables company that believes good things happen when you save energy in your home. Often with a few basic fixes, you can reduce your utility bill and make your home more comfortable at the same time. Energy efficiency also means cleaner air and local employment. NSL has upgraded over 20,000 homes and visits 1,600 new ones a month.  For more information, or to schedule your no-cost Mass Save® home energy assessment, visit nextstepliving.com. 

About HEET

Based in Cambridge, MA, the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) organizes free energy-upgrade work parties to teach volunteer hands-on skills for lowering their energy bills and carbon emissions.  HEET's team leaders use materials and tools largely available from any hardware store. The skills taught are highly effective in cutting energy and water use, and over 70% of surveyed volunteer put their newly-learned skills to work in their own places of residence. Since the work is done through volunteer, it is free to owners and tenants alike. Materials costs range from $200 to $900, depending on building size, and can lower electricity and water bills by 6-10%, saving an average of $3000-$9000 over a ten year period.  For more information, please visit www.heetma.com/.

SOURCE Cambridge College