Highlights from the day included:

An energetic keynote speech by Charles Lanier, Executive Director of the Hunting Park Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Inc./Community Revitalization Corp. He covered the challenges faced by both Philadelphia communities and the dedicated organizations and leaders that serve them, and how resilient they are.

The Community Resources panel shared crucial information about programs designed to support and empower income eligible Philadelphians from organizations like Community Legal Services and Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging.

Christina Spadaro, Assistant Director of the PA Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), joined us as a guest speaker focusing on the PA state budget impasse, the federal government shutdown, and any new Executive Orders specifically impacting nonprofits.

A new way of looking at housing, our Holistic Home Repair panel explored home safety and energy efficiency as a social determinant of health. Experts from the Mayor’s Office, Philadelphia Energy Authority, and University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine lead this discussion.

Attendees got to discuss the days information and share ideas at the Sip ‘n’ Share happy hour after the sessions concluded.

We hope you’ll join us next year!

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Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Find the full RFQ and application instructions here.

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Early this year, Daneerah was perusing websites and looking for opportunities to grow from the retail job that she saw as a dead end. She always had an interest in DIY home projects but, in her words, “the only time I had picked up a screwdriver was to open up the back of one of my kids’ toys.” However, when she came across information about ECA’s Green Retrofit Immersive Training, her interest piqued. “I went on the website and saw some of the pictures of what people were doing and it intrigued me. I didn’t see too many girls, but I knew I could do it. “

Daneerah was nervous but ECA’s instructors were supportive and encouraging.

Through the GRIT training, Daneerah and her classmates learned how to safely use power tools, test for and remediate contaminants, understand electrical currents, and mastered all the basics of construction. They spent time refreshing their math skills for accurate measurements and angles when building stairs, and they learned about energy efficiency and the importance of weatherizing homes. By the time Daneerah graduated, she had caulked and sealed every window in her mom’s house and installed new drywall in her own basement!

Also by the time graduation day rolled around, Daneerah knew that she wanted to start her own home repair and renovation business. Across Philadelphia and into Delaware, she has built and installed custom window boxes, painted 2,000 square foot homes, constructed stairs, and replaced baseboards, crown molding, and light switches. ECA’s GRIT program “gave me the steppingstones I needed to build my own empire,” Daneerah said.

This is the mission of ECA’s Knight Green Careers Training Center: to empower students by providing skills and credentials for lifelong careers in the growing clean energy economy. Every year, we train 250 students just like Daneerah, who go on to be employed in commercial HVAC technicians, environmental remediation, gas line maintenance, solar panel installation, heat pump technology, and more!

This year, we hope you’ll consider making a gift and being a part of a student’s journey to a new career.

DONATE NOW>>

The post Daneerah’s Story: From Training Center Graduate to Business Owner appeared first on Energy Coordinating Agency.

ECA runs many different programs – from weatherizing and repairing homes, to hosting community workshops that educate our neighbors on energy efficiency, all the way to operating a 58,000 square foot training center for clean energy careers. But through all this work, runs one clear mission: alleviating energy burden and creating a sustainable future. Ms. Nicole’s story illustrates how these different threads weave together to not only provide support now, but also create a foundation for future success.

Ms. Nicole lives in West Philly with her husband and two sons. When they went down to their basement one day to find water everywhere and their water heater damaged, they didn’t know how they were going to afford a new one. Fortunately, ECA’s community programs team works with organizations across Philadelphia, so when Ms. Nicole reached out to them for help, they referred her to us!

DONATE FOR GIVING TUESDAY NOW>>

ECA’s Green Careers Training Center teaches students about heat pump technology, an innovative electric heating method, and provides them with an internship to install free heat pump hot water heater as part of their hands-on learning. We knew that this would be a win-win: Ms. Nicole could get a free heat pump hot water heater, and our students could get valuable experience to prepare them for the workforce.

When our crew got to Ms. Nicole’s home, they found that some additional upgrades were needed before they could install the new hot water heater. Our students also got to:

• Test their math and measuring by repairing the basement steps
• Practice basic electrical skills by preparing to hook up the new hot water heater
• Apply their plumbing knowledge by putting in some new pipes

And Ms. Nicole and her family were very appreciative of their hard work!

“We live paycheck to paycheck, so we did not have the money to fix this. I’m so grateful for this program. It was a big help and I love it!”

– Ms. Nicole

This is what your Giving Tuesday gift supports: providing immediate help, like a new hot water heater or a training program for a living wage career, but also working towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

Ms. Nicole’s house is now completely electrified, making her bills more affordable and her home healthier. Our heat pump trainees not only have the hard skills to enter the workforce immediately, but their deep understanding of this critical technology sets them apart for a long career in promoting the energy transition.

GIVE THE GIFT OF ENERGY EQUITY>>

The post This Giving Tuesday: Provide immediate energy relief while building climate resilience! appeared first on Energy Coordinating Agency.

How can ECA help? 

Neighborhood Energy Centers 

Our 16 Neighborhood Energy Centers (NECs) serve as one-stop-shops for community members to learn about utility bill assistance programs, home repair and weatherization, budget counseling, and connection to services across the city. 

Every year, ECA helps over 6,000 income eligible Philadelphia residents access energy assistance programs like LIHEAP, PECO’s CAP-PIP, and PGW’s CRP and hardship funds. The energy counselors at our NECs are ready to figure out which programs are right for you. They can also support you through the application process! 

Find the NEC closest to you>> 

Energy Efficiency Workshops 

Philadelphians from all income levels can benefit from understanding how to keep their home energy efficient. Don’t lose the heat you pay for! ECA partners with community organizations across the city to host workshops to teach you how to install basic weatherization measures in your house, such as caulking windows or putting in a door sweep. And ECA will provide those materials to workshop attendees for free! 

See our list of upcoming workshops>> 

If you don’t see a workshop in your area, host one! If you can find a space (like a library, community organization, or church), ECA provides the instructor and materials. Contact Tracey at traceym@ecasys.org or (215) 609-1478 to set up a workshop for your neighbors. 

Heater Hotline 

Sometimes the problem isn’t the cost of electric or gas, it’s the heating unit itself. For over 30 years, ECA has operated Philadelphia’s only emergency hotline for income eligible residents facing heating system breakage during winter. We coordinate free heater repair or replacement to keep residents safe and warm. If your heating system is not working, call (215) 568-7190 today.  

Read more about ECA’s Heater Hotline>> 

Don’t let heating costs leave you in the cold this winter. Reach out today to learn more about how ECA can help you and your family stay warm and comfortable in the months ahead.

The post Stay Warm This Winter: ECA is Here to Help Keep Your Heat On! appeared first on Energy Coordinating Agency.

As in past years, ECA is receiving a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through monies authorized by the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP). The LIHEAP Crisis Heater Repair Program helps low-income households restore heat and decrease energy consumption and costs.

Currently, ECA is seeking qualified contractors to complete heater installations for the LIHEAP Crisis program. Pending ECA’s contract with DCED, the work will commence during the month of November 4th, 2024, and finish during the month of April 11th, 2025. If your company is interested in participating as a new contractor or continuing as an existing contractor, please read the full RFP here: Contractors for LIHEAP Crisis 2024- 2025

The post 2024-25 LIHEAP Crisis RFP appeared first on Energy Coordinating Agency.

This program reallocates unused federal LIHEAP funds given to the state and therefore has strict eligibility requirements. Philadelphians must either:

1. Be already receiving weatherization assistance
2. Have received a LIHEAP grant this past winter

To apply for a free A/C unit or system repair with ECA, please send your appeal letter and/or the LIHEAP acknowledgement letter of their enrollment in the program to liheapcooling@ecasys.org.

If you are not in Philadelphia County, you can see the full list of agencies assisting with the cooling program here.  

This summer is predicted to be a hotter-than-usual season, and we’re already experiencing heatwaves. Please also check out our tips for keeping cool! 

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Tip 1: Your air conditioner will work better if you turn on a fan

Using a fan along with your air conditioner can help move cool air around more effectively. This makes your AC work less and saves energy. You can use a box fan on the floor where cold air gathers or a ceiling fan set to rotate counterclockwise to spread cool air throughout the room.

Tip 2: Manage the sunlight and heat

Direct sunlight can heat up your home. To keep it cooler, close curtains or blinds to block the sun. To avoid adding extra heat, avoid using the oven and use a microwave instead. Try to avoid taking showers between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to prevent adding humidity to the heat, as this can make your home more uncomfortable.

Tip 3: Your home habits matter

Wearing light, loose clothing can help you stay cool. Use lights sparingly and choose LED bulbs, which give off less heat and use less energy. Keep windows closed if it’s humid outside, and use fans to circulate air instead. Set your thermostat between 73 to 75 degrees for the best comfort and efficiency.

D-I-Y Weatherization Tips

Weatherizing your home can help keep it cool in the summer, along with retaining heat in the winter. An easy do-it-yourself tip is to install door sweeps for any room with an air conditioner, minimizing cool air loss. Insulating film, available at your local hardware store, can be applied to interior windows to further insulate your home. Additionally, when purchasing an air conditioner, look for ENERGY STAR-rated units with an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 8.5 or higher. These simple steps can make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient year-round.

It’s also important to pick the right air conditioner for your space:

• For 50 to 350 square feet, you’ll need 5,000 to 8,000 BTU
• For 350 to 550 square feet, you’ll need 8,000 to 12,000 BTU
• For 550 to 1,050 square feet, you’ll 12,000 to 18,500 BTU
• For 1,050 to 1,600 square feet, you’ll 18,500 to 25,000 BTU

ECA is here to ensure everyone has the resources they need to stay cool all summer long. For more information on how you can beat the heat, find your local Neighborhood Energy Center (NEC). Our 16 NECs are located all around Philadelphia to serve as your one-stop-shop for your energy needs! Together, we can make Philadelphia a more sustainable and energy-efficient community.

The post Tips to Stay Cool this Summer! appeared first on Energy Coordinating Agency.

ECA is inviting contractor participation in programs including Built to Last and the Healthy Homes Production Program. Participating contractors can build their businesses with year-round streams of steady work. ECA will provide scoped work, clear payment timelines, and opportunities for training and growth. Contractors will model the professionalism our clients deserve, share observations and findings as they provide services, and leave behind quality work in each home.

The post HUD-BTL Contractors RFP appeared first on Energy Coordinating Agency.

Anchored in trusted, grassroots organizations across the city, NECs address the needs of the whole person, whole family, and whole home to build neighborhood energy and climate resilience. NECs also connect community members with wrap-around services, such as food distribution, housing counseling, legal support, and workforce development.

Eligibility:

To be eligible to become an NEC, applicants must be a community-based organization (CBO), located in Philadelphia and incorporated as a nonprofit with an IRS-designated tax exempt 501(c)(3) status. Proposed NEC locations must be ADA compliant (i.e. wheelchair accessible) and accessible through public transportation.

Application Timeline:

• Application Opens: March 26, 2024
• Application Deadline: May 1, 2024, at 5 p.m.
• Award Notification: June 2024

Technical Assistance:

Do you have questions or need technical assistance regarding this Request for Proposal? Please sign up for Office Hours with ECA’s Grants Manager, Rebecca Walters, at https://calendly.com/rebeccaw-eca/30min. 30-minute sessions will be available on Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm-5pm leading up to the May 1 deadline. You may also email questions to rebeccaw@ecasys.org.

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