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!
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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.
