NeighborGreen: Helping Make the Grass Greener on Both Sides of the Fence

According to Hastings resident and environmentalist Jean Hamerman, every home has the potential for improved weatherization, in turn saving residents money and helping the community take one more step toward environmental sustainability. 

A  Building Performance Institute (BPI)-certified home energy professional—who has worked in business for the majority of her career—Hamerman has recently launched a home weatherizing company called NeighborGreen, in which she and a team of hired contractors evaluate homes and implement the necessary changes to make them more air-tight.

Hammerman has flipped the home-energy audit on its head, taking for granted that there are certain steps all homeowners can take to make their houses more energy efficient.

"I offer a la carte weatherizing packages," Hamerman said.  "Within 24 to 48 hours of seeing your home, I can send in technicians to make changes that will save you the cost of our services in energy reductions within one or two years."

The simplest package, called "Save & Seal: Weatherizing Basics" costs between $550 and $1,300—depending on an individual home's needs—and includes:

• an on-site energy survey
• Multiple testing options to pinpoint where air is leaking
• Caulking baseboard gaps and electrical/plumbing penetrations
• Installation of door sweeps and full kits for swing-out doors
• Sealing trim around windows and doors

"Because our contactors have extensive experience weatherizing homes, we know where to look for air leaks," Hamerman said.

Hammerman's neighbor Christy Pennoyer was one of NeighborGreen's first clients about a month ago—and Pennoyer said she's already seeing results.

"At night I put my heat down to 50 degrees, because I like it cool when I sleep," Pennoyer said. "But immediately after I woke up, it was about 52 degrees and I had to push the thermostat back up. Since Jean did some basic weatherizing, I've noticed that my house never drops below 58 degrees. I barely even have to turn it up anymore."

Hamerman said one of the most crucial elements of her work in Pennoyer's home was adding an "attic tent" to insulate the opening to her drop-down attic door.

"I decided to go with smaller, less-expensive changes—like sealing doors and the area where the wall meets the floor," Pennoyer said. "But I can already sense a difference."

According to Hamerman, weatherizing will not only reduce monthly energy costs but may also add to a home's resale value. "Weatherizing protects homes from mold and insects and the materials we use are fire retardants," she said. "If I really like a home, but find out it has mold or its utility bills are sky-high, I'll be less likely to buy it."

Though anecdotes from satisfied clients are good, Hamerman is determined to see quantifiable results.

"I ask for all clients' Con Edison account numbers, so I can track their energy usage with a program called WeGoWise, which shows data going back two years," she said. 

Ultimately, Hamerman's goal is to help municipalities reach Westchester County's goal to reduce energy consumption. "The residential sector represents more than 50 percent of the county's green house gas emissions," she said. "So to address climate change at the local level, we have to start inside individual homes."

And if her business takes off, Hamerman hopes to create a number of "green jobs"—training employees both in sales and the skills they need to recognize and address issues of energy inefficiency.

"I'm thrilled to be able to combine my original passion, the environment, with my professional expertise," Hamerman said. "I truly believe that if enough people take a few steps to reduce energy consumption, it will make a big difference."

Learn more about NeighborGreen and steps you can take to weatherize your home here.