Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
HOUGHTON—Everyone is invited to learn about the latest in home energy savings at the HEET Energy Show, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at Dee Stadium.
Visitors can register for door prizes from the Swift True Value, Festival Foods True Value and Ace of Calumet hardware stores, plus talk with the pros about recent developments in solar power, biomass heating, home insulation, 3D printing and curbside recycling.
“We have so many resources in this community that can help us all save energy and lower our utility bills,” said Melissa Davis, manager of the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET). “Coming to the Energy Show is a great way to talk with the experts about becoming more energy efficient.”
You can learn about simple ways to save money by winterizing your home and sign up for hands-on workshops at New Power Tour’s Generations of Energy Efficiency model home.
The Houghton High School National Honor Society will be using solar ovens to cook s’mores, and the public will be welcome to taste test the results.
Plus, you can ride the Pedal-A-Watt and find out how much work it would take to power your house for a day or even raise the Portage Lift Bridge.
Area residents who are both Semco and UPPCO customers will be able to sign up for no-cost Home Energy Scores. Through this partnership with the US Department of Energy and Efficiency UNITED, residents of single-family dwellings and duplexes receive a professional assessment of their homes, recommendations on how to become more energy-efficient, and complimentary energy-saving devices like LED light bulbs. Learn more at energizehoughton.org/score.
In addition, UPPCO customers can recycle old, energy-guzzling freezers, refrigerators, room air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Bring them to the Energy Show along with a recent UPPCO bill and receive $50 for refrigerators and freezers, $15 for air conditioners and dehumidifiers. (Sorry, no stoves or electronics will be accepted.)
HEET was established in 2014 to help Houghton County residents reduce their utility bills and to compete for the $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize.
The Georgetown University Energy Prize challenges towns, cities, and counties to rethink their energy use and implement creative strategies to increase energy efficiency.
The Energy Show is made possible in part by support from Semco Energy, Michigan Tech Rotaract, Efficiency UNITED, the City of Houghton, and the Swift True Value, Festival Foods True Value and Ace of Calumet hardware stores.
