The Arlington Energy Masters program is a joint venture between three Washington, DC area nonprofit groups - Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE), Arlington Thrive, and the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) – which aims to increase energy efficiency in Arlington’s low-income residences. Volunteers from the DC suburb are put through a 20 hour training course on what impacts a home’s water and energy usage and strategies to make homes more efficient. Once the training is completed, volunteers spend at least 60 hours in the community applying their knowledge to help lower energy and water usage in low-income apartments from throughout the county.

Trainees learn a number of techniques to reduce water and energy usage, including how to seal bypasses around windows and doors with caulk, and how to install smart strip power cords and low-flow shower heads. Volunteers can also fulfill their hours by performing home energy audits. The resulting energy efficiency not only provides environmental benefits by reducing the burning of fossil fuels (coal is Virginia’s largest source of power), but also saves low-income households a substantial amount of money on energy and water bills.

So far the program has made a considerable impact on low-income dwellings around Arlington. To date, Arlington Energy Masters have weatherized 257 apartments and saved low-income residents an estimated $65,302. The program was recently a recipient of the 2013 Washingtonian Magazine “Green Giant Awards,” who called it ‘the only program of its kind in the United States.’ In only its third year of operation, more and more property managers are starting to take notice of the potential savings and agreeing to be part of the program. 

For more information, visit: http://www.arlingtonenvironment.org/energy/