At CCAN, our main mission is to achieve climate and clean-energy policy advancements. Of course, we’re also determined make sure existing policies and programs have their full effect.

So, for our friends in DC, here’s a reminder to take advantage of the wonderful free home energy-audit program that the Department of the Environment established a few years back. If you own a single family or town home with 4000 square feet or less of floor space, you’re eligible for a cost-free professional assessment of your home’s energy use courtesy of the District’s Home Energy Rating System program. All you’ve got to do is register for an audit and a professional from a certified home energy auditor like our friends at Elysian Energy, LLC will be in touch to schedule an appointment.

If you think this sounds like a good deal, then make sure to get your audit scheduled ASAP. Currently there’s no guarantee that the District will renew the program after July 30th, and once people get wind of this, there could be a rush of customers vying for the limited remaining appointments.

Audits typically take a few hours and can help you identify cost effective ways to cut your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Plus, you’ll be helping to support local green jobs. Thanks to the HERS program, Elysian Energy for example is able to support six employees in the District.

And remember, such programs only exist because of the encouragement the District government has received from grassroots advocates. So once you’ve gotten your audit (or if you’ve already had one) please send a note to your city council members asking them to maintain and grow funding for these kinds of programs through the city’s Sustainable Energy Trust Fund.

For more info on the HERS program click here to visit the DDOE site, or visit Elysian’s site. And when you sign up for the audit, don’t forget to mention that CCAN sent you!