Elizabeth Bailey
In an effort to continue its commitment to community, Decatur County REMC is teaming up with RushShelby Energy and Southeastern Indiana REMC to offer a home show and energy efficiency seminar to take place on Saturday.
Events of this kind have been taking place since 2002, with a total of six seminars. This year, however, is the first time it has been held in Batesville at the Batesville Primary School.
Previous years, REMC’s Tami Spurlock explained, have seen cooperation between the local REMC and those in Jackson and Bartholomew counties, leading the event to take place in North Vernon.
“Changing the location,” she noted, “helps us reach more people.”
While energy efficiency has been championed as one of many ways that people can reduce their impact on the environment, Spurlock noted that current economic times make it an important factor in reducing energy’s impact on family budgets.
“In today’s economy, we’re trying to find ways to make a positive impact while being aware of our own expenses,” Spurlock said.
For this reason, REMC charges vendors just enough for their booths to cover advertising and other overhead costs.
“Without vendor and community support, this couldn’t happen,” she said.
The event will feature presentations at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. by Robert Geswein, an energy specialist from Corydon. The morning session will discuss energy efficiency in new construction while the afternoon session focuses on energy management for existing homes. In addition to the presentations, 17 vendors will be on hand to help attendees in achieving their energy goals.
Spurlock noted efforts were made to focus on local vendors, such as Greensburg’s Hellmich Construction, Home Energy Services, Kennelly & Meyer, Levensteins, Stier Heating and Cooling, Vinyl Solutions Unlimited and Wallpe & Trenkamp. Other vendors hail from North Vernon, Fort Wayne, Edinburgh, Indianapolis, Batesville, Versailles, Flat Rock, Napoleon and Cleves, Ohio.
Spurlock noted there are a variety of options to increase a home’s energy efficiency, from geothermal systems to heat pumps. Although there is an initial outlay of funds, these methods, she pointed out, pay for themselves over time. If a house is energy efficient, it can earn the owner lower rates on loans in addition to the reduction of monthly energy costs. Even small changes, she noted, can have a big impact.
The event will also have food available for purchase from the Batesville PTO. REMC will be providing food for the PTO to prepare, thereby supporting another organization while offering energy education to the community.
The Home Show and Energy Efficiency Seminar will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 28 at Batesville Primary School.
