Will Bring Efficient Devices To Ridgewood
Eco-friendly light bulbs, showerheads and surge protectors will be provided for free to select Ridgewood residents later this year through an energy efficiency initiative, members of the Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association (RPOCA) learned at its meeting last Thursday, May 1.
Lee Parker of Franklin Energy, a partner with Con Edison’s Green Team program, informed attendees at the Ridgewood Older Adult Center members of the team would go doorto door in the weeks ahead to distribute and install the devices in apartments across the neighborhood.
Funded through a small surcharge collected by the Public Service Commission on monthly electric bills, the service is provided at no extra charge to consumers. The only thing recipients would be required to do, he noted, is sign a form allowing for the installation; the entire installation will generally take about 15 minutes.
Green Team members will install six compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) in fixtures which use standard incandescent bulbs. Parker explained the CFLs emit just as much light as the incandescents but use less watts.
The CFLs will be placed in areas of apartments “where it makes the most sense,” he noted, such as hallways and kitchens, where lights are left on most of the day.
The Green Team will also install special “smart power strips” in the living room. Similar to standard surge protectors, he stated, the power strips allow consumers to reduce “phantom power” consumption from electronic devices such as televisions and computer screens.
Green Team members will also install special showerheads and aerators on the bathroom and kitchen sinks designed to conserve water while providing proper flow, Parker added.
Using these devices, he noted, can save homeowners and tenants hundreds of dollars annually on their electric, gas and water bills. However, team members will leave behind any replaced devices in the event residents are dissatisfied with the new products and want to switch back.
Parker offered other money- and energy-saving tips to residents, such as keeping freezers full in order for refrigerators to properly work. This reduces constant reactivation of the compressor and saves energy.
Parker also advised residents to replace older air conditioners for new, energy efficient models. Air conditioners installed in windows should be properly sealed to prevent drafts.
Former RPOCA President Paul Kerzner suggested homeowners consider installing a ductless air conditioning system which use outdoor compressors that deliver cool air to slim-line interior air conditioners. He noted much of the cost to purchase and install the devices-which run in the tens of thousands of dollars-can be covered through rebates from the federal and state governments and Con Edison.
For more information on the Con Edison Green Team, visit www.coned.com/energyefficiency.
The war on graffiti
The Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation (GRRC) is seeking both financial support and manpower in its ongoing fight to stop graffiti vandalism around the community, according to its executive director.
Angela Mirabile stated the nonprofit group began its annual graffiti removal campaign onApr. 1, but it is only in service three days a week. In recent years, it had operated two teams of power washers, but the GRRC was forced to curtail due to funding cuts and equipment breakdowns.
“It’s all we can afford,” she said of the current graffiti removal schedule.
For a fee to property owners, the GRRC team will power wash spraypainted tags off brick and other building surfaces, as well as off of metal security gates. Mirabile stated the agency cleans up to 200 buildings annually, and returns frequently to remove graffiti from buildings that were previously cleaned.
Charles Ober, RPOCA president and a member of the GRRC board, added that the nonprofit works closely with the 104th Precinct to help the command catch graffiti vandals in the act. Many of those convicted of committing vandalism are assigned to the GRRC graffiti removal crew as part of their courtmandated community service.
The organization suffered from government funding cuts in recent years but has had some help from local banks and merchants. However, Mirabile noted, the organization depends on community residents to pitch in with whatever they can afford to donate.
“It’s not a cheap program to run,” she said, pointing out it costs the GRRC about $250 per building cleaned; property owners are charged a one-time, $75 fee.
“We’ll take any amount of money because it’s extremely important,” Mirabile added. “You can see the work that we do. It’s an organization right in your neighborhood, and you can see your money at work.”
In addition to graffiti removal, the GRRC offers a host of other programs for local residents including consultation on various real estate matters. Mirabile holds weekly appointments at Community Board 5’s Glendale office to meet with residents and resolve matters from applying for property tax exemptions to resolving outstanding property liens.
For more information on the GRRC, call 1-718-366-8721 or visit www.ridgewoodrestoration.org.
Looking ahead
Ober stated the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is scheduled to attend RPOCA’s June meeting to speak about a toilet replacement program, in which landlords of buildings with four or more units would be provided rebates to install high-efficiency toilets in each apartment.
The next Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at the Ridgewood Older Adult Center, located on 70th Avenue off Forest Avenue.
