Urban Options Programs
|
Seminars & Workshops
Urban Options offers the following educational presentations:
1) How to Achieve Energy Savings
2) Building an Efficient Home
3) Financing Energy Efficiency
4) Energy Lessons Especially for Youth
5) Renewables are Ready
1) How to Achieve Energy Savings
This seminar is for homeowners that are interested in learning how to achieve energy savings. The focus of this presentation will feature methods to reduce energy consumption in existing homes through making simple improvements and understanding the value of purchasing Energy Star products and equipment when applicable.
2) Building an Efficient Home
Building an energy efficient home is a worthy investment. This seminar will cover the most important energy efficient measures to include in the design and structure of a high performance home. Services that can help home builders and buyers achieve this goal such as Home Energy Ratings, Energy Star equipment purchasing opportunities, and potential funding opportunities and resources will also be featured in the presentation.
3) Financing Energy Efficiency
The deployment of energy efficient building and remodeling techniques are strongly affected by financial resources and incentives. This presentation covers financing opportunities for energy efficiency improvements and highlights services and institutions that assist homeowners and builders in creating an energy efficient environment.
4) Energy Lessons Especially for Youth
Reaching children with lessons that provide opportunities to affect home energy use yields long term benefits for the child and the family. Urban Options offers a basic hands-on presentation to school age children where they will learn useful techniques to save energy that they can bring home to share with their families.
5) Renewables Are Ready
As interest in alternative energy rises, the purpose of these introductory seminars will be to provide a basic overview of what kinds of renewable energy systems work in certain applications and where they can best be applied. Also stressed is the importance of incorporating energy efficiency measures and practices into renewable projects.
Energy Fitness Program
The Energy Fitness Program provides energy analyses, weatherization and water-saving improvements, and education to low and moderate income households in Lansing.
Top
Energy and Environmental Demonstration House and Exhibits
The most recent Demonstration House improvement was the installation of a solar roof in the fall of 1997. Other recent improvements include compost demonstration signs, indirect high-efficiency lighting in the library, ceiling fans, and an exhibit storage area. An online tour of the house is on this web site. Earth-Friendly Homes, a portable, computerized touch-screen exhibit, was also recently developed for use in Future-Friendly Home Workshops and for other special events.
Top
School Programs / Compost Education
Presentations are conducted each year in Lansing schools. The construction of worm bins provides an interactive opportunity to teach about composting, nutrient cycling, and waste reduction.
Top
Special For-Fee* Programs and Services
School Programs
Composting with Worms (K-5): also deals with waste reduction, recycling, general composting, and ecology. Worms, worm bins, and a teacher’s educational packet are provided.
Fee: $75 for 1 hour and 1 classroom with up to 35 students, $50 for each additional class or additional hour at the same school, plus mileage.**
(Lansing school district programs (K-5) are currently free, sponsored by a grant from the City of Lansing.)
School or Group Tours of the Demonstration House
Group tours are available to schools, civic groups, adult education classes, and many other organizations. Group Tours feature an overview of energy efficiency and ecological options for the home.
Available tour hours are:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday – 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Thursday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
First Saturday of the Month – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
…or by appointment
There is no fee for group tours, however, donations are welcome.
Maximum tour capacity: 50.
Top
Meeting Space
The Urban Options Demonstration House provides a great environment to conduct meetings. Rooms are often available for meetings of up to 30 people. Municipal parking is available within close proximity to the Demonstration House.
Meeting Space Rates:
$50.00 – Half-day/evening
$100.00 – Full-day
Non-profit rates available
Rates include the use of an adjoining kitchen
Top
Other Services
Various additional services can also be arranged through Urban Options. Please contact us and ask for details.
Fee: General hourly rate: $40.
Contact Persons
| Service | Contact |
| School Programs | Jim Meyerle |
| Group Tours & Seminars | Jennifer Barone |
| Energy Services | Jim Meyerle |
| Meeting Rooms | Jennifer Barone |
* No-Risk Guarantee: all fees refunded if not satisfied.
** Mileage charges are $.32 per mile beyond 30 miles round trip.