EnergySmart Memphis will begin the year with a series of energy education workshops where participants will learn how to complete energy-efficient home improvements that will have an immediate and direct impact on participants' energy costs.

The two-hour workshop will include information on how to seal air leaks, how to control thermostat settings, what to do to easily repair duct leaks in a heating and cooling system, and the best and easiest way to repair faucet leaks in the home, which will greatly help in our collective effort to conserve our precious water and our individual efforts to lessen our utility bill costs. There will be exhibits and demonstrations on how to use the various equipment and tools to perform minor home improvements, brochures will be available concerning energy conservation, and participants will also receive two free energy-efficient, long-lasting light bulbs.

EnergySmart Memphis is a year-long energy education and home improvement initiative designed to help Memphians save money on their energy costs. EnergySmart Memphis is a partnership between Memphis Light, Gas and Water, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development, Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA), Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), United Way of the Mid-South, LeMoyne-Owen College Community Development Corporation, The Works Community Development Corporation, Neighborhood Housing Opportunities, Douglass Bungalow Crump Community Development Corporation, and Service Over Self (SOS).

Through EnergySmart Memphis, an estimated 3,000 MLGW customers will receive in-depth energy conservation training. Qualified homeowners may receive major home repairs or weatherization kits to perform minor repairs to their homes. A series of energy education workshops will be conducted city-and county-wide during 2007, taught by MLGW-trained energy education, conservation and weatherization experts. The first three of these workshops all will be held on Thursday, January 18.