City "Green" Bag Lunch-n-Learn Thursday, Jan. 20

What is a home energy audit? Chances are you can't call a friend or family member for a reference because they don't know either. As a developing homeowner interest area, industry and profession, home energy audits are new to the list of home ownership considerations. A Jan. 20 panel discussion will feature: professional energy auditors, Colorado Springs Utilities energy conservation experts and student initiatives (coPIRG's Energy Service Corps and Groundwork Colorado's "Take Charge!"). Panel participants will do their best to shed an eco-friendly light on home energy audits and retrofit resources by discussing and answering audience questions, such as:

• When should you hire a professional and what you can accomplish on your own?
• How do you choose an auditor and what should you watch out for?
• What tests should be included in a professional audit and what information you should receive at its conclusion?
• In addition to energy efficiency, what can a professional audit tell you about having a safe, comfortable, healthy and more durable home?
• How much should a professional audit cost and what influences those costs?
• What financial incentives are available for audits and retrofits?
• What community and information resources are available to help?

The lunch-n-learn runs over the noon lunch hour, from 12:11 to 12: 49 p.m., at the City Administration Building, 30 S. Nevada, in Suite 102. Attendees are encouraged to bring and enjoy their lunches during the presentation. Those who come have the opportunity to win a door prize tote bag made from recycled City banners.