Empowerhouse is The New School entry in the 2011 Solar Decathlon, an international biennial competition which challenges 20 collegiate design teams to build and operate solar-powered homes for exhibition on the National Mall. Empowerhouse has taken the competition one step further. These enterprising students and faculty are working with Habitat for Humanity and the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development to turn their demonstration house into a permanent home in Deanwood. The relationship built with Deanwood via the Solar Decathlon has resulted in the development of “outside the competition” projects, as the capacity to make a deeper impact in the community beyond the houses was realized.

One such project is the upcoming Workshop Series: Save Energy, Save Money Workshops – Greening Greater Deanwood. These workshops will provide a forum for interaction on green living topics, as well as provide expert advice on how to reduce your environmental footprint and save money. Workshop leaders will include locally and nationally renowned professionals in the field of sustainable development and green living. Each workshop consists of experts focusing on the immediate steps participants can take to move towards sustainability with regard to a specific topic, such as solar panels, water maintenance, and heating/cooling.

The first two workshops of the series were held at IDEA Public Charter School. On April 2nd Lisa Crawford of Capitol Business Solutions LLC spoke on easy ways to green your home that save you money. On April 16th Dennis Chestnut of Groundwork Anacostia River, D.C., Jackie Fecteau from the EPA’sRiverSmart Homes program, and Jessica Barnhouse of Parsons The New School spoke on easy ways ofrecycling water that the average consumer can do at home. These methods involve minimal cost and effort and can be implemented without a major disruption to the daily routine.

Those interested in attending future workshops can check out up to date information at http://parsit.parsons.edu/the-community/.

Admission is free, and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.