Maybe you have been thinking about what you can do beyond attic insulation to make your house really energy efficient. Perhaps you are considering solar panels, but are intimidated about the process and concerned about the costs. Or maybe you would like to know how to make your home "greener," but have not had the time to look into it.

If so, come to "Building Blocks for an Energy Efficient Home ™ at the Home Show" on March 15 at the Westchester County Home Show, Westchester County Center, White Plains, N.Y. The event, sponsored by County Executive Robert P. Astorino and the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF), will feature two panel presentations on home energy efficiency, at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

"There are things large and small that people can do to conserve energy in their homes," said County Executive Robert P Astorino. "And there are lots of ways to get help with how to do them and how to pay for them. By partnering with the NY League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, our goal is to answer any questions and help you take that next step toward a more energy efficient home."

"Going green doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, making your home more energy efficient isn't just good for the environment – it will also save you money on your utility bills," said New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund President Marcia Bystryn. "We are proud to partner once again with the Westchester County Executive's Office and we encourage all Westchester residents to join us for this special event."

The panel discussions will be moderated by Judy Martin, consultant, Green Home Consulting. Panelists include industry professionals who will inform the audience about the latest in energy efficiency and environmentally-friendly design. Panelists include: Michael Murphy of Murphy Brothers Contracting, local general contractors; Christina Griffin, principal of Christina A. Griffin PC, an architect and certified passive house designer; Chris Puleo, a Building Performance Institute-certified contractor with Envirocare; Doug Hertz of Sunrise Solar; and Tom Bregman, director of Energize NY at the Energy Improvement Corporation, who will discuss financial incentives and programs to help you get started.

Attendees also will have a chance to talk to vendors from the industry who will have information booths in the meeting rooms. This is the first time that Jenks Productions will include a "green" event at the Westchester Home Show, which it has been organizing for 32 years.

Dennis Jenks, owner, feels that the Home Show is an important tool for supporting area small businesses, saying: "I am excited about our first 'Building Blocks for an Energy Efficient Home TM' event at the Home Show so that area homeowners can learn about important energy-efficiency measures and interact with a wide range of 'green' businesses and environmental not-for-profits. Learn more about the Westchester County Home Show online.  

The event can be entered free with a VIP ticket obtained by registering online. 

About Judy Martin
Judy Martin is the founder and owner of Green Home Consulting LLC, located in Rye, New York, which focuses on the growing interest in the home building and remodeling marketplace for green homes in Westchester and Fairfield counties. Founded in 2006, we have relationships with dozens homeowners through coordinating and overseeing the green elements of their new construction and renovation projects, providing detailed information about how to achieve high efficiency and water conservation and use green building materials. Projects range from gut renovations to additions to new construction on residences from 2,000 to 15,000 square feet. Every homeowner can take steps to dramatically increase energy efficiency and other green measures during the construction process. It's an opportunity not to be missed. Contact www.greenhomeswestchester.com,  or call (914) 967-2956.

About Michael Murphy
Celebrating their 35th year in the construction business, Murphy Brothers Contracting is known throughout Westchester and southern Fairfield counties for building beautifully designed custom homes, picture-perfect whole home renovations and distinctive commercial projects, as well as their own line of custom millwork. Murphy Brothers believes that building green is simply building smart. As a family-owned business, they are vitally concerned with the impact of their work on future generations. For this reason, they have made it their goal, wherever possible, to build & renovate energy-efficient, environmentally responsible, and beautifully designed homes. Among their many award-winning projects is a LEED for Homes Gold certified renovation, also recognized by Westchester Home magazine for renovation excellence. Contact www.murphybrothers.com, or call (914) 777-5777.

About Christina Griffin
Christina Griffin is an award-winning architect who has owned her own firm for 26 years. Christina obtained her LEED AP B+C (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation in 2009, and is a member of the US Green Building Council. In 2012, she received her certification as a Passive House Consultant from PHIUS (Passive House Institute of United States). Christina specializes in the development of sustainable and eco-friendly designs. She co-founded the Green Building Professional Consortium, a development company to build and promote environmentally conscious buildings. GBPC developed a two-unit townhouse called River Town House in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, which received the first Platinum LEED for Homes certification in Westchester in 2009, and a Westchester/Hudson Valley A.I.A. Design Award in 2010. Contact www.christinagriffinarchitect.com, or call (914) 478-0799.

About Chris Puleo
Chris Puleo is the energy specialist at Envirocare Air Quality Restoration, an environmental remediation company offering cutting edge air quality and insulation solutions for a healthy home. Chris has performed over 1,200 residential and commercial property energy audits and is a Building Performance Institute certified building analyst and shell specialist, Honeywell trained and certified weatherization expert, EPA lead safe renovator and licensed NY state home / building inspector. Envirocare insulates indoor garages, attics, basements and exterior walls for a more comfortable, energy efficient home or commercial property with savings of up to 40% on energy bills. Insulation also solves the issues Envirocare seeks to solve like mold, moisture damage, rodent entry points and poor indoor air quality. Contact www.eaqr.com, or call (914) 245-3100.

About Doug Hertz
Doug Hertz, President, Sunrise Solar Solutions, LLC, is responsible for policy, technology, and design at Sunrise Solar. He is NABCEP Certified and is a member of the American Solar Energy Society and the New York Energy Industries Association. Sunrise Solar is the premier installer of residential and commercial solar energy systems in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. We combine state-of-the-art equipment with the best installation practices and safest new designs. Our microinverter-based systems deliver the highest energy output with the safest system designs. Sunrise handles all the incentive paperwork & permitting, the installation and interconnection to ensure a hassle-free experience for our customers. Contact www.sunrisesolarllc.com, or (914) 762-7622.

About Tom Bregman
Tom is Director of Energize New York and VP at the Energy Improvement Corporation. He's led the Department of Energy funded home energy efficiency program since its inception in the summer of 2010. A resident of New York's Hudson Valley for more than twenty years, Tom comes to Energize with experience in corporate marketing and management, environmental advocacy, electoral campaigns and high-tech starts ups. He recently spent two years in Washington building and running the sales and marketing operations at a cutting edge political data and technology company that played a key role in 2008 election. Tom created a community-based non-profit in his hometown of Cornwall that helped to preserve a 200 acre farm bordering Hudson Highland's Black Rock Forest. As a partner in a for-profit LLC he re-developed a derelict 19th century mixed-use building to high energy efficiency standards in the Hudson River city of Beacon. Tom holds a B.A. in International Relations from SUNY Stony Brook and will receive his M.B.A. in Environmental and Organizational Sustainability from Antioch University New England in 2013. Contact www.energizeny.org, or call (914)302-7300.