Pani Crook

Speaker, Researcher, Author
610-384-7866

Pani Crook was taught that it was important to make the world a better place.

Raised by energy efficiency consultants Dennis and Siti Crook, she has watched her parents devote their lives to the research and development of construction methods and materials that cut energy consumption in the home by fifty, seventy, even ninety percent. She watched them build a model energy efficient home development that show cased their research.

That development, according to Owens Corning Corporation and the City of Philadelphia, far surpassed any other achievement in energy efficiency for homes. But the energy crisis of that era had passed. The public was still not ready to make changes necessary to stop the waste of energy from their homes.

It wasn’t until Pani got her first electric bill that she appreciated the scope of her parents’ mission.

After finishing her marketing studies at West Chester University of Pennsylvania Pani Crook got what every new college graduate dreams of...a new job and her own apartment. However, living the dream was not at all what she expected. Like many of her generation, she found that her first job was less than fulfilling.

Pani’s first electric bill was $150 to air-condition her small apartment for the month.

For Pani, this was much more than just the shock of growing up. She had grown up in homes designed with a super energy efficient Thermal Package. She had always known her home was always more comfortable than others. It wasn't until that first electric bill that she understood economics of energy efficiency. Her electric air conditioning bill was larger than that of her parents...and they lived in a 4,000+ square foot home.

She knew from her parents that health, comfort and cost weren't the only benefits of energy efficient homes. There would be global benefits as well. Cutting home energy consumption would have a tremendous impact on the environment by reducing greenhouse gases and slowing global warming.

Pani doesn't want her generation to be stuck cleaning up the environmental mess left by previous generations. Three years ago, she gave up her drafty apartment to live in an energy efficient home and became a member of the Energy Efficient Homes Team. Pani knows she can teach others how to make their homes energy efficient and make a difference.

All because of that $150 electric bill.