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Civic Works Includes Pro Energy Consultants as a Member on its New Green Careers Advisory Board

November 17th, 2009

Civic Works has created a Green Careers Advisory board to develop its programs and create other workforce development initiatives that support environmental sustainability. Maryland’s Pro Energy Consultants’ President Adam Levitt has been appointed a board member to contribute his energy auditing, energy retrofit market and green career initiatives expertise.

BALTIMORE, M.D. – Nov. 16, 2009 – Pro Energy Consultants’ Maryland franchise owner has been appointed a member of the Civic Works Green Careers Advisory Board.  The board reviewed Civic Works’ green career initiatives at its first meeting Nov. 5.

The purpose of the Green Careers Advisory Board is to develop Civic Works’ 3E Energy Solutions program, which creates paid on-the-job training opportunities, and the B’more Green program—an environmental workforce development program that prepares Baltimore residents for entry-level positions in environmental technology and remediation.  The board will also create other workforce development initiatives that support environmental sustainability.

“Adam brings a strong understanding of the energy auditing and energy retrofit market, and the needs of employers to the Green Careers Advisory Board,” said Civic Works Green Careers Coordinator Eli Allen.  “His input is helping us shape our green career initiatives and ensures that the people we train have the skills necessary to succeed in the home performance sector.”

Pro Energy Consultants began partnering with Civic Works last September.  As part of the partnership, Pro Energy donates two residential energy audits to this nonprofit organization monthly.

“I’m pleased to be asked to join the Civic Works Green Advisory Board,” said Maryland Pro Energy Consultants President Adam Levitt.  “Pro Energy Consultants has worked hard to help Civic Works’ clients make energy efficient changes to their homes.  I welcome the opportunity to become further involved in the training that facilitates those changes.”

The Green Careers Advisory Board consists of employers, representatives of public agencies, professionals and community leaders who will meet up to four times annually.  Members will be asked to offer advice on such topics as the expansion of Civic Works’ programs, curriculum and development, as well as identifying potential funding resources and community partners.  In addition, members will work to identify additional green careers that Civic Works can offer training in.

Civic Works, a local AmeriCorps program, provides young people, unemployed and underemployed Baltimore residents with job training, life skills, and employment opportunities.  All of the organization’s projects—which include rehabilitating houses or building parks or gardens—are designed to give back to the community. Pro Energy Consultants, the nation’s first home energy auditing franchise, provides homeowners customized, comprehensive energy audits designed to maximize the home’s comfort and energy efficiency while reducing energy costs.

For more information about home energy audits, call 888-220-3170 or (410) 988-7794, or visit http://www.proenergymd.com .  For more information about Civic Works, call (410) 366-8533 or visit http://www.civicworks.com /.

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About Pro Energy Consultants

Pro Energy Consultants’ proven system for conducting energy audits is backed by more than 15 years experience and more than 10,000 energy audits. The company’s mission is to provide customized, comprehensive and diagnostic energy audits designed to maximize a home’s comfort and energy efficiency while reducing energy costs. This mission not only sets the worldwide standard for energy audits but also established Pro Energy as the world’s leading expert on the subject. In October 2008 Pro Energy began awarding franchises—making it the first national franchise in residential energy auditing. Being the ideal “green franchise” opportunity, it has quickly grown to more than 35 franchises nationwide. The company is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Baltimore’s Green Roof Renaissance

October 6th, 2009

Ed Dreiband claims to be afraid of heights, yet here he is, some twenty-five feet up, standing on the roof of his newly built Northwest Honda dealership in Owings Mills, looking like the king of the world.

From this vantage point high above busy Reisterstown Road, Dreiband can survey all 28,500 square feet of the building’s innovative “green roof,” made of living, growing plants.  The green roof is the centerpiece of Northwest Honda’s eco-friendly auto facility, which opened in August.

“The plants have grown some since my last visit,” says Dreiband, who led this reporter on a semi-perilous climb up a narrow, indoor ladder, before opening a steel hatch that leads onto the roof.
Dreiband walks gingerly, careful not to tread upon neatly manicured rows of tiny plants—some 57,000 in all—that nearly cover the roof.  “They don’t really require much work,” Dreiband explains.  “When it rains, they’re watered.  That’s what’s so great about this—the environmental benefits and the practicality.”

Green roofs are vegetated covers where growing plants replace traditional roofing materials.  Experts like Garth Rockcastle, dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland, College Park, say they’re gaining favor as a smart, sustainable design trend.

“For the past fifteen years [in college architecture programs] there’s been an evolution in terms of teaching more ‘green’ concepts,” says Rockcastle.  “Today, it’s considered standard.”

The need and the demand for eco-friendly construction have increased due to factors such as global warming, higher rates of air and water pollution, and a growing population.  Green roofs can help lessen urban development and suburban sprawl issues, while creating environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits.

Environmentally, the myriad benefits include reduced effects on the ozone, fewer toxins in drinking water, and improved air quality.  While green roofs usually entail higher initial costs, their economic advantages typically include decreased energy usage and utility costs (particularly in heating and cooling).  Among the aesthetic benefits are visually pleasing native and naturalized plantcommunities.

Dreiband says he first read about eco-friendly construction in USA Today and Ward’s DealerBusiness, a trade publication for car dealers.  He and his wife, Ina, also own BMW and Suzuki dealerships, all along the 9700 block of Reisterstown Road.

“When we began working on the new building, I asked our architect about it,” says the 62-year-old accountant turned car dealer, whose two sons Josh and Danny help him manage a team of two hundred.  “We found out that we could do it, and went from there.”

Architects Peter Powell and Rob Gordon of Beck, Powell & Parsons in Towson designed the new $12 million facility, set on four acres that formerly housed Baltimore County police department offices.  (The land was purchased from the county in 2001 and the groundbreaking occurred in January 2006.)

The new building replaces the old Northwest Honda site across the street (which will be used to expand the family’s BMW dealership), and is designed to preserve energy and utilize recycled materials in a variety of ways.

“[Dreiband] has always had an interest in energy conservation, both as an environmental concern and a cost-saving measure,” says Powell.  “We’d done residential and commercial [green] buildings, but never a green roof on a commercial building.  It was an exciting project.”

The results are impressive. The sprawling 40,000 -square -foot dealership is painted white with cool blue accents, giving it a light, airy feel. It can accommodate up to five hundred cars.

The building has eighty-seven energy-saving insulated glass panels, and its main heating source comes from furnaces that use recycled oil from cars.  Throughout the building, automatic sensors turn lights on and off as people enter and exit rooms; meanwhile, exterior lights are controlled by so-called “photoeyes” that turn lights on based on the percentage of available light, and turn them off based on time clocks to reduce unnecessary usage.

To service cars, there are twenty-nine vehicle bays in the service center, and the dealership’s on-premise carwash recycles water between washes—about 2,500 to 3,000 gallons daily.

As for the building’s green roof—which actually has what architect Rob Gordon describes as a “thermo-plastic polyolefin membrane (TPO) roof” underneath to keep the interior of the building dry—it is a blend of both form and function.  For starters, the green roof extends the life of a traditional roof, according to the lead architects, who collaborated on the project with landscape architect Thomas J. Hoff (who secured the approval from Baltimore County to install the green roof), various engineers, builders, county officials, and others.

Having multiple layers protects the TPO roofing membrane from ultraviolet rays, wind, and the extremes of temperature fluctuations.  “The green roof keeps the TPO cooler, and this reduces the ‘heat island effect’ of a black roof, which would otherwise contribute to global warming,” explains Powell.

The green roof also meets the county’s required storm water management system requirements, says Robert Alexander Wirth, a professional engineer and manager of storm water engineering for the county’s Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management.

“When you disturb more than five thousand square feet [of land], you are required to address storm water management,” he explains. “Because of site constraints, such as clay soil under the ground, they had to come up with an alternative storm water practice. There’s a whole menu of items you can choose—from a storm water retention pond to underground facilities. They chose to do this green roof.”

Wirth says according to the plans submitted to the county, estimates were that the roof would cost a little under $400,000.

A green roof typically has drought-tolerant plants (in this case, most are a hardy species known as sedum in six different varieties) that help reduce, filter, and cool storm water run-off. That in turn can protect sewer systems and watersheds, and help prevent potentially hazardous levels of toxins from entering waterways such as the Chesapeake Bay and affecting food sources like fish.

While Dreiband says safety and insurance issues preclude the public and customers from going up to the roof, the project has garnered positive attention for the dealership.  Besides being what Wirth called “unique” in Baltimore County, it may also be the first Honda operation nationwide with such design elements, according to company officials in Torrance, California.

“It is certainly one of the first to incorporate so many environmental facility features into the overall design philosophy of the dealership,” says Chris Martin, a spokesman for American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

“We’re thrilled about the new building and the chance to operate in an environmentally conscious manner,” says Dreiband, who resists labeling himself an “environmentalist.”

“I can’t take care of the whole world, but this makes me feel good.  I have grandchildren, and many of the people on my team have children.  We want to leave them a healthy environment.  We only have one earth.  We all share it.”

http://www.proenergymd.com

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2.5 Cents Per Kilowatt Hour: America’s Cheapest, Cleanest Fuel ‘Holds Steady’

October 6th, 2009

It’s not news that energy efficiency is cost-effective.  But new numbers from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) quantify just how cheap the resource has become relative to other power generation types.

The figure today: two and a half cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

That’s one-third or less the price of any new source of electricity, making efficiency the cheapest option available – conventional or renewable – and a no-brainer investment for big utilities.

ACEEE notes, for instance, that in 2008 coal cost between 7 and 14 cents per kWh; natural gas cost between 7 and 10 cents per kWh; and wind between 4 and 9 cents per kWh.  In terms of new nuclear, some estimates put its price at 15 cents per kWh, or more.

The main point is straightforward: Conventional energy costs are climbing, and coming carbon regulation will kick those costs up even more.  Not the case with energy efficiency.  The price of saving a kilowatt has stayed steady or dropped over the last half decade, reinforcing why states and utilities are adding aggressive efficiency programs, and forcing this question: Why aren’t the feds doing the same?

“Saving Energy Cost-Effectively: A National Review of the Cost of Energy Saved through Utility-Sector Energy Efficiency Programs” updates ACEEE’s frequently cited research from 2004.  The original data determined that the average cost of delivering energy efficiency programs in the U.S. was 3 cents per kWh.

The 2004 study reviewed the cost-effectiveness results from nine top states.  The current, more in-depth version expands that to 14 states – California, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin.

The conclusion is pretty much the same: Efficiency is the safest energy investment there is and the cheapest power source left.  Expect more of the same for the foreseeable future:

“The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that in 2020 new conventional power plants including coal and nuclear will cost about $0.10 per kWh, or four times higher than current energy efficiency program costs,” the study finds.

The research findings should have implications in U.S. Senate deliberations on climate legislation and state-level decisions about new power, ACEEE says.

According to the group, the new numbers are the talk of the Hill.  But whether they will have the desired impact is another story.

States are certainly moving forward – California the fastest. The climate-action leader just passed a three-year, $3.1 billion energy efficiency budget for the state’s four biggest utilities. It’s the largest commitment ever made by a state to energy efficiency.

But not all governors are marching in sync.

“While funding for energy efficiency has rebounded from the low point that it reached during industry restructuring [during the mid- to late 1990s], many states still lack well-funded comprehensive energy efficiency programs,” writes ACEEE.

Most analysts agree the federal government could use its considerable power to steer all states toward greater efficiency.  And the American Clean Energy and Energy Security Act (ACES), the nation’s potential future climate law, has been seen as the best hope.

The bill passed the U.S. House in June.  As it stands, its energy efficiency building and appliance codes would create 600,000 new jobs and avoid the need for 419 new coal plants by 2030, according to an August analysis by ACEEE.

Those potential gains are impressive.  But adding a federal energy efficiency standard (EERS) would substantially increase them.

In fact, if the U.S. were prepared to require utilities to get 10 percent of new capacity from efficiency by 2020, over 1 million new jobs would be created and the need for 512 new coal plants averted through 2030.

Consulting firm McKinsey has run its own numbers on efficiency, and they’re just as striking.

The U.S. could save $1.2 trillion in ten years by investing $520 billion in efficiency improvements, according to a July 2009 study.  In a 2007 report, McKinsey found the nation could offset 85 percent of the projected incremental demand for electricity in 2030 with efficiency alone, “largely negating the need for the incremental coal-fired power plants.”

Most agree a national EERS would help achieve these gains.  Such a standard would cut global-warming pollution faster and cheaper than any other resource, eliminate the need for power plants, slash demand for new and costly transmission upgrades and even save consumers money.

But the policy has been all but ignored in the drive for a post-coal economy.  The primary opponents are utility companies.  The reason is simple: The profits of most are still tied to the amount of electricity sold.

There’s still a possibility Congress could blaze a new trail on efficiency. Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) just released their draft of the Senate’s sibling to ACES, and the chamber will soon step into fierce debate over its provisions.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has jurisdiction over the efficiency measures.  ACEEE Policy Director Suzanne Watson told SolveClimate that committee member Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is expected to introduce a 10 percent EERS amendment on the Senate floor as part of climate and energy legislation, once “health care is put to bed.”

Mid-October is the likely time for this to happen.

“There is good support in several quarters for that.  Senators are prepared to stand up for energy efficiency statements on the senate floor the week of October 12, much like what we have seen other senators do related to renewables,” Watson said.

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Conversation with an Energy Auditor

September 25th, 2009

Pro Energy ConsultantsInterview: QuestionWhat is the biggest overall misconception that homeowners have about energy efficiency?

Interview: AnswerMany homeowners think that, in order to dramatically improve their efficiency and lower costs, they need to explore cutting edge green technologies.  While those technologies are fantastic, energy efficiency starts with how the structure of a home and its systems interact.  After all, it’s the home where the energy is used…and wasted.

Interview: QuestionTell us a little about energy audits. Why are they important? What should homeowners expect?

Interview: AnswerPro Energy Consultants use state-of-the-art infrared imaging and blower door testing to determine wasteful energy use in a home or facility.  The blower door, installed to a home’s front door frame, acts like a giant fan and blows air out of the home, exaggerating the airflow and pressurization of the house and making energy leakage far more detectable. Pro Energy Consultants then uses the latest in infrared technology to scan the structure and systems in the home. This technical testing and equipment gives homeowners a clear picture of exactly where their home is losing energy, and therefore, wasting money.  The entire process takes approximately one to three hours.  Other than allowing the auditor access to the home, homeowners don’t really need to do anything to prepare for an audit.

Interview: QuestionIn your experience, what are homeowners always the most surprised to learn from their energy audit results?

Interview: AnswerMost homeowners are very happily surprised to learn that many of the repairs that have the biggest impact on energy efficiency are very inexpensive and easy to get done.  That is, once you know where they are!

Interview: QuestionAre there any specific energy efficiency challenges that homeowners in your state or region face?

Interview: AnswerAs a national company, we find that true, ethical energy auditors are constantly battling other companies that are using the energy audit merely as an entry point in order to sell other products or services.  A true energy audit should stand on its own and advocate for the homeowner’s best interests.  Period.

Interview: QuestionWhat advice would you give a homeowner who is hesitant to schedule an energy audit because they fear the recommended improvements will be too expensive?

Interview: AnswerIt’s very powerful to know what’s really wrong in your home.  While some of the improvements may be too costly to act on immediately, at least you’ll know.   Plus, there are always things that can be done inexpensively that will make a noticeable difference.

Interview: QuestionIn that same vein, what’s one low-cost weekend project that homeowners can do to make their homes more energy efficient?

Interview: AnswerIt may be out of range of some do-it-yourselfers, but insulating any and all recessed lights in your ceiling will almost always make a big difference.

Interview: QuestionNow it’s time for some inspiration. Tell us about one of the best home success stories you’ve seen in your time in this field.

Interview: AnswerWe recently audited two dormitories for a children’s not-for-profit in Ohio. Their savings in energy costs after we were done? More than 50%! They’re a non-profit trying to improve the lives of disadvantaged children, and they need every last dollar they can save. It was a real “feel good” story for us.

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DOE to Fund up to $454 Million for Retrofit Ramp-Ups in Energy Efficiency

September 14th, 2009

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced a new $450 million program designed to catalyze a nationwide energy upgrade that experts estimate could save $100 million annually in utility bills for households and businesses.  The Recovery Act’s “Retrofit Ramp-Up” program will pioneer innovative models for rolling out energy efficiency to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in a variety of communities.  Much like past roll-outs for cable TV or the Internet, the Department of Energy (DOE) intends to create models that, when undertaken nationally, will save consumers billions of dollars on their utility bills and make the huge savings of energy efficiency available to everyone.

“Energy efficiency isn’t just low-hanging fruit; it’s fruit lying on the ground.  We have the tools to reduce energy use at home and at work and to provide huge savings to families and businesses on their energy bills.  But use of these technologies has been far too limited because we lack the simple and effective ways for people to access them,” said Chu.

“The ‘Retrofit Ramp-Up’ program will support large-scale models that can open new energy efficiency opportunities to whole neighborhoods, towns, and, eventually, entire states,” continued Chu.  ”The Recovery Act will allow innovative communities to demonstrate a variety of sustainable business models that can be replicated across the country.”

The Request for Information (RFI) being issued today is for competitively selected local energy efficiency projects.  This competitive portion of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program will target community-scale retrofit projects that make significant, long-term impacts on energy use and can serve as national role models for grassroots energy efficiency efforts.  The DOE is seeking public comment on this newly funded program under the Recovery Act.  Public comment ends on Sept. 28, 2009.

The DOE is accepting feedback on both the competitively-selected portion of the EECBG program for up to $390 million for neighborhood-scale building retrofits, as well as up to $64 million for local governments that were not eligible to receive the formula grants announced earlier this year.  The EECBG program empowers local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation’s long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change.

This first topic area under the funding solicitation will target a select number of innovative programs that are structured to provide whole-neighborhood building energy retrofits. These will be projects that demonstrate a sustainable business model for providing cost-effective energy upgrades for a large percentage of the residential, commercial, and public buildings in a specific community.  Possible approaches could include innovative partnerships between the public and private sector, utility retrofit and audit programs, alternative financing, retail partnerships, and others. The DOE will award up to $390 million for these projects.

The second topic area for up to $64 million is reserved for cities, counties and state-recognized Indian tribes that were not eligible to receive population-based formula grant allocations from DOE under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.  These funds are intended to help expand local energy efficiency efforts and reduce energy use in the commercial, residential, transportation, manufacturing, or industrial sectors.

“The aim of the ‘Retrofit Ramp-Up’ program is to jump-start an industry that makes energy efficiency savings easy to access and available to everyone.  By encouraging partnerships between local governments and effective private enterprises, we hope tune-ups for buildings will become as accepted as tune-ups for cars.  These efforts will save Americans millions of dollars, reduce carbon pollution, and create new green jobs,” said Chu.

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Cut Your Energy Bills – Part 2

September 9th, 2009

PART 2 – CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY…

2. Water Consumption

Dollar Savings $400

If you’re not already aware of your household’s water use, you will be soon.  Almost four in five states anticipate water shortages by 2013, which could lead to steeper rates and penalties for excessive use.  When it comes to showering and washing dishes and clothes, you’re also paying to heat the water.

Stop Drips

It’s the fastest way to conserve, saving the average household about $70 a year.  Next, upgrade to water-efficient fixtures.  Low-flow showerheads can save as much as $265 per year on water bills.  ”A $30 showerhead can save more money than $3,000 worth of solar panels,” says Charlie Szoradi, of Green and Save, a company based in Devon, Pa., that analyzes the payback of energy-efficiency projects.  Switching to a low-flow toilet, which uses 1.28 gallons per flush compared with the 3.5 to 5 gallons of a 15-year-old or older model, can save $90.  Also check for utility rebates.

Watch the Water Heater

Lower the temperature to 120° F and insulate your hot-water pipes.  If your unit is more than a decade old, do your research now.  That way you’ll get a new unit that has a long warranty and is sized appropriately, not whatever’s on the truck of the only plumber who calls you back when your old heater breaks.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Insulate your water heater.  Don’t prerinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Add an aerator to faucets.

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Energy All-Stars

Kohler’s Cimarron K-3609 toilet, $300, excelled in our solid and liquid tests and used 1.28 gallons per flush.

Our testers described the watersaving American Standard FlowWise Dual Function 1660.717 showerhead, $50, as refreshing and stimulating.  The Moen Inspire 21777, also $50, used slightly more water but has more settings.

3. Recycling

Dollar Savings $250

Though recycling saves the least money, it generated some of the highest results in our survey.  Two-thirds of people said they recycle paper and plastic, and over half recycle metal and glass — proof that being green isn’t just about saving green.

Rewards and Penalties Initiated

RecycleBank, which is now used by a million people across 20 states, lets you put all of your recyclables in one container instead of separating them by type.  Then it weighs the container and issues rewards or points redeemable at local retailers.  The average household gets $250 worth.  ”Pay As You Throw” programs, in 7,100 communities nationwide according to Skumatz Economic Research Associates of Superior, Colo., treat trash like a utility: Homeowners are charged for the garbage they throw out.  And if you’re not redeeming bottle deposits, you’re not alone. Millions of dollars are unclaimed every year.

Nontraditional Recycling Is Low

Our survey revealed less widespread recycling rates for items such as batteries (32 percent), printer cartridges (30 percent), small electronics (17 percent), CFLs (16 percent), and large electronics (12 percent).  Some of the most common reasons for throwing items away instead of recycling them were that people didn’t think the item could be recycled or they didn’t have enough information to do so.  But just about everything that comes into the home can be recycled. The Web site Earth911.com lists more than 100,000 recycling locations, which can be searched by material and ZIP code. If you come up empty there, contact your department of solid-waste management.

A large percentage of respondents told us they donated or otherwise gave away certain household items, including furniture (29 percent), small appliances (28 percent), and major appliances (21 percent).  If you go that route, first check with the Better Business Bureau (www.give.org) or Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) to make sure you’re giving to a worthy cause.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Start a compost bin for organic food scraps or ask whether the local farmers market will take them.  Trade household items on sites such as freecycle.org.  Invest in a reusable water container to cut down on your household’s use of plastic water bottles.  Take spent CFLs to a Home Depot for recycling.

Energy All-Stars

Whole Foods Recycled Foldable Tote, $4, was especially good at containing leaks and isn’t as bulky as most bags.  Its $1 cousin, A Better Bag, held the most and can be returned if it rips.  But it absorbed leaks, so spills are a bit harder to clean.

4. Electricity Use

Annual Savings $300

Between lights, electronics, and appliances, electricity accounts for almost 40 percent of the average home’s energy use.  But there are ways to cut back in each category without sacrificing.

By changing 10 bulbs and replacing three major appliances with energy-efficient models, you can save hundreds per year.  As our survey found, many American are already taking advantage of those savings.  Almost two-thirds have replaced an incandescent lightbulb with a CFL.  As for appliances, 34 percent of respondents told us they’ve upgraded to an energy-efficient model.  It doesn’t make sense to pitch a perfectly good appliance or electronic item, but if you’re in the market for a new one, the type you choose can make a difference.  For example, side-by-side refrigerators use more energy than top- or bottom-mounts, top-loading washers use more electricity and water than front-loaders, and plasma TVs use more electricity than LCD sets.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Plug electronics into power strips with built-in sensors that automatically shut off devices that aren’t in use.  Set your computer to hibernate.  Use LED holiday string lights. Turn off lights when you leave a room.

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Energy All-Stars

The EcoSmart 423-599 240EDXO-14 compact fluorescent bulb was the top performer in our tests.  It replaces a 60-watt standard incandescent bulb and costs only $1.50.

The GE WCVH6800J, an $800 front-loading washer, scored excellent in both water and energy efficiencies, saving up to $125 per year over a traditional top-loader.

Good News: You’re Being Audited!

Unlike the IRS version, a home-energy audit can save you money.  It provides a comprehensive assessment of your home’s heating, cooling, and distribution systems; an insulation checkup; and a review of your energy bills.  A well-trained auditor will also interview you to correct any inefficient behaviors.  Audits have proven so effective at curbing energy use that Austin, Texas, requires home sellers to share their results with buyers.

Costs Vary

Certified auditors charge from $300 to $800.  Or consider doing it yourself, especially if you think your home is relatively efficient.  The Department of Energy’s Web site, at www.energysavers.gov, has detailed information on do-it-yourself energy audits and links to finding local auditors.   If the results of your DIY audit look bad, hire a professional for a more detailed assessment..

Bottom Line

Not all energy-saving projects are equal.  So have the auditor prioritize any suggested work by savings and payback time.

Also remember that not everyone who hangs a green shingle has the training to identify inefficiencies.  There are eco-consultants, who might charge $99 for a 60-minute walk-through of your home, pointing out leaky faucets and inefficient lightbulbs.  Then there are general contractors who see energy efficiency as the one bright spot in an otherwise shrinking industry.  Last but not least are single-product salespeople.  ”Homeowners have been hearing forever that replacing their windows can save 40 percent,” says Chandler von Schrader, head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Home Performance with Energy Star program.  ”These claims aren’t justified and they create a false expectation.”

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Cut Your Energy Bills – Part 1

September 8th, 2009

You can save $1,500 with these 4 strategies

Most homes, including yours, waste energy.  That inefficiency is costing you plenty, but it doesn’t have to.

Even if you’ve already switched to compact fluorescent bulbs and retired the refrigerator in the basement, there’s more you can do.  Some of the simplest projects, such as adding insulation and sealing cracks and ductwork, can yield the biggest savings.  And thanks to new federal tax credits, it will take less time for those projects to pay for themselves.

Yet in a recent nationally representative Consumer Reports survey of 2,014 Americans, only 12 percent had added or upgraded their home’s insulation in the last three years.  Just a paltry 5 percent had insulated their heating and cooling ductwork.

Conflicting and confusing claims can make it hard to know where the real savings are.  So we’ve examined the claims across four key categories — heating and cooling, water, recycling, and electricity — and ordered them by potential money and energy savings based on national rates for electricity, gas, and water.  We’ve also mined our survey data to figure out what consumers are doing and where there’s room for improvement. The result is a road map for taking your home’s energy efficiency to the next level.

1. Heating and Cooling

Annual Savings $550

Approximately 40 percent of residential energy bills are for heating and cooling.  That’s also where you can reap the greatest savings.  In the winter, warm air inside your home rises and escapes into the attic through holes and gaps. It’s replaced by colder exterior air that’s pulled in through cracks and gaps in the lower levels.  That leads to drafty, uncomfortable rooms and high energy bills, even in newer homes.  ”There’s a huge gap between what’s in the building code and what’s needed for optimal energy efficiency,” says Frank O’Brien-Bernini, chief sustainability officer for Owens Corning, an insulation manufacturer.

Eliminate Leaks

Use a combination of caulk, foam board, expandable sealant, and weather stripping to fill gaps.  Attics in particular are often full of holes from recessed lights, electrical wiring, chimney chases, and more. Look for dirty insulation, which is a sign of air leaks. In the basement, check for gaps around ductwork and plumbing pipes.  And don’t forget about window and door frames, as well as electrical outlets and switches.  Cracked caulking and staining around those openings are indications of air leaks.  One trick of the trade: Turn on all of the exhaust fans in the home and then use an incense stick or smoke pen to spot leaks.  Or try that without the fans on a windy day.

Check Insulation Levels

If your attic has less than 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose, you would probably benefit by adding more.  Also check for missing insulation, over the attic hatch, for example. Compressed insulation loses its effectiveness, so don’t store things on top of it. You may also need to add insulation in the basement or crawl space.  Go to www.proenergymd.com and search for “ZIP code insulation program” to find specific recommendations for your area.

Correct Ductwork

It’s the last step, and the one that’s the most overlooked.  Spending $500 to seal leaky or poorly insulated ducts that run through crawl spaces, attics, or other unconditioned areas can save you about $400 per year, according to the Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor.   Remediation is dirty work that requires the right materials.  Leave it to a qualified heating and cooling pro.

A buttoned-up house won’t leak energy, but you should still have your heating and cooling equipment inspected annually, and change furnace and A/C filters monthly.  A programmable thermostat is also worth every penny.  By automatically lowering your heating-system thermostat 5 to 10 degrees at night and during the day if no one is home, the device will shave up to 20 percent off of your heating costs.  It can also save on cooling costs.  In our survey, roughly six in ten respondents with a programmable model have seen savings. But you need to stick to those settings to save.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Lock double-hung windows to prevent air from escaping. Open curtains on south-facing windows on cold days to let in the sun.

Energy All-Stars

The Lux Smart Temp Touch Screen TX9000TS programmable thermostat, $80, was especially easy to operate and maintains steady temperatures. The screen on the $55 Hunter Set & Save 44360 was easier to read than most. Some tested thermostats were so difficult to use that you might end up using more energy.

Part 2 Tomorrow -

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City of NO Cars

August 29th, 2009

http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/vid/15288400/

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On Energy, Obama Finds Broad Support

August 28th, 2009

Poll Shows Backing for Reform Efforts, But Cap-and-Trade Bill Is Harder Sell:

Most Americans approve of the way President Obama is handling energy issues and support efforts by him and Democrats in Congress to overhaul energy policy — including the controversial cap-and-trade approach to limiting greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Even as public support has slipped for Obama’s health-care proposals, support for ambitious changes in energy policy has been steady.  Although the issue of health care arouses more intense feelings than energy policy does, those who do feel strongly about energy and climate policy tend to tilt toward the administration’s position and a broad majority of people echo Democratic lawmakers’ views on the benefits of proposed changes.

Nearly six in 10 of those polled support the proposed changes to U.S. energy policy being developed by Congress and the administration.  Fifty-five percent of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling the issue, compared with 30 percent who do not.  A narrower majority, 52 to 43 percent, back a cap-and-trade system; that margin is unchanged since June. A cap-and-trade system would set a ceiling for the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, and it would allow firms to buy and sell emissions permits.

“Something definitely has to be done,” said Marian Eldridge, a former legal secretary from East Windsor, N.J., who participated in the survey.  ”Anything’s worth a try at this point.”  She said she tries to “ignore the politics; you get discouraged.”  But she said that higher energy costs were “inevitable” and that “we’re too dependent on other countries.”

Despite public support for an energy and climate bill, the prospects for legislation remain uncertain.  The House narrowly passed a measure in June, but not before inserting a multitude of provisions for consumers, interest groups and corporations.  The Senate remains divided over how to move forward, and getting 60 senators to back an end to debate could be difficult.  Adding to that challenge is the thin public support for the cap-and-trade approach if it were to raise consumers’ costs.  Although 58 percent of those polled would support the plan if it reduced greenhouse gas emissions and cost them an extra $10 a month, support drops to 39 percent if new monthly costs reached $25.  Moreover, the Senate’s calendar is crowded with legislation on a variety of matters, including health care, appropriations, an increase in the debt ceiling and the extension of a nuclear weapons treaty with Russia.

Effect on Jobs

Majorities of those surveyed say changes in energy policy would address global warming and not raise energy costs.  Although many proponents of a cap-and-trade bill say it could spur job creation in the renewable-energy sector and foes say it would drive jobs overseas, a plurality of Americans — more than four out of 10 — think that the legislation would have no effect on employment in their states.  Fewer than one in five say that the reform efforts would lead to job losses; more than twice as many see added jobs.  GOP criticism of the House energy and climate bill appears to have primarily influenced Republicans themselves.  Among Republicans, support for cap-and-trade legislation has dipped from 45 percent to 37 percent since a poll taken in June.

“It will make the cost [of energy] go up too high for people,” said Mary Lou Pomeroy, an elementary school teacher’s assistant in Renton, Wash., near Seattle.  ”I think there’s a lot of people struggling and seeing their income reduced, and we don’t need things that cost more.  I’m just not sure that’s our biggest issue. . . . I think health care right now is bigger. or the huge deficit.”

Support for the plan among independents has increased slightly, with a narrow majority now in favor.  Overall, a slight majority of those polled say changes to energy policy would help address global warming, while a third say they will not.  A slim 5 percent volunteered that global warming is not an issue.

Obama’s goal of putting 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015 strikes a chord.  More than eight in 10 people say they support the development of electric car technology.

Some people see the government’s Cash for Clunkers program as a symbol of energy policy, even though it is separate from the comprehensive House legislation.  Nearly seven in 10 backed using cash rebates to encourage people to buy more fuel-efficient cars .

Eldridge, the New Jersey resident, said, “I think the clunker thing was a good idea.  It helped get some garbage off the roads.”  Pomeroy, however, predicted that many people who traded in clunkers would be unable to make payments on their new cars. And she viewed the government’s difficulty in getting payments to dealers as symptomatic of government involvement in the economy.  ”I don’t think our government is all that great at efficiency,” she said.

Energy Sources

The public’s preferences regarding energy sources to meet the nation’s needs remain mostly the same as they were at the start of the decade, with a modest uptick in support for new nuclear power plants and a decline in support for building oil-, coal- or natural gas-fueled plants.

Solar and wind power enjoy near-universal support; nine in 10 people support further development.  More than eight in 10 favor requirements for greater fuel efficiency.  Broad majorities also favor requiring increased energy conservation from businesses and consumers.

Fifty-two percent favor building more nuclear power plants, but that support drops to 35 percent if the new plants were within 50 miles of the respondent’s home.  Support for building nuclear plants is up about six percentage points since 2001.

The poll was conducted Aug. 13-17 among a random national sample of 1,001 adults. The results have a margin of error of three percentage points.

By Steven Mufson and Jennifer Agiesta

Polling director Jon Cohen contributed to this report.

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U.S. plans subsidies for more efficient appliances

August 26th, 2009

Md. due to get $3.5 million in stimulus money

“Cash for clunkers” may have ended, but consumers will soon have a new way to get federal subsidies: a program that rewards anyone who buys an energy-efficient refrigerator, washing machine or other appliance.

The U.S. has set aside $300 million in stimulus money to give to the states to develop their own programs, and Maryland is slated to get $5.4 million.

The program is expected to spur cautious consumers to open their wallets and give a boost to ailing manufacturers, retailers and the environment.  Unlike “cash for clunkers,” however, there will be no trade-ins.  The only requirement is the purchase of a qualifying Energy Star model.

“We’re working with the utility companies that are already running appliance rebate programs,” said Christina Twomey Light, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Energy Administration, which will administer the program.  ”We know the money is coming, and we’re absolutely thrilled to put it to good use in near term.”

The state is formulating a plan to submit to federal officials by the Oct. 15 deadline.

Jen Stutsman, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Energy, said each state will come up with its own plan. They are being encouraged to also include heating and cooling appliances and water heaters.

Those plans are coming in now and officials expect to approve them quickly, making rebate money available by the end of this year or early next year.  In light of the success of “cash for clunkers” – which resulted in an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 vehicles sold – states should be prepared for a quick response from consumers, she said.

Appliances with the government-backed Energy Star rating now account for more than half of sales. They use less water and energy than standard models.

According to BGE, an Energy Star refrigerator can save up to $112 in its lifetime because it requires only about half the energy of models made before 1993. The utility offers a $50 mail-in rebate for buying one.

The company also offers $50 for efficient clothes washers, which use 18-25 gallons of water, compared with 40 gallons on a standard washer, and $25 for qualified room air conditioners that use up to 35 percent less energy than a model 10 years older.  The company also offers rebates of up to $400 for heating and cooling systems bought at participating dealers and has other programs to help customers cut their energy use.

Kitchen Aid and GE also have rebate programs, and the federal government offers tax incentives for other energy-efficiency measures such as new windows and insulation and for alternative energy systems.  The state offers some matches.

“The whole idea is to offer programs that provide customers ways to manage their energy use,” said Ruth Kiselewich, who runs energy-efficiency programs for BGE. “We wanted to provide as many tools as possible so one customer can take advantage of one program and a different customer can take advantage of something else.”

She said the rebates and other new programs offered since April, such as quick energy audits, have been gaining popularity as customers learn about them, and could get another boost from the federal program.  Already, more than 100 people have sought appliance rebates and more than 2,000 have sought heating and cooling system rebates.

The federal rebate program will not require states to recycle old appliances.  Some utilities and retailers already offer recycling to their customers.  BGE says a refrigerator, for example, that is 10 years old will have more than 120 pounds of recyclable steel, and recycling one will save enough energy to run a new Energy Star machine for 8 months.

Jen King, a Home Depot spokeswoman, said the store probably sells a smaller percentage than that but interest from customers is up because of the cost savings.

“We’re always looking for ways to provide our customer extra value,” she said. “Each state has to come back with a plan, and we’re anxious to see what they come back with. We’re excited to be part of it.”

So are manufacturers.  ”Retiring older, less efficient appliances with Energy Star products is the single most cost-effective step a consumer can take to save money and energy,” said Joseph M. McGuire, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers president, in a statement. “This rebate program was a top legislative priority of the industry to help stimulate demand and provide immediate energy and utility cost savings.”

Possible savings

Last year’s energy savings from Energy Star appliances could:

• Power 10 million homes

• Avoid greenhouse gas emissions from 12 million cars

• Save consumers $6 billion.

By Meredith Cohn

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