DC residents gets free energy audits, Energy Audits, energy efficiency, energy usage control, Free Energy Audits, Home, Home Energy Audits in DC, Solar Energy thermal image, Washington DC, weatherization, windows Calling all DC Residents!!!! Guess what? If you are a homeowner in the District of Columbia, and your home is a: The program promotes energy efficiency assessments for single family homes in the District. Based on a home energy rating system, auditors will suggest specific cost-effective, energy efficient improvements that should be done to reduce the home’s operational costs and improve comfort. Such improvements and ratings may help you qualify for lower rate mortgages or energy efficiency home mortgages. Your energy rating should also help sellers be more attractive to home buyers. What is a home energy rating? The Home Energy Rating is a standard measurement of a home’s energy efficiency. An energy rating allows a homebuyer to easily compare the energy costs for the homes being considered. A homeowner who wants to upgrade the home’s energy efficiency can use the energy rating to evaluate and pinpoint specific cost-effective improvement needs. Home energy ratings involve an on-site inspection of a home by a residential energy efficiency professional, a home energy rater. DDOE has selected Elysian Energy, LLC to conduct the Home Energy Ratings. As a rule, home energy raters come from either the housing or energy fields. Their backgrounds include experience as home inspectors, appraisers, energy auditors, low-income Weatherization contractors, and energy efficient homebuilders and designers. The home energy rater inspects the home and measures energy characteristics such as: insulation levels, window efficiency, wall-to-wall ratios, the heating and cooling system efficiency, the solar orientation of the home, and the water heating system. Diagnostic testing, which may include a blower door for air leakage and duct leakage testing, is often part of the rating. The data gathered by the home energy rater is entered into a computer program and translated into points. The home receives a point score between 1 and 100, depending on its relative efficiency. An estimate of the home’s energy costs is also provided. The home’s energy efficiency is then equated to a STAR rating ranging from 1 STAR for a very inefficient home to a 5 STAR for a highly efficient home. Along with the rating sheet, homeowners receive a report listing cost-effective options for improving the home’s energy rating. FIVE STAR + (PLUS) = EXTREMELY EFFICIENT One of the major differences between a home energy rating and an energy audit or Weatherization assessment is that the rating is a recognized tool in the mortgage process. Home energy ratings are valuable to the housing industry and can be utilized in a variety of ways. The information derived from the home energy rating provides important information about a home’s performance and the economic analysis necessary to support lending decisions. Sign Up Here for your “Free Home Energy Audit” In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) extends, expands, and simplifies the federal income tax credits for homeowners who make energy efficiency home improvements. The law extends the consumer tax benefits for another year, through 2010; triples the total available tax credit from $500 to $1,500; and increases the tax credit to 30 percent of the cost of each qualified energy efficiency improvement. The law also removes the cap on geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters through 2016 More green info? Also enjoy some very cool videos at sobukaTV for more emerging green news. Sobuka can also help you find a green contractor in your area. Search with your zip code and also find out which rebates you may qualify for in your area. Tags: Dc residents gets free energy audits, Energy Audits, energy efficiency, energy usage control, Free Energy Audits, Home, Home Energy Audits in DC, Solar Energy thermal image,Washington DC, weatherization, windows
FIVE STAR = VERY EFFICENT
FOUR STAR + + = EFFICIENT
FOUR STAR = GOOD
THREE STAR + + = ABOVE AVERAGE
THREE STAR = AVERAGE
TWO STAR + + = BELOW AVERAGE
TWO STAR = FAIR
ONE STAR + + = POOR
ONE STAR = EXTREMLY POOR
Friday, June 24, 2011
Energy Audits for DC Residents
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Greening your home: Part 2 of 5
1. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® label instead of incandescent bulbs.
2. CFLs use 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
3. CFLs generate 70 percent less heat than standard incandescent lighting.
“If every American home replaced just one light bulb or fixture with an ENERGY STAR qualified product, we preserve enough energy each year to light more than three million homes, save more than $600 Million in energy cost, and prevent greenhouse gas emission equivalent to those produced by more than 800,000 cars!”
<strong>Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).</strong>
Greening your home: Part 1 of 5
During the winter and fall with the AC unit turned off, the electricity bill can get pretty high as we spend time in doors. I spent time walking around my house to find out how much I can save by cutting corners. To cut cost, others may place several kitchen appliances and electronics away in the attic. If that approach does not meet your satisfaction, we have several economic tips along with suggestions that you can use to save within your household. Trying some of these suggestions may work out as Part 1 of 6 of our greening your home series. Appliances on standby mode: Similarly… Having your home electronics on while not in use can be very inefficient because they still use up electricity while on. The US Department of Energy notes, “In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics and appliances is consumed while the products are turned off.” I pulled out a couple of appliances from Australia’s website to see what we can compare to our neighbors down under at the EIA’s office. Seems like we share some common appliances that include: Televisions Some suggestions are to put these devices into common power strips around your home and turning the power strips off when the equipment is not in use. Another simpler method is simply turn off your computer and monitor when not in use. If you have an electronic device or appliance that is not efficient, try trading it in for an energy star related device. Going back to the US EIA assessment, if 75% of my energy is being wasted, how much money is my household losing…. If you would like to have an analysis of heat loss at your home or small business, a nice energy audit will send you in the right direction. The insight you gain from it will give you plenty of ideas for a little green remodeling, so you can become part of the solution. Sign up for an energy audit through Sobuka by typing in your zip code and selecting contractors in your area.Greening your home: Part 1 of 5
You may already know what standby mode is or heard of the term thrown around at your local Radio Shack, BestBuy, or favorite electronics store. However as a refresher, picture yourself at a bus stop waiting for a bus. I remember back in high school and college standing hours waiting for public transportation. The most I spent at a bus stop was longer during half a days when class ended during irregular periods. I was doing nothing efficient but just standing there idle.
Fax Machines
Cordless Telephones
Microwave Ovens
Battery Chargers for Portable Devices (such as mobile phones)
Remote Control Devices
Any appliances with a built in electronic clock. My stove is one of those.
Any appliance which does not have an “off” switch
Thursday, May 19, 2011
350 polar bears in Chesapeake Bay. wait, what?!
Came across this cool video from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. While some tried to keep warm by staying indoors during this unusually cold winter, 350 green enthusiasts gathered by the banks of the Bay in Annapolis and… well, let the footage speak for itself: We applaud you guys! you’re the best! Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).350 polar bears in Chesapeake Bay. wait, what?!