State Level Rebates

According to a Department of Energy Press Release dated 7/14/2009, many states will be providing extra money in the form of rebates for homeowners who want to upgrade their appliances to newer, more energy efficient models. Source: http://www.energy.gov/news2009/7634.htm

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the availability of nearly $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for state-run rebate programs for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR® qualified home appliances. The new program underscores the Obama Administration’s commitment to make American homes more energy efficient, while helping to support the nation’s economic recovery. “Appliances consume a huge amount of our electricity, so there’s enormous potential to both save energy and save families money every month,” said Secretary Chu. “These rebates will help families make the transition to more efficient appliances, making purchases that will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs.”

The states will submit their plans in August and their final participation requirements in October. After that, we should see some new programs providing incentives for more energy efficient appliances. THEN, you will have NO excuse. The Federal Government is already proving a huge tax break up to $1,500 for installing efficient appliances and add to that state incentives and the units will practically pay for themselves! Who said staying cool was expensive?

Is Your AC a Clunker?

All this talk about cars and clunkers...and you start to wonder...what else is the government going to pay me to replace? Actually, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, has enacted several different programs to promote energy efficiency through creating tax and other types of rebates. Here's the good news: If your air isn't working as well as it could be, or your home is too hot - there may be some government money out there for you. Step One: How to tell if your AC is a Clunker - Your AC may be a "clunker" if it is over 10 years old. Refrigerant technologies have improved and the part that makes the air "cold" is now much more environmentally friendly. Other things have also come a long way, such as noise reduction and energy use. It is MUCH cheaper to run a newer central air unit than an older unit. For example, if your 10 year old unit has a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency) of 8 (which most units installed in the 80s or 90s did) and you install a new basic 13 SEER unit, you can save over 30% of energy costs. If you want to go higher efficiency, say a 16 SEER which will give you the tax credit, you're looking at about a 60% savings. You have an abundance of dust in your home or not all the rooms are feeling cool. This means that your ducts aren't sealed like they should be. As units age, things come loose. Duct work is no different. If you are getting dust through the registers and into your home, that means the air system may be drawing that dust from the insulation in the attic - meaning your system is no longer sealed - and therefore no longer efficient. When your unit works harder to cool your space, you feel it as higher energy bills. Your air conditioner is LOUD - this is also related to the first point. Noise reduction technology and the shape of compressors have allowed units to run 'faster' but also much quieter. That means that every time your air kicks on, the floor won't shake like a mini earthquake. This will make your neighbors VERY happy. See other reasons to replace your air conditioner here: http://www.residential.carrier.com/knowledge/askme/replaceac.shtml and from Energy Star here: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_checklist_consumers Okay, so second part - If your Air Conditioner IS a Clunker, what should you do: The answer in short: replace it, and take advantage of money the government is going to give you! More efficient units may be a little pricer, but if your unit is running the refrigerant R-22, it's going to become harder and harder to service. R-22 refrigerants are being/are almost completely phased out due to the Montreal Protocol. That means that if you need a charge for your older unit, it's going to cost you. Plus, the new units save a substantial amount of money! And besides...when does the government actually give you some cash back in such a large denomination? The tax credit for increasing your energy efficiency runs $1,500! That's up from the $300 they were offering last year. The tax credit applies to new heating and air conditioning, new windows, roofing and insulation. Check with your local dealer to see if you can trade in your clunker!

Troubleshoot

When it's hot, it can be hard to think about anything else. Here are some simple tips that may help to troubleshoot any problems with your central AC. Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2085858_troubleshoot-central-air-conditioners.html Courtesy E-How, last access 8/12/09. (please note that these are merely suggestions and any advice specific to your unit requires diagnosis from a certified technician. If you are interested in service, please call 626-331-4541 to set up an appointment.) They recommend first of all checking your filter - I CAN'T STRESS THIS ONE ENOUGH! First of all your furnace is usually located in your furnace. There will be a little door or a little hatch that will open and the filter just 'pops' out. The furnace needs to be cleaned at least every 4 months, but if it is used frequently, more often than that. Then, they recommend checking your circuit breaker. These can get tripped fairly easily during the summer months, especially at peak usage. It just needs to be flipped and the unit will continue working. They give other tips and helpful suggestions. For more information, check out their page.

Summer Tips for the Kitchen

Staying cool during a heat wave can be difficult! Especially when dinner needs to be cooked. The Consumer Energy Center provides tips and tricks to help your home stay comfortable no matter what the season. Source: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/tips/cool_in_the_kitchen.html They recommend cooking extra meals on cooler days to be frozen and then using the microwave to re-heat them. They also recommend using skillets to cook if you need to and then covering any pans (to prevent the heat from filling up the kitchen). The best part of their tips is that they provide, nice "cool" summer recipies. There are several different options, I'm only attaching one "food' and one 'drink.' To see the others, you'll have to visit their site for yourself.

Ginger-Lemon Salad Soup

PREP AND COOK TIME: About 40 minutes if quick-chilled NOTES: Serve with chopsticks and a spoon, or a fork and spoon. MAKES: 4 servings

2 stalks (each 12 to 15 in.) fresh lemon grass 1/4 cup minced fresh ginger 1 quart fat-skimmed chicken broth or vegetable broth 2 ounces dried thin rice noodles (mai fun or rice sticks) 2/3 cup long, thin carrot shreds 2/3 cup long, thin daikon shreds 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves 2 tablespoons slivered fresh mint leaves Asian fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla) or salt

1. Rinse lemon grass; trim and discard stem ends and leaves, and pull off and discard coarse outer layer. Cut stalks into 1/2-inch pieces.

2. In a 2- to 3-quart pan over high heat, combine lemon grass, ginger, and broth. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Quick-chill soup or cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour or up to 1 day.

3. Meanwhile, in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart pan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add rice noodles and stir to separate. Cook until tender to bite, about 3 minutes. Pour into a fine strainer over the sink and rinse with cold water until cool, about 1 minute. With scissors, cut noodles in 2 or 3 places to make smaller pieces.

4. In a bowl, mix noodles, carrot, and daikon.

5. Pour broth mixture through a fine strainer into four wide bowls; discard residue. Mound noodle mixture equally in centers of bowls. Scatter cilantro and mint on top. Add fish sauce to taste.

Per serving: 102 cal., 0.9% (0.9 cal.) from fat; 8.5 g protein; 0.1 g fat (0 g sat.); 16 g carbo (0.8 g fiber); 111 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.

Virgin Piña Colada

The tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut are perfect together blended with ice.

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup pineapple juice 1 cup crushed pineapple 1/2 cup coconut milk (canned or fresh) juice from one lime ice to top of blender

PREPARATION:

Blend ingredients until ice is slushy. Pour into frosted glasses and enjoy immediately.

Tough Economic Times

If you are feeling the pinch of this economy like so many, there may be some local programs that can help out a bit. Many of the local energy companies are offering help in retrograding homes or businesses, subsidizing energy costs and even upgrading weatherization. To find out more, please check out the Flex Your Power page on http://www.fypower.org/feature/lowincome/. They provide a list of companies that are offering income-qualified programs to help out local homeowners. California provides an abundance of resources for homeowners, why not take advantage of them? These initiatives are also helpful for the environment (as well as your pocket book) if we all use less energy, it's better all around. If you're looking for other ways to help the environment or to save on your energy bills, fypower.org (flex your power) is a great place to start. This California non-profit provides tips and tricks for homeowners seasonally and keeps a database of rebates and other economic incentives.

Green Your Browser

As technology gets more advanced, appliances generally become more energy efficient. There are also more virtual tools to help you keep track of your energy use. Microsoft has a virtual energy calculator and there are a couple of other big sites that will help calculate your carbon footprint. One of the easiest to use is part of firefox's add ons. These 'green' applications do several different things to help you keep track of your energy use as well as support businesses that are helping the environment. To see for yourself, watch the video.

Things to Know About AC

As it heats up, many homeowners are stuck making the difficult choice between buying a new air conditioner, or 'getting by' with their existing equipment. Here is an article that may add some perspective to the argument. Source: "Air Conditioners Cut Out Ozone Depeleting Gas Under New Rules" From USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2009-08-05-air-conditioner_N.htm This story highlights the use of R-22 (a common refrigerant) that is being phased out by next year. It looks at the costs of new installations and the differences between savings depending on SEER ratings. This article may make it easier to choose between installing a more efficient, more expensive unit now, or watching the prices of repairs go up later.

Older refrigerant will be harder to find

The phase-out of R-22 does not mean service and used parts will be unavailable for older air-conditioning models, Schneider says. The Montreal Protocol calls for a gradual elimination of all HCFC refrigerants in new equipment in developed countries by 2010. Service for older models could disappear by 2020.

The one drawback to purchasing a new ozone-conscious air conditioner is its price, which could stretch above the $10,000 mark. The cost all depends on how efficient homeowners decide to make their new system.

Air conditioners are graded on a scale known as SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating). The more efficient a system is, the higher its rating and price tag.

SEER "is the best measure of energy savings for the homeowner throughout the year," Schneider says.

A 13 SEER system, the bare minimum efficiency now required of all new air conditioners, using R-410A costs $5,000 to $8,000 depending on the region and the specifics of the installation, Schneider says. Ramping it up to 16 SEER would cost $8,000 to $11,000. An R-410A unit would cost about 5% more than a new one using R-22, but the service costs with R-22 could be higher.

Rebates offered for high-efficiency units

To ease the pain of the initial cost, air-conditioner manufacturers and even utility companies offer rebates as a reward for purchasing a "green" piece of equipment. Also, if homeowners decide to ratchet up the efficiency to 16 SEER, they are eligible for $1,500 in stimulus bill tax credits from the government, Schneider says.

"It made the most sense to go a little bit more efficient," says Jan Bohrer of Fairfax, Va., who recently had a new R-410A air-conditioning system with a 17 SEER rating installed into her house. She also says that her whole house feels cooler when her thermostat is set at a higher temperature and that she is able to control humidity far more effectively, which translates to comfort. The new system is also much quieter, she says.

"My old system sounded like aircraft carriers taking off when it was on," Bohrer says.

Because these new air conditioners operate with much higher pressure, they consume less energy.

Schneider says the average annual energy consumption cost of a 13 SEER machine is $665, which would save about $200 (or 23%) vs. the average energy cost of a typical existing unit. There is no difference between R-22 and R-410A energy costs when both are used in a 13 SEER system, because they are equally efficient, Schneider says.

HFCs have received scrutiny from some participants of the Kyoto Protocol, an international environmental treaty dedicated to combating global warming, based on concern that molecules of R-410A in its gaseous state trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere more than carbon dioxide. HFCs also have been criticized by Allan Thornton, president of the Environmental Investigation Agency, who says certain HFCs will be a major global warming threat in the future.

5 Green Ideas for Summer Fun

Originally posted at the Low Impact Living Blog: http://www.lowimpactliving.com/blog/2009/08/05/five-green-ideas-for-summer-fun/

The Low Impact Living site provides information about how to calculate your carbon footprint, how to choose 'greener' services and tips on things to do to lower your emissions.

August 5th, 2009
Five Green Ideas for Summer Fun
Posted by Cassie Walker
Stumble it!digg it add to del.icio.ustechnoratiShareThis With summer in full swing, it might be time for some new ideas for entertainment. New green ideas, of course! Whether it’s catching a movie in a theater powered by solar power or hosting a barbecue using (gulp) reusable plates and utensils, check out our suggestions on how to close out summer with a (green) bang.
1. Take in a flick. OK, not exactly an original idea, but cooling off in a dark movie theater is one of America’s favorite summer pastimes. Especially when enjoyed during the heat of the day, it feels like a true escape…at least for a few hours.
Regardless of whether you’re going to see the new indie flick or the latest summer blockbuster, consider the environment as you make your choices. Cut your transportation emissions by rallying the troops for a bike ride to the theater, or try taking public transportation. Eat something healthy before you go to avoid the over packaged, over-sugared junk food at the theater. Or, bring a large purse…I’m not advocating anything here, I’m just saying, it’s an option.
Though most theaters are kept at temperatures that seem to be just above freezing, there are a few that reduce their impact by drawing power from alternative energy. For example, Livermoore Cinemas in Livermoore, CA gets 35% of its energy needs from a solar installation on the roof. Or, for something a little more old-school, check out the wind-powered Harvest Moon Drive-In in Gibson City, IL. Though you’ll have to drive there (it being a drive-in and all) you can bring your own food and drinks. Bring unprocessed, organic treats and you’ll be saving more than money.
For an even greener experience – of both the environmental and cash varieties – consider joining one of the DVD services, like Netflix, which delivers movies right to your mailbox via the postal service. Less fun, perhaps, but perfect for a Tuesday night with the kids.
2. Catch up on your green TV So many programs, so little time! If you’re like me, your DVR gets backed up with shows during the busy spring months. With reruns ruling the airwaves this summer, check out some of the entertaining, educational programming on networks like Planet Green and Sundance. From cooking and home renovations to style and even science, there are shows about greening every aspect of work and play.
3. Throw a party Summer is the perfect time to throw a party, considering the long days and warm nights. Use e-vites to spread the word, and encourage people to carpool. If you’re up for a bit of cooking, scour your local farmers’ market or your garden to come up with the freshest, tastiest treats – your guests will thank you. Add wonderful sustainable wine, and you’re a hero!
If you’re the queen or king of the grill, choose propane over charcoal to minimize emissions. Don’t take the easy route with disposable plates and utensils – use reusable items and enlist a friend or two to help with clean-up. If you can’t swing reusables due to the number of people expected, look for biodegradable or compostable disposables. To keep pests at bay, try some of the more natural insect repellants, like those from Burt’s Bees. It only takes a little forethought to reduce the impact of your celebrations!
4. Have a garage sale Have your kids outgrown last year’s school clothes? Got a bunch of stuff stacked in the garage that’s still working or in good shape? Sounds like it’s time for a yard sale. Selling your old stuff will not only reduce your clutter, but will provide a new life for many of the things you can no longer use. Talk to others in your neighborhood about putting on a multi-family sale to garner additional buyers. Plus, they might have something that you could use! Get to know your neighbors, make a little extra money, and advance the concept of “reuse” – sounds like a good Saturday morning!
5. Do nothing at all My favorite. If just hanging out sounds like your speed (or you’re exhausted after your garage sale) consider hitting your local park, beach, lake, or even your own back yard. Pack some snacks, a blanket, and maybe a football or your trusty Scrabble board (depending on your sensibilities) and chill. Summer is prime relaxation time, so take advantage of the slower pace to decompress and recharge. Whatever you do this summer, consider the environment, but most importantly, have fun!

Check out their site for more information about being "green."

Electric Bill

Did your electric bill go up this month? You may have thought...hmm...a little high, but...I have been running the air conditioner almost constantly. While the constant cooling may have attributed some to the high costs of energy this last month, it may not be the sole cause. California regulators gave Edison the 'OK' to raise their rates in Southern California as of March 2009.

Read the story here: http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/13/business/fi-edison13

So, while there may not be anything you can do about your increased rate - if ever there was a time to start conserving electricity it's now!

Consider using lights only when they are needed. If natural light from the windows will suffice, don't turn on the lights, especially since lighting can increase the overall temperature of the room. Make sure to turn lights off when they are not needed, or when you leave a room. If you haven't switched over to efficient light bulbs, do so - they do actually conserve energy and last longer to boot.

Keep the drapes closed! If you have one side of the house that gets major sun consider installing outside shades to block and deflect some of the heat.

Focus on your attic - a lot of cool air can be lost through the attic. So if you have an older home (with less insulation) consider getting more insulation or even a radiant barrier installed to prevent the heat from your attic from getting into your home.