Staunton Green 2020

Are you eligible for an energy-efficiency rebate? Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling’s office just allocated new funds to support Virginians who make energy upgrades. Details below:

–

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling announced that approximately $6.5 million is available for a second round of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program to make homes and businesses more energy efficient.  Energy efficiency improvements include upgrading heating and air conditioning equipment, adding insulation, replacing leaky windows, and other improvements that reduce energy consumption and utility costs.  Homeowners are eligible for rebates for 20 percent of the costs of qualifying energy conserving products and services, up to $2,000.  Commercial consumers are eligible for 20 percent of their costs, up to $4,000. Qualified home and business owners also can reserve an additional $250 for a certified energy audit.

Three appliances have been added to the program for the second round; refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers. The online application, rules, forms and additional information are available at www.dmme.virginia.gov.

Applicants can apply to reserve funding for a rebate.  Once approved, they then have up to six months to complete the work and redeem the reservation for a rebate check.    Applications for rebate reservations will be processed in the order they are received.  Once reservations deplete available funds, applications will be placed on a wait list in the order received.  Wait-listed applicants may be approved for rebate reservations if additional funds become available. (The first round of funding for efficiency rebates totaling about $10 million was sold out in less than three weeks when the program opened in late October.)

The Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program is administered by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. More information is available at www.dmme.virginia.gov.

A separate Solar and Wind Incentive Program also has opened a $3.5 million second round of funding to help defray the costs of solar electric, solar thermal and small wind energy systems for residents, businesses, and non-profits. Information is available at www.dmme.virginia.gov.

Are you eligible for an energy efficiency rebate?

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME), Division of Energy will provide up to $15 million in rebates for energy efficiency measures and equipment to retrofit homes and commercial property, and up to $15 million in rebates for renewable energy equipment and systems for residential and commercial applications.

An online form to request a conditional reservation of funds is available here:
http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/SEPRebate.shtml

Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebates will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. A two-step process will be used to allocate the money. First, applicants will request a conditional reservation of funds. When a reservation is confirmed, funds will be set aside while the applicant is allowed up to 180 days to complete work. The second part of the rebate process requires the applicant who successfully reserved funds to provide documentation of costs and compliance with all program requirements in order to receive a rebate check.

Questions about the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate Program should be directed to the following email address: FAQefficient -AT- dmme.virginia.gov

Questions will be answered by DMME and posted to a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the website, here:
http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/SEPRebate.shtml

Don’t forget: there is also money available to those who qualify to weatherize of your home. If you don’t qualify for either of these programs, please tell someone who may…

Historic Staunton Foundation is hosting a free workshop about weatherizing your old home. The workshop will take place Saturday, October 17th from 10am to 2pm at the R.R. Smith Center.

Energy and Comfort in Your Historic Home
Frank Strassler, HSF Executive Director, will demonstrate and discuss preparing your home for winter.  Display materials & case study information will be on hand to show you how to manage the stack effect, weather strip windows, and outline effective insulation.  Pick up a tool and give it a try!  HSF promotes green, energy efficient and sustainable solutions with a quick payback.

It is free to attend so bring a friend!

Does what happen in Brussels stay in Brussels?

Restrictions on the import and sale of incandescent bulbs went into effect across most of Europe recently. The mission is to save energy and combat global warming. Retailers are selling off their stock of traditional bulbs until they run out, says The New York Times.

Could a similar ban make sense on these shores? It might …Changing a light-bulb to a more energy-efficient CFL or LED can collectively make a significant difference. Yes, the bulbs are more expensive on the front-end but will pay for themselves in energy costs over the long haul. (In fact, depending on bulb, they last five or more years!)

Here are some ways to let the (energy-efficient) light shine

What do you think about a proposed ban on traditional light bulbs?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Backlash over light bulb ban continues to build in Europe (dailyfinance.com)

Our neighbors to the east are exploring an innovative way to help homeowners make energy-saving improvements to their homes and save money at the same time.

Here’s an excerpt from Charlottesville Tomorrow:

“LEAP would make loans to homeowners to help them cover the cost of energy-saving improvements. In the long-run, the program would be sustained in part by charging interest on those loans. Homeowners would pay for the loans in part by using the savings that come with lower energy bills. The grant application claims that between 915 and 1,271 jobs would be created as much as 69,685 metric tons of carbon emissions would be eliminated in the first seven years.”

Wouldn’t it be great to do something similar in Staunton? Check out the website to read more and/or listen to a podcast on the topic.

Related articles by Zemanta

• McKinsey report: U.S. energy conservation could save $1.2 trillion (dailyfinance.com)
• Just How Many Trillions of Dollars Can Energy Efficiency Save Us? (treehugger.com)

Take an inventory of your house and discover ways to increase energy efficiency, safety, and minimize cost. More helpful “how-to” tips from SG2020 member Gena Adams:

Attic

• Insulate.
• Install an Attic Fan to cool your house in the summer. (Here’s a solar-powered attic fan manufactured in the U.S.)

Basement

• When it is time to upgrade purchase an energy efficient furnace.
• Think about installing a solar water heater.

All Rooms

• Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Weatherstrip, caulk and seal around all windows and doors. This can save you up to 10% on your energy bill according to the Department of Energy.
• Use homemade or green cleaners in your home, which are safe for your children and pets.
• Use microfiber reusable cloths for cleaning.
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
• Install a ceiling fan to improve air circulation.
• Use VOC free paint.
• Use room-darkening blinds on the South and West sides of your house to keep the heat out.

NOTE:  Just how profitable are energy-efficient upgrades? Up to 16% return on your money, or more!

Related articles by Zemanta

• How To Slash Your High Electricity Bill (savingcashtips.com)
• Green Inc.: Finding a Home Energy Auditor (greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Getting your hands on some green…stimulus (money.cnn.com)

Local NBC29 reports the recent efforts by the City of Staunton to save energy and taxpayer money.

Some highlights:

• In the last 18 months, Staunton City Hall has cut energy use by 20 percent. Other city buildings have also seen double-digit drops
• Energy-use changes in the public school system alone have already saved the City nearly $70,000
• More efficient, modern air conditioning units installed in public buildings
• Encouraging new development to incorporate green practices — encourage, not legislate — (e.g. Western State Hospital)
• Investigating funds to replace school crossing signals with solar powered units and using water-based paints whenever possible

Watch the video here.

Related articles by Zemanta

• How To Keep Cool Without Going Broke This Summer [Prof. Dealzmodo] (gizmodo.com)