We all know how much of a headache bills can be. We all hate going to the mailbox, only to find a heap of bills waiting for us. There’s nothing more painful than paying for utilities. It seems that when we receive electricity bills, we are always surprised at how much energy we consume.
However high our house energy bills are, we see them as something we have to endure. After all, we all need to pay for our electricity, right? So whenever we see those high energy bills, we react with resignation, dig deep into our pockets and pay whatever the electric companies demand.
What you need to know is that there are ways to lower those house energy bills. There are a lot of simple and practical ways to conserve energy. By using these methods, you can significantly lower your house energy bill.
First of all, you need to realize that all the little things matter. You need to understand that there are a lot of small things we do that are wasteful of house energy. Some of these little wasteful habits may seem insignificant, but if they are combined, they might amount up to one third of your house energy bill.
Here are some of the habits which can cost you a lot.
1) Leaving the refrigerator door open – Some people may not see this habit as something that would significantly affect their energy bill. However, given the right information, you will see that this habit can actually cost you a lot of money.
You see, a refrigerator works by absorbing the heat within the compartment. If you open the refrigerator door, you let heat enter the system, which means that the refrigerator needs to consume more electricity in order to lower the temperature. By leaving the refrigerator door open, you are essentially trying to absorb all of the heat energy in the house.
Oh, yes, If you still do not know, the little light does go off when you close the refrigerator door so don’t waste energy by trying to find out.
2) Leaving the lights on – This is a very common mistake made by every household in the world. Most people forget to turn off their lights and these lights consume electricity. Sure, one light turned on may not consume much house energy, but what if all your lights were left on? Surely, this would cost you a lot on your electricity bill.
If you can, you might want to open up your shades and let the sun shine into your life. Some people actually tend to draw their shades and then turn on their lights, what’s more wasteful than rejecting free energy?
If you can’t help forgetting to turn the lights off, you may want to consider buying some energy-saving lamps. These lights may cost you more when you first buy them, but these are guaranteed to save you a lot on house energy in the long term. By investing in these lights, you will be able to cut a lot off your house energy bill.
3) Playing with the thermostat – People hate being bored. However, please do not try and ease your boredom by turning the temperature up and down. Whenever you get the urge to adjust your thermostat, ask yourself this question: am I feeling uncomfortable because of the temperature or is it all in my head?
The same advice goes for air conditioners. Sometimes, people blame their discomfort on the temperature. However, you need to be honest with yourself and leave the thermostat alone, ok?
Here are some things you should do to conserve house energy:
1) Try to look for alternatives – In order to save on your house energy, try to look at alternative energy options. You see, there are a lot of different home alternative energy devices available in the market today. These devices can actually support small home appliances by supplying them with free energy.
2) Try to look for energy-saving devices – There are a lot of devices available today that can maximize your house energy efficiency. These devices often only require you to plug them into a socket and they monitor your energy consumption. These ensure that no energy is wastes when you are operating your house appliances. For now, these may cost you a pretty penny, but as the technology continues to develop, expect prices to drop significantly.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Putting Home Energy Savings on to Your System
Using home energy everyday is easy. But, receiving high electric bills at the end of the month may be a little hard for you. Since most homeowners like you, want to know how to get those electric bill in a manageable and acceptable digits, there are several systems designed to particularly answer this. Systems that are guaranteed to make your electric bills low.
Here are those:
Insulating – The best way to keep your body warm is by wearing not only just thick clothing, but also clothes that will trap the body heat inside. The same principle goes with keeping your house warn during winter. Keeping good and tight batt insulation around wall enclosures is the best thing to do this. But it is not always the easiest. Any gaps at any point around the wall enclosure will definitely degrade the quality of the insulation installed. Gaps mentioned here are electrical boxes, pipes, and wires; places where batt insulation can be tricky to install even for professionals. As an alternative, you may want to use materials such as cellulose insulation for maximum area coverage. The cellulose insulation eliminates gap and voids, making your walls 100% insulated.
But this is not all.
After insulating your home, you might think you have done enough. It is true that insulating your home well will keep cold air from entering your home and degrading the performance of your heating system. But, your house is not 100% assured that it would e 100% insulated. The next thing is one important thing you should understand…
Airsealing – Leaks around the house are accounted for as much as 40% of your heating and cooling consumption. This means that no matter how good your insulation is, if your house have leaks, you still cannot assure total savings.
Airsealing your home is the next important thing you should remember and do in order to maximize the use of your heating system. Leaks from the front doors must be sealed by weather stripping. Doors leading to garage and attic, and doors to individual rooms should also be sealed. Sealants must be applied on windows, joints and sills. Walls with leaks can degrade the quality of air as well as the performance of your heating system. Leaks from floors will make your heating system work harder as well. All of these should be sealed in order to make your home leak-free that would equate to savings.
Extra savings – Now that you have ensured that your home is well insulated and air-sealed, it is time for you to solve minor problems that add big cost on your home energy.
Cleaning your air filter will give you 2 good effects:
1. Clean air filter reduces the heating system’s demand to work extra.2. Clean air filter will provide clean recycled air around the house.
Making sure that the ducts are leak free will give you as much as 30% on energy savings from your heating system.
Turn on your appliances only if you will use them. Never leave them on while you were away. Lights should be turned off if not used. Lower down your thermostat if you are away or sleeping.
Set your washing machine to cold. Washing machine consumes as much as 90% more power on heating the water than using tap water.
Using small electric burner when cooking will give you better savings than using large burner. It will also keep your heating system less stressful in maintaining the temperature of the house.
Lower down the thermostat of your refrigerator.
Using your fireplace to warm the house up is much cheaper than using the heating system.
Maintaining – Keeping your home well maintained will give you a lot of savings. Invest on energy saving devices that will keep your home warn at the same time, enables your heating system to work as efficient as possible. Regular check on the leaks of the duct and periodical cleaning of the air filter will certainly make your heating system work efficiently.
With all these, you may now have electric bill that is both manageable and acceptable.
Try all these and see the difference they can do to your monthly electric bill.
Here are those:
Insulating – The best way to keep your body warm is by wearing not only just thick clothing, but also clothes that will trap the body heat inside. The same principle goes with keeping your house warn during winter. Keeping good and tight batt insulation around wall enclosures is the best thing to do this. But it is not always the easiest. Any gaps at any point around the wall enclosure will definitely degrade the quality of the insulation installed. Gaps mentioned here are electrical boxes, pipes, and wires; places where batt insulation can be tricky to install even for professionals. As an alternative, you may want to use materials such as cellulose insulation for maximum area coverage. The cellulose insulation eliminates gap and voids, making your walls 100% insulated.
But this is not all.
After insulating your home, you might think you have done enough. It is true that insulating your home well will keep cold air from entering your home and degrading the performance of your heating system. But, your house is not 100% assured that it would e 100% insulated. The next thing is one important thing you should understand…
Airsealing – Leaks around the house are accounted for as much as 40% of your heating and cooling consumption. This means that no matter how good your insulation is, if your house have leaks, you still cannot assure total savings.
Airsealing your home is the next important thing you should remember and do in order to maximize the use of your heating system. Leaks from the front doors must be sealed by weather stripping. Doors leading to garage and attic, and doors to individual rooms should also be sealed. Sealants must be applied on windows, joints and sills. Walls with leaks can degrade the quality of air as well as the performance of your heating system. Leaks from floors will make your heating system work harder as well. All of these should be sealed in order to make your home leak-free that would equate to savings.
Extra savings – Now that you have ensured that your home is well insulated and air-sealed, it is time for you to solve minor problems that add big cost on your home energy.
Cleaning your air filter will give you 2 good effects:
1. Clean air filter reduces the heating system’s demand to work extra.2. Clean air filter will provide clean recycled air around the house.
Making sure that the ducts are leak free will give you as much as 30% on energy savings from your heating system.
Turn on your appliances only if you will use them. Never leave them on while you were away. Lights should be turned off if not used. Lower down your thermostat if you are away or sleeping.
Set your washing machine to cold. Washing machine consumes as much as 90% more power on heating the water than using tap water.
Using small electric burner when cooking will give you better savings than using large burner. It will also keep your heating system less stressful in maintaining the temperature of the house.
Lower down the thermostat of your refrigerator.
Using your fireplace to warm the house up is much cheaper than using the heating system.
Maintaining – Keeping your home well maintained will give you a lot of savings. Invest on energy saving devices that will keep your home warn at the same time, enables your heating system to work as efficient as possible. Regular check on the leaks of the duct and periodical cleaning of the air filter will certainly make your heating system work efficiently.
With all these, you may now have electric bill that is both manageable and acceptable.
Try all these and see the difference they can do to your monthly electric bill.
Making Your Mobile Home Energy Efficient
If you were living on a mobile home temporarily or permanently, you surely would want to cut down your electric consumption just like others who would like to cut down theirs.
Here are several ways in making your mobile home energy efficient:
· Improving the roof paintjob
In the hot and humid months of June, July, August, and September, mobile homes tend to heat up. This is because mobile homes are not built with much ventilation. On regular homes, large attics the separate the outside from the inside keep houses cool. Vents on these attics further contribute to reduction of heat penetration to the house. The space separating the roof of a mobile home and the ceiling is not enough to keep the inside cool. As a result, air conditioning system works harder during hot summer days. Thus, consuming more energy. To lessen the heat penetration to the home, cool roof coating can be done.
Do this when it is not raining since cool roof coating is water-based.
Repainting the roof of your mobile home to deflect the heat that can potentially penetrate to the inside.
· Providing better roof insulation
Many people, even a mobile home contractor would suggest that you couldn’t do anything to improve the insulation of your mobile home. To tell you honestly, they are totally wrong. You can access the roof cavity from the edge of the roof that is connected with the wall or from the directly through the rooftop. Doing so will save you as much as 15% of your total cooling system consumption.
You can do this on your own or find someone who knows how to do this.
· Maintaining a good air conditioning
Air conditioning occupies the biggest chunk of your electric bill. This is why you need to make sure that you get the most out of it. To so this, check your air conditioning system regularly. You can start with the air duct. Make sure that the air duct is sealed. Any small leak would let the outside air to enter, thus making the air conditioning to work harder.
Your mobile home’s air duct is usually located underneath. You may want to skirt your mobile home to the ground of few inches from the ground to protect the duct during winter and summer. Skirting would also provide additional protection from your pets to destroy the duct.
· Air sealing your mobile home
The best way to keep the air outside from entering is to seal every spaces of your mobile home. Windows, doors, and other openings can be sealed by weather stripping, a rubber sealant that keeps that interior airtight.
Doing this will let the air from coming out of the mobile home.
· The mobile home location
Sitting your mobile home under the shade would let you save from air conditioning. Since shades draw away heat even before it reaches the roof of your mobile home, your air conditioning will not be forced to cool the interior.
· Ensuring the water heater
The water heater takes 14% of your total energy consumption. This is the second largest energy consumer next to the air conditioning system. If your water heater is located outside the compartment, it surely takes additional energy load since the heat is lost because of the outside air. You cannot cover it of course for safety purposes. Instead, you can use insulation jacket. This will keep the heat inside the tank.
The thermostat dictates the energy consumption of the water heater. If you have less water demand, 120 degrees Fahrenheit is sufficient enough. For larger water consumption, 140 degrees Fahrenheit is usually required.
· Windows
Proper selection of shutters, shades, and drapes is important to keep the heat inside or away from the mobile home. But, you have to use them properly. Close them during the night to keep the cool air from the outside away and open it during the day if you are not using air conditioning. Use thick shutters, shades, or drapes during winder to keep to cool air from coming in.
Consider all these to make sure you maximize the use of power in your home. In turn, you will save money on electric bills.
Here are several ways in making your mobile home energy efficient:
· Improving the roof paintjob
In the hot and humid months of June, July, August, and September, mobile homes tend to heat up. This is because mobile homes are not built with much ventilation. On regular homes, large attics the separate the outside from the inside keep houses cool. Vents on these attics further contribute to reduction of heat penetration to the house. The space separating the roof of a mobile home and the ceiling is not enough to keep the inside cool. As a result, air conditioning system works harder during hot summer days. Thus, consuming more energy. To lessen the heat penetration to the home, cool roof coating can be done.
Do this when it is not raining since cool roof coating is water-based.
Repainting the roof of your mobile home to deflect the heat that can potentially penetrate to the inside.
· Providing better roof insulation
Many people, even a mobile home contractor would suggest that you couldn’t do anything to improve the insulation of your mobile home. To tell you honestly, they are totally wrong. You can access the roof cavity from the edge of the roof that is connected with the wall or from the directly through the rooftop. Doing so will save you as much as 15% of your total cooling system consumption.
You can do this on your own or find someone who knows how to do this.
· Maintaining a good air conditioning
Air conditioning occupies the biggest chunk of your electric bill. This is why you need to make sure that you get the most out of it. To so this, check your air conditioning system regularly. You can start with the air duct. Make sure that the air duct is sealed. Any small leak would let the outside air to enter, thus making the air conditioning to work harder.
Your mobile home’s air duct is usually located underneath. You may want to skirt your mobile home to the ground of few inches from the ground to protect the duct during winter and summer. Skirting would also provide additional protection from your pets to destroy the duct.
· Air sealing your mobile home
The best way to keep the air outside from entering is to seal every spaces of your mobile home. Windows, doors, and other openings can be sealed by weather stripping, a rubber sealant that keeps that interior airtight.
Doing this will let the air from coming out of the mobile home.
· The mobile home location
Sitting your mobile home under the shade would let you save from air conditioning. Since shades draw away heat even before it reaches the roof of your mobile home, your air conditioning will not be forced to cool the interior.
· Ensuring the water heater
The water heater takes 14% of your total energy consumption. This is the second largest energy consumer next to the air conditioning system. If your water heater is located outside the compartment, it surely takes additional energy load since the heat is lost because of the outside air. You cannot cover it of course for safety purposes. Instead, you can use insulation jacket. This will keep the heat inside the tank.
The thermostat dictates the energy consumption of the water heater. If you have less water demand, 120 degrees Fahrenheit is sufficient enough. For larger water consumption, 140 degrees Fahrenheit is usually required.
· Windows
Proper selection of shutters, shades, and drapes is important to keep the heat inside or away from the mobile home. But, you have to use them properly. Close them during the night to keep the cool air from the outside away and open it during the day if you are not using air conditioning. Use thick shutters, shades, or drapes during winder to keep to cool air from coming in.
Consider all these to make sure you maximize the use of power in your home. In turn, you will save money on electric bills.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program FAQ
What is Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
In general, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the LIHEAP is a Federal government-funded initiative that aims to assist low-income households on paying for their electric bills. Normally, the LIHEAP is designed to give assistance during winter as the consumption of electricity rises due to the heating demand on each home. However, for places that do not have winter season, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is given to households that could not afford the extra cost of air conditioning during summer.
How does the program work?
The program usually gives priority to households with low income and high electric consumption. The State shall provide financial assistance to cover for electric consumption of beneficiaries.
What are the aims of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has 4 aims
1. To help households with low income to pay for the current electric bill,
2. To help households with low income to pay for the previous electric bill,
3. To help households with low income to lower down the future electric bill,
4. And to help households with low income to improve their homes to adapt on the weather condition, thus making their home more energy efficient.
Are the all programs the same on every state?
Since each state has their own needs, the programs may be different. Some states have Winter Financial Assistance Program. Some have Weathering Program. However, but the basic 4 aims remain the same.
What types of services are offered in case I am found eligible?
All states offer the basic assistance. To be specific here are some of the common services you can get:
· Emergency assistance
· Furnace replacements
· Making your home energy efficient
· Furnace and chimney cleaning
· Minor repairs
· Heating assistance, and
· Energy cost reduction devices
Take note that these services may not be included on the program of your state. You may want to check on the particular services that are being offered in your state to get specific details.
Who can apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
Generally speaking, anyone can apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP as long as they reside on the state where the program is being offered.
Where do I go to apply for LIHEAP?
Each State that offers this program has designated offices where walk in applicants can apply. Some local County Social Services Offices accept application for LIHEAP. There are several States that provide downloadable application forms. You may want to complete the application before you visit the office to make the eligibility determination process faster.
When is the right time to apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
Each State has its own set schedule on when to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. You may check on them as to what particular date you can submit your application.
Am I 100% sure that I can get the grant after I have applied?
Normally, you have to pass the eligibility screening in order to get the grant. For it only serves those who are earning below minimum, everyone can be accommodated but not everyone can become the beneficiary. You may check out first the criteria of the program to determine if you have the chance to become a beneficiary. Each State has its own set of criteria in order to pass the program. You may also want to check on this to know where do you fall.
Should I pay for the application?
No. Application is usually free, however, you may pay on the services you have made based on your income.
How long will the application process last?
Each State has its own length of evaluation and processing period. The State of North Dakota for instance usually processes your application within 45 days. Other States give result from 1 week to 2 months.
After I have applied, what should I expect?
After your application has been processed, you will receive either an email or a postal main stating that you are found eligible or your application has been denied.
In general, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or the LIHEAP is a Federal government-funded initiative that aims to assist low-income households on paying for their electric bills. Normally, the LIHEAP is designed to give assistance during winter as the consumption of electricity rises due to the heating demand on each home. However, for places that do not have winter season, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is given to households that could not afford the extra cost of air conditioning during summer.
How does the program work?
The program usually gives priority to households with low income and high electric consumption. The State shall provide financial assistance to cover for electric consumption of beneficiaries.
What are the aims of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has 4 aims
1. To help households with low income to pay for the current electric bill,
2. To help households with low income to pay for the previous electric bill,
3. To help households with low income to lower down the future electric bill,
4. And to help households with low income to improve their homes to adapt on the weather condition, thus making their home more energy efficient.
Are the all programs the same on every state?
Since each state has their own needs, the programs may be different. Some states have Winter Financial Assistance Program. Some have Weathering Program. However, but the basic 4 aims remain the same.
What types of services are offered in case I am found eligible?
All states offer the basic assistance. To be specific here are some of the common services you can get:
· Emergency assistance
· Furnace replacements
· Making your home energy efficient
· Furnace and chimney cleaning
· Minor repairs
· Heating assistance, and
· Energy cost reduction devices
Take note that these services may not be included on the program of your state. You may want to check on the particular services that are being offered in your state to get specific details.
Who can apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
Generally speaking, anyone can apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP as long as they reside on the state where the program is being offered.
Where do I go to apply for LIHEAP?
Each State that offers this program has designated offices where walk in applicants can apply. Some local County Social Services Offices accept application for LIHEAP. There are several States that provide downloadable application forms. You may want to complete the application before you visit the office to make the eligibility determination process faster.
When is the right time to apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
Each State has its own set schedule on when to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. You may check on them as to what particular date you can submit your application.
Am I 100% sure that I can get the grant after I have applied?
Normally, you have to pass the eligibility screening in order to get the grant. For it only serves those who are earning below minimum, everyone can be accommodated but not everyone can become the beneficiary. You may check out first the criteria of the program to determine if you have the chance to become a beneficiary. Each State has its own set of criteria in order to pass the program. You may also want to check on this to know where do you fall.
Should I pay for the application?
No. Application is usually free, however, you may pay on the services you have made based on your income.
How long will the application process last?
Each State has its own length of evaluation and processing period. The State of North Dakota for instance usually processes your application within 45 days. Other States give result from 1 week to 2 months.
After I have applied, what should I expect?
After your application has been processed, you will receive either an email or a postal main stating that you are found eligible or your application has been denied.
How to Lower Home Energy Bills
We are blessed with the discovery and proper utilization of energy around us. There are several sources of energy that makes our living easier. Energy lights up our home every night, keeps us warm during cold winter, allows us to be entertained, and makes our living pleasant no matter what time of the day. And with all the other uses of energy from the moment we check our clocks in the morning to keeping us warn as we rest during the night, all of us would agree that it would be so hard to llive without it.
We can say that we have sufficient energy supply for a lifetime but that does not mean that we are not going to conserve it. After all, technology has its price. And that price is something we have to pay with cash.
And if coping with electric bill is your problem every time you see your bills, here are the ways on how to lower them:
· Provide good roof coating
A good roof coating deflects heat. And so, insuring that the roof receives a good coating would mean insuring you that your house would maintain good temperature on the inside.
· Keep your attic well ventilated.
Your attic is one of the more important parts of your house when it comes to the cooling system. The attic is your first and probably the most effective part of your house the keeps the whole house cool. But, in order for your attic to do its main purpose, make sure that it is well insulated.
Provide vents where the heat can come out during summer. Your attic door must also be sealed to ensure that the air from our house does not go through it and vice versa. The attic door can be sealed with weather strippers.
· Securing all the leaks.
Leaks contribute to high cost of home energy. Why? It is because air from your house can easily come out from these leaks. And the air from the outside can easily enter the house. Both increase the workload of your heating and cooling system.
You have to remember that air moves according to air pressure and temperature. Since the temperature of inside your house is most of the time different from the temperature outside, air moves freely from these leaks. Making sure that the leaks are sealed would mean less work on your heating and cooling system and lower electric bills.
Leaks would come from fireplaces, ducts, doors, ceilings, floors, walls, windows, plumbing penetrations, electrical outlets, fans, and vents.
· Reducing the thermostat
One degree centigrade is equivalent to 5% electric bill savings. Therefore, keeping your thermostat low will save you a lot of money. A total saving would also come from switching your thermostat further low when you are not home or if you are sleeping. The ideal temperature during winter is not higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
· Limiting the use of water heater
The second largest electric consumer next to your heating and cooling system is your water heater.
When you wash you clothes, you don’t need to heat the water up. Just use the water from the faucet. This will save you by as much as 90% in washing machine energy consumption.
· Use energy efficient material around your home.
There are commercially available materials that would significantly contribute to the reduction of the cost of home energy. One of these is energy efficient windows that deflect the outside temperature (whether during winter or summer) from entering your home.
· Use your appliance efficiently
It is pretty basic for all of us to turn off televisions, air conditioning, stereos and other electronic gadgets when not using them. However, most still disregard this. The reality is; we can save a lot if we only learn how to turn them off if not in use. Also, small things such as iPod chargers, cellphone chargers, digital clocks, lights and other things that seem to consume small electric current that remain plugged day in and day out contribute to your electric bill. Making sure you unplug them would certainly lower down your monthly electric consumption.
You have the details. All you have to do is to make sure you follow them all.
We can say that we have sufficient energy supply for a lifetime but that does not mean that we are not going to conserve it. After all, technology has its price. And that price is something we have to pay with cash.
And if coping with electric bill is your problem every time you see your bills, here are the ways on how to lower them:
· Provide good roof coating
A good roof coating deflects heat. And so, insuring that the roof receives a good coating would mean insuring you that your house would maintain good temperature on the inside.
· Keep your attic well ventilated.
Your attic is one of the more important parts of your house when it comes to the cooling system. The attic is your first and probably the most effective part of your house the keeps the whole house cool. But, in order for your attic to do its main purpose, make sure that it is well insulated.
Provide vents where the heat can come out during summer. Your attic door must also be sealed to ensure that the air from our house does not go through it and vice versa. The attic door can be sealed with weather strippers.
· Securing all the leaks.
Leaks contribute to high cost of home energy. Why? It is because air from your house can easily come out from these leaks. And the air from the outside can easily enter the house. Both increase the workload of your heating and cooling system.
You have to remember that air moves according to air pressure and temperature. Since the temperature of inside your house is most of the time different from the temperature outside, air moves freely from these leaks. Making sure that the leaks are sealed would mean less work on your heating and cooling system and lower electric bills.
Leaks would come from fireplaces, ducts, doors, ceilings, floors, walls, windows, plumbing penetrations, electrical outlets, fans, and vents.
· Reducing the thermostat
One degree centigrade is equivalent to 5% electric bill savings. Therefore, keeping your thermostat low will save you a lot of money. A total saving would also come from switching your thermostat further low when you are not home or if you are sleeping. The ideal temperature during winter is not higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
· Limiting the use of water heater
The second largest electric consumer next to your heating and cooling system is your water heater.
When you wash you clothes, you don’t need to heat the water up. Just use the water from the faucet. This will save you by as much as 90% in washing machine energy consumption.
· Use energy efficient material around your home.
There are commercially available materials that would significantly contribute to the reduction of the cost of home energy. One of these is energy efficient windows that deflect the outside temperature (whether during winter or summer) from entering your home.
· Use your appliance efficiently
It is pretty basic for all of us to turn off televisions, air conditioning, stereos and other electronic gadgets when not using them. However, most still disregard this. The reality is; we can save a lot if we only learn how to turn them off if not in use. Also, small things such as iPod chargers, cellphone chargers, digital clocks, lights and other things that seem to consume small electric current that remain plugged day in and day out contribute to your electric bill. Making sure you unplug them would certainly lower down your monthly electric consumption.
You have the details. All you have to do is to make sure you follow them all.
Friday, February 29, 2008
$8,000 to Improve Your Home So It Cuts Your Utility Bills
This program is called the “Energy Efficient Mortgages Program” and can be used to make energy-efficient improvements in one to four new and existing homes. The improvements can be included in a borrower’s mortgage only if their total cost is less than the total dollar value of the energy that will be saved during their useful life. The cost of the improvements that may be eligible for financing as part of the mortgage is either 5 percent of the property’s value (not to exceed $8,000) or $4,000, whichever is greater. The maximum mortgage limit for a single-family home is $160,950, plus the cost of the eligible energy-efficient improvements. (Limits may be lower in some areas of the country.) Contact: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410; 202-708-1112; http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm
Income Eligibility: None
$5,000 Grant To Get Rid Of Lead Paint In Your Home
If you are living in a house or apartment that was built before 1978, you or even your landlord, may be eligible for grant money and other assistance to make sure that you do not suffer the effects of lead poisoning from lead-based paint. Chips or dust from this type of paint can be highly dangerous to humans, especially your grandchildren. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development operates the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program providing grants to state and local departments of housing to help homeowners and apartment owners eliminate the problems associated with lead paint. Contact your state or local department of housing to see if you qualify for free inspections, free guides or even free lead paint removal. To obtain information about the grant program, contact: Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, 451 7th Street S.W.,Washington, DC 20410; 202-708-1112; www.hud.gov/offices/lead/lhc/index.cfm
Income Eligibility: varies program to program but generally around $24,420 per couple. Contact a program near you to learn specific requirements.
Free Lights and Locks
Proper lights and deadbolt locks can provide needed safety for seniors or anyone for that matter. There are many programs that provide these products and their installation for free, or at great discounts. To find programs you may qualify for in your area, you must search: 1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, 3) your state government, 4) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations, as well as 5) your utility company. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way, and 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/. You can also contact you local area office on aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp.
Listed below is a sampling of the types of programs that are available around the country. They should give you an indication of the kind of help that may be available in your area, too.
- Free Grab Bars, Nightlights, Door & Window Locks For Seniors Up To $34,900
Home Secure Program, Los Angeles, CA
http://www.la4seniors.com/home_secure.htm - Locks And Lights For Seniors 60+
Tulsa Area Agency on Aging, Tulsa, OK http://www.cityoftulsa.org/Community/TAAA/ - Volunteers Will Install Locks & Motion Lights In Homes Of Seniors
RSVP Triad Program, Work With Law Enforcement, La Crosse,WI http://www.rsvplacrosse.org/voluntr3.html - Installation Of Dead Bolt Locks Or Locks On Screen Doors Or Windows For 60+ With Income Requirements
Senior Home Repair Service Champaign County, Urbana, IL http://helpbook.prairienet.org/new/w5157c5t.htm - Free Locks For Over 55 & Income Up To $27,150
Senior Locks Programs, Portland Police Bureau, Portland, OR http://www.portlandonline.com/police/index.cfm?c=30679 - Free Installation If You Buy The Locks
Lock Program, City of Euclid Social/Safety Services, Euclid, OH http://www.ci.euclid.oh.us/residentinformation/socialservices.cfm
Income Eligibility: Family of 2 - $30,000. This varies by program and location; contact your local program to find out specific income requirements.
Volunteers Will Fix-Up Your (or Your Mom’s) Home for Free
Many service organizations have organized community service days, where the town is beautified along with certain homes in need of repair.
Christmas in April is a national organization with over 185 affiliates that gather together volunteers to help rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners. The work is done for free with the goal being to provide a safe and secure home for those in need.
An example of a program in the Dallas area is the Volunteer Home Repair and Weatherization Program. This program provides home repairs that improve the health, safety, and energy efficiency of a home for low-income homeowners. Contact your city government, your county government and your local community development office to learn about local programs. In the Dallas area, contact Volunteer Home Repair and Weatherization Program, Center for Housing Resources, 3103 Greenwood, Dallas, TX 75204; 214-828-4390; Fax: 214-828-4412; www.chrdallas.org
Income Eligibility: Determined on a case-by-case basis.
Utility Discounts for Medical Devices or In-Home Patients
No matter what your income, you may be eligible for a discount on your utility bill if someone in your home is dependent on a medical device that uses electricity. Or if you need heating and air-conditioning to care for someone with special needs. To find programs you may qualify for in your area you must search 1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, 3) your state government, 4) local nonprofit agencies and local development corporations, 5) as well as your utility company. Make sure you check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area like: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way and, 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/. Listed below is a sampling of similar local programs around the country. You can also contact your local Area Office on Aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp. You should also seek out your local community action agency near you to see if they have a program to help you. You can find your local agency at www.communityactionpartnership.com/about/links/map.asp or by contacting Community Action Partnership in Washington, DC at 202-265-7546
A lot of Local Utility Programs can be identified on the web by going to www.hud.gov then choose your state under the title “Information by State.” Most state pages have a link called “Renting Help Page.” Click there even if you are a home owner. Most Rental for both renters and homeowners. Help pages have a link called “Help With Your Utility Bills” which describes programs for both renters and owners.
Listed below is a sampling of the types of programs that are available around the country.
1) 30% Rate Discount to Run Medical Equipment or Care for Paraplegic, Hemiplegic, Quadriplegic or MS Patient
Medical Equipment Discount Rate, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sacramento, CA
http://www.smud.org/residential/services/med_rate.html
2) Rate Discounts for Life Equipment or Special Needs
Services For Medical Baseline and Life-Support Customers, Pacific Gas and Electric California
http://www.pge.com/res/financial_assistance/medical_baseline_life_t/
3) Pay No More for Extra Electricity to Run Medical Machines Heating and Air-conditioning for Patient
Medical Baseline Allowance, Utility Consumers’ Action Network
San Diego, CA
http://www.ucan.org/consumer_info/Elec_Bill/reduce_utility_bill.htm
4) Get 25% Discount on Utility Bills with No Income Requirement
Medical Residential Assistance Programs, Municipal Services Division
Santa Clara, CA
http://www.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/pub_utility/pu_help_paying.html
Income Eligibility: varies from program to program. Contact a program near you to learn specific requirements.
Monday, January 21, 2008
$25,000 for Historic Preservation
Provides grants of up to $25,000 grants to professionals in the historic preservation field to support projects of innovative original research or creative design related to historic preservation, including architecture, landscape architecture, architectural conservation, urban design, environmental planning, archaeology, architectural history, and the decorative arts. Contact The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation, c/o Neighborhood Preservation Center, 232 East 11th Street, New York, New York 10003;
212-252-6809
; Fax: 212-471-9987; http://www.fitchfoundation.org/; Email: FitchFoundation@aol.comApplication: http://fitchfoundation.org/06application.html and http://fitchfoundation.org/blinderapp.html
Income Eligibility: Determined on a case-by-case basis.
Low- and 0% Interest Loans to Buy Energy Saving Appliances and Fix-Up Your House
No matter what your income and as long as your improvements will create a more energy efficient home, you can save a lot on interest rates and finance charges by using a subsidized energy conservation loan program. These programs are typically available from your state department of energy, a local government office or your utility company. State and local government offices can be found by contacting your state or city operators or www.govengine.com. Your local phone directory and library can help you locate your local utility companies. Be sure to check them all. Here is a sample of the kinds of programs available.
- $35,000 Low Interest Loan For Fireplaces, Freezers, Cloth Washers, Etc.
Dollar and Energy Saving Loans, Nebraska Energy Office
Lincoln, NE
http://www.neo.ne.gov/loan/index.html - $50,000 Low Interest Loan For New Energy Saving Appliances
Energy Loan Fund, Ohio Department Of Development
Columbus, OH
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ELFGrant.htm - $20,000 Low Interest Loan To Make Energy Saving Improvements
NY Energy Smart Loan Program, NY Energy Research & Development Authority
Albany, NY
http://www.nyserda.org/loanfund/ - 0% Interest Loans For Energy Efficiency Improvements
Residential Weatherization Program, Tacoma Power
Tacoma, WA
http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/power/ResidentialServices/default.htm - $3,000 For New Storm Doors Or Windows
5% Weatherization Loans, Tideland EMC
Pantego, NC
http://www.tidelandemc.com/p&sincentives.htm
Income Eligibility: Varies.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Home Improvement Warning: Ladder Falls On The Rise
Spring is a busy time for chores around the house, and because of that it’s also a busy time for hospital emergency rooms. One of the largest studies ever to look at ladder-related injuries is out. And it shows that the number of people falling – is rising.
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