ecobeco April 2011 Newsletter

ecobeco Saving You Money, Energy and the Environment

ecobeco's April 2011 Newsletter
ecoTips, News, Deals, and More - And it's Free!

April 1, 2011

Greetings!

Welcome to April! The trees are budding and the flowers are blooming as we leave winter behind and welcome the coming warmth of spring. People are venturing out of doors and opening windows to greet the coming season. ecobeco is also venturing out into the community with a variety of events.

Upcoming Events - ecobeco and Bethesda Green's Greening Condos Workshop
Upcoming Events - WSSC's H2O Fest
Upcoming Events - Frederick Earth Day
Maryland Energy Administration's 35% Rebate Program
Energy Industry Newswire - Stories from the Field
ecobeco is now on facebook
We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback
ecobeco wins Pepco Home Energy Savers Program Energy Saver Award.

Maryland Begins Unsecured Energy-Efficiency Loan Pilot Program
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency Improvements Partially Extended
Pepco Home Energy Savings Program for Maryland Customers
Allegheny Maryland Customers, Get a Home Energy Check-Up at No Cost
I'm Not a Pepco Maryland Customer, What About Me?

Enjoy!

Upcoming Events - ecobeco and Bethesda Green's Greening Condos Workshop

Bethesda Green and ecobeco are proud to announce the second session of the Greening Condos Workshops titled "Organizing a Green Team in Your Building - How to Mobilize Your Board and Your Neighbors to Save Energy, Money and the Environment" to be held this Wednesday, April 6th, at 7pm at 4825 Cordell Avenue, Suite 200 in Bethesda.

This is the second of 5 workshops featuring a variety of important topics for condominium residents & managers who want to make their buildings more energy efficient and eco-friendly. This session involves a discussion from a panel of condo residents on how to motivate your building to take action on energy efficiency programs. Panelists will also include Adam Landsman, Energy Manager at Abaris Realty, who will give a property manager's perspective.

The event will be held at the Bethesda Green's office on Cordell Avenue with light snacks served.

Please RSVP to get a seat at the event!

Upcoming Events - WSSC's H2O Fest

On Saturday April 9th, from 10am - 2pm, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) will hold their annual H2O Fest in Germantown, MD.

Come learn about composting, recycling, waste reduction, rain barrels, pest control and energy audits! Activities include children's crafts, plant tours, eco-friendly car demonstrations and more. ecobeco will be in attendance and we're happy to help you learn more about our award winning Home Energy Audits.

Let us know if you are coming! Sign up here on our facebook page.

The Festival will be held outside at 12900 Great Seneca Hwy in Germantown (just past Northwest H.S.). In case of inclement weather, call 301-206-8240 for event status.

To view the event flyer click here.

Upcoming Events - Frederick Earth Day

Frederick Earth Day is a grassroots community led event promoting stewardardship of our local environment to be held on April 16th.The Frederick Earth Day vendor fair/farmers market will be held from 1-5pm at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater in Downtown Frederick. The celebration will provide an opportunity for The Big Sweep volunteers and the public to convene and celebrate in honor of Earth Day. Frederick Earth Day will feature music, a beer garden, farmers market, a vendor area, art, and a childrens activity area. Frederick Earth Day is free for the public.

Money raised from the Earth Day fair and progressive dinner, as well as portions of purchased art or fashion, will be donated to HandsOn Frederick County's 2011 SummerServe environmental projects. For more information please visit their website at:

http://handsonfrederickcounty.force.com/HOFC_Frederick_Earth_Day

Maryland Energy Administration's 35% Rebate Program

UPDATE - About 30% of the money for this program has been alloted. Act now to take advantage of this program. Once the federal stimulus money runs out, it's not coming back!

On Thursday January 20, the Maryland Energy Administration decided to invest $1 Million of federal stimulus money into the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program through the creation of a 35% mail-in rebate for air sealing and insulation work up to $3,100.

This rebate is in addition to the Pepco, BGE or Allegheny rebate programs that give 15% rebates.
This rebate is in addition to the 2011 Federal $500 tax credit, and any other local programs.

In other words, you can get over 50% back in rebates and tax credits for taking action on energy efficiency in your home. To get this rebate, you must first have a qualified Comprehensive Home Energy Audit done (ecobeco can do this for you) and then a qualified home improvement contractor must be selected to perform air sealing and insulation work, etc. in your home. ecobeco helps you identify the right contractors in our audit reports so that you remain eligible to receive the rebates you are eligible for.

This program is reservation-based and is first come first served. There is $1M available, which the State estimates should cover about 750 homes.

For more information and to download the forms you need to fill out, visit http://energy.maryland.gov/homeperformance/ . The "Checklist" will guide you through every step of the process.

If you have questions about the program, or want to schedule an audit, feel free to call the ecobeco office at (240) 396-2141 x2.

Energy Industry Newswire - Stories from the Field

ecobeco has added a new category of articles to our monthly newsletter. We are constantly exposed to news, technology updates, field testimonials, etc. from the Energy Industry and decided that we want to share our learnings with you! When you see an article under the heading "Energy Industry Newswire", we will provide a summary and link to a terrific article or study.

This month as we introduce the Energy Industry Newswire category, we share an article from Home Energy Magazine written by an auditor who has encountered a wide range of peculiar configurations inside peoples' homes. "Many homeowners haven't had the benefit of having a trained energy auditor look at their home. Nor have builders and remodelers always built their homes with energy efficiency and performance in mind." Being in the energy audit field, auditors often find the most bizarre and sometimes dangerous configurations of HVAC systems, ductwork, insulation, etc. in a house. Read on to find out what curious spectacles were found and where there could be similar instances in your own home of which you aren't aware. Learn what you can do about a home that isn't configured correctly for the comfort and safety of its inhabitants.

Stories from the Field: What Were They Thinking?

ecobeco is now on facebook www.facebook.com/ecobeco

It's now easier than ever to stay up to date with happenings in the energy efficiency/ home improvement industry by following ecobeco on facebook. We will post upcoming events, breaking news, and our helpful ecoTips.

We also hope facebook will let us talk with you and allow all of us to learn from each other. We want to hear more of your stories, share your experiences, and talk about our contractor partners and energy efficiency products.

Click on the facebook icon below to visit our page, then click "Like" ecobeco and you're all set. Thanks!

We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback

We're a service business and your opinions and referrals matter to us!

Last year, your feedback helped us win the 2010 Super Service Award for Energy Efficiency Auditing from Angie's List. Please take a moment to share your experiences with our team and help inform your community about its local businesses. We appreciate your time to make our processes and products better!

Find out what other customers have been saying about ecobeco and leave a few comments of your own by going to Angie's List, Checkbook, and/or Facebook. If you are a member to these sites, please rate us and help grow our network!

Thank you!

ecobeco wins Pepco Home Energy Savers Program Energy Saver Award.

ecobeco was honored to win the 2010 Pepco Home Energy Savers Award for the most energy savings in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. We worked very hard in 2010 and gladly continue to provide our customers with easy to understand, actionable advice to make their homes more energy efficient.

Pepco HESP Award for ecobeco

Maryland Begins Unsecured Energy Efficiency Loan Pilot Program

Beginning immediately, Maryland residents can apply for an unsecured loan up to $20,000 with a below-market interest rate of 6.99%.

Any ecobeco customer with an audit completed after July 1, 2010 is eligible. Work performed by ecobeco's recommended contractors qualifies for the loan. This pilot program does not have a firm end date, but we expect it will use up its funding in the next 2-3 months, so if you want these loans, time is of the essence!

This program is being administered by the Maryland Clean Energy Center. Click here to learn more and to apply: http://MCECloans.org

This program is funded by stimulus money provided to the State of Maryland, and it requires an energy audit by a Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program auditor (like ecobeco, which won the 2009 Contractor of the Year for Maryland Home Performance).

If you need help getting work done, or you want to schedule an audit, give us a call at (240) 396-2141 x2.

Here are more details from the press release:

The first step toward securing a loan is completing a home energy audit performed by a certified auditor. The resulting assessment is likely to recommend several ways a home can save energy.

With audit recommendations in hand, Marylanders can go to http://MCECloans.org to apply. These loans do not need to be secured by the owner's home or other large asset. The clean energy loan amounts are capped at $20,000; the interest rate is 6.99%. Most unsecured loans at commercial banks carry interest rates at twice that rate.

The approval process typically takes a few days. Improvements need to be performed by contractors with a Maryland Home Improvement Certification.

Homeowners with proof of a qualifying audit since July 1, 2010 can proceed immediately to the application.

Contact: Maryland Clean Energy Center at 301-738-6280 or loans@mdcleanenergy.org

Federal Tax Incentives for Energy Efficiency Improvements Partially Extended

The US Congress passed legislation that brings certainty to the Federal Tax Credit for 2011. The new legislation is substantially more restrictive, and it caps lifetime benefits at $500.

Click here for more information on the 2009-2010 and 2011 Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

Here are a few key changes in the 2011 legislation:

The maximum benefit is $500, and the benefit is now 10% of the purchase price. This is a big change from 30% up to $1,500.
The benefit is a lifetime benefit. That means if you took more than $500 in benefit from 2005 - 2010, you cannot take any benefit in 2011.
Gas or Oil or Propane furnace or boiler benefit capped at $150.
Efficient property (such as insulation) capped at $300.
Window benefits capped at $200.

You can read more about it when Energy Star updates their website in the near future. Also we are not tax lawyers nor accountants, so please contact your accountant or the IRS with questions about your situation.

Pepco Home Energy Savings Program for Maryland Customers

Attention Maryland Home Owners in the Pepco Service Territories

From Comprehensive Home Energy Audits priced at only $100 with rebates of up to $1,200 for energy efficiency improvements, to appliance rebates, HVAC service and equipment rebates, free programmable thermostats, CFL discounts, and more... Pepco brings one of the most aggressive energy efficiency programs in the country to its Maryland customers.

ecobeco provides $100 Home Energy Audits to Pepco Maryland customers. This is not a rebate program. You simply pay us $100 at the time of the visit.

After your audit, you can receive a 15% cash rebate from Pepco for professionally installed air sealing and insulation augmentation up to $1,000 in benefit. Plus, you can receive $200 for duct sealing. Best of all, ecobeco will handle the rebate process for you free of charge.

Combined with up to $300 in savings for an air conditioner or $200 for a heat pump replacement through the appliance rebate program, ecobeco can help you find the best deals on making energy efficiency a priority for 2011!

The goal of the Home Energy Savings Program is to get home owners like you to take action on energy conservation. That means fixing up your homes, changing out your light bulbs and shower heads, and more. Pepco is obligated by the EmPower Maryland law to reduce energy consumption in the State of Maryland by 15% by 2015.

Meanwhile, ecobeco has been working hard with our contractor partners to enhance and accelerate the amount of time it takes for you to receive your audit report and a firm proposal after your audit is complete. Our goal is to make it easier for you to say "YES" to energy efficiency improvements.

Call us today at (240) 396-2141 x2 to reserve your $100 energy audit or sign up at http://www.ecobeco.com/about_schedule_pepcomd.asp.

Note: Customers who buy energy from Clean Currents or other alternatives are also eligible to participate in the program. You qualify if you 1) receive a bill from Pepco; and 2) have either a heat pump or air conditioning; and 3) live in a single-family home or town home (units in dwellings with more than 4 units do not qualify for this program).

Visit Pepco's consumer site for more information at:

http://www.pepco.com/energy/conservation/meiin/

NOTE: If you are an existing ecobeco audit customer in the Pepco territory, please give Brian Toll a call directly at 240-396-2141 x704 or email Brian to discuss how you can take advantage of the Pepco Home Energy Savings Program.

Allegheny Maryland Customers, Get a Home Check-Up At No Cost.

Maryland Allegheny Power Customers - ecobeco is an authorized provider for the Watt Watchers Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program.

You can have a No Cost Home Energy Check-Up performed by ecobeco, which is a non-instrumented walk-through of the house. This product is designed to help you understand whether an audit is worthwhile for you and will give you tips on easy do-it-yourself items. You'll get 6 CFLs for free as well.

To schedule your appointment, call ecobeco at (240) 396-2141 x2. We are currently servicing Allegheny customers in Northern Montgomery County and Southern Frederick County.

ecobeco also offers $140 Comprehensive Home Energy Audits for Allegheny Maryland customers. See more information below.

I'm Not a Pepco Maryland Customer, What About Me?

Don't worry if you're not a Pepco Maryland customer, there are programs for other home owners as well.

1. Maryland BGE Customers - Through our partnership with Energy Services Group, ecobeco provides a full suite of solutions as part of the BGE Smart Energy program, which includes incentives for making your home more energy efficient. Click here to view the incentives from this program, and click here to schedule your appointment with ecobeco.

2. Maryland Allegheny Power Customers - ecobeco is an authorized provider for the Watt Watchers Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. That means your audit costs only $140 if you agree to the installation of CFL bulbs, or $180 if you don't. You can also have a FREE Home Energy Check-Up performed by ecobeco, which is a non-instrumented walk-through of the house. This product is designed to help you understand whether an audit is worthwhile for you and will give you tips on easy do-it-yourself items. Our service area is limited to northern Montgomery County. Click here to make an appointment. After your audit, customers with electric heating qualify for additional incentives for doing air sealing or insulation work.

3. Virgina Customers - The Energy Efficiency rebate is again fully subscribed. At this point, the appliance rebate program (see below) is the only state program accepting new customers. There are no incentives at this time for audits or retrofits. Don't fret, our Comprehensive Energy Audit is still a great value, and provides you with the knowledge you need to make smart investments in your home. Click here to make an appointment.

4. DC Customers - The District government provides free energy audits to home owners. These audits provide a basic understanding of energy issues, but do not include IR camera scans, combustion safety testing, energy modeling, customized reporting, follow up time with your auditor, referrals to get the work done, a free second visit after the work is done, etc. Currently, the free audit has a waitlist for several months and last we checked audits had been suspended. DC residents can act now by making an appointment with ecobeco by clicking here.

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter. We'd love to hear from you.

Please feel free to forward this information to friends and family.

Thanks,

Brian, Reuven, Cindy, Mike, Jonathan F, Ben, Nick R, Nick Z, Jonathan J, Dan, Patrick and Ellen
(240) 396-2141

info@ecobeco.com