Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony Brown joined Congresswoman Donna Edwards and University City Mayor John Tabori visited ecobeco customer Julie Ainswoth this morning to witness her home's energy efficiency upgrades and to announce Maryland's investment of $850K into the Home Performance Program.  We expect this investment will provide another 3 months of opportunity for ecobeco customers to obtain retrofits with discounts up to 50%.  

• 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. 

Click here to send an email to your friends about ecobeco's services. Tell a friend about getting an energy audit, and if they book their appointment before August 31 and they mention your name, we'll send you a check for $25.  Tell your friends about Sungevity Solar, and if they mention ecobeco and your name, and they sign their lease before August 31, we'll send you a check for $250.    

One more thing to mention.  You don't have to be a customer of ecobeco to take advantage of the referral program.  Tell your friends about our program and they can tell their friends and we'll spread the green around!  

www.ecobeco.com/referral  

So you finished the energy efficiency improvements in your home, and you are wondering what else can you do? Going solar seems like an interesting project, but fronting $40K for a system does not. No longer. 

Sungevity Solar brings its groundbreaking Solar Lease to Maryland. Sungevity is a top-ranked California solar company that has expanded its coverage area to Maryland.  The solar lease features:  

• $0 Down Lease or Prepaid Lease - Instead of paying full price up-front, you can lease the panels for a low monthly cost.  Alternatively, by prepaying the lease, you can avoid finance charges and eliminate monthly payments completely.    

• Instant Savings with Guaranteed Output - Sungevity's performance guarantee ensures you save more than you spend.

• Full-Service Solar - Sungevity maintains the panels at no cost to you for the life of the lease. 

• A free, no-hassle iQuote within 24 hours - Using super-smart satellite technology, Sungevity can provide your iQuote in 24 hours. Then, the Sungevity sales consultant will answer your questions by phone. Everything is electronic. You can go from iQuote to contract as soon as you're ready.

• If you are ready for an iQuote or want to learn more, contact ecobeco's office at 240 396 2141 x2 or click to get started. 

• Be sure to use referral code "ecobeco" to ensure the best prices.   

• Note the Sungevity Lease is currently available only to Maryland customers with FICO scores of 700 or higher.  This requirement fluctuates, so we encourage customers with 600 - 700 FICO scores to obtain iQuotes so Sungevity can contact you when the lease requirements change. 

• Sungevity solar is only available in Maryland 

Special 1: Customers who sign a lease in the month of August will receive their first 3 monthly lease payments from ecobeco!* Be sure to enter referral code 'ecobeco' when you create your iQuote.  Or call us at (240) 396-2141 x2 and we would be happy to submit the iQuote request for you.   

Special 2: Sign your Lease within 4 weeks of your iQuote, and you'll receive 10% off your lease rates PLUS a new iPAD 2. 

*ecobeco will provide a cash payment equal to three months of Sungevity lease payments up to a total of $500 per household.  Fully prepaid leaseholders will receive $500.  Allow 6 weeks after activation of your solar system to receive payment.  Eligibility is determined by the date the lease is signed as determined by Sungevity.  To qualify, customer must be assigned to ecobeco in the Sungevity sales tracking system.  Use the referral code 'ecobeco' when you create your iQuote. 

ecobeco in the Community With Solar Power - Montgomery Mall and More  

Maybe you're the artisanal gelato-loving type or you just have escaping from the heat and getting solar energy for your roof on your to-do list. Then come kill two birds with one stone and meet ecobeco at Dolcezza gelato in Bethesda. You may be eligible for a free gelato gift card. Check our facebook page for dates and times. 

If you live closer to Olney, ecobeco can also be found at Roots Market on some weekends in August. This locally run, organic, and health food market makes a great weekend stop for groceries and solar power! They also carry organic wine. That's right! Get your groceries, alcohol and solar energy in one stop! We'll also have some free treats for eligible households. Again, check our facebook page for dates and times. 

ecoTip: How to Control Moisture in Your Home

1. Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should slope away from the house.) Water in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
2. Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.

   

3. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
4. Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
5. Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants.
6. Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
7. Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.

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, Yelp and/or Facebook. If you are a member to these sites, please rate us and help grow our network!

Thank you!

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 on our page.

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, you to share your experiences, and talk about our contractor partners and energy efficiency products.

Click on the facebook icon below to visit our page and "Like" ecobeco. Thanks!

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Gas or Oil or Propane furnace or boiler benefit capped at $150.
4. Efficient property (such as insulation) capped at $300.
5. 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.