ecobeco's March
April 2012 Newsletter
ecoTips, News, Deals, and More - And it's Free!
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Greetings!
As roadways, gardens and lawns burst with blooms, ecobeco is buzzing with activity for this month! Join us at many events all over Maryland and Northern Virginia in April. Read on for:
- Upcoming Events: April and Earth Day
- ecobeco's Referral Program Extended Through June 30
- ecobeco wins awards from Department of Energy and City of Rockville
- Energy Industry Newswire - Buyer Beware: Energy Efficient Windows
- Energy Industry Newswire - How Much Insulation is Enough?
- ecobeco launches Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco at No Charge!
- Low Interest Financing from Maryland for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
- $100 Energy Audits and 50% Rebates State-Wide in Maryland for 2012
- Sungevity Solar Power for Maryland Homes
- We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback
Enjoy! |
| Upcoming Events - April and Earth Day |
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April is FULL of great events! Get out, enjoy the spring weather, and join ecobeco at the events listed below. We'd love to see you there. Don't forget to let us  know you're coming by joining on our Facebook events page.
Saturday, April 14, 2012, 10:00am until 2:00pm
WSSC's H2O Fest 2012
Western Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, 6600 Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
The April 2012 H2O Fest will be held in Prince Georges County at the site of the Western Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant on Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro. Last year's H2O Fest had approximately 1,000 people in attendance. This event is free and open to the public. There will be displays, demos, and activities for children and adults. Tours will be offered of the Treatment Plant.
Learn about all of WSSC's programs by clicking HERE.
Saturday, April 14, 2012, 10:00am until 4:00pm
Howard County GreenFest 2012
Howard Community College Galleria, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
The 5th Annual GreenFest located in HCC's Galleria will include: tree planting on-site, nature walk, children's activities, workshops and speakers, information about our energy audits, free shredding event, free compost bin and rain barrel giveaway and much more! Stay tuned for a full schedule of events and workshop sign up coming soon.
Learn about Greenfest by clicking HERE.
Thursday, April 19, 2012, 6:30pm until 9:00pm 4th Annual Vienna Green Expo Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street Southeast, Vienna, VA 22180 The Vienna Green Expo is a FREE showcase of local/regional earth friendly exhibitors educating the public on how to have a green lifestyle. The event is an opportunity for exhibitors to show products and provide information pertaining to living a greener lifestyle. Learn about the Expo by clicking HERE. Sunday, April 22, 2012, 12:00pm until 4:00pm Brookside Gardens Earth Day Celebration Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902 What better place than Brookside Gardens, M-NCPPC, Montgomery Parks, to celebrate Earth Day? Through volunteering, walks and tours, earth friendly activities and browsing our green craft fair, you can learn while having fun. Interactive family-friendly activities and a "green" vendor and craft fair will be offered from 12noon- 4pm. Enjoy wildflower and plant walks starting at 12:30pm. Discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving our environment. Learn about Brookside Gardens by clicking HERE. Sunday, April 22, 2012, 12:00pm until 5:00pm College Park Earth Day Project and Music Fest Duvall Field, College Park, MD The Earth Day Project and Music Fest is a two day event held at Duvall Field in College Park, Maryland. The event is free and open to the public, focusing on outreach to the high school and college aged audience, but welcoming a widespread audience of all ages. April 21 is dedicated to a volunteer project and evening youth concert. April 22 focuses on presentations, speakers, and live music throughout the day with information tables from local organizations. Learn about College Park Earth Day Project by clicking HERE. Let us know you're coming! RSVP to our facebook events page. 
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ecobeco's Referral Program Extended to June 30
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| Good news! ecobeco customers have been on a roll with referrals in 2012. We'd like to keep this positive momentum going and we are extending the Referral Program to June 30th!
As a reader of our newsletter, we know you support ecobeco's mission to help home owners save energy, money and the environment. We appreciate the many referrals made over the past few years.
We want to continue to reward you for all the referrals by putting a little money in your pockets when you refer your friends to ecobeco!
Click here to send an email to your friends about ecobeco's  services. Tell your friends about our award-winning Home Energy Audit services, and when they purchase an audit (and mention you when they book it), we'll send you $25. They can call us at 240-396-2141 to get started. Tell your friends about Sungevity Solar, and if they sign up for solar power using the "ecobeco" referral code and mention your name in the notes section of their iQuote, 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 Check the referral program website for more information. Thanks for your support!
To qualify, audits must be booked and solar leases signed by June 30, 2012.
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ecobeco wins awards from Department of Energy and City of Rockville
| |  ecobeco is excited to announce that our hard work in serving customers like you recently resulting in two awards. First, the Department of Energy has named ecobeco to its Century Club, which recognizes contractors who complete Home Performance projects at 100 or more homes.
"Century Club Contractors have focused their businesses on providing comprehensive solutions resulting in whole-house improvements backed by ENERGY STAR. These improvements increase the comfort and value of a home, and reduce the amount of energy used to operate the home. That means money in the homeowner's pocket, a more reliable grid, and a healthier environment," said Ely Jacobsohn, Program Manager of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR.
 Second, the City of Rockville has awarded ecobeco an Environmental Excellence Award. Co-founders Brian Toll and Reuven Walder will accept this award on April 30th. The City of Rockville Environmental Excellence Awards (EEA) are presented to an individual or organization by the Mayor and Council to recognize outstanding achievement or service to the environment in Rockville.
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Energy Industry Newswire - Buyer Beware: Energy Efficient Windows
| |  You know how ecobeco is always saying IT'S NOT YOUR WINDOWS? We want homeowners to be aware that the source of a home's energy inefficiency is not usually associated with the windows. Most times the greatest impact comes from properly air sealing and insulating many different areas in a home. Concerning energy efficiency claims associated with windows, the FTC recently stepped in regarding 5 companies (including Maryland-based Long Windows) selling replacement windows, ruling that these companies must stop making deceptive and unsubstantiated claims about energy savings achieved with their windows. We expect all windows manufacturers and distributors will comply with this ruling. You can read about the ruling here.
To follow up, the FTC also released new consumer education information concerning replacement windows. Click here to learn more. This website provides some good guidance for consumers as a starting point to searching for new windows.
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Energy Industry Newswire -How Much Insulation is Enough?
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We read an interesting article the other day asking, "how much insulation is enough insulation for your home?" and wondered how many of our customers knew the answer to this question?
The article, written by Alex Wilson, founder of BuildingGreen.com, provides some nice rule of thumb numbers to go by for insulating various parts of the house and identifies the correct numbers to use for various climate zones in the U.S.
Find the Green Building Advisor article on insulation here. |
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ecobeco Launches Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco at No Charge!
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In an effort to provide basic energy upgrades and education to large numbers of Maryland ratepayers, the Maryland Public Service Commission ordered utilities to provide the Quick Home Energy Check-Up (QHEC) at NO CHARGE.
During a QHEC, your ecobeco energy auditor will install CFL Lighting and other energy-saving measures. Most home owners will save over $100 per year in electricity and another $50 per year in water and sewer costs.
      
Who is eligible for a Quick Home Energy Check-up?
This service is available to all residents who live in a condo, apartment, townhouse or single family home in the Pepco service territory. Your electricity does not need to be supplied by Pepco.
Should I get a QHEC or a Comprehensive Energy Audit?
The Comprehensive Energy Audit now includes the same direct install measures as the QHEC. There is no substitute for the thoroughness and instrumented testing done in a Comprehensive Energy Audit, and for anyone looking to make a change the Comprehensive Energy Audit should be your first choice. For people who are feeling budget constrained, or who feel they will not be making any improvements over the next year or two, the QHEC is a good way to get started on saving energy and to get educated on Pepco's other programs.
Can I get both?
If you have had a QHEC, you definitely can get a Comprehensive Energy Audit so you become eligible for 50% rebates up to $2,000 per household. Since Energy Audits now include direct installs, if you have had an Energy Audit, you are not allowed to obtain a QHEC later. If your Energy Audit is from 2011 or earlier, you can receive the no cost direct install measures from your Home Performance Contractor when you make your energy efficiency improvements. Just tell your contractor when you sign your contract that you need those items installed.
Can ecobeco install measures for me during my Test-Out?
No, ecobeco is not allowed to install measures during your Test-Out. Your Home Performance Contractor should install measures while they are making your home energy efficiency improvements.
Visit our website www.ecobeco.com/qhec for more information. You can make an appointment for a QHEC by calling the ecobeco office.
240-396-2141
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Low Interest Financing from Maryland for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
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|  The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has partnered with the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), with support from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop an innovative energy efficiency financing initiative for Maryland property owners. As part of the Governor's Smart, Green, and Growing Initiative, the Maryland Home Energy Loan Program (MHELP) will help Marylanders take control of their energy future and stimulate new "green collar" jobs. There are two interest rates available for eligible consumers - 6.99% or 9.99%. A rate of 6.99% APR is available for consumers completing a Home Performance Energy Audit (that's what ecobeco does) and installing various energy efficiency measures including insulation, duct sealing, weather stripping, equipment replacement, chimney repairs, and more. They've recently adding solar PV systems and geothermal systems to the list of eligible items! Details on what kind of work is eligible is available at their website. The first step toward securing a 6.99% loan is completing a Home Performance home energy audit performed by ecobeco. The resulting audit report will recommend several ways a home can save energy. Work performed by ecobeco's recommended contractors qualifies for the loan.
With audit recommendations in hand, Marylanders can start here to apply. Loans are available for primary residences only and condos are not eligible.
A second rate of 9.99% APR is available for consumers completing equipment upgrades only, such as a furnace or HVAC unit that meet MCEC and ENERGY STAR standards. A Home Performance energy audit is not required for the 9.99% program. Loans are available up to $30,000.
If you need help getting work done, or you want to schedule an audit, give us a call at (240) 396-2141.
Questions regarding the loan program can be directed the Maryland Clean Energy Center at 301-738-6280 or loans@mdcleanenergy.org.
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$100 Energy Audits and 50% Rebates State-Wide in Maryland for 2012
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| Well it's official! Pepco, BGE, Potomac Edison, and SMECO have launched one of the country's most aggressive Home Performance Rebate Programs right here in the State of Maryland.
The new program features:
- $100 Energy Audits (for a standard-sized home).
- Beginning February 1, all energy audits will include installation of CFLs, low-flow showerheads, water heater pipe wrap, and more, at no charge to the customer.
- 50% cash rebates on air sealing, insulation, and more. This cash rebate will be limited to $2,000 per household.
If you're ready to take advantage of these savings, give us a call today!
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Sungevity Solar Power for Maryland Homes
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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 helping you do your part for the environment and increase your home's value. Sungevity is a top-ranked California solar company and 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 states upfront what your expected solar output will be so that there is no guesswork. Plus, most customers are saving an average of 15% on their monthly energy bills with the solar panels!
- 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.
- Be sure to use referral code "ecobeco" to ensure discounted pricing.
- 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
CURRENT SPECIALS:
Special 1: Receive one month's lease payment from ecobeco!* Be sure to enter referral code "ecobeco" on the last page when you create your iQuote. Or call us at (240) 396-2141 x 2 and we will be happy to submit the iQuote request for you.
Special 2: Sign your Lease and you'll get a new iPAD 2. This promotion is provided by Sungevity. Terms and Conditions on http://www.sungevity.com/oursungevity.
*ecobeco will provide a cash payment equal to one month of Sungevity lease payments up to a total of $150 per household (fully prepaid leaseholders will receive $150). Allow 6 weeks after activation of your solar system to receive payment. To qualify, customer must use the referral code 'ecobeco' when creating an iQuote. Visit http://www.ecobeco.com/solar for more information.
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| We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback |
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We're a service business and your opinions and referrals matter to us!
Over the past 2 years, your feedback helped us win the 2010 & 2011 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 of these sites, please rate us and help grow our network!
Thank you!
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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, Jim, George, Gina, Nick R, Jonathan J, Jillian, Patrick, Olu, Suresh, Ellen, Andrew, and Diana
(240) 396-2141
info@ecobeco.com
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