ecobeco's June 2012 Newsletter
ecoTips, News, Deals, and More - And it's Free!
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| ecobeco is a Rockville-based energy efficiency company. We are a participating contractor in energy savings programs from Pepco Maryland, Baltimore Gas & Electric, Potomac Edison (Allegheny Power), and Northern Virginia-LEAP. Learn more about us by visiting www.ecobeco.com |
Greetings!
Does the mention of summer heat bring beads of sweat to your face? ecobeco has some tips & coupons on how to save money on your cooling bill this year that we hope will bring some relief. Read on for:
- ecobeco Partner, DeVere Insulation, Offers June Discount on Top of Utility Rebates
- Huge Savings for Apartments & Condos with Quick Energy Check-Ups
- Upcoming Events: Silver Spring Green Workshop: Energy Efficiency in Your Home TONIGHT June 4th at 6:30pm
- ecoTip - Saving on cooling costs this summer.
- Pepco's Energy Wise Rewards Program Pays You!
- BGE's Peak Rewards Program Pays You, Too!
- Upcoming Events: Bethesda Green Solar & Green Home Expo on Sat. June 9. at 10am
- ecobeco's Referral Program Extended Through August 30
- Frederick County, MD Green Homes Challenge
- ecobeco wins awards from Department of Energy and City of Rockville
- ecobeco launches Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco at No Charge!
- Low Interest Financing from Maryland for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
- Sungevity Solar Power for Maryland Homes
- $100 Energy Audits and 50% Rebates State-Wide in Maryland for 2012
- We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback
Enjoy! |
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ecobeco Partner, DeVere Insulation, Offers June Discount on Top of Utility Rebates
| | Over the past couple of years, ecobeco has referred many satisfied customers to DeVere Insulation for air sealing and insulation work following a Comprehensive Home Energy Audit. DeVere has been a trusted and reliable partner in improving energy efficiency for good reason.
For the month of June, DeVere is putting even more money on the table to motivate homeowners to action.
If you're an ecobeco customer who is still holding onto a current energy audit and just needed a little extra push to get started on improving your home's energy efficiency, here it is. In addition to Pepco's 50% rebate, DeVere Insulation is giving $100 off jobs priced between $1,000-$3,000, and $200 off jobs priced over $3000 for airsealing and insulation.
Please contact DeVere Insulation 410-770-1111 to get started. Mention the June coupon discount you heard about through ecobeco. |
Save up to
$200 on
Home Performance Jobs
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DEVERE INSULATION COUPON
- Save $100 on jobs between $1,000 and $3,000
- Save $200 on jobs above $3,000.
Call Michelle Griffith at 410-770-1111
| Jobs must begin in June 2012.
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Huge Savings for Apartments & Condos with Quick Energy Check-Ups
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In the last 2 months, ecobeco has become heavily involved in Pepco's Multi-Family Quick Energy Check-Up program. We've been busy bringing energy efficient light bulbs, low flow sink aerators, low flow showerheads, and more to residents living in apartments and condos, saving residents thousands of dollars annually.
The best part about this service is that there is NO COST for buildings in the Pepco Maryland service territory. Both individually metered and master metered condos are eligible. Quick Energy Check-Ups are sponsored by EmPower Maryland. A typical home or apartment can save about $100 annually in electricity and up to $50 in water and sewer costs, from having a Check-Up!
A resident at one of our recently completed condo building projects, The Forum in North Bethesda, blogged about the fantastic experience she had with the Multi-Family Quick Energy Check-Up. Her building is projected to save over $10,000 annually and she intends to track the progress over the next few years!
To residents of multi-unit buildings, we encourage you to bring this information to your Property Manager or Board of Directors. Encourage your neighbors to support this program for the building and ask us to help you in speaking with the property management or neighbors. To Property Managers, we invite you to contact us and we are happy to answer all your questions about this no-cost program and get your building signed up to participate. Go green and give us a call today to help you and your building be more environmentally friendly while saving money!
240-396-2141
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Upcoming Events: Silver Spring Green Workshop: Energy Efficiency in Your Home TONIGHT June 4th at 6:30pm
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 Silver Spring Green and Green Wheaton are hosting an engaging forum that will focus on ways to save energy in your home, improve comfort in winter & summer, and reduce your energy bills. Join us Monday, June 4th at 6:30pm at the Mid-County Regional Services Center, 2424 Reedie Drive in Wheaton, MD 20902.
One of the speakers at this workshop is ecobeco's very own, Gina Mathias! Gina will introduce a new program offered by Pepco, the Quick Home Energy Checkup. Other speakers include: Jim Conlon, who will discuss comprehensive home energy audits and energy efficiency upgrade work for houses; Cathy Carr, a homeowner who has completed a home energy audit for her Silver Spring home and made energy improvements to her house; Dave Taghipour, who sells green building products and will speak briefly about the benefits of Solatubes, LED lighting, and window films.
Event FREE and open to the public, although donations will be accepted!NOTE: translation into Spanish is available upon request. Please email abirome2@gmail.com if you are interested in this service. NOTA: la traducción al español está disponible a petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Abi Rome en abirome2@gmail.com si usted está interesado en este servicio.
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ecoTip - Saving on cooling costs this summer
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 We saw a terrific article in Smart Money that has tips on how to save on cooling costs. Here is a link:
Cooling Down Summer A/C Bills
The article smartly points out that you can sign up for Energy Rewards programs such as Pepco's Energy Wise Rewards program (next article) and/or install a programmable thermostat, tune-up your AC (Pepco has a $100 rebate for this), and more.
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| Pepco's Energy Wise Rewards Program Pays You! |
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Do last summer's electric bills have you worried as the season starts to warm ?
Energy Wise Rewards is a tool for Maryland customers to take more control over their energy usage, save money on their energy costs, and take a big step towards a more sustainable lifestyle.
Demand for electricity in Maryland is rapidly rising. Pepco will install a web-programmable thermostat or outdoor switch at your home and cycle it during peak-use times in exchange for bill credits. During the "peak demand" times of summer, Energy Wise Rewards works to reduce electricity usage by "cycling" central air conditioners or heat pumps throughout the region, managing energy use, and reducing the need for costly, new electrical infrastructure.
Not only is the installation free, but Pepco pays you! You'll receive a one-time installation credit, Monthly Reward Bill Credit, and your choice of Energy-Saving Devices at no charge!
To sign up, call Pepco at 866-353-5798 and mention rep code PE81817E. Have your account number ready.
Programmable Digital Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to automatically adjust the temperature of your home according to a preset schedule that you choose. This can be done both manually or through the internet. By properly setting your programmable thermostat, the EPA estimates that you can save over 10% of your heating and cooling costs.
During times of critical (peak) electricity demand, your Energy Wise Rewards programmable thermostat will receive a radio signal to initiate a conservation period that will turn off your central A/C compressor based on your participation level. The impact of this conservation period will be to warm your home by 3-5 degrees. That's why Pepco pays you a Reward Bill Credit of up to $80 per year.
Digital Cycling Unit
A Digital Cycling Unit, or DCU, is a device that is connected near your exterior A/C unit. It receives a radio signal from Pepco to turn off your central A/C compressor based on your participation level. This solution is for people who do not want to install a ProgrammableThermostat, or who want to keep what they already have.
How do I Save Money?
On selected days between June and October, Pepco will automatically cycle participating units to help balance the region's demand for electricity. These events are know as "conservation periods". You simply choose whether you want to participate in 50%, 75%, or 100% cycling. The higher percentage of cycling you select the more you get paid. Does that mean you have to sit in a hot house during the summer? NO. The majority of participants have said that the cycling does not make a noticeable impact to how they feel inside their home and many have not noticed anything at all. The main difference is that your energy bills are slightly lower.
Great! How do I get Started?
To sign up, call Pepco at 866-353-5798 and mention rep code PE81817E. For more information the participation options, click here. Have your account number ready. |
| BGE's Peak Rewards Program Pays You, Too! |
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This program is essentially similar to Pepco's program in the previous article.
Visit http://peakrewards.bgesmartenergy.com/ for more information.
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Upcoming Events: Bethesda Green Solar & Green Home Expo
| |  Bethesda Green is hosting the 3rd annual Solar & Green Home Expo on June 9th from 10am - 4pm, to offer visitors an information-packed, showcase event featuring many green home expert services and solar providers. ecobeco's Nick Rosenthal will be a featured speaker on the Energy Audit panel that starts at noon. The goal of this event is to provide homeowners and other interested parties an opportun ity to get the latest information about area services and incentives to green their homes. The spotlight on solar will include the latest solar-powered technologies, including purchasing and investment opportunities, and incentives for home installation.
Local area green home businesses, like ecobeco, will display their services at Bethesda Green's office, while individual workshops related to greening your home will be conducted throughout the day. Learn more about our $0 down solar energy program, which brings most homeowners an average of 15% savings off their utility bills and start saving from Day 1!
Event FREE and open to the public!
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ecobeco's Referral Program Extended to August 31
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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 August 31st!
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 August 31, 2012.
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Frederick County, MD Green Homes Challenge
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Frederick County, MD Residents;
Want to know more about how your government is helping you go green in Frederick, MD?Learn more about the Frederick County Green Homes Challenge and become a "Power Saver". Power Savers are committed to preserving our environment and reducing their energy consumption. Through this program, a limited number of County residents can receive a gift certificate for a FREE Comprehensive Home Energy Audit! You'll also receive a free Power Saver Handbook to help guide you through saving energy at home. Power Savers are also entered into raffles to receive prizes.
To learn more, contact Sabrina Harder, Green Homes Program Coordinator, at 301-600-7414 or GreenHomes@FrederickCountyMD.gov |
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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 resulted 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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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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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.
*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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$100 Energy Audits and 50% Rebates State-Wide in Maryland for 2012
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| Pepco, BGE, Potomac Edison, and SMECO have officially 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).
- 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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| 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, and Vince
(240) 396-2141
info@ecobeco.com
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