ecobeco's October 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!
ecobeco trusts everyone is welcoming the much milder weather that has recently rolled in. Because it feels so great to be outdoors, we decided to go out more! We've also been busy this year making strides for Energy Efficiency in the DC Metro region and our President has been honored for his efforts. Find us in your community this fall and read on for:
- Upcoming Events - Green Festival and Many Local Events
- ecoTip: Avoiding a Melt Down of Your Smart Power Strip
- Huge Savings for Apartments & Condos w/ Quick Energy Check-Ups
- ecobeco's Referral Program Extended Through December 31
- Introducing NEW ecobeco Staff
- President of ecobeco Receives MCEC 2012 Advocacy Award
- ecobeco launches Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco and Potomac Edison at No Charge
- Low Interest Financing from Maryland for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
- Sungevity Solar Power for Maryland Homes
- Does Your Small Business Need Money to Make Energy Efficiency Improvements?
- We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback
Enjoy! |
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Upcoming Events
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Saturday September 29, 10am-7pm Sunday September 30, 11am-6pmDC Green FestivalWashington Convention Center801 Mt. Vernon Place, NWThe nation's largest and most diverse sustainability event is returning to Washington DC in late September! The weekend will feature an organic, vegetarian, and vegan food court as well as an organic beer and wine garden. In addition to numerous other activities there will be an eco-fashion show, a Green Pets Stage, DIY workshops, cooking demos, and a Green Marketplace featuring a variety of products and services. In the past, more than 30,000 individuals have taken part in DC Green Festival! Learn more about DC Green FestivalSunday October 7, 10pm-5pm
Takoma Park Street Festival
Carroll Avenue in Downtown Old Takoma
The Takoma Park Street Festival is a family-friendly music and crafts festival hosted by the Old Takoma Business Association in downtown Old Takoma every year. The festival brings an eclectic mix of live music, artisans, community organizations, children's activities and food vendors to this daylong event.Join us on the first Sunday of October and enjoy our lovely Main Street! Learn more about the Takoma Park Street FestivalSunday October 7, 12pm-4pm6th Annual King Farm Fall Festival300 Saddle Ridge CircleRockville, MD 20850The 6th Annual King Farm Fall Festival will take place in early October and is sure to be a good time. There will be activities for children including scarecrow making, hayrides, pumpkin painting, and giant inflatables. Additionally, there will be music, vendors, and a Business Fair. Learn more about the King Farm Fall FestivalSunday October 14, 12pm-4pm21st Oktoberfest at the KentlandsKentlands, Gaithersburg, MDThe City of Gaithersburg and the Kentlands Citizens Assembly present the 21st Anniversary Celebration of Oktoberfest at the Kentlands at Kentlands Village Green. Admission and parking are free. Free wheelchair accessible shuttle service will run regularly during festival hours to and from satellite parking at 101 and 200 Orchard Ridge Drive, just off of Quince Orchard Road. Amidst horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin painting, and wine-tasting, festival goers can enjoy authentic Bavarian food and beer and lively performances by the Alte Kameraden German Band and Alt-Washingtonia Bavarian dancers. Alt-Washingtonia instructs and encourages participation in some of its dances. Free performances on the Arts Barn Theater stage will include a variety of local dance, martial arts, and singing groups. Kids will also enjoy a full day of pony rides, moon bounce, face painting, and many other activities. A fee will be charged for some activities. For more information call 301-258-6350 or email parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov. Learn more about the Kentlands OktoberfestSaturday October 20, 10am-4pm Fenton Street Market Green Living Showcase @ Veterans Plaza, corner of Fenton St & Ellsworth Dr in Downtown Silver SpringHosted by Fenton St Market and Silver Spring Green, green and local vendors will showcase a range of green products and services, ranging from non-toxic cleaning supplies to renewable energy to sustainable landscaping. ecobeco will also help you learn more and sign up for NO COST energy efficiency services for your home. Learn more about the Green Living Showcase
Sign up to attend any of our events on facebook and let us know you're coming!
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ecoTip: Avoiding a Melt Down of Your Smart Power Strip
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When ecobeco performs a Quick Home Energy Check-Up, we typically install one or two "Smart" Power Strips. By "smart," we mean that these strips can eliminate standby power drains, or vampire power, to a portion of the plugs attached to the strip. This can save you $20 - $40 per year in electricity.
Like any power strip, you can overload a smart power strip, which can lead to damage of electronic devices or even to the floor on which the power strip sits. What causes a smart power strip to overload and how can it be prevented?
Power strips are designed to accommodate multiple electronics and devices to be plugged in at once. Surge protection is designed to protect your electronics from electrical surges or spikes. Not every power strip offers this surge protection, but most "Smart" power strips are also surge protectors.
The cause for a surge can come from either the power lines themselves or from the electronics plugged into a powerstrip. When a surge event happens the smart power strip diverts the extra electricity through the most common type of component called a metal oxide varistor, or MOV. When the voltage is correct, the MOV does nothing. However, if the voltage rises above the accepted level, the MOV diverts the extra electricity into the outlet's grounding wire, thereby protecting your electronics. It is possible for the MOV to burn out with one large surge or for the MOV to get worn out and fail after repeated use. Therefore it can be a good idea to get a surge protector with an indicator light that displays whether or not the unit is functioning properly. It's always good to know the specifications and capacity of your power strip and the devices that you are plugging into the power strip. When a MOV is damaged and no longer functioning, it is no longer protecting you and your appliances from surge or spike events. In this scenario of a defunct power strip that is placed under excess load without a protective MOV, the unitwill start to heat up, and possibly overheat. This leads to the potential for meltdowns, fires, and damaged devices; which can be very dangerous.
This happened recently to a customer of ours who was using an old power converter (European to American) that wasn't working, and caused the Smart Power Strip's MOV to fail, and caused a small fire. The photo below shows the result.
 | An overload caused this strip to catch fire.
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Please be aware of how you use your electronics and equipment and what their limitations are. ecobeco wants you to be safe and save energy at the same time!
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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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ecobeco's Referral Program Extended to December 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 December 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 December 31, 2012.
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Introducing NEW ecobeco Staff
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ecobeco would like to introduce a few new faces that support the expert energy efficiency work we bring to the community.
We introduced Ed and Daniel in our last newsletter and now we also have Stephen, Heather and Rebecca as additions to our staff of new Energy Auditor Assistants who are out in the field working with our auditors and customers every week.
Sara has just joined our team as an energy auditor and Ed has since taken and passed the BPI Certification test and is now a Certified Energy Auditor!
In addition we have Quinn, who will be working in the office and assisting our customers with questions and scheduling as our new Customer Service Specialist.
Welcome to all the new ecoAdvocates! You can learn about all of us by visiting our website: http://www.ecobeco.com/about_meetAdvocates.asp |
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President of ecobeco Receives MCEC 2012 Advocacy Award
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The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) has recognized the President of ecobeco, Brian Toll, for his contribution to MCEC's efforts to remove barriers to a successful clean energy future and assist the MCEC in their mission to bridge gaps between the energy industry and policy. Through his dedication to promoting Maryland's Home Performance Industry and the many hours he has spent championing the case to the MEA, PSC and more; the Home Performance Rebate Programs have been able to gain traction in the state of MD and benefit more homeowners. Brian's efforts in collecting and distributing metrics on MD's Home Performance Programs changed the dialouge concerning the program and shifted the talk to determining what the particulars of the programs need to be in order to be more effective and continue over the next few years.
Congratulations on your hard work and this honor, Brian! |
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ecobeco Launches Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco and Potomac Edison at No Charge To You
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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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Does Your Small Business Need Money to Make Energy Efficiency Improvements?
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 Pepco offers an Energy Savings Program for small businesses, non-profits, faith-based, and government customers too! Want to know how your business can benefit from the Pepco C&I Energy Savings Program?
Contact the Pepco Small Business Program, 866-353-5798, to get started with no-cost Energy Assessment, which is the first step in the Program. During the Walk-Through Energy Assessment, conducted by Program-trained Trade Allies or Program staff, your organization will be provided an action list of Low Cost/No Cost measure recommendations as well as capital projects that can receive Program incentives. Once the Low Cost/No Cost Measures are completed, the customer is eligible for the enhanced incentives. Typical measures which fit into this category have little or no capital cost for labor and materials.More enhanced incentives can include money for HVAC upgrades, refrigeration upgrades (for restaurants/grocery stores), lighting, water heating appliances, building envelope improvements, specialized controls and more. Currently, ecobeco is not offering Small Business services, but we are planning to start offering them in 2013. We didn't want to hold this news.
Find out more about the program by visiting the Pepco website or call or email the Program office, PepcoEnergyEfficiency@LMBPS.com. |
| 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, Gina, Melissa, Cindy, Nick, Mike, Jonathan, Jim, George, Olu, Vince, Suresh, Ed, Sara, Jillian, Patrick, Ellen, Quinn, Daniel, Stephen, Heather, Jake, and Alena.
(240) 396-2141
info@ecobeco.com
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