ecobeco's April 2013 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 is bringing solar to the White House! After winning the prestigious Angie's List Service Award 3 years in a row, ecobeco was invited to dinner with President Obama and asked to perform a Home Energy Audit on the White House. Realizing the surface area of the roof could generate enough electricity to power Capitol Hill, the 30 year effort to bring solar panels back to the White House has been realized! Read on for additional news:
- DeVere Insulation $100 OFF Coupon Extended Through April 30
- Upcoming Events - Spring and Earth Day Events
- $500 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency Reinstated for 2012 and 2013
- Energy Industry Newswire - Solar Prices Falling
- ecoTip: Spring Cleaning the Safe & Healthy Way
- Get Your Rebates Now: Maryland Energy Audits Expire After One Year
- $100 Comprehensive Energy Audits and $2,000 in Rebates in Maryland
- Huge Savings for Apartments & Condos w/ Quick Energy Check-Ups
- ecobeco's Referral Program Extended
- New Rules for Pepco and BGE Home Performance Rebates Starting February 1, 2013.
- 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
- We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback
Enjoy! |
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DeVere Insulation Extends $100 OFF Coupon to April 30
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ecobeco wants to let our customers know about a new savings opportunity! Our preferred air sealing and insulation partner, DeVere Insulation, is offering a $100 OFF coupon, good towards an air sealing and insulation job that costs over $1000. DeVere Insulation is Maryland's largest independent insulation contractor.
Make sure to mention this offer upfront when booking a job with DeVere. Offer expires April 30. Do not delay!
If you already have an audit, call DeVere at (443) 770-1111.
If you do not have an audit, call us first so you can get this discount in addition to any Maryland discounts!
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Upcoming Events - Spring and Earth Day Events
| | Several spectacular Spring events are in store for us this season. Come meet ecobeco in the community and learn more about ways to save energy and money.
 Monday, April 1, 2013 offered all month throughout April
Energy Awareness Trips to Outer Space
In the spirit of Energy Efficiency Awareness, NASA has partnered with ecobeco and donated two of their space shuttles to further the cause of energy education. For the first time ever, residents of DC, MD or VA can register to ride space shuttle Eden or space shuttle Apocalypse on a 3 or 10 week tour of our solar system. Some of the highlights include an up-close visit with Mars, a landing on Earth's moon, and the more heart-pounding race through Saturn's rings. Through the generosity of NASA, these tours, previously starting at $3M per person per tour, are offered at the generous price of 50% off, or starting at $1.5M. Please visit us at https://www.facebook.com/ecobeco to register for the odyssey!
Thursday, April 18, 2013 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Vienna Green Expo
Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St SE, Vienna VA 22180
The Vienna Green Expo is a showcase of local and regional earth-friendly exhibitors educating the public on how to achieve a green lifestyle. Attended by over 35 local earth friendly exhibitors, including ecobeco, the event will feature tips for improving energy efficiency, purchasing local organic products, creating sustainable gardens, and recycling. Demonstrations will be provided to help you make green choices for your home and garden. You will find great ideas that will save you money & improve the environment. Also come see the latest in electric and biofuel vehicles! View an alternative fuel auto exhibit and get your questions answered. The event is free and open to the public. The Green Expo is organized by the Town's Community Enhancement Commission.
Learn all about the Town of Vienna's Green Expo HERE.
Sunday, April 21, 2013 10:00am - 4:00pm
Earth Day Takoma Park
Grant Ave at Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
The Old Takoma Business Association will bring together green businesses and environmental experts for its first-ever Takoma Park Earth Day Event. The event will be a "one-stop-shop" for attendees to find green solutions, including the latest green products from local and national businesses, a speaker series, native plant sale, and more than 30 information and activity stations. The festival is free to the public.
Learn all about Earth Day Takoma Park by clicking HERE.
Sunday, April 21, 2013 12:00pm - 4:30pm
ACE Green Living Expo
Mason Arlington Campus, Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA ACE Green Living Expo, held in partnership with George Mason University's Earth Week Community Fair, will feature green suppliers and products from local and national businesses; exhibits and seminars from government agencies and nonprofits, and more! The goal is to educate Arlington residents about practical ways to green their lifestyles - focusing on energy conservation, energy efficiency, solid waste reduction, eco-friendly transportation, green home remodeling, sustainable landscaping, and healthy homes. The Expo will also include a raffle, activities for children, and a special focus on greening our schools.
The venue is located near the Virginia-Square metro station and several bus routes. The Green Living Expo is family-friendly and free and open to the general public.
Learn more about ACE Green Living Expo by clicking HERE.
Monday, April 22, 2013 11:00am - 2:00pm 1st Annual Earth Day Fair White Oak Community Center
1700 April Lane, Silver Spring MD 20904 Providing earthy-friendly education catering to seniors and all others in the Silver Spring vicinity, this event will be hosted in Silver Spring's stunning LEED Certified Community Center. As the 1st Annual Earth Day Fair, there will be raffle prizes, educational opportunities for seniors, a Farmers' Market, and on-site recycling. Saturday, May 11, 2013 10:00am - 3:00pm Bethesda Green Solar & Green Home Expo 4825 Cordell Avenue, 2nd Flr, Bethesda 20814 Bethesda Green will host the 4th annual Solar & Green Home Expo to offer visitors an information-packed showcase event featuring many green home expert services and solar providers. The goal of this event is to provide homeowners and other interested parties an opportunity 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 will display their services throughout the Bethesda Green office space while individual workshops related to greening your home will be conducted throughout the day.
Visit Bethesda Green's event website HERE.
To learn more about our services please visit our website, www.ecobeco.com or call us at (240) 396-2141 x 1 ps - April Fools!
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$500 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency Reinstated for 2012 and 2013
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April is tax month and for all you savvy energy efficient homeowners, you may have a larger piece of the pie coming back to you.
Thanks to the American Taxpayer Relief Act (also known as the Fiscal Cliff bill), the federal tax credit for Energy Efficient Property is back.  This credit allows for a 10% tax credit up to $500 when purchasing qualified energy efficient materials installed in existing homes. This includes the materials costs for adding insulation, air sealing, replacing heating/cooling systems or hot water heaters and windows/door upgrades, and many more items. The best source of information is the EnergyStar website. Check here:
https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index
This credit is retroactive, meaning anyone who completed work in 2012 can make a claim to receive the credit in their 2012 tax returns. Remember, if you have taken this credit in the past (especially during the 2010-11 ARRA Stimulus act that raised the limit to 30% up to $1,500), you cannot claim the tax credit again. Talk to your accountant or the IRS for more information.
To claim this credit, ask your insulation contractor for an estimate of the materials costs for the installation at your home. If you want to get this credit, but haven't started your process yet, be sure to call ecobeco for a Comprehensive Home Energy Audit at 240 396 2141 or click here.
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Energy Industry Newswire - Installed Price of Solar Steadily Falling
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Historically, installed PV (photovoltaic or solar) prices  have declined an average of 5-7% per year. From 2010 to 2011, installed residential PV fell by 11-14%. The latest estimate in 2011, prices residential solar PV at an installed cost of $6.10 per watt; down from nearly $11-12 per watt in 1998, and roughly $8-9 per watt in 2008. Homeowners can typically save 10-20% from their traditional electric bill by installing solar power, if their home is a suitable candidate to receive panels. The ability to now lease solar PV systems is one factor fueling growth in this industry, and growth in turn allows the prices to drop. Leases allow homeowners to lock in long-term rates to eliminate price hikes that are common with utility companies. According to the SEIA, the typical inflation in solar energy is 1% per year compared to 5-7% increases from utility companies. Currently only 12 states allow homeowners to enter into lease agreements for solar energy and Maryland is one of them. ecobeco has teamed with Sungevity to bring you solar energy for your home. Lease prices are falling so go to http://www.ecobeco.com/solar.asp today for your no-hassle iQuote. Keep reading below for more information on Sungevity. Sources:
http://www.seia.org/news/national-lab-report-cost-solar-energy-continues-significant-declinehttp://www.homeenergy.org/show/article/magazine/129/nav/issues/id/1856
http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2013/03/20/how-to-make-installing-solar-panels-more-affordable/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021144249.htm
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ecoTip: Spring Cleaning the Safe & Healthy Way
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It's that time of year again - when we all start opening our windows to let in fresh spring air, we wipe away winter dust, and deep clean all the hard-to-reach places in our homes. Before you begin though, did you realize that t oxic chemicals are commonly found in everyday cleaning supplies? Whenever the label gives you warnings not to inhale, that's a good sign not to use that product at all if you can find an effective alternative. Environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies are just as effective but without the toxicity that can irritate your lungs, eyes, skin, make you and your pets sick, and are harmful for the environment. We've been trained since birth to recognize the "clean" smell of conventional products like bleach... but now is the time to declare your independence from toxic chemicals and to retrain yourself that eco-friendly disinfectants can smell any way you want, or often have no smell at all, and they work just as well as the conventional ones, and even kill germs!
You can make your own effective cleaning supplies from everyday items such as baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and natural soaps. You can find many recipes online for every type of cleaning product you might need. One good resource is this list of recipes here. Luckily, most stores are now carrying less toxic options as well if you don't have the time to make your own. Some of the brands that are less toxic that are easily found in most isles are Method, Clorox GreenWorks, and Mrs. Meyer's.
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Get Your Rebates Now: Maryland Energy Audits Expire After One Year
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Even energy audits have an expiration date! Did you know after one year, ecobeco's Energy Audit Report expires and will no longer qualify you for up to $2,000 in rebates on energy efficiency work without an audit update?
Sometimes customers are not prepared for facing an expiring energy audit and the headaches it can entail. Scheduling the work following an energy audit can take time. Many Home Performance contractors have a backlog of energy improvement jobs, and may have to push your scheduled work date out a couple weeks on the calendar. If you waited until the last month before the audit expires, not knowing if you will make your deadline, can cause stress and anxiety.
However there is recourse. If your audit report expires, ecobeco can help you to renew the report and become eligible again for rebates. The cost for renewal is $100 and will require a revisit to the house to perform an updated blower door and combustion safety test.
To avoid the stress, time, and additional cost for renewal; ecobeco has some tips for managing your improvement project. Preparation is key! Make sure to start early. Don't wait too long after the audit to make contact with the contractor who will perform your work. Or if you still have hesitation after the audit, call your auditor! ecobeco schedules free Review Calls for ALL audit customers. After you receive your personalized Energy Audit Report, call the ecobeco office and we will schedule a time for your Energy Auditor to call you to discuss your options and answer your questions. Secondly, avoid waiting until the last 3 months before expiration to act. If a problem arises in the improvement project, you want to allow yourself ample time to react. Though snags in the work are not common, you want to be prepared in the worst case scenario. Third, ecobeco makes referrals to make your life easier. You may take a look at page 10 in your report. On page 10, you'll find a list of contractors provided by ecobeco that we identified to help you with any action items suggested for your home. This is intended to help facilitate the whole process from start to end, and we hope it saves you time in your search for a contractor who can keep you eligible for rebates.
We hope these tips will make it easier to manage your home energy efficiency project and truly help you to reap benefits for you and your home.
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$100 Home Energy Audit and $2,000 in Rebates in Maryland
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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!
240-396-2141
Or learn more by clicking here!
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Huge Savings for Apartments & Condos with Quick Energy Check-Ups
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ecobeco is one of the largest providers 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
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| Good news! ecobeco customers have been on a roll with referrals since 2012. We'd like to keep this positive momentum going and we are extending the Referral Program to May 31st, 2013!
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. Also, 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! Check the referral program website for more information. Thank you for your support!
www.ecobeco.com/referral
To qualify, audits must be booked and solar leases signed by May 31, 2013.
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New Rules for Pepco and BGE Home Performance Rebates Starting February 1, 2013.
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For customers who will have Audits or Audit Updates on or after February 1, 2013, Pepco and BGE have tightened the requirements for obtaining the 50% up to $2,000 in rebates.
These changes were received well by the Home Performance Industry because they are aimed at ensuring customers make good decisions about how to invest their money, and that jobs are following Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards more closely. Here are the highlights:
- To obtain a rebate on air sealing, the house must achieve a 20% reduction in building air leakage.
- If a customer needs air sealing in the attic, and the customer declines air sealing, then the customer will NOT be eligible for attic insulation rebates.
- Attic Insulation rebates will only be paid when the insulation value is less than or equal to R-20 and is improved to more than or equal to R-38.
- The costs of venting bathroom fans to the exterior of the home qualifies for rebates.
Some rules are still being finalized, and utilities are developing exceptions to the rules above for certain situations, so talk to your auditor and your Home Performance contractor about additional details and performance guarantees.
Visit ecobeco's Energy Audit webpage for more information and to view our technical document that explains the new rules.
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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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| 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 3 years, your feedback helped us win the
2010 & 2011 & 2012 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, Mario, Olu, Vince, Suresh, Sara, Stephen, Heather, Alena, Doug, Emmett, Greg, Monica, Jillian, Ellen, Quinn, Nicole, Fresi, Oliver, Jake, Eraico, Jennifer, Rebecca, Ernesto, Robi, Nanda, Daniel, Brady, Andrew, Henry, Leo, and Siobhan.
(240) 396-2141
info@ecobeco.com
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