ecobeco's June 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!
We hope you are enjoying the first few weeks of summer! We have some urgent news for low to moderate income Howard, Anne Arundel, and Carroll County residents who could be eligible for 90%-100% rebates on new insulation and weatherization costs. Also, things are heating up in the area as summer begins, and we have some great tips this month for keeping your home cool, more interesting news and updates:
- URGENT NEWS: Low to Moderate Income Marylanders Eligible for Grants Offsetting 90%-100% of Weatherization Costs Available For Limited Time - Howard, Anne Arundel and Carrol County Only
- Energy Industry Newswire - International Monetary Fund (IMF) Recommends Reducing Energy Subsidies
- Pop-Quiz! What's Wrong with this Photo?
- ecoTip: Keep Your Home Cooler this Summer
- Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco and Potomac Edison at No Charge To You
- Huge Savings for Apartments & Condos w/ Quick Energy Check-Ups
- Get Your Rebates Now: Maryland Energy Audits Expire After One Year
- $500 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency Reinstated for 2012 and 2013
- $100 Comprehensive Energy Audits and $2,000 in Rebates in Maryland
- New Rules for Pepco and BGE Home Performance Rebates Starting February 1, 2013.
- Low Interest Financing from Maryland for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
- ecobeco's Referral Program Extended
- Sungevity Solar Power for Maryland Homes
- We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback
Enjoy! |
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Low to Moderate Income Marylanders Eligible for Grants Offsetting 90%-100% of Weatherization Costs Available For Limited Time - Howard, Anne Arundel and Carrol County Only
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We have great news for Howard, Anne Arundel and Carroll County residents.
The Community Action Council of Howard County received a grant from the State of Maryland that pays for 90%-100% of the weatherization costs for low-to-moderate income residents in Howard, Anne Arundel, or Carroll Counties. This limited grant has enough funds for about 20 homes per County, so you need to act fast if you want to enhance the comfort and efficiency of your home at a 90%-100% discount!
Funds are distributed on a first come, first served basis. Act now!
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Energy Industry Newswire - International Monetary Fund Recommends Reducing Energy Subsidies
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Currently, none of us pay the true cost of the energy we use - at home, at work, or driving our cars. Natural gas, diesel, electricity, and gasoline are all subsidized by the government. The subsidies are meant to protect consumers like us, however the true cost of energy should include the negative impacts of over-consumption like harm to the environment.
In March the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a new paper that makes the recommendation to end energy subsidies the world over, from developing nations to the United States. The IMF put the cost of subsidies at $1.9 trillion in 2011, or 8% of all government revenues. The IMF is very clear that any reform program must include measures to protect the world's poor, and if properly executed, ending energy subsidies will free up government money to better help the people they are designed to help.
It's hard to say what the true cost of energy is, however if the government decides to take the IMF's recommendations, we could see the cost of all energy prices rise, and the need for energy efficiency at home will become more important that ever.
Carlo Cottarelli, Director of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, outlined the IMF's basic plan during an interview with IMF Survey Magazine: "There is no single recipe for successful subsidy reform. That said, after looking at the reform experiences in 19 countries, we found that there are six key elements for success. The first is to implement a comprehensive reform plan, which should involve establishing clear long-term objectives, such as achieving full price liberalization and improving the quality of service. The second is a far-reaching communications strategy and consultation with stakeholders. The third is appropriately phased and sequenced price increases, which allows time for households and governments to adjust their energy consumption. The fourth is to implement measures to protect the poor. The fifth is improvements in the efficiency of state-owned enterprises to help reduce their fiscal burden. And the final ingredient is to depoliticize the setting of energy prices, which is needed to make durable reforms".
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Pop Quiz! What's Wrong with this Photo?
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We're reprinting one of most popular facebook posts. Can you spot everything that's wrong with this picture? No peeking at the answers below until you're done guessing!
This is a real picture from a real customer. Mario, one of ecobeco's BPI-certified Energy Auditors, took this picture during a Quick Home Energy Check-up.
Here are all the things wrong we found.
A. The downward angle of the water heater exhaust can cause improper ventilation of dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide (CO2). Exhaust pipes should angle upwards at all times until they exit the house.
B. There should be nothing laying on top of the water heater, especially not something combustible like a newspaper.
C. The corrugated dryer vent pipe draped over the flue will make the dryer work much harder than it should because
hot wet air will have a hard time escaping through the up & down maze of ducting. The customer should shorten the flexpipe so it is taught on its way out of the house.
D. The weight of the dryer vent is putting stress on the water heater flue, which could lead to a disconnect.
We're glad Mario was able to help this customer before catastrophe struck.
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ecoTip: Keep Your Home Cooler this Summer!
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This summer is really starting to heat up! As the weather is getter warmer, more humid, and the nights aren't offering much relief, we are all growing used to the hum of the air conditioner working non-stop in the background. Here are some simple ways we can all keep our houses and apartments a little cooler this summer while keeping our energy bills in control.
- Make sure all your windows and doors are properly closed and locked. Check all around to make sure they are sealed, and locking them into place so they don't creep open and let all your cool air out into the neighborhood.
- Replace weather stripping around your doors and windows wherever it is worn out and no longer effective.
- Close your curtains, blinds, or draperies during the day. We know it's nice to have sunshine streaming in, but the sun's hot rays will quickly heat up your home and make your air conditioner work harder than it needs to. If you like to wake up to sunshine, close the curtains before you leave for work in the morning, and don't open them until after the hottest part of the day is past, especially for south and west sides of your place.
- Closed curtains will also act as an insulator, keeping more of the cooled air inside your house longer.
- Change the filter on your air handler to keep your air conditioner from working harder than it needs to, and to keep the dust down.
- Save 10% on your cooling bills by setting your programmable thermostat. Try 78 degrees while you are home (warmer while at work/gone), and cooling with ceiling or table fans as needed for air circulation.
- If you don't have ceiling fans try running your air handler for extra air circulation instead of turning down the temperature. Running your air handler for a couple of hours each day will be less expensive than having the AC kick on to reach a lower temperature. You can run the air handler by switching your thermostat from "auto" to "on". Remember to switch it back to auto later.
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Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco and Potomac Edison at No Charge To You
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All Pepco and Potomac Edison customers are eligible for a Quick Home Energy Check-up (QHEC) from ecobeco, at NO ADDITIONAL COST to your existing service! The program supports EmPower Maryland and is part of an effort to reduce electricity use state-wide.
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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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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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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$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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$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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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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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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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 July 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 July 31, 2013. |
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, Nick, Mike, Jonathan, Jim, Mario, Olu, Suresh, Sara, Stephen, Heather, Alena, Doug, Emmett, Greg, Jay, Monica, Jillian, Ellen, Quinn, Nicole, Fresi, Oliver, Jake, Eraico, Jennifer, Rebecca, Ernesto, Robi, Nanda, Daniel, Brady, Andrew, Henry, Leo, Siobhan, Matt, and Taylor.
(240) 396-2141
info@ecobeco.com
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