ecobeco March 2014 Newsletter

ecobeco's March 2014 Newsletter
ecoTips, News, Deals, and More - And it's Free!

March 3, 2014

ecobeco is a Rockville-based energy efficiency company. We are a participating contractor in energy savings programs from Pepco Maryland, Baltimore Gas & Electric, and Potomac Edison (Allegheny Power). Learn more about us by visiting www.ecobeco.com. Visit our newsletter archive here.

We also have great content and news on Facebook:

Greetings!

Spring is coming (HOPEFULLY)! We hope you are still staying warm with this chilly start to March, and your energy bills are not through the roof. If they are, we hope you'll call us for help with making your home more energy efficient! This month we have news for Montgomery County residents, and all Maryland residents on legislation geared toward efficiency and sustainability. Brian Toll, President of ecobeco, has been very busy working hard not just for ecobeco, but with other industry leaders to encourage our elected officials to make energy efficiency a priority. Also this month:

ecobeco Wins Pepco Award
From the President: Maryland Clean Energy Center Stage
eco-tip: Eco-Friendly Landscaping for Spring
Reviews Matter! We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback
eco-tip: Navigating the New Light Bulb Aisle
Energy Industry Newswire: Home Energy Use at 2001 Levels
Announcement: Fundraising Program for schools and churches
Pop-Quiz! Biggest Threat to Indoor Air Quality?
Energy Industry Newswire: Montgomery County Taking Big Steps in Sustainability
$250 Rebate for Montgomery County Residents Available
Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco and Potomac Edison at No Charge
$100 Comprehensive Energy Audits and $2,000 in Rebates in Maryland
Get Your Rebates Now: Maryland Energy Audits Expire After One Year
Rules for Pepco and BGE Home Performance Rebates
Low Interest Financing from Maryland for Energy Efficiency Upgrades
$500 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency for 2013
Huge Savings for Apartments & Condos w/ Quick Energy Check-Ups
ecobeco's Referral Program - Earn $25

Enjoy!

ecobeco Wins Pepco Award
2013 was a great year for ecobeco. Congratulations to all of our auditors, assistants, and staff! ecobeco won the Pepco Home Performance Award for most KwH saved from home energy audits in 2013! This is the THIRD consecutive award from Pepco for ecobeco. We also won the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition Initiative of the Year Award. Way to go team!

From the President: Maryland Clean Energy Center Stage

ecobeco President Brian Toll moderated the experts panel during the Maryland Clean Energy Center's (MCEC) Legislative Reception in Annapolis this past January. Then panel featured representatives of government, industry, and environmental organizations. Further, over 30 Delegates and Senators from around the State of Maryland attended the reception to advocate for green jobs and specific legislation.

The MCEC's mission is to transform the energy economy in the State of Maryland by dramatically increasing the number of clean energy related technical innovations, entrepreneurial businesses, jobs, and consumer adoption of products and services.

The Center works to accomplish it's missing by encouraging programs that catalyze the growth of business, increase related "green collar" jobs, and make clean energy technologies, products and services affordable, accessible, and easy to implement for Maryland residents.

eco-tip: Eco-friendly Landscaping for Spring

Saving energy and being eco-friendly isn't just an indoor activity. As you plan your spring landscaping projects, keep efficiency and the environment in mind. It only takes a little bit of planning to make your yard and garden helpful for your neighborhood environment.

Here are some simple methods for controlling weeds, erosion, runoff, and water use without harmful chemicals.

Add layers of loose hay, mulch, or straw on exposed soil. This helps keep soil moist AND inhibits weed growth.
Use jute or burlap cloth over your planting bed, placing your seedlings in holes cut through the cloth to control weeds.
Plant a drought-resistant native ground cover instead of grass where you are able, such as creeping phlox or sedums.
Build a small retaining wall with stones or bricks to keep a sloping yard in check.
Replace paved surfaces with permeable paver stones or other synthetic 'smart materials' such as Flexi-Pave.
Choose native drought-resistant plants for your garden. Many can even be ordered online.

For more information on choosing native plants visit the EPA's website at: http://www.epa.gov/greenacres/

To learn about landscaping for saving water, saving energy, and beauty, the Department of Energy has a great website full of information! Click HERE.

Reviews Matter! We'd Love to Hear Your Feedback

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 Google. If you are a member of these sites, please rate us and help grow our network!

Thank you!

eco-tip: Navigating the New Light Bulb Aisle

We hear from customers everyday who are frustrated by how confusing buying light bulbs has become. The aisles at Home Depot, Target, and even the grocery store are full of acronyms like CFL and LED, prices have tripled, and who knows what the light will look like once you get it home. Will it be bright enough? Blueish? Yellow? Will it come on right away or take a minute to warm up?

If you've been confused you are not alone! Here are some quick tips to remember as you navigate the new light bulb choices, and we encourage you to check out a great guide NPR put together to help consumers find what they need.

Brightness is not the same as watts. Watts is the amount of electricity a bulb uses, not how bright it is. LUMENS is the measurement of brightness.
If you want to replicate the yellowish white light that your incandescent gave off, look for bulbs that are marketed as "soft white" or "warm white." Conversely, if you prefer the light to have more of a bluish-white color, then select a lamp that is marketed as "daylight."
Look for bulbs with the Energy Star logo on the box. They will last longer and be better quality for your money.
For all the tips, refer to this infographic, better yet, print it out and take it with you to the store!

Energy Industry Newsire: Home Energy Use at 2001 Levels

At the end of December, news outlets were reporting a startling development. Energy use in US homes had fallen to 2001 levels. This reduction in energy demand happened while more of us are using computers as a part of our daily (i.e., non-business) lives and all sorts of electronic gadgets litter our homes.

There are many reasons for this. More laptops and fewer desktop models mean less energy demand even though we use computers more. Now tablets and phones are multiplying as well, but competing over weight, size and battery life - all of which means using energy more efficiently. LED backlighting has made many flat-screen TVs - energy hogs when they were first introduced - more energy efficient than the old cathode ray tube models.

Also at play are state and federal standards and policies that have fundamentally changed the energy use landscape.

For the entire article, click here.

Announcement: Fundraiser Program for Schools & More

ecobeco is proud to announce a great new fundraising program for schools, congregations, and community groups. The best part is no one has to buy anything!

For every person who completes a no-cost Quick Home Energy Check-up or $100 Comprehensive Home Energy Audit with ecobeco and identifies themselves as being part of the fundraiser for your organization, ecobeco will contribute $15. Your members will receive energy efficient items, save money, AND raise money! It's a win-win-win for everyone.

To learn more and to sign up your group for a fundraiser, call Gina at 240-396-2141 ext. 714

Pop Quiz! What is the Biggest Threat to Indoor Air Quality?

We spend a lot of time indoors, at home, at work, at school, being entertained, etc. Do you know the biggest threat to indoor quality?

A) Pet dander
B) Radon
C) Carbon Monoxide
D) Fireplace smoke
F) Mold

Answer: C) Carbon Monoxide (CO).

But it's really a trick question. They are all threats!

Carbon monoxide is considered the most dangerous since it can be deadly and has no odor. Please be sure you have a functioning CO detector on every level of your home if you have ANY gas appliance in the house such as a gas furnace,water heater, or stove. Radon is a good guess since it also has no odor and causes lung cancer.

Pet dander should not be ruled out however, even though it's typically just a nuisance. For people with severe asthma triggered by allergies, dander can be very dangerous.

Fireplace smoke is supposed to go up the chimney, however as much 70% re-enters the home according to the EPA, and that wood smoke is many times more dangerous and carcinogenic than cigarette smoke.

For more information on indoor air quality and steps you can take to immediately improve your home's air visit the American Lung Association.

And, give us a call at 240-396-2141; during a Comprehensive Home Energy Audit we check your gas appliances for safety and your home for carbon monoxide.

Energy Industry Newswire: Montgomery County Taking Big Steps in Sustainability

Maryland has been a national leader for energy efficiency, and Montgomery Council member Roger Berliner (D-1) introduced 13 new energy and environmental measures. ecobeco President, Brian Toll, was at the press conference and was invited to speak about these great initiatives and energy efficiency.

We hope our great state keeps up the great work in efficiency and sustainability.

Brian Toll speaking at Council Member Berliner's January press conference.

The new exciting and interesting Montgomery County measures include:

Renewable Energy Purchasing --50% Renewables by 2015; 100% by 2020 - Today the County purchases approximately 30% of its energy from renewable energy resources.
Renewables Onsite - This bill would require new or extensively remodeled county buildings to generate at least 1 kilowatt of renewable energy for every 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Greentaping Solar - This measure, patterned after a successful program in Chicago, requires our Department of Permitting Services to devise an expedited and less costly process for solar related permits.
Solar Zoning Accommodation - This ZTA would modestly amend our zoning laws to permit solar to extend 2 feet into the side or rear setback.
Benchmarking Buildings -- This legislation would require building owners to measure the energy efficiency of their buildings, make that information public, and periodically commit to ensuring that their energy efficiency equipment is working properly. Information provided would aid tenants in forecasting future utility costs.
Silver LEED for New Buildings - Current county law requires new commercial buildings to be LEED certified. This bill would require all new commercial buildings to meet Silver LEED.
Cost of Carbon -- The use of conventional fuels, particularly coal, extracts a cost on society that is not reflected in its price. This bill would require the County to use EPA's "social cost of carbon" calculation or a comparable methodology for those purposes.
LED Street Lighting - This bill would require DOT, upon the expiration of its current contract for street lighting, to contract with an LED company.
EV Infrastructure - Electric Vehicles will only become mainstream when there are sufficient charging stations to inspire confidence in the public. This ZTA would require all new buildings to install 1 EV charging station for every 50 parking spaces.
Greentaping EV stations - Just as in solar installations, EV charging stations can be subject to a lengthy and costly permitting process. This bill would require DPS to institute an expedited and less costly permitting process.
Teleworking -- This legislation would require the County Executive to publish regulations that set forth a definitive teleworking policy and a requirement to designate a telecommuting manager.
Create an Office of Sustainability within DEP - This bill would create a new Office of Sustainability within DEP.
County Green Certified Businesses -This bill calls upon the County Executive to issue regulations that would give a preference in contracting to local businesses that are green certified.

$250 Rebate for Montgomery County Residents

Great news! Montgomery County residents may be eligible for a $250 rebate on a variety of efficiency products and professional services under the Montgomery County Energy Conservation Devices Property Tax Credit. This is a $250 tax credit which can be applied to measures like air sealing, insulation, HVAC appliance replacements, programmable thermostats, and more! Call us at 240-396-2141 for additional information and to schedule your Comprehensive Home Energy Audit that will identify the options you have for making your home more energy efficient, and identify opportunities to qualify for the rebate.

Click here learn more about the rebate, or simply call ecobeco at (240) 396-2141 x1 for more information.

Quick Home Energy Check-Ups with Pepco and Potomac Edison at No Charge To You

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 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.

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

$100 Home Energy Audit and $2,000 in Rebates in Maryland

Pepco, BGE, Potomac Edison, and SMECO have one of the country's most aggressive Home Performance Rebate Programs right here in the State of Maryland.

The 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!

Get Your Rebates Now: Maryland Energy Audits Expire After One Year

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.

However, ecobeco can help. 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.

Rules for Pepco and BGE Home Performance Rebates Starting

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 rules help ensure customers make good decisions about how to invest their money, and that jobs are following Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards 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.

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.

Low Interest Financing from Maryland for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

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 .

$500 Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency for work completed in 2013

Don't forget about your $500 federal tax credit for being an energy savvy homeowner!

Thanks to the American Taxpayer Relief Act (also known as the Fiscal Cliff bill), the federal tax credit for Energy Efficient Property is available to you if you had work done in 2013.

This credit allows for a 10% tax credit up to $500 for 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 2013 can make a claim to receive the credit in their 2013 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.

Huge Savings for Apartments & Condos with Quick Energy Check-Ups

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

ecobeco's Referral Program Extended - Earn $25!

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, 2014!

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.

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 31st, 2014.

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, Jim, Mario, Olu, Suresh, Sara, Stephen, Alena, Doug, Emmett, Greg, Jay, Monica, Jillian, Ellen, Nicole, Fresi, Oliver, Jake, Eraico, Jennifer, Rebecca, Ernesto, Robi, Nanda, Daniel, Brady, Ben Andrew, Henry, Leo, Siobhan, Matt, Taylor, and Shira.
(240) 396-2141

info@ecobeco.com