Efficiency a useful weapon in battling high energy costs

From the nation’s capital to the statehouse, energy is seemingly on everyone’s mind, particularly in light of soaring oil prices with no end in sight. It’s no wonder that homeowners are seeking more ways to lower their energy bills. According to some estimates, Americans spend 13 to 15 hours a day at home. With more and more electronic tools, gadgets, and components to plug in while at home, compounded with the challenge of living in a cold state with a large inventory of old homes, lowering utility bills is a priority for many.

So where can you start, and what can you do to make your home more energy efficient? According to Efficiency Maine, plenty. Efficiency Maine is an independent trust dedicated to promoting the efficient and cost-effective use of energy to save money for Maine residents and businesses, grow the economy, and create jobs. Efficiency Maine’s energy-saving programs help Mainers reduce their use of electricity and heating fuels through energy efficiency improvements and the use of cost-effective alternative energy. Efficiency Maine’s programs deliver Maine’s lowest-cost energy resource through a combination of technical assistance, cost-sharing, training, education and awareness programs.

Here are a number of suggestions from Efficiency Maine you might consider:

Join thousands of Mainers who have already made their homes more comfortable and energy efficient by weatherizing your home. On average, homeowners who recently weatherized their homes through Efficiency Maine’s Home Energy Savings Program are projected to save about 40 percent a year on their energy costs.

As a first step in the process of weatherizing your home, be sure to conduct a home energy audit by using a professional energy advisor. Energy audits provide a comprehensive plan that allows homeowners to prioritize suggested energy efficiency measures for their home. For a list of Efficiency Maine’s Participating Energy Advisors, who are certified by the Building Performance Institute, a nationally recognized certification body, visit www.efficiencymaine.com/at-home/hesp_program/find_an_energy_advisor.

Need help paying for energy efficiency improvements? A Maine PACE Loan may be the answer. Upgrade your heating system, weatherize your home, or make other improvements to lower your energy bills. Receive up to $15,000 with 4.99 percent APR financing and no closing fees, make low monthly payments, and offset the cost of your loan through your PACE Loan energy savings. Visit www.efficiencymaine.com/PACE for more info.

Mainers often keep a second refrigerator – often an older model – in the garage or basement to store extra food, cold beverages, or deer meat. Consider getting rid of that secondary refrigerator or freezer. Efficiency Maine will recycle your old refrigerator or freezer, pick up the unit at no cost to you, and send you $50. (It has to be operational, of course, and measure between 10 and 30 cubic feet.) The energy savings could be as much as $250 a year. For more details, and to schedule a pick-up, visit www.efficiencymaine.com.

Buy ENERGYSTAR appliances which are energy efficient and increasingly comparable in price to other models. Look for displays at more than 200 participating retailers statewide to take advantage of the Efficiency Maine Appliance Rebate Program. Enjoy rebates of $50 for clothes washers, $50 for refrigerators, and $25 for dehumidifiers, and lower your energy bills year after year.

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs, which can give the same amount and quality of light as incandescent bulbs. CFLs use 75 percent less energy (saving up to $100/year per home) and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.

Look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing lighting fixtures. These fixtures meet federal energy-efficiency and quality guidelines, without a sacrifice in performance.

Replace halogen floor lamps and torchieres with compact fluorescent models. Halogen floor lamps pose a fire hazard due to the extremely hot temperatures produced by the high-wattage bulbs and cost more to operate. An energy-efficient compact fluorescent model produces as much light, runs cooler, and uses only a fraction of the electricity.

Use motion detectors outdoors. Lights turn on only when someone is walking near the house. This will save energy and provide security.

Are you considering renewable energy? Efficiency Maine’s renewable energy initiatives can help. See the chart below to take advantage of various incentives for solar and wind power.

Residential/Commercial Solar Hot Water & Air

Efficiency Maine Solar Thermal Program

25%

$1,500

Residential/Commercial Solar

Electric PV

Efficiency Maine Solar Electric Program

$2/watt

$2,000

Residential Wind

Efficiency Maine Wind Energy Program

$1/watt

$2,000

Commercial Wind

Efficiency Maine Wind Energy Program

$1/watt

$4,000

Residential Solar/Wind/Geothermal 

Federal Tax Credit

30%

No cap

For more information, tips, and helpful calculators regarding energy efficiency for your home or business, visit www.efficiencymaine.com.

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