Scary Energy Bills? Rid yourself of vampire power in 2009

Is your energy bill scary? Slaying energy vampires during your remodel can help you and Americans save millions.

In the spirit of Halloween, the EPA today warns us all to be on the watch for lurking energy vampires - or vampire power. These are the electronics and adapters that consume electricity when they are not being used. Power adapters and phone chargers are easy vampires power suckers to spot, and also easy to slay. Every energy vampire you vanquish saves you money, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and helps in the fight against climate change.

“EPA encourages everyone to look for vampires in their home and get rid of this energy waste,” said Brian McLean, director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Protection. “Using less energy means Read more

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Eureka Envirovac: Can A Vacuum Really Be Green?

In today’s marketplace  greenwashing is rampant.  Many companies are purposefully misleading consumers to believe that their products are environmentally friendly in order to catch that ever-important environmentally aware segment of the population.  In such a day, I wondered if there was really a thing as a green vacuum cleaner.

Sure, I’d heard the green benefits of installing a central vacuum system.  Longer life and no bags both equal less impact on the landfills.  With my modest pocketbook, the upfront price of $2000 plus to install a central vacuum system was out of my league.  A portable vacuum was more my speed.

In my attempt to answer this question, the friendly people at Eureka offered to send me their new, green Envirovac to try for myself.  I explained to them that I live in a busy household with two energetic kids, a frantic husband and one crazy cat.   Carpet, hardwoods, linoleum, and drapes are all included in the household.  The brave people at Eureka didn’t seem the least bit concerned.  Game on.

The Eureka Envirovac arrived in a 100% recycled and unbleached box.  The vacuum boasted such environmentally responsible features as an 8 amp motor (33% less energy to operate) and a washable HEPA filter (cleaner air and less waste).  How very green!

Now for the real test.  My eight year-old’s Read more

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Are you taking advantage of refrigerator & freezer recycle rebates?

As you are demo’ing your house in preparation for your remodel, stop before you take that used refrigerator or freezer to the dump! There are organizations that will haul away your refrigerator or freezer, pay you a rebate, and then recycle it!

Southern California Edison (SCE) is one such organization. They will pay you to recycle your old refrigerator or freezer. You will receive a $50 check for that working refrigerator or freezer. And, by swapping your old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones or disposing of a spare unit, you can save up to $292 per year on your energy bill says SCE (savings based on 2006, assuming average use and conditions. Actual savings may vary according to SCE).

To be eligible, you must be an SCE customer. The appliance must be picked up at your SCE service address. The appliance must be in working condition at the time of pick up. The size of the appliance must be between 10-27 cubic feet.

Check your local utility for similar rebate and recycle programs for appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers!

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Buzz, buzz, buzz, 2008 Energy Star Partners Awards are out today!

Today was the first day of “Tell The World You Received an ENERGY STAR Award Week”.  Newswires were buzzing with press releases from the big guns about the recognition they received from Department of Energy for their energy saving efforts in 2007.  Let’s break this down, and offer up an opinion on what it all really means… 

Each year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. Award winners will be recognized at the ENERGY STAR Awards Ceremony on April 1, 2008 in Washington, DC.  

Winners are picked for categories such as New Homes, Energy Management, Service and Product Provider, Energy Efficiency Program Delivery, ENERGY STAR PROMOTION,  Efficient Affordable Housing, Excellence in Home Improvement, Retailer, and Product Manufacturer.   And No, you’re not the only one who doesn’t understand the categories.    Also, there are so many winners.  If you look at the 2007 ENERGY STAR winners there is hardly a category with only one winner.

This year it looks like there will be multiple winners per category again.  Announcements in the press today included:

• Pella - we covered their story in a separate article.
• Whirlpool- received a 3rd consecutive Sustained Excellence award for helping consumers reduce their utility bills and greehouse gas emissions.  Read the full Whirlpool news release.
• Lowes- was recognized in the Retail category.  (GetWithGreen would like to see Lowes make an effort to bring their eco-friendly story more visible.  The only fast way to find their story, is to look at the company site map!  How about it Lowes?   Will it be you, or Home Depot, that brings the green story out of the Footer of your site first?)
• GE Consumer & Industrial - also recognized for the 3rd year in a row, receiving a Sustained Excellence award.    Read the full GE new release.

How does all this help you during your remodel?  Digging deep for an answer on that, we do believe it gives the above companies a podium to highlight their most efficient products during the time of buzz.  For example, check out the Whirlpool release, or the GE news release link above and you will see mention of their greener appliances — all consolidated one page.  Very easy to find them in one shot!  

We’ll keep you posted on other announcements, and update this article as the week progresses!  Further, we will let you know what the EPA tells us about their process for selecting winners (we have a note out to them now!).

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APPLIANCES: Maytag EPICz Front-load Washer & Dryer now Available

On Friday, Maytag announced two new ENERGY STAR Washer & Dryers. Below is what Whirlpool (Maytag is now Whirlpool) has to say about these new laundy products, and their pricing…

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BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ — The legacy of Maytag(R) brand laundry continues with the new Maytag(R) EPIC z(TM) front-load washer and dryer. The versatile design of this space-saving, high-performance laundry system allows it to be installed virtually anywhere in the home.

Based on 100 years of dependable and proven innovations, the EPIC z laundry system features Read more

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Click here to see how much energy an appliance uses - before you buy!

When looking for new appliances (a refrigerator, water heater, clothes dryer, etc.), you can easily calculate how much energy one model will use over a competitive model.  Thus providing you with an answer of which will actually cost you more each day to use (and cost the environment).  This article provides you with the math equations to do it (note: you’ll need a copy of your electric bill):

Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use

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National Geographic Green Guide Compares REFRIGERATORS

The National Geographic Green Guide delivers an article that compares Energy Star Refrigerators. It describes brands and models, and presents data on energy costs and CO2 emissions. Read on to see that fridge your considering is on the list: APPLIANCE: Cost and Energy Comparison

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Bosch Rebate Finder. See if your Appliance is green and if it qualifies!

Are you considering a Bosch APPLIANCE for your home remodel? Bosch has a handly little tool that lets you search and see if there is a REBATE for that APPLIANCE.

Check it out now at: Bosch Rebate Finder

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Just how much does an Energy Star Appliance save?

Yes, there are savings by going with Energy Star appliances, but just how much?  EPA estimates are quoted in this article:  APPLIANCES: TCPalm Lifestyle Publication

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