Takoma Park Community: Lower Your Energy Bills Now!

Want to reduce your energy bills?

Join Repower at Home and the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op (MESC) for this community energy meeting! Bring your recent utility bills to find ways to start saving on energy right away!

Our energy choices at home have a huge impact on our health, our environment, and our pocketbooks. At the energy meeting, we will explore ways to improve our community by using less energy at home. We’ll learn about simple actions that tackle the main sources of home energy waste, and we’ll also brainstorm ways we can grow our impact by getting others involved in repowering their homes.

 

TODAY: Monday December 6, 2010 at 7 p.m.

Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op (Meeting Room)
201 Ethan Allen Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912

Co-op in the Gazette

Montgomery County Gazette

Montgomery County official recommends changes for chilly weather

by Alison Bryant.

November 17, 2010

The sun is setting earlier, and the temperature outside is dropping. Heavier coats are emerging, scarves are on the rise.

Face it. It’s cold.

So how can one keep that cold outside and still save money on energy bills?

Eric Coffman, senior energy planner with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, offers up a few tips homeowners and renters can use to winterize their homes.

-Program the thermostat. A programmable thermostat, which allows users to pre-set temperatures and start and stop times, lets people use heat effectively, Coffman said. “We always recommend people start with a daytime of 68 [degrees] and a nighttime setback of 65 [degrees],” he said.

-Check for drafts. Examine windows and doors for gaps that let in cold air, Coffman said. Most home improvement stores sell low-cost foams, caulking and weather stripping to cut off the unwanted airflow.

-Change the bulbs. Move from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs for a quick, easy fix. Keep bulbs in mind for holiday lighting as well by purchasing LED lights that use less energy. Plus, they’re more durable and a permanent investment, Coffman said.

-Hire a pro. Do a little maintenance by hiring a professional to check out your furnace for efficiency. Take a look at the heat pump and make sure it’s up to date. “I see a lot of older heat pumps that aren’t working very well,” Coffman said. “It’s sort of like trying to heat your house with your oven. If you haven’t had your heat pump checked, you might want to have it checked out.”

-Get an audit. Hiring an energy auditing company to scan your house top to bottom for places where money may be flying out the window proves a solid investment. And, fortunately, Coffman said, now’s the time to find a good price on an audit. If Pepco supplies your gas, you can get a high quality energy audit for $100, he said.

-Use tax credits. Federal tax credits for energy efficiency improvements end in December. Cash out that credit for up to $1,500 to make changes around the house and replace old heating or cooling equipment. The county also offers a $250 tax credit for energy efficiency improvements, which can be used toward do-it-yourself or professional jobs.

-Buy from a competitor. Look into purchasing electricity through a competitive energy supplier. Preferably, find one who deals with clean energy. “Right now, there’s an opportunity for 10 percent lower rates by selecting a competitive supplier,” Coffman said. “There’s a great number of highly qualified providers.”

Small changes around the house can add up, Coffman said. If a homeowner hires an energy auditor to add insulation, tune up the heating and cooling systems and the like, the homeowner could save 20 percent on utility bills, Coffman said. “There’s no one magic bullet,” Coffman said. “But you combine all these little things and sort of put yourself on a personal work plan where you’re changing you’re behavior … it adds up and people can get to really substantial savings.”

And local organizations have been executing this concept all over the county.

Back in October, Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit volunteer organization committed to helping low-income homeowners through home renovation and repairs, partnered with area organizations to improve energy efficiency in low-income homes. The Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op assessed a home on Dunsinane Drive in Silver Spring and completed a variety of energy-efficiency improvements to reduce the owner’s energy bills. The project was one of five in the county.

The homeowner forked out between $400 and $500 in energy bills for individual winter months, said Miranda Hitchcock, associate director of Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op. The co-op requested the services of Live Green LLC, an energy auditor, to note changes that could be made to save money. Live Green found potential savings of $1,000 per year, Hitchcock said.

“[The homeowner] had almost no bills in the summer, but in the winter, in order to keep the home warm, she was spending large amounts of money,” she said.

The co-op then brought in five volunteers from various local organizations dedicated to energy efficiency and tackled 10 of the most pressing issues, she said.

These included everything from replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs to wrapping and insulating hot water pipes to blowing insulation into the attic. Accurate Insulation LLC donated about $1,500 of insulation.

The work spanned three days over the course of about a month and a half. Rebuilding Together covered most of the material costs through grants and volunteers took care of the labor. Hitchcock said. The Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op will check in with the homeowner in a few months to see how much money the changes saved.

While the co-op focuses on energy efficiency, the core of its mission lies in building strong communities, Hitchcock said.

“Not only is green something we think is good for the environment, but it’s good for the community and the economy,” she said. “I think people are still under the impression that going green means spending a whole lot of money and not making anything back. And for us, it’s really important … to get out in the local community and find ways for people to do what they think is right and will benefit them.”

abryant@gazette.net

Click here to read the original article:

Co-op in the Press

Article in the November, 2010 issue of the Takoma Voice

On October 10^th, 2010 (10/10/10) the organization 350 promoted a global “get to work” party- a day for people all over the world to take action and improve the environment. As part of this effort, Rebuilding Together committed to helping five low-income homes in Silver Spring become more energy-efficient. These improvements would improve the comfort level of these homes and greatly reduce energy bills. Here are photos and stories from two of the Silver Spring sites. Rebuilding

Together Joined with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the green energy company Clean Currents in an effort to weatherize a home in Burnt Mills, Silver Spring. An energy audit was performed, including a blower test by Ecobeco to determine how much heat was escaping through gaps around doors and windows. Volunteers weather-stripped doors and windows, insulated the water heater, insulated the attic, and sealed up a loosely fitting attic pull-down staircase. They installed low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to save water, among other energy-saving improvements. Rep Chris van Hollen, and county councilmembers George Leventhal and Nancy Floreen came by to take a tour, lend a hand, applaud the efforts of the volunteers, and reaffirm their commitment to environmentally sound policy.

The Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op took the reins for one of these homes, helping a homeowner who was recently laid off but volunteers in her community when she isn’t looking for a job. First MESC brought in energy auditors Live Green LLC to do an assessment on the home and identify possible improvements. Despite the homeowner’s very careful use of energy, disconnected ducts and even huge gaps in the attic floor had led to outrageous energy bills in the winter.

On October 10^th, MESC assembled a team to complete Live Green’s suggested actions. Between Michael Whelan of Live Green LLC, Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op, Dave Heffernan from Bethesda Green and Paul Bowman from Bowman’s Housecraft, all of the promised tasks were completed. Paul spent the day sealing up all of the attic leaks, both small cracks and gaps several feet long that flood cold air into the home. The team installed weatherstripping on the front door and sealed ductwork. They sealed air leaks in the basement, and insulated hot water pipes to keep in the heat. The volunteers also completed smaller changes, like installing CFL bulbs and faucet aerators and insulating hot water pipes. And that’s not all- Live Green convinced Accurate Insulation to come back this month and blow in insulation for the attic to keep the house warm. These changes will have a big impact on the homeowner’s energy bills and comfort.

All of this work was done at no charge to the homeowner. All of the labor was volunteered, and materials were donated. None of this would have been possible without the generosity and community-spirit of friends and partners. Enormous thanks to Rebuilding Together for putting the event together, to the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op and Live Green LLC for their exceptional contribution, and to Accurate Insulation for the generous donation of insulation.

Not only did this project make one house “greener,” but it also helped a family in need. The “get to work” party on 10/10/10 was certainly about energy efficiency and cutting carbon. But it was also about communities coming together to make a difference.

by Miranda Hitchcock

“Why” is the juice behind going green

by Julie Gabrielli

When I work with clients, whether on a design project or a sustainability initiative, I notice that people tend to go straight to technologies, strategies, and solutions. These certainly have their place, but they are not enough to sustain the project or the change campaign over the long haul.

Why not? In any creative venture when multiple variables are considered, we hit walls. Roadblocks. Stumbling points. Especially in collaborations, which basically covers everything in the world of business. (Isn’t it odd how effective collaboration is not generally taught in school? More on that another time.)

The most efficient way out of those impasses is a clear sense of purpose – in other words, knowing your “why.” Organizations that have a clear sense of why leave people inspired and excited about solving tough problems. On the other hand, if you are overly invested in specific what’s and how’s, it is very difficult to see new possibilities when a problem inevitably arises.

The importance of knowing not only WHAT we are creating, changing, or doing, but WHY, is put very elegantly by Simon Sinek in his book, “Start With Why.” Full disclosure: I haven’t yet read the book, but his website has some great video and downloads that explain the very simple concepts.

Sinek’s “Golden Circle” is a great visualization: three concentric rings with “why” in the center, then “how,” and finally “what.” Why is, fittingly, at the core. In his words, “why” speaks directly to our emotions, which is the place in our brain where decisions are made. When we align intuition and emotion with abstraction and planning, it’s a powerful combination.

As an example, Sinek points out, Martin Luther King had strong beliefs about justice and human rights. That was his “why.” He happened to live at a time when a great movement was stirring; that was the “what.” In his many inspiring speeches, he spoke about what he believed, and that became contagious. When he stood up to make his famous speech on the Mall in Washington, D.C., he didn’t say, “I have a plan.” He said, “I have a dream.”

I recently asked a client – a commercial photographer – to tell me her “why.” Here it is: “I suppose my “why” has to do with living what I believe, despite the personal costs. When I die I want to know that I have lived a life without hypocrisy. My success will not be measured in dollars, but rather in promises I have kept.”

I know her to be someone who conscientiously walks her talk. In her photography work, she switched to digital before anyone else – motivated initially by the environmental benefits. When she hired me to help them renovate an old barn into a gorgeous photo studio, the priorities were energy efficiency, salvaged and non-toxic materials, and solar hot water heat. She just seems to have an innate sense of how to prioritize and live her values through all aspects of her business. As she says in a recent blog post, “I have come to a cross roads on my career path and want now more than ever to wade into good-for-the-world commerce.”

What’s the “green why” in your project, green campaign, or brand? How clear is it to your clients, customers, and employees – both present and prospective?

Julie Gabrielli, founder of GOforChange, mentors entrepreneurial businesses and organizations to “see the green.” She has been at the cutting edge of the green movement for over 15 years. Her expertise includes energy efficiency, renewable energy, green architecture, and strategic sustainability planning.

Success and Teamwork on 10/10/10!

by Miranda Hitchcock

The “get to work” party on 10/10/10 was certainly about energy efficiency and cutting carbon. But it was also about communities coming together to make a difference. Our experience was a perfect example! Through a partnership with Rebuilding Together and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the Co-op committed to helping one low-income homeowner reduce her bills and keep warm in the winter.

Mike Kennedy sealing ductwork

We started by bringing in Michael Whelan of Live Green LLC to do an energy audit, finding places where energy was being wasted. These problem areas are costing our homeowner hundreds of dollars each year!

This info can all be found in our previous blog entry. On 10/10/10 we formed a team to carry out Live Green’s suggested actions!

Insulating hot water pipes

Between Michael Whelan, Miranda Hitchcock and Mike Kennedy from the Co-op, Paul Bowman of Bowman’s Housecraft and Dave Heffernan from Bethesda Green, we completed all of our promised tasks!

We made some changes that will have a big impact on the homeowner’s energy bills and comfort. After finding huge gaps in the attic floor (spaces where cold air was free to flow directly into the home), Paul spent the day sealing up all of the leaks, both small cracks and gaps several feet long. We installed weatherstripping on the front door and sealed ductwork. We sealed air leaks in the basement, and insulated hot water pipes to keep in the heat!

Paul sealing holes in the attic

We reconnected ducts that had fallen, getting heat to get to the vents instead of heating the laundry room. We even installed CFL bulbs and faucet aerators- small changes that make a difference! And that’s not all- Live Green even convinced Accurate Insulation to come back this month and blow in insulation for the attic to keep the house warm.

All of this work was done at no charge to our wonderful homeowner. All of the labor was volunteered, and materials were donated and purchased with grant money. So not only does this project make one house “greener,” but it also helped a family in need. None of this would have been possible without the generosity and community-spirit of our friends and partners. Enormous thanks to Rebuilding Together for putting the event together, to Live Green LLC for their exceptional contribution, and to Accurate Insulation for the generous donation of insulation. We’ll be sure to let our readers know how much our homeowner saves on energy this winter!

Miranda Hitchcock is the Associate Director for the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op.

10/10/10 and Rebuilding Together

by Miranda Hitchcock

If you follow “green” news around the world, you’re probably familiar with the upcoming 10/10/10 Global Work Party started by the carbon-reducing organization 350.  But did you know that the Co-op is involved with a great project this Sunday for the event?

Rebuilding Together has organized grants to make energy-efficiency improvements on five low-income homes in the Silver Spring area, in partnership with Chesapeake Climate Action Network and several others. The Co-op has taken over (well, adopted) one of these homes to improve on the 10^th.

Michael Whelan performing blower door test

We started by having our fabulous energy auditor from Live Green LLC do an audit on the house, including a blower door test and an analysis of ductwork, appliances and insulation. Michael even took out the thermal camera to show us where air leaks occur! After the audit and report, we determined the 10 tasks that we hope to accomplish on the 10^th (a perfect coincidence)!

On Sunday, our team of skilled and unskilled volunteers will complete a variety of efficiency upgrades. We will install CFL bulbs and faucet aerators, weatherstrip the front door, and wrap hot water pipes. We will do some air sealing and re-program the thermostat for added comfort and reduced costs. All of this will come at no cost to our homeowner, with volunteer labor and materials from grants. Live Green LLC has even arranged for their sub-contractor, Accurate Insulation, to insulate the attic (sorely needed!) for free.

Michael Whelan inspecting water heater

All of these measures will make the house much more comfortable for our homeowner and her niece (whom she fosters), and will reduce their burdensome energy costs. Through a partnership with all of these wonderful organizations, “going green” can really make a difference in someone’s life!

We have a great group of volunteers already signed up for the 10^th, but if you are interested in helping out, please contact Miranda (Miranda.Hitchcock@gmail.com). Don’t forget that you can get involved on 10/10/10 in many ways! Join an existing effort or start one of your own- even if it’s just making some changes in your own home! Check here for the results and photos next week!

Miranda Hitchcock is the Associate Director for the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op.

Community Energy Meeting

by Miranda Hitchcock

We all have plenty of decisions to make about our energy use at home. Where do we purchase energy from? What appliances do we use? How often do we use them? How much do we heat or cool? But for most of us, the answers to these questions are not always so easy- we don’t always know which choice is best.

On Wednesday, September 29th from 7- 9pm Repower at Home will be visiting the Bethesda Green space to help us learn more about our energy choices at home and how to make the best decisions. They will focus on simple actions with dramatic effects (on energy use and carbon reduction) and discuss strategies to get everyone involved!

The Co-op will be attending to provide insights on how to move forward once you’ve committed to a strategy. Making the decision and setting a goal is the first step, but the Co-op is available to help turn that goal into a reality!

For detailed information and to RSVP to this event, go to http://repowerathome.com/events/95/

Miranda Hitchcock is the Implementation Manager at the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op.

Speed Design from Amicus Green!

by Miranda Hitchcock

For those of you who aren’t familiar with them, Amicus is the Co-op’s Supplier of green building and home materials. From no VOC paints to smart powerstrips and CFLs to cabinetry, Amicus can help you green your home.

For many of us, going green at home is a daunting task because we don’t know how to start. We know we should turn off lights and use power strips, but when we have a bigger goal (or a bigger problem!) we need to go to the experts. From now until the end of November, consider this GREAT deal from Amicus!

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Speed Design: Green on a Dime, a Deal and a Stopwatch
Bring your plans and your problems and we’ll give you 30 minutes of expert help to come up with a solution- or at least get you a long way there.

Your issue could be coming up with a plan to redesign a room (kitchen? bath? bedroom?); making your basement usable; a general energy or comfort problem (got a super hot room or cold basement? Sick of the utility bills?); or greening up your great outdoors.

Regular: $100
Special deal: $45 (55% discount)
Mention Sourcecode: MDCOOP

Please email (store@amicusgreen.com) or call (301-571-8590) to schedule an appointment. Meetings can be done at either Amicus location (Kensington store or U Street design office).

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Miranda Hitchcock is the Implementation Manager at the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op

Upcoming Green Events: September

by Miranda Hitchcock

In addition to providing Members with discounts on sustainable goods and services, the Co-op has a commitment to educating our community. We will be posting “green” events in the area regularly to allow you to attend and learn! If you know of a great green event coming up, please email miranda.hitchcock@gmail.com.

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Webinar on “Community Solar”- Tuesday, September 21st, 2:00- 3:15pm.

Many area residents aren’t good candidates for solar photovoltaics due to shaded roofs and other considerations. But these utility ratepayers aren’t totally out of luck! This webinar highlights the ability to participate in community solar programs where multiple customers invest in a system located elsewhere.
This event is free, but you must pre-register. For information: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/92870764

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GridWise Global Forum- Tuesday-Thursday, September 21^st-23^rd at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C.

The GridWise Alliance and U.S. Department of Energy are teaming up to talk about the national electric grid. Talks will touch on the current state of the grid as well as possibilities and realities for smart grid systems and how to take the next steps.
For more information and registration: www.gridwiseglobalforum.org

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Car Free Day- Wednesday, September 22^nd

In the D.C. Metro area, make a pledge to go car-free (or car-lite) for a day! Ride your bike, walk, or take public transit. Pledge online to win prizes!
For more information and to pledge: http://www.carfreemetrodc.com/

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Sierra Club Monthly Meeting- Wednesday, September 29^th 6:30 pm at 408 C St. NE, Washington, D.C.

The Sierra Club’s September meeting will discuss the October Energy forum, the Climate Action Plan, and the WIN weatherization grants.
For more information, contact Larry Martin: lmartindc@gmail.com

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Community Energy Meeting- Wednesday, September 29^th 7:00- 9:00pm at 4825 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

Join Bethesda Green and Repower at Home for an evening dedicated to understanding our energy usage. Learn simple tips for how to greatly reduce your energy and your bills!
For more information and to RSVP: http://repowerathome.com/events/95

Miranda Hitchcock is the Implementation Manager for the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op.

What are YOU doing for 10/10/10?

by Miranda Hitchcock

350.org is an organization co-founded by sustainability guru Bill McKibben, and is dedicated to getting our world’s atmospheric carbon dioxide levels down to a “safe” 350 parts per million. They have always emphasized a need for both individual action and sweeping policy changes, and this October they’re trying to send a message to governments around the world: We’re ready, and we can do this.

In recent years, many climate change agreements have fallen disappointingly short of real commitment, and 350.org is organizing an effort to send a message of commitment to the politicians, from the people. On October 10^th, (10/10/10) groups around the world are participating in this “Global Work Party,” by completing projects in their towns and cities.

“In Auckland, New Zealand, they’re having a giant bike fix-up day, to get every bicycle in the city back on the road. In the Maldives, they’re putting up solar panels on the President’s office.  In Kampala, Uganda, they’re going to plant thousands of trees, and in Bolivia they’re installing solar stoves for a massive carbon neutral picnic.”

The Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op is taking part in this great cause in Rockville- working with Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Rebuilding Together Montgomery County to give an energy audit and efficiency improvements to a home in Rockville. As the event gets closer, check our blog for more details on the Co-op’s involvement and effort.

But this post is not about us- it’s about YOU! There are still plenty of ways for you to get involved in 10/10/10. You can search for events happening in your area and contribute your time to an existing effort. If you have a great idea for a “work party” you can start your own project and bring people on to help you. Whether you’re an expert in sustainability or just want to help out, you can find a way to participate in this “Let’s Get to Work” day!

We would love to know about your plans for 10/10/10- comment on this post or send us an email! Whether you make a small change or a big one, please do something on the tenth to cut carbon and encourage our global leadership to do their part!

Miranda Hitchcock is the Implementation Manager at the Maryland Energy & Sustainability Co-op.