It's been a busy Energy Awareness Month at Energy Savers, and we thought it would be useful to cover some of the highlights from EnergySavers.gov.
What's New on Energy Savers
- You may have noticed that the Energy Savers site has a new look. This is just the first step in some big changes for Energy Savers this year, so be sure to visit the site often—and send us your feedback!
- We've added info on Cool Roofs. Check it out to learn how a cool roof on your home could save you energy and money.
- Fact sheets on various energy-saving topics are now available, and more are on the way. Check the publications page for these fact sheets. If you need print materials, print them out and share them with your friends and community—or save a tree and just share them by e-mail.
On the Blog, In Case You Missed It…
Did you know that the Energy Savers Blog has been around for more than two years? We know you don't always want to search through the archives, so in addition to looking back on this past month, each month we'll take a look back and link to some entries from 2009 and 2008 entries that you'll still find useful:
This Month
- Celebrate Energy Awareness Month and Get a Tax Credit!
- Educating a New Generation of Energy Influencers
- Saving Energy in Spanish
- Sailing into the Mainstream of Energy and Water Efficiency, Affordably
- Winter is Coming. Get Busy Saving Energy!
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Coming Soon to a City Near You
- Secretary Chu Gets His Green On
Weekly Questions—Did You Share Your Answer?
- How Are You Observing Energy Awareness Month?
- Which Energy Resources Would You Like Translated to Spanish?
- What Are Your Thoughts on Electric Vehicles?
- How Do You Save Energy in the Kitchen?
2009
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles: How They Perform in the Real World
- Low-Speed Electric Vehicles: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You?
- 15 Blog Posts to Get You Ready for Winter Savings
- Stay Warm in Your Apartment
- 15 Ways to Save on Your Water Heating Bill
- What I Do to Save Energy and Money in the Winter
2008
- Reduce Your Heating Bills with Better Insulation
- Easy Energy Tips for Apartments or Rental Homes
- Get Your Windows and Doors Ready for Winter
- Plastic Sheets and Duct Tape Anecdote
- Help with Energy Costs for Low-Income Families
- Purchasing Energy-Efficient Windows
- How Much Time Do Cars Need to Warm Up?
- Improving the Energy Efficiency of Existing Windows
- Purchasing a New Energy-Efficient Central Heating System
- EERE's Energy Calculators
- Chimneys: Keep 'em Clean… and Closed
- Winter Warmth Tips for Senior Citizens
- Energy Tax Credits: Stay Warm and Save MORE Money!
Comment Spotlight
Each month, we'll highlight a few comments that were especially insightful, interesting, or just added to the conversation. This month, we'd like to spotlight a whole group of comments from the great students at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin. Each semester, their instructors ask them to contribute to our blog. This year, the whole class left comments on the entry on How Saving Energy Might Be Contagious. Here are just a couple of highlights, but check out the full entry for more from the class:
Kristyne wrote: In order for something to be contagious, people need to be exposed to it and to have their immune system compromised. My family is a good example. About 12 years ago, it started with my sister (the open-minded reader) finding some information and trying out a few simple tips like opening the curtains to take advantage of natural light, and then a few more, etc. I saw her successes, but didn't take them too seriously. It wasn't until my son was born that I took a good look at what he may be left with and decided to set a better example for him - nothing makes you weaker/stronger than the love for your child. Over the last several years, we have deliberately passed the "bug" to our other siblings, our mother, friends, co-workers, and we are still working on our father (a mill-worker who was born during the Great Depression). This blog is full of infectious, helpful information!
Lois wrote: I am somewhat skeptical of “Saving Energy” being contagious. I have been practicing energy conservation for close to 20 years and I have not been able to convince my closest relatives (siblings & family) to adopt some conservation practices. However, I can hope that with the current state of the economy, with people having less disposable income to pay for their energy use, that the contagion that we hope for will come to fruition.
Did You Know…
- Rebates for ENERGY STAR® appliances are still available in 30 states and territories. If you're in the market for an appliance, check if your state is one of them before you buy.
- Tax credits for energy efficiency are available for improvements that are placed in service by December 31, 2010, so don't delay. Other improvements, including solar, wind, and geothermal heat pumps, are eligible for tax credits through 2016.
- Energy Savers is on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/energysavers.gov?ref=ts.
Happy Halloween weekend, and we hope you had a happy and efficient Energy Awareness Month!