October 1, 2009 kicks off Energy Awareness Month, which started back in 1991. Over 18 years, the "Energy Efficiency" movement has slowly increased in impact and awareness, but shifted into high gear last summer when Americans saw a gallon of gas go to $4. Both the Republicans and the Democrats started talking more intensively about the need for American Energy Independence. Now, Americans have some great resources to take action. According to the Department of Energy, over 40 percent of US energy consumption comes from homes and offices, so this is a real opportunity to save money and the planet.
FREE Green Energy De-Coder
Energy experts read and de-coded the 400-page American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. They made it simple and easy to take advantage of these government incentives, with the highlights broken down in about a dozen pages. That is a lot less reading for homeowners! This is a great starting point for anyone that wants to better understand the tax incentives for reducing utility costs, producing power, financing home improvements, buying a first home, buying a new car, and even resources for state incentives. Check out the Free Federal Tax Incentive De-Coder.
FREE Green Guide
This one-of-a-kind resource gives practical and insightful tips to both adults and children so they can immediately have a positive impact on their surrounding environment. Homeowners can see for the first time the Return on Investment and Payback Calculations on over 50 "green" home projects. These projects will not only create a healthier and more energy efficient home but also increase the home’s value. Children will learn how they too can make a difference at home, school and in their neighborhood. Put the 2009 Family Guide to Going Green to use today.
Home Efficiency Report
Improving your home's energy efficiency will not only save you money and energy but also increase your home's value. According to the Journal of Appraisers, every dollar saved in annual energy bills translates into a $20 increase in property value. This helps put the savings in perspective, because if you can save $1,000 a year, your home may be worth $20,000 more. Since Americans move so frequently, now the investment starts to pay off given the buyer’s concern for operating costs. The report includes a Home Efficiency Dashboard with key data like the Home Utility Trend (HUT) score, Home Heating Index, Baseload Electric, and Base Water Consumption, plus the Return on Investment Guide. Find out your home's score with the Home Efficiency Report.
Home Efficiency Training
Learn about energy efficiency the way that the pros do. You don’t have to become a Home Efficiency Consultant or Energy Auditor to take advantage of the online training. At your own pace you can watch the videos, review all of the materials, and use the powerful Return on Investment software. Since the cost of an Energy Audit is about $500, this is a great way during the recession to take the DIY path and save money. Get the inside scoop from Home Efficiency Launchpad Training.
If you are looking for a new career, the cost of the training with full certification is cut by more than 50 percent for people that sign up during Energy Awareness Month. That discount brings the cost down from over $1,000 to $500. Learn more about GreenandSave's Eco Academy.
Home Efficiency Checkup
This is a great option for homeowners that want professional help reducing their bills. A Home Efficiency Checkup includes a walk-through session where the Home Efficiency Consultant uses your utility bills, key tools, and a comprehensive check list to identify problem areas that waste utilities. After they have completed the walk through, they will sit down with you to go over their findings, make initial recommendations and answer your questions. Following the session, you will receive a detailed report based on the findings during the consultation. The market cost for the checkup is typically $395, but it is discounted by $75 for Energy Awareness Month, bringing the cost down to $320. The Home Efficiency Checkup also comes with a $500 guarantee on energy savings. Find out what you can do with a Home Efficiency Checkup.
