Making Energy Upgrades Affordable

(Page 2 of 2)

October/November 2006
By Megan Phelps 
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Dave Hepfler, a building performance specialist in Eau Claire, Wis., says the home evaluation process is important because it helps pinpoint what would improve building performance.

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“Working with a consultant may save you lots of time, effort and money,” Hepfler says. The improvements he frequently recommends include air sealing measures, additional insulation and energy-efficient furnaces, water heaters or air conditioners.

Hepfler is enthusiastic about EEMs. “I really feel this is a huge opportunity for first-time homeowners, because they’re usually looking at older buildings with myriad energy issues. We can offer ideas about what might benefit the building the most, and EEMs can make the money available.”

Some state or local programs offer incentives for home energy upgrades, so check what’s available in your area. Plus, energy-efficiency improvements during 2006 and 2007 are eligible for tax credits that start at $500. (See Get Cash Back for Energy Improvements.)

Resources

Energy Star
Find home energy raters, energy incentives and lenders offering Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs). Choose the page for new homes, then use the partner locater.

U.S. Department of Energy
More information on EEMs.

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Comments

  • Cindy Adams 9/8/2008 8:25:43 PM

    Not enough room from the comment below, so just to finish the variable frequency drives are known as "nonlinear loads". Nonlinear loads ask for and use electric current in "pulses" unlike traditioal lectrical equipment. This pulse use of electrical current creates damaging noise, interference and heat on today's electrical systems causing interference within sensitive electrical equipment or worse causing them to overheat and fail.. The use of computerizxed electronic within the American home has been growing at exponitial rates and the need for filtering out the interference, noise and heat created by nonlinear loads has never been greater.
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  • Cindy Adams 9/8/2008 8:12:04 PM

    Say, "Hello!" to PowerwoRx e3. This new product is a Whole House Evergy Management System for the best possible energy savings and Total Home Protection based upon a unique technology that probides three key benefits:
    Energy Savings
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    ENERGY SAVINGS PowerwoRx e3 provides energy savings by reducing the amount of power drawn from your utility with the use of specially designed harmonic resistant capacitors. This system optimizes your homes power factor thus reducing the amount of energy your homes motor loads use such as air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, pool pumps, vacuum cleaners, furnace blower motors, fans etc. Motor loads (inductive loads) inherently require more energy to do their work compared to other electrical equipment in your home. the PowerwoRx e3's "power factor optimization" significantly increases the efficiency of your motor load and stores waste energy resulting in decreased demand and usage of electricity from your utility company. this equates to significant cost savings for you the home owner.
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    ELECTRICAL NOISE FILTRATION Provides Harmonic Filtration which has become more important since the 1980's and almost mandatory going into the 21st Century due to the proliferation of computers, fax and copy machines and variable fequency drives which are known a "

  • porferio 11/26/2007 2:01:19 AM

    i just i want to learn the process to help other people in
    preserving energy

  • JP 10/17/2007 11:06:01 AM

    This is a great way to take the bite out of energy efficient home
    improvements, thanks for a great article! I posted a link to it
    from my website about "going green for less"
    (http://GreenDealsDaily.com)

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