I recently authored an article for eHow.com.  The article covers steps to save on home utility expenses such as electricity, water, natural gas and home heating oil.   Making these improvements will  save money  and help you feel good about being eco-friendly.  The key is to reduce usage of all your utilities.  Many of conservation tips can be done by a handyman or a handy DIYer.

Read the full article at eHow.com.

Free Green Building Trade Show in Raleigh Thursday, September 9th, 2010. Open to contractors and homeowners.
6th Annual GreenNC Green Building Tradeshow www.GreenNCtradeshow.com

McKimmon Center, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tradeshow open 9am – 5pm
Luncheon at Noon with Featured Speaker
Learn more at www.GreenNCtradeshow.com

Through the US governments Recovery Program, $300 million in rebates is available for replacement of older appliances with new energy efficient models.    The U.S. Department of Energy is in process of approving state rebate programs.  To learn more, visit the DOE website.

The state of North Carolina has received $8.8 million and will provide rebates of 15%  for EnergyStar approved appliances purchased between April 22-25, 2010.  To learn more, view the fact sheet on the NC Energy office website.

*UPDATE 3-11-10* I  spoke with a consultant at the NC Energy office and they stated that the rebate is an instant rebate awarded at the Point of Sale.  No paperwork or forms are required, and no waiting to get a rebate check in the mail.  Go to an appliance store of your choosing between April 22-25, 2010, and get your 15% at time of purchase.

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Designed as an incentive and a way to promote the benefits of efficiency retrofitting in existing homes, the HomeStar Program is getting more attention from the White House.   Of the130 million US homes, two-thirds or 80 million are 30 years old or more.  Older homes more so than newer homes have insulation and weather sealing challenges that if resolved could help homeowners reduce their utility costs and save energy.

Read the full fact sheet here.

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Boulder Colorado is a city challenging itself to be ‘greener’ Read more in article from WSJ.

EnergStar Logo

Efficiency First is a national nonprofit trade association that unites the Home Performance workforce, building product manufacturers and related businesses and organizations in the escalating fight against global warming and rising energy costs. Efficiency First represents its members in public policy discussions at the state and national levels, to promote the benefits of efficiency retrofitting and to help our industry grow to meet unprecedented demand for quality residential energy improvements.

Join the HOME STAR Coalition at Efficiency First

Learn more at EfficiencyFirst.org.

This week a webinar sponsored by Qualified Remodeler and others on the proposed federal program, HomeStar (Cash for Caulkers) was held.  HomeStar is still a proposal and not an actual program.  It still has to be passed by Congress and signed by the President.  It does propose to create new greener jobs and provide incentives for homeowners/contractors to perform work to save energy in homes.

Here is a link to the slides HomeStar.  You may also watch a recording of the webinar.

Learn more and register here.

Details from site:

Expert Panel (Larry Zarker and Bill Asdal)
Moderated by Patrick O’Toole of Qualified Remodeler magazine and Tim Musch of Marketsharp
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
2 p.m. Eastern, 1 p.m. Central, 12:00 p.m. Mountain and 11 a.m. Pacific
60 minutes

The Obama Administration is proposing a massive jobs creation bill that will inject billions into the home improvement industry – on top of the $1,500 tax credits that were part of the 09 Stimulus Bill.  This fast-moving legislation is changing every day and your team will need to be able to quickly turn on a dime once it passes into law. This session will give the latest news on the bill, which, in its present form would create $18 billion in homeowner incentives, $4 billion in retailer incentives and $2 billion for home energy audits.

Takeaways include:
1. An update on the status of the legislation
2. An update on any changes to the proposed program
3. Tips for preparing – where to get energy audit training.
4. And much more.

Offer valid from 1/13/2010 – 01/18/2010

Cash for Caulkers could seal $12,000 a home

Under President’s proposal, homeowners would be reimbursed for energy-efficient appliances and insulation.

See more at CNN.