Energy efficiency could save residents thousands
Energy efficiency could save South Carolinians money and create employment for thousands.
This was the message presented Friday by Suzanne Watson, director of policy for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), as she presented her organization’s report on South Carolina’s energy future in Aiken.
Watson’s address aimed to make the “business case” for energy efficiency. The ACEEE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security and environmental protection.
Rather than focusing on conservation, Watson presented the argument for reducing use on a statewide scale by passing tighter legislation on efficiency standards, investing in and replacing old technology and infrastructure and encouraging consumers to examine their behavior.
The payoff for the investment could net residents $5.1 billion on their electric and water bills through 2025. The investment to create these long-term savings would cost around $790 million, Watson said.
In making the case, Watson presented 11 electricity energy policy and five water efficiency recommendations, that the ACEEE estimates could rack up a net savings of $9 million in annual electricity and water bills in 2015, which could grow to $1.3 billion in 2025. This, in turn, could also create as many as 22,000 jobs. More details….
Front Gate Properties, We’re selling the BEST Real Estate in Aiken, SC.
Rebates for Appliance Buyers in 2010
The 2010 plan to encourage energy efficiency is the government rebate for appliance buyers. The plan lets people swap their old appliances for new energy-efficient models at very low prices.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
· State plans vary. For state by state specifics, check out the state-by-state rebate program.
· Is it really a deal? It may not be worth replacing appliances that are fewer than seven years old, but older models can represent a real deal. Joe McGuire, president of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, says a 20-year-old refrigerator uses three times as much power as a new Energy Star-approved model.
· Buy now before it ends. There is only about $300 million available and some states got more money than others. It is expected to run out fast.
Source: The Associated Press, Vinnee Tong (12/30/2009)
Front Gate Properties, We’re selling the BEST Real Estate in Aiken, SC.
Landscaping correctly helps keep summer heat out of the house.
By KEN SHEINKOPF McClatchy-Tribune Q: We moved into a new development a couple of years ago and while we love our home, the barren landscape really looks terrible. We haven’t been able to afford putting in all the landscaping we’d like, but we want to start this summer. Our biggest problem is keeping heat out [...]
