Contents of RauwLetter October 2010
- Go To Rauw Energy's Intelligence Letter
- Go To These Vendors For a Greener Planet
- Going to Save Tax Payer Money and Reduce Pollution in Public and Private Education
- Got to Go … Preparing for Emergencies
- Got to Prepare for the Higher Costs of Energy
- Go To NYSERDA’s Advanced Energy 2010 Conference
Got to Prepare for the Higher Costs of Energy
Westchester County, New York is offering its residents free-of-charge home energy assessments. By calling 211 residents can “make an appointment with an authorized contractor as part of a new Home Energy Assessment Program.” (westchestergov.com) A home energy assessment can provide information to homeowners about what they can do to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, saving money and reducing pollutants.
In order to qualify, resident’s homes must be 4,000 square feet or less. The County will be offering these free assessments to 2,000 residents on a first come, first serve basis. “The homeowner can decide whether or not to go forward with more comprehensive testing and repairs (at their own expense) if needed.” (id)
On the federal level, this month the Obama Administration announced its intention to install both photovoltaic panels and a solar hot water heater on the roof of the White House Residence. “These two solar installations will be part of a Department of Energy demonstration project showing that American solar technologies are available, reliable and ready for installation in homes throughout the country.” www.eere.energy.gov -Progress Alerts 10/4/2010. During a GreenGov Symposium, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu stated, "Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come." (id)
With a 30% federal tax credit and state, local and utility incentives in place (go to www.dsireusa.org to determine additional incentives in your area), the cost of solar panels is significantly less today than they were historically. With an estimated 30-year life, and with electricity costs forecasted to increase, solar panels provide a locked-in price of electricity that consumers can count on.
