This topic includes discussion of energy-efficient appliances, as well as related topics such as rebate programs that reduce the cost of purchasing them.
Many appliances, including microwaves, televisions, computers, and gaming consoles, use power when they are turned off. The Department of Energy claims that vampire appliance costs contribute about 4 percent of the average home’s electricity bill. Phantom load is another term for this type of power use. Standby lights, which show that the system is not […]
The Climate Renewables and Efficiency Development Initiative is an international agreement, led by the Department of Energy, that helps residents of low income countries switch to more energy efficient appliances. According to the Department of Energy, the United States will be paying $85 billion of the project costs from 2011-2015, and other developed countries will […]
It’s important to track your energy usage if you’re interested in reducing it. A target such as 20% less electricity is much easier to obtain when you’re aware of how much power appliances in your home use. Even smaller appliances such as toasters and ovens can use more power than you expect, especially if you […]
I’ve seen many natural and organic alternative detergents. Some cities even mandate the use of green products because of the toxic chemicals involved in creating detergent products. Spokane is one of the first cities to require supermarkets and other stores to sell detergents that do not harm the environment, according to Grist. These products work […]
Each of the states and territories of the United States have established an energy efficient appliance rebate program. They each set their own rules for which products are eligible for rebates, the dates that the rebates are available, and have their own web sites and departments in charge of the programs. States have specific eligibility […]
The State of California, along with the other US states, offers rebates on the purchase of energy efficient household appliances, including refrigerators. The payback period for these green refrigerators is the amount of time it takes before a homeowner covers the expenses of their new refrigerator and starts gaining money. A green refrigerator is sold […]
The Energy Star Rebate program, also part of the Recovery Act, provides rebates to buyers of household appliances. Appliances have to qualify as energy efficient, and there has been some debate over unacceptable appliances recently. Recent scandals involved rebate approval for green products that weren’t actually green, so the state governments paying out the rebates […]
The Home Star Energy Retrofits conservation bill includes specific benefits. Home Star provides federal backing to installation of equipment that reduces energy costs. The proposed program subsidizes householders, construction contractors, and construction retailers, at a cost to the federal government. Stores and installers submit rebate requests to the federal government, which pays the qualifying rebates. […]
The Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program is a new program that will provide homeowners with federal rebates if it passes. The act is currently under discussion by House Members including Representative Waxman, and is supported by President Obama. This program would provide federal funding to fix up houses so heating and cooling use less energy. […]