|
Welcome to the March 2009 Edition of the City of Fort Wayne’s
Green
City
email newsletter.
The recommendations of the Clean Rivers Task Force were presented to Mayor Tom Henry in late January. The task force was appointed by Mayor Henry to evaluate all funding options available to pay for the implementation of the Long Term Control Plan. Read more about their recommendations here:
http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/images/stories/public_works/files/clean_rivers_task_force.pdf
This month we are promoting home energy efficiency. Its nearly spring and time to think about those summer projects you’d like to do before the return of cold weather drives us back indoors.
The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) is offering $250,000 in rebates for replacing an existing furnace, boiler, or water heater with an energy efficient unit in existing
Indiana
residences. The rebate program will run until program funding is exhausted or April 30, 2009 whichever comes first. Please read all program documents carefully before completing your application. Many homeowners could be eligible for additional tax incentives.
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was signed into law on Feb. 18, 2009, homeowners can receive up to $1500 in tax credits for investments in insulation, exterior doors and windows. By maximizing a home's efficiency, homeowners can reduce their utility bills and ultimately lessen their impact on the environment. According to the ENERGY STAR program, ensuring adequate insulation and proper air sealing and caulking can save homeowners up to 20 percent on utility bills. Coupled with the residential energy efficiency tax credits, this can add up to a healthy return on investment.
Tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency:
- Conduct a home energy audit. An auditor can pinpoint areas where your home loses valuable energy and can suggest ways to conserve heating fuel, hot water and electricity. Visit the Energy Star website to locate an auditor.
- Stay on top of rising energy costs. Plan ahead and don't get blind sided by high utility bills. Organizations like the
Alliance
to Save Energy, www.ase.org, offer tools that project upcoming energy costs state by state.
- Know the recommended R-value. In simple terms, R-value is a measure of the insulating power of insulation. Colder climates require a higher R-value to ensure a comfortable, energy efficient home. The truth is harsh we live in a colder climate and the recommended R-value is 49 for an attic space. For a detailed list of R values for walls, crawl spaces and basements visit http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs%2Bwalls/insulation/ins_16.html
- Consider the "big picture." Proper home insulation equates to less energy usage. Ultimately, this means less fossil fuel is burned to produce energy, resulting in a reduction of polluting gases emitted into the atmosphere. Considering the average home causes the emission of more than twice as much carbon dioxide -- the principle greenhouse gas -- as the average car, home insulation can go a long way reducing the impact on the environment.
For a detailed list of both energy efficiency and alternative energy tax credits visit:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits
Also check with your gas and electric utility providers to see if they have any assistance programs. To locate rebates available in our area visit the EnergyStar rebate finder.
Thank you very much for being a subscriber to our
Green
City
email newsletter. We hope this has been helpful and informative to you.
We will contact you once per month with the email newsletter, as well as on Air Quality Action Days to alert you when air conditions indicate you need to take action.
If you would like to suggest topics or articles to include in monthly email newsletters, please e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
NEXT MONTH: Look for an update on the three projects the City is piloting to capture floatable junk and debris dumping into our rivers and more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Please pass this email newsletter on to your friends and family, so that everyone can share in the knowledge and have an impact on reducing energy consumption.
Sincerely,
Wendy Barrott
Director of Energy and Environmental Services
Visit the City’s Energy & Environmental Services Website: http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/energy
To unsubscribe from the list permanently visit:
http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/greencity_signup
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
|
