ENERGY                                                                          

"All About Energy and How to Use it More Efficiently"  

ELECTRIC RATE CAPS HAVE EXPIRED ...
At the end of 2010, Penelec rate caps came off...stay informed.  You can find energy efficiency information by going to energysavepa.com, or call First Energy at 866-283-8081.  I've attached a brochure "More than 100 Ways to Improve Your Electric Bill".  Use the link below.

First Energy Brochure

REA Brochure                                       Penelec Brochure
Rural Electric Cooperative                        Pennsylvania Electric Company
                                                           

Penelec Information                            First Energy Solutions
1-888-478-2300                                     1-888-254-6359
http://www.firstenergycorp.com/             http://www.fes.com/

IMPROVE YOUR ELECTRIC BILL ...
There actually are more than 100 ways to improve your electric bill.  The way you use electricity at home offers great opportunities for using energy wisely.  For example, did you know that you can reduce your electricity usage for lighting by 75% just by replacing your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs or Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps?  Or, that you can reduce your cooling bill by 2% just by raising your thermoostat by 1 degree during the summer months?  Likewise, in the winter, lowering your thermostat by only 1 degree can reduce heating bills by 3%.

These are just three ways you can save energy and money!  FirstEnergy Company and Edison Electric Institute offer a printed brochure with all 100 ways to improve your electric bill.  Edison Electric Institute (EEI) website: www.eei.org.

 

GOOD HABITS START YOUNG
Like good health, saving energy is a learned behaviour.  Find out how your local electric cooperative can help you lead by example at TogetherWeSave.com.   

SOLAR ENERGY
We've had a few of our website visitors request information about .  We are listing some websites for your to visit, below:

 
www.solarenergy.com 
www.altenergy.org
http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/energy/re_solar.html
http://marcellus.com/guide-solar-energy-home/ 

"CASH FOR APPLIANCES" PROGRAM
A rebate program has been implemented to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with new, non-electric ENERGY STAR qualified & ultra-efficient appliances.  The program started April 21, 2010.  Residents may be able to "reserve" rebates once the program begins; the program will end when funds are depleted.

Eligible products (in Pennsylania) include:
* Gas storage water heaters
* Gas tankless water heaters
* Gas furnaces
* Oil boilers
* Gas boilers 
You are encouraged to recycle your old appliances, especially since the caps were lifted at the end of 2010.  Note: This program is separate from the Federal Tax Credits.

To check your state's program, go to http://www.energysavers.gov/.

HOW YOU CAN REDUCE HEATING COSTS
Keeping your house toasty in the winter months can be expensive.  Consumer Reports informs us tha the average U.S. household spent $660 last winter on natural gas, $1,590 on heating oil, and $2,135 on electricity for heating.  There are ways to reduce your heating costs. 

>> Upgrading your furnace & switching your fuel source.  Natural gas costs much less than electricity or oil to heat your house.
>> Checking for drafts.  A less costly way to save on your heating bills is to check your windows, doors & electrical outlets for drafts.
>> Buy and use a programmable thermostat.  Less than half of all U.S. homes have this type of thermostat, which allows people to automatically heat & cool their house at certain times, even though the devices have been available for more than 20 years.
>> Check your insulation.  If you have less than 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool, or 8 inches of cellulose, add more insulation. 

HOME ENERGY AUDIT
If your energy bill is too high, you should consider a home energy audit.  This will identify which parts of your house use the most energy.  You can conduct a simple home energy audit yourself or you cna contact an independent energy auditor for a more comprehensive examination.  For example, you can check your home's insulation system, homes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light & plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that leak air into or out of your home.  You can also make sure your applicances and heating & cooling systems are properly maintained.
Visit the Energy Star Website http://www.energystar.gov/ and take the Home Energy Yardstick, which in 5 minutes will tell you if your energy use is above average.              

ENERGY FROM SHALE 
www.energyfromshale.com