The U.S government is working intensively to develop various energy efficiency programs and home improvements all over the country and initiate long term energy saving strategies at the household level. Some of the initiatives which are being currently implemented by the DOE include over 15 home efficiency research projects, sustainable building measures like installing cool roofs, introducing energy tax reduction and home star incentives as well as setting minimum efficiency standards for home appliances.

The U.S Department for energy (DOE) has recently allocated funds worth 30$ million to enhance energy saving through home efficiency. The funds are being channeled into 15 research projects which will look at various ways of conserving energy in more cost friendly ways at the household level. Some of the focal points of the research projects will include developing energy saving solutions for houses in all kinds of climate, improving insulation, introducing more renewable household gadgets as well as implementing efficiency models on a larger scale across neighborhoods and communities.

Another innovative scheme being carried out by the government its “Cool Roofs Initiative” under which cool roof technologies are being implemented in all government buildings which will be then replicated in residential communities. The central idea of this initiative is in the usage of lighter colored roof coatings in order to reflect more sunlight which will help in keeping buildings cooler at a lower cost and will directly aid in energy saving. The installation of cool roofs is an integral part of sustainable building model and will play a major role in cutting the country’s carbon emissions once replicated at the household level.

The American Recovery and Re-Investment Act has very recently introduced various energy reduction tax incentives which is also playing a major role in encouraging home owners to decrease their energy consumption and make their home more cost efficient as well as eco friendly. New reports from the U.S Green Building Council (U.S.G.B.C) points out to the fact that home owners can cut their monthly expenses down to 60% by introducing sustainable designs as well as building materials in their houses.

The DOE’s Home Star incentive program has also met with great success providing home owners a great opportunity to introduce energy saving gadgets in their households at highly economical prices. While the government is encouraging consumers to opt for eco friendly home products by providing heavy discounts and incentives, the Central Energy and Natural Resource Company is meanwhile working out minimum efficiency quality standards for heaters, air conditioners, electric furnaces and various other appliances in order to further reduce the consumption of household power and increase energy saving.

The U.S. Department of Energy has recently tied up with various manufacturing companies and has come up with a series of incentives for buyers interested in purchasing energy saving home products. So if you are a home buyer looking for some cost friendly energy saving gadgets for your house you should look out for the those appliances which have been started and include a discount from the Department of Energy. At present, nearly all electronic as well as home gadgets in the market are coming up with energy saving features. Some of the cost friendly eco products in the marketplace include efficient heating and cooling systems, solar powered water heaters, energy saving washing machines and kitchen appliances, eco friendly freezers as well as solar lamps for indoor and outdoor applications.

With an increasing impetus on energy saving, the leading manufacturers from all over the globe are coming up with various eco products for home owners within a cost friendly bracket. In U.S home owners spend a large chunk of their income in heating and cooling their houses which in turn put a huge drain on the countries carbon footprint. At present the U.S Government has launched various cash incentives for residents who have made the effort of insulating their homes and thereby decreasing the total energy consumption of their household. When looking for a more efficient heating and cooling tower for your home, buyers can avail heavy discounts in various states of the U.S by opting for products that have been starred under the government’s energy saving program.

There are also various companies in the market who are offering special discounts on solar powered water heating panels for households. These panels can be easily installed on the rooftops of households and ensures hot water for the whole family. Though buying a solar water heater is costlier than its electrical counterpart, it makes for a worthwhile investment due to much lower electricity bills as well as considerable energy saving in the long term. The same companies are also offering a wide range of cost friendly options in home and outdoor lighting which are powered by rechargeable solar batteries.

Other home appliances which are presently offering energy saving options in the market include washing machines as well as kitchen products like food processors, microwaves and ovens. On the whole, the current market scene is very favorable for home owners to make some wise as well as cost friendly investments in eco products and avail immediate as well as long term benefits of energy saving.

With an increasing global impetus on energy saving measures, the U.S government has recently made further efforts in cutting down the nation’s carbon foot print by floating a series of attractive rebates for consumers which are presently running through all the states in the country. The incentives are mainly on electrical appliances and are an effort to bring about an increased consumer consciousness amongst the American consumer. While there are more than 600 energy saving programs in the country at present, some of them include the Federal Appliance Rebate Program, the Cash for Appliance Rebate Program, and Tax Credit for Energy Improvement as well as the Cash for Caulkers Bill.

These incentives for energy saving are being viewed as an effective way to encourage buyers in making more eco friendly choices in their day to day life. Home owners can now swap their older and inefficient appliances for more eco friendly options without making a heavy dent in their pockets. Some of the rebate programs through which buyers can avail energy saving benefits have been listed below:

1. The Federal Appliance Rebate Program – This program enables consumers to exchange their lesser energy efficient gadgets for better performing and eco friendly appliances which have been starred under the Federal Appliance Rebate Programs. In the process consumers can earn rebates worth $50 to $500.
2. Cash for Appliance Rebate Program – Currently running very successfully in Florida and Oregon, this energy saving program allows buyers to get considerable rebates on the purchase of energy efficient gadgets as well as recycling old appliances. Consumers for instance can avail a rebate for 75$ on an energy star washer through the Cash for Appliance Rebate Program.
3. Tax Credit for Energy Improvement – Across the U.S a large number of states are also offering a federal tax credit abatement scheme through which consumers can claim up to $1500 towards the cost of home improvements which result in energy efficiency.
4. Cash for Caulkers Bill – Soon to become a law, this bill gives home owners a series of incentives and rebates on energy saving which can range from projects dealing with home insulation, installation of solar panels, switching to CFL lights and many more eco friendly measures.

While rebates like the above schemes, will make eco friendly appliances more affordable for most buyers, they have a much greater viability as well as consumers will save more money through lower electricity bills. Moreover, these incentives will prove to be much more effective in aiding the cause of saving the environment in the long term.

Berkeley Money for Energy Efficiency Program (ME2)

ME2 program for Energy Saving which is federally funded provides incentives, rebates and installation of energy efficiency upgrades like insulation and duct sealing. The aim of this program is to:

• Decrease the cost of energy improvements
• Help residents of Berkeley to save money on energy bills
• Reduce Carbon footprint of the area
• Improve comfort, safety and durability of buildings

Residents and business owners of the city will save USD 100 million in energy bills, help create green employment and reduce the GHG emissions of the city by 33% by 2020.

LED based lighting products

The LED based lighting solutions are energy efficient, small and robust. A 7.5W LED bulb gives light equivalent to a 40W incandescent bulb. LED lights give uniform gentle and natural light output. Life span of LED lighting systems is minimum 20 years. The LED lights come in a variety of forms such as ceiling, pendant, spot and wall lights.

Replacing Roofs – An Energy Saving Alternative

Replacing roofs can reduce energy consumption of buildings up to 90% and if government provides tax credits for replacing roofs, it would help create 40,000 jobs across the United States. The savings by replacing a roof in a business establishment is enormous; a Big Store in Miami Florida saved USD 648,000 in energy consumption by replacing their roof with a reflecting white roof.

Energy Saving Tips of the Week

In summers more than 50% of your electricity bill is related to cooling your home, and a
Tip to save about 12 to 19% energy is to keep your thermostat at 2 degrees higher. You may also use fan to keep your room chilled while the thermostat is at 2 degrees higher.

Direct heat from Sun is responsible for keeping your home warm, so keep your curtains, blinds and other draperies closed.

Do not open your refrigerator for too long as it would need to work harder to maintain it’s cooling thereby consuming more electricity.

Change ordinary bulbs to CFL or LED as they give more light, produce less heat and save 75 to 80% of the energy as compared to incandescent bulbs.

Another tip for energy savings is that the use of oven and stove top should be avoided during the day to cook food as the heat generated by using them will make the Air Conditioner to use more energy to maintain the cooling of your home.