Even the simplest measures can produce significant savings.

• One of the cheapest energy efficient moves is replacing old light bulbs with low energy ones.
• Another cheap way to cut bills is by stopping draughts under skirting boards and gaps in doors and windows.
• If you have had the same boiler for more than 15 years you should change it to an energy-efficient one. Condensing boilers are the most efficient and could save you around a third on your heating bills.
• You could save even more if you upgrade to modern controls so you can set the temperature on each radiator independently.

Source Dowagiac Daily News

By ERIN VER BERKMOE

NILES - The Michigan Solar Tour will be taking place in southwest Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 1, and Niles has its own stop on the tour.
The home of City Councilman Dan VandenHeede and his wife Jodie and their three children, Elizabeth, Sam and Kate, will be featured on this year's tour.

VandenHeede teaches at Dowagiac Union High School.

"The last couple of years we have gone on the tour and thought it would be nice to put our home on the tour so people can see what we have done and to promote the idea of having a solar home," VandenHeede said.

Copyright U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Builders of new homes in the United States will have to significantly
increase the energy efficiency of their homes to meet new Energy Star
requirements released today. Over the next 20 years, EPA estimates that
this increase in energy efficiency for Energy Star qualified homes will
save homeowners more than $2 billion in utility bills, while eliminating
more than 7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

To qualify under the revised Energy Star specifications, new homes must

Copyright Star News

by Susan M.A. Larson

There’s a new house on Foxtail Lane in Rogers.
True, all of the homes on this street are new, but there’s one that’s different from the rest, although you can’t tell by looking at it.
The house at 21431 Foxtail Lane is an American Lung Association (ALA) Health House home, the first of its kind in the northern suburbs. American Lung Association Health House is a national program teaching builders and homeowners how to build and remodel healthier, more energy-efficient homes. Constructed by Christian Builders, Rogers, the Foxtail Lane home will be open Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1–2, from noon to 6 p.m. for tours and people will be there to answer questions about the program.

Source: PRNewswire

ATLANTA, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
(GEI) has awarded GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification to all of
Bernhardt Design's seating products. The Bernhardt Design seating lines,
including guest, lounge, executive office, barstools and benches, are included
in their GREENGUARD Certification. The Bernhardt seating was tested to the
stringent GREENGUARD Standards for Low Emitting Products. Designers can
specify the GREENGUARD Certified Bernhardt seating with the confidence that it

Source: ENERGY STAR

Each year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. Award winners will be recognized at the ENERGY STAR Awards Ceremony on March 21, 2006 in Washington, DC.

All organizations participating in ENERGY STAR are encouraged to apply for a 2006 ENERGY STAR Award. To be considered, an organization must meet the specific eligibility requirements in the award application and submit a complete application package by December 15, 2005. Applicants should be sure to respond to all of the award criteria specified in the application and not exceed specified page limitations. Organizations may apply for more than one award if they meet the eligibility requirements. In such cases, a complete award application package must be submitted for each award.

Energystar provides the following advice for saving energy:

• Replace your air filters once a month and have a contractor do annual preseason checkups on your heating system.
• Make sure all gaps and cracks, including outer walls, ceilings, windows and floors, are insulated.
• Programmable thermostats can regulate your home's temperature to use less energy when you are away.

Source: The Eureka Reporter

Solar energy works in Humboldt County, is affordable, and easy to install.

That’s what the Redwood Coast Energy Authority says. So, on Sunday, Oct. 2, dozens of energy-conscious Humboldt homes and businesses will open their doors and invite neighbors in for a look at how they have trimmed their energy bills through conservation, efficiency and harnessing the power of the sun.

During the free 2005 Humboldt Solar Neighbors Tour, participants will see how their neighbors are using the latest in efficient buildings and appliances to save money and energy.

Source: Сitizen-times.com

By Paul Clark

ASHEVILLE - With Asheville prices in the $2.50-a-gallon range, heating oil is going to cost over a $1 more per gallon than last winter, local fuel oil companies say.

Though homeowners can't do much about the price of fuel oil and natural gas, they can do something about how tightly their homes hold onto the heat they produce. Procedures range from the cheap (a $2 furnace filter) to the expensive (vinyl siding). But all pay off in the long run, by conserving energy and increasing the efficiency of both the structure and the devices that keep it - and you - warm.

Source: Fredericksburg.com

Oil prices expected to make residential heat costs too hot to handle in winter 2005

By MEGHANN COTTER

By MEGHANN COTTER

Steve Ruby's heating and air-conditioning business is hearing from a lot of people who want to beat the heat.

But it's not the summer temperatures that they are concerned about anymore, the owner of S.M. Ruby & Sons said.

As the Gulf Coast oil supply recovers from Hurricane Katrina and gas prices remain well over $2 a gallon, people are worried the cost of heating their homes this winter will burn a hole in their wallets.