Source Owens Corning

TOLEDO, Ohio. According to a report released today by the Energy Information Administration, the statistical agency of the U.S.
Department of Energy, 55 million U.S. homes heated with natural gas can expect heating costs to rise as much as 61 percent this winter. Owens Corning is helping homeowners reduce the impact of rising energy prices through education about simple home-improvement projects that can play an important role in keeping families warmer and utility bills lower during the coming winter months.

Source Green Building Press

It seems that as part of the Revisions To Part L of the Building Regulations, The Government intends to introduce a 'carrot' in the form of capital allowances tax relief against many energy efficient technologies and environmentally beneficial plant and machinery assets. This is in addition to the 'stick' of maximum carbon emissions. A free 'healthcheck' review of possible tax savings is available by contacting info@e3consulting.co.uk.

Controlling heat losses or excessive solar gain as well as wider un-controlled heat gains or losses from pipes, ducts, etc is the principal aim of the revised Part L. The government is expecting the impact to the substantial, and estimates that annual reduction in carbon emissions in 2010 resulting from Part L revisions will be 0.98 million tones (MtC).

Source Department of Energy

Houses Arriving in Washington, D.C. for Oct. 7-16 Solar Decathlon

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In advance of the DOE Solar Decathlon, a “solar village” has taken shape on the National Mall. Solar powered and highly efficient houses from across the country and as far away as Spain, Canada and Puerto Rico are arriving in Washington, D.C. for the start of the 2005 Solar Decathlon. The Solar Decathlon brings together cutting-edge architecture, engineering, and technology in homes that generate as much, or more, energy than they consume.

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: 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.