Save on heating costs immediately at little or no cost
- Tune up. Clean heating/cooling equipment. (Save 1-10% of heating energy cost.)
- Adjust your water heater to 120 degrees F or lower. Turn it off if you are away for a few days or more. (Save up to 15% of water heating energy)
- Take shorter showers and avoid unnecessarily running the hot water. Washing clothes in cold water will get them just as clean. Hang clothes to air dry.
- Shut off the pilot light in a gas furnace during the off-season.
- Turn down your thermostat a few degrees in winter and, if you air condition, turn it up a few degrees in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat so you won’t have to remember to do it yourself!
- Caulk and weatherstrip to prevent air leakage around doors, windows, sill plate, and other areas. (Save up to 20% on heating cost)
- Learn about energy efficiency incentives and low interest and low-income loan programs.
Save even more money
- Get a professional home or business energy audit. Find a certified auditor for your home or business.
- Get the work done:
- Stop air leaks – one-third of a home’s energy loss is through cracks around windows, doors, cellar sills, and other areas.
- Insulate, insulate, insulate! Blanket attics, cellars, walls, water heater, and pipes.
- Tighten up, repair, and improve windows.
- Tune up or upgrade heating equipment. Replace your water heater with an on-demand model.
- Consider clean energy alternatives like solar.
- When buying appliances, check the energy guide and always look for the Energy Star label.
Save on gas now
- Inflate tires.
- Tune up your engine. (A poorly tuned engine can consume up to 50% more fuel.)
- Walk, ride your bike, or take public transit when possible.
- Carpool to work, on errands, and for extra curricular activities.
- Combine errands for fewer trips.
- Don’t idle. It wastes gas and causes global warming pollution.
- Remove roof racks and heavy items from your car when not needed, to reduce drag. (Improve gas mileage by 5 %.)
- Park in the shade whenever possible.
- Look for a new car at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/. See their side-by-side comparison of gas mileage, global warming impact, air pollution ratings, and safety information on all makes and models.
Mainers deserve cleaner and cheaper energy choices.
Help Put Maine on the Road to a Strong, Clean Energy Future.
Join with other Mainers to bring clean and efficient energy to Maine homes and businesses. Join NRCM’s Action Network to help pass sound solutions to solve our energy and global warming crises, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and grow a clean, energy efficient Maine economy today!
Energy Saving Resources for Mainers
Certified Home Performance & Energy Auditors
Hire a certified home energy auditor to help prioritize your energy improvements based on their relative costs and benefits. Efficiency Maine has a list of residential registered vendors who can help you with your home energy efficiency improvements. Visit www.mainehousing.org for a list of certified energy auditors around the state.
Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) provides very low-interest rate loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners to finance improvements to make their homes more energy efficient. Income eligible homeowners may borrow from $2,800 up to $30,000 at 3.95% interest. www.mainehousing.org
Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit Resources Evaluate your home’s energy use by using an on-line home energy calculator. ENERGY STAR’s Home Energy Yardstick allows you to enter information specific to your home, and then advises you on home energy improvements that should save you money. Visit www.energystar.gov.
The Weatherization Program and Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) Grants are provided to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency. Weatherization improvements may include insulation, weatherstripping, caulking, and some safety-related repairs. CHIP grants may be used to repair or replace central heating systems and LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) provides money to help low-income homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Learn more about these programs at Maine Housing – www.mainehousing.org.
Solar & Wind Power Rebates Efficiency Maine provides rebates for installation of residential and business solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and small wind power systems.
Federal Solar Tax Credits Tax credits are available for solar water heating and photovoltaic systems “placed in service” from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008. The tax credit is for 30% of the system cost, up to $2,000.
Efficiency Maine is a statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine’s environment. Visit www.efficiencymaine.com to take advantage of their energy saving incentives, programs, and trainings.
Natural Resources Council of Maine Visit our clean energy page to find out how YOU can help pass laws to address rising fuel costs and global warming pollution. You’ll also find energy efficiency and fuel saving tips, information on clean energy products, links to purchase clean electricity, and more!
Governor’s Energy Office This website provides information about energy saving programs and incentives for Maine homeowners and businesses; low interest loans for energy efficiency improvements; resources for low income residents and transportation professionals; and incentives for alternative fuels.
Contact: Dylan Voorhees at dylan@nrcm.org or (800) 287-2345.
