by jboullion | Oct 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Shelly Birkelo in the Jansville Gazette:
JANESVILLE — Have you broken down and turned on your furnace yet?
It’s natural to wait as long as possible in an effort to keep your winter heating costs down.
There are, however, other ways to spend less money and save energy starting with an annual furnace inspection.
“It will probably cost between $50 and $100, but it is important to make sure your furnace is running correctly and efficiently,” said Steven Schultz, Alliant Energy communications program manager.
A checkup also will clean out dust or dirt, he said.
“Dust and dirt can clog vital parts, making your furnace run harder and eventually break down,” Schultz said.
It’s also the best prevention against deadly carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Alliant’s monthly Natural Gas update newsletter.
To find an energy-smart heating contractor in your area, visit alliantenergy.com/ dealerlocator.
A home energy evaluation also can help consumers understand where their energy is going, Schultz said.
“It can show you where heat is escaping during the winter, for example, and will provide you with a blueprint for weatherizing your home,” he said.
For details about how you can do a home energy audit, visit www.alliantenergy.com/utilityservices/foryourhome/easyenergysavers/014671, Schultz said.
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy-efficiency and renewable energy initiative, also is a good source for energy and money-savings tips, Schultz said.
It is funded by all of the state’s utilities and can be accessed by visiting www.focusonenergy.com or calling 1-800-762-7077, he said.
by jboullion | Oct 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an announcement made by the U.S. Department of Energy:
The Solar Installer Instructor Training network promotes high-quality training in the installation of solar technologies. Nine regional resource and training providers support the professional development of trainers and instructors of solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar heating and cooling (SHC) technologies across the country. . . .
The nine winners were announced on October 8, 2009. The award amounts listed reflect the maximum possible amounts in total funding for each awardee, not only Recovery Act funds:
Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Inc. ($3,307,709)
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association will provide instructor development opportunities and organize a network of instructors, installers, engineers, administrators, and other industry stakeholders to create and share instructional resources. The program will use team learning methods and collaborative technologies to create instructional resources.
Other grants were made to:
+ The Pennsylvania State University ($3,500,000)
+ North Carolina State University ($3,008,826)
+ Kennebec Valley Community College ($2,886,782)
+ Hudson Valley Community College ($3,497,595)
+ Salt Lake Community College ($3,110,140)
+ Houston Community College ($3,566,058)
+ University of Central Florida ($2,800,000)
+ California Community Colleges Board of Governors ($3,499,828)
by jboullion | Oct 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by the Public Service Commission:
Heating moratorium begins November 1st
MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) urges energy consumers to contact their local utility if their heat is currently disconnected. The PSC also encourages residents to take advantage of energy-efficiency programs and the state’s low-income bill payment assistance programs to reduce the burden of utility bills this winter.
Wisconsin law states that consumers cannot be disconnected during the heating moratorium period from November 1 to April 15, if they are connected at the start of the moratorium. Consumers who are currently disconnected must make arrangements with their local utility to pay outstanding bills in order to have service restored. If a consumer has not made arrangements to pay an outstanding bill, the utility is not required to reconnect the service until payment arrangements have been made.
Consumers who need to set up a payment agreement should call their local utility. Phone numbers for the largest utilities in Wisconsin are listed below. If consumers cannot reach an agreement with their utility, they may contact the PSC at 608-266-2001 or 1-800-225-7729.
Alliant Energy, 1-800-862-6222
Madison Gas & Electric, 608-252-7144
Superior Water, Light & Power, 715-394-2200
We Energies, 1-800-842-4565
Wisconsin Public Service Corp., 1-800-450-7260
Xcel Energy, 1-800-895-4999
Energy Assistance
Due to increased federal funding and recent changes in program eligibility, many more households across the state may be eligible for heating assistance this winter. Consumers may qualify for assistance in paying their heating bills through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides financial assistance to low-income residents. WHEAP is part of the state’s comprehensive Home Energy Plus program which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service, and weatherizing for low-income households.
For the 2009-2010 heating season, the income eligibility limit for WHEAP and Weatherization has increased from 150% of the federal poverty level to 60% of the State’s Median Income. The state anticipates nearly 256,000 Wisconsin families will receive energy assistance to pay a portion of their fuel costs this heating season, a 40 percent increase over last year.
Payments under these programs are based on household size, income level, and home energy costs. A family of four, with an annual income of $45,067 or less may be eligible for energy assistance. For more information about applying for the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program, call the Home Energy Plus hotline at 866-432-8947, or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
by jboullion | Oct 2, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nick Halter in the Wausau Daily Herald:
On warm summer days, landscaper Tom Girolamo showers in the yard of his Mosinee home using rainwater stored in a 2,500-gallon tank heated by solar power. The used shower water is then sent to his chickens or to water his plants.
Also in the yard of Girolamos’ home is a 120-foot wind turbine, a wood-fueled sauna and a wood-fired brick oven that he and his wife, Kathy, use for summer meals or to bake pizza for their guests.
The Girolamo’s home is one of several in Marathon County that will be open for tours this weekend when the Midwest Renewable Energy Association sponsors its annual Wisconsin Solar Tour. The tour showcases businesses and homes that are energy efficient, sustainable or powered with renewable energies.
Organizers expect a big turnout this year as more and more people look to make energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes and consider alternative energy. On top of normal grants given out by Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is giving additional tax incentives — typically up to 30 percent — to people doing such projects.
Girolamo’s home has been on the tour for five years. The 50-year-old UW-Stevens Point graduate owns a landscaping company called Eco-Building & Forestry that designs environmentally friendly and sustainable landscapes.
by jboullion | Oct 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Charles Menchaca in the Wausau Daily Herald:
System will generate about 8 percent of East High’s electricity
Wausau East High School on Wednesday received a 155-foot-tall addition to its campus, one that will help save money and help students be part of the green revolution, educators said.
Technicians erected the first of two wind turbines on the school grounds. Students, school staff members and curious residents watched the construction throughout the day.
The first structure, known as the Northwind 100, will generate 100 kilowatts of power and has a rotor diameter of 21 meters. It is the largest wind turbine in Marathon County and the first of its kind on Wisconsin public school property, Wausau East science teacher Lauren Ebbecke said.
To fund the project’s estimated $647,000 cost, Ebbecke pursued and received contributions from several public and private sources, including the Walter Alexander Foundation and the Wausau School District.The district could contribute up to $50,000 in public money for startup costs and will pay about $4,000 for maintenance on the two turbines every year.
A smaller turbine and a photovoltaic system also will be installed at East this year. The turbines are at the forefront of the district’s plans to teach students about renewable energy. Ebbecke continues to work with other teachers to develop wind-energy curriculum, and some of their lesson plans will be used this school year.
“I think it’s important to teach (students) to make responsible decisions and that there are other choices out there regarding their energy,” Ebbecke said.
