by jboullion | May 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by WPPI Energy:
The GreenMax Home, the region’s first owner-designed and occupied net zero energy home (NZEH), has quickly generated interest for community members and renewable energy enthusiasts. Homeowners Tom and Verona Chambers are opening the doors to their NZEH and hosting public tours with WPPI Energy to showcase the energy-efficient construction and sustainable energy systems that make their Black River Falls home unique.
With grant funding from WPPI Energy’s GreenMax Home initiative, the Chambers’ designed and constructed an all-electric NZEH, which they completed in spring 2009. Through careful planning and research, the Chambers worked to refine their home’s design to control energy use, ultimately advancing the status of their home from highly efficient to net zero.
Together WPPI Energy and the Chambers will host three opportunities for interested participants to tour and learn more about the special features of their NZEH. The tours are open to the public; however, participants are encouraged to schedule a tour in advance for one of the following dates:
Saturday, May 16 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. in conjunction with the Black River Falls Memorial Hospital Fundraiser
Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in conjunction with the Solar Tour of Homes and Public Power Week
To schedule a tour, visit www.greenmaxhome.com/projects. Open to the public, the tours will take place at the site of the Chambers’ NZEH. From the ground source heat pump to structural plumbing and the solar photovoltaic system, interested parties will learn about home energy use and renewable energy systems while getting a first-hand look at the state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction techniques and features that make this NZEH so unique.
by jboullion | May 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by WPPI Energy:
The GreenMax Home, the region’s first owner-designed and occupied net zero energy home (NZEH), has quickly generated interest for community members and renewable energy enthusiasts. Homeowners Tom and Verona Chambers are opening the doors to their NZEH and hosting public tours with WPPI Energy to showcase the energy-efficient construction and sustainable energy systems that make their Black River Falls home unique.
With grant funding from WPPI Energy’s GreenMax Home initiative, the Chambers’ designed and constructed an all-electric NZEH, which they completed in spring 2009. Through careful planning and research, the Chambers worked to refine their home’s design to control energy use, ultimately advancing the status of their home from highly efficient to net zero.
Together WPPI Energy and the Chambers will host three opportunities for interested participants to tour and learn more about the special features of their NZEH. The tours are open to the public; however, participants are encouraged to schedule a tour in advance for one of the following dates:
Saturday, May 16 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. in conjunction with the Black River Falls Memorial Hospital Fundraiser
Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in conjunction with the Solar Tour of Homes and Public Power Week
To schedule a tour, visit www.greenmaxhome.com/projects. Open to the public, the tours will take place at the site of the Chambers’ NZEH. From the ground source heat pump to structural plumbing and the solar photovoltaic system, interested parties will learn about home energy use and renewable energy systems while getting a first-hand look at the state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction techniques and features that make this NZEH so unique.
by jboullion | Apr 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
(April 27, 2009) – What’s the best way to reduce my home’s cooling costs? Are there tax credits available for my renewable energy project? What’s the most energy efficient hot water heater? Could new lighting fixtures save my business money? These are among the thousands of questions Wisconsin residents are asking themselves every day. Thankfully, there’s an easy and accessible resource where they can get their energy questions answered, as Focus on Energy has launched a new interactive Web site titled ‘Ask Focus on Energy’ (askfocusonenergy.com).
“The purpose of the Web site is to fulfill the public’s growing desire for easily accessible information on the timely topic of energy,” said Kathy Kuntz, program director for Focus on Energy. “Given the economic and energy climate, consumers and businesses are now, more than ever, looking to learn how energy efficiency and renewable energy relates specifically to their needs.”
How the Web site Works
When you visit the ‘Ask Focus on Energy’ Web site you have the opportunity to submit a question, or search other questions that may relate to your area of interest. Once your question is submitted, if it is similar to a question already on the site, the answer will immediately appear. However, if your question is unique from any on the Web site, it will be sent to a panel of Focus on Energy experts for review. If your question is selected, it will be answered by one of our experts and posted on the Web site.
As so many people have similar questions and shared interests, you can also search a variety of energy-related topics to see what other people are asking. And to stay even more connected, you can now find Focus on Energy on Facebook and Twitter. These communities allow you to stay up-to-date on the questions and answers being added to the new Web site, as well as get regular energy saving tips.
by jboullion | Apr 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:
(April 27, 2009) – What’s the best way to reduce my home’s cooling costs? Are there tax credits available for my renewable energy project? What’s the most energy efficient hot water heater? Could new lighting fixtures save my business money? These are among the thousands of questions Wisconsin residents are asking themselves every day. Thankfully, there’s an easy and accessible resource where they can get their energy questions answered, as Focus on Energy has launched a new interactive Web site titled ‘Ask Focus on Energy’ (askfocusonenergy.com).
“The purpose of the Web site is to fulfill the public’s growing desire for easily accessible information on the timely topic of energy,” said Kathy Kuntz, program director for Focus on Energy. “Given the economic and energy climate, consumers and businesses are now, more than ever, looking to learn how energy efficiency and renewable energy relates specifically to their needs.”
How the Web site Works
When you visit the ‘Ask Focus on Energy’ Web site you have the opportunity to submit a question, or search other questions that may relate to your area of interest. Once your question is submitted, if it is similar to a question already on the site, the answer will immediately appear. However, if your question is unique from any on the Web site, it will be sent to a panel of Focus on Energy experts for review. If your question is selected, it will be answered by one of our experts and posted on the Web site.
As so many people have similar questions and shared interests, you can also search a variety of energy-related topics to see what other people are asking. And to stay even more connected, you can now find Focus on Energy on Facebook and Twitter. These communities allow you to stay up-to-date on the questions and answers being added to the new Web site, as well as get regular energy saving tips.
by jboullion | Apr 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Alliant Energy:
MADISON, WI – April 13, 2009 – Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), an Alliant Energy company recognizes that times are tough right now. We are all trying to figure out where to cut back.
One way to energize your wallet and save cash is to enroll in the Appliance Cycling program.
When Midwestern summers bring high heat and humidity, the huge demand for electricity puts a big strain on power plants. With Alliant Energyþs Appliance Cycling program, you can help us meet electricity needs during peak demand times — and we will pay you for participating.
Alliant Energy customers who sign up for the program will have a small control switch placed on or near their central air conditioner. If the demand for electricity escalates to a critical point a signal will be sent to the switch on your air conditioner. The air conditioner will then cycle the outdoor cooling unit off and on every 15 minutes. The furnace fan will continue to circulate the cooler, drier air already in the home.
Not only will customers reduce their energy costs, Alliant Energy will pay each participating customer an incentive whenever we cycle the air conditioner.
+ 100% option: The air conditioner will be off up tosix continuous hours; you’ll receive an $8 credit per cycling event.
+ 75% option: The air conditioner will be off 22.5 minutes of each half-hour, up to six hours; you’ll receive a $5 credit per cycling event.
+ 50% option: The air conditioner will be off 15 minutes of each half hour, up to six hours; you’ll receive a $2 credit per cycling event.
Customers can save up to $40 each year and reduce energy costs without sacrificing comfort and convenience.
