Dear Ms. Green, Are there any tax incentives or rebates this year for increasing my home’s energy efficiency? What about financing? I really want 2012 to be the year I get an energy audit and follow up with weatherization, but I want to take advantage of whatever deals are out there. Chilly in Chapel Hill [...]
Dear Mr. Energy, I have an energy audit scheduled for next month, but in the meantime ere there any quick and cheap things I can do around my house to be more energy efficient? –Want to Save in Wendell Dear Want to Save, You are speaking Mr. Energy’s language with this question. First, you’ve scheduled [...]
On 10-10-10 we’ll be at the Carrboro Town Commons, showing off our blower door, duct blaster, and various other energy audit accountrements, and ready to answer all your questions about energy efficiency, retrofits, tax credits, rebates, and weatherization. Transition Carrboro-Chapel Hill is hosting a Energy and Community Resilience Fair. It’s free, is running from 1-5, [...]
When my husband took the better part of a day to seal up all of the switchplates and electrical outlets in our home a year or so ago I thought he was nuts. That can’t possibly make a difference, I said. How small are those holes, anyway? Patiently my husband (a.k.a. a professional energy auditor) [...]
Dear Mr. Energy, I really want to make my home more energy efficient, but I have no money and no time. I can probably find a couple of hours this weekend and my budget is $50. Can I do anything that will make a difference in my home’s energy use with such a small amount of money? –Busy [...]
If you live in central North Carolina, you should be aware of several rebates, tax credits, and other incentives for becoming more energy efficient in your home. Here are but a few current (as of July 6, 2009) benefits for increased energy-awareness for homeowners. This list is by no means exhaustive, and I welcome more information [...]
The eco-thrifty housewife in me loves that there is now a holiday all about getting rid of junk you don’t need by giving it to someone who might. I’ve been a long time lover of all things thrift, starting when I was 15 years old and sported pre-grunge styles best purchased at church rummage sales [...]