General

Aims to jump start state's commitment to have some 858 megawatts of electricity generated by sun by 2021. One megawatt powers about 800 homes. Homes and small businesses could receive rebates of up to half the cost of a solar power system, including a rebate if solar power panels are manufactured in Pennsylvania. Thomas J. Tuffey, a director at environmental watchdog group Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future in West Chester, Chester County, said an average residential system today costs about $32,000, including installation, for a system that provides 4 kilowatts of power. Subtracting the rebates proposed under Rendell's Sunshine Program, the cost drops to about half of that.

• Rocky Mountain Institute - independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization which fosters the efficient and restorative use of resources; started in 1982; locations in Boulder and Snowmass, CO.  
• U. S. Green Building Council - includes Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED info. at bottom of page.
• Weatherstripping - U.S. Dept of Energy, Energey Efficiency and Renewable Energy EERC.
• Zero Energy House info. At link hover at ZEH Education then click on Paths to ZEH to observe actual energy saving renovations.

Laundry

• For maximum efficiency run full loads.
• Use concentrated laundry detergent to decrease water, packaging, and energy waste.
• Use cold water for washing and rinsing clothes to save heating expenses and pollution.
• Use high speed or extended spin cycle when possible to reduce moisture in clothes if hanging clothes inside.  Do not use this cycle for clothes that need to be wrinkle free.
• Hang clothes outside or indoors to limit dryer use and save money.  Be creative; set up tension rods in doorways or hang items on floor to ceiling pole. Ikea sells a Stolmen pole system.  If you have limited floor space consider hanging a clothes rack from your ceiling.
• If you need to use dryer to get out wrinkles, rather than ironing, use dryer on air only setting for 10 min. then immediately hang items to finish drying. 
• If you must use dryer, use moisture sensor option on your dryer, which automatically shuts off machine when clothes are dry. Clean lint collector after each use and keep entire dryer duct line clean including outdoor flap to run dryer efficiently and decrease fire hazard.
• Use Energy Star appliances.
• Laundry Greentips from Union of Concerned Scientists.
• If you use dry cleaning read UCS Greentips: Do Green Dry Cleaners Exist?

Dishwasher

• Run only when full, but not overfull.                
• Use air dry option and/or turn off dishwasher and open door.
• Use Energy Star appliances.

Refrigerator

• To reduce energy usage, position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window.
•  To allow air to circulate around the condenser coils, leave a few inches of space behind the refrigerator to ensure proper air circulation around the condenser coils, and vacuum the coils twice a year.
• Open the door as little as possible to minimize the amount of cold air that escapes.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer full to better retain cold temp.  If your refrigerator is fairly empty, store water-filled containers inside.
• Make sure the door seals are airtight.
• Keep your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use Energy Star appliances.
• Easy calculator to determine energy cost of your refrigerator. Remember our electric rates may double in 2008.

Bathroom

• If you need to replace a toilet consider buying a low-flow or dual flush toilet. Low-flow toilets use a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush. Dual flush toilets enables you to use 0.8 gallons for a half flush and 1.6 gallons for a full flush. Another option is to only flush when feces are in toilet. If you just urinate wait for another toilet visit or two before flushing.

Heating and Cooling

• Keep air filters clean.  Follow manufacturer's recommendations. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make system work harder thus wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
• A yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort.
• Seal heating and cooling ducts to improve efficiency.
• Signs of inadequate attic insulation include roof snow melt after a storm and icicles on gutters.
• Use Energy Star appliances.
• Replacement - If you need to replace your central system consider installing a geothermal heat pump. Although the initial cost is expensive over time you will have lower energy costs.  You will also have an abundance of hot water when the air conditioner is in use. There are several installers in our region.  Consider a closed loop system to avoid contaminating water sources.  EnergyStar info click here.
• Geothermal - Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium, Energy Star.