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• On the Blog Post New Blog: The Myths of Energy Efficient Windows

  

  energyMusings by Holistic Home Energy

  9:07 am on Friday, December 30, 2011

  Thanks @Westmonster & @Buck for your posts! @Buck is spot on in his comments that many of the energy saving products promoted by our government & industry are not natural and certainly not "green". For example, most of the spray foam insulation on the market contains petroleum as a main ingredient. Shocker that our government would promote, huh :-)

  We use an amazing spray insulation product called AirKrete. It has the same insulation and air sealing properties as the polyurethane spray foam but is environmentally safe, non-toxic insulation and free of cfc's, formaldehyde & petroleum. Unlike spray foam that is HIGHLY flammable, AirKrete provides a 2hr rated fire wall. It is so safe and non-toxic, I've actually eaten it. Doesn't taste good but makes a statement. There are many green alternatives to insulating your house while still being environmentally friendly.

  It is also important to note that our State of MD emPower MD program called Home Performance w/Energy Star provides 50% rebates from BG&E and allows for green insulation. And, if the proposed Federal Tax Credit 25e gets passed it would offer tax credits up to $5000 for homeowners to install qualified energy efficient measures in their homes which would include green, environmentally safe products.

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• On the Blog Post New Blog: The Myths of Energy Efficient Windows

  

  

  energyMusings by Holistic Home Energy

  10:23 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011

  All houses need to breathe for safety and indoor air quality. On the rare occasion a house has leaky windows, I've always found other leaky areas of the house that can be more economically sealed for energy savings, leaving the windows to be the source of clean air that the house needs rather than dirty air from attics, crawlspaces, rim joists, etc. If anyone would like a more detail explanation feel free to contact me at Holistic Home Energy.....

• On the Blog Post New Blog: The Myths of Energy Efficient Windows

  

  

  energyMusings by Holistic Home Energy

  10:22 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011

  Understood.... just wanted to make sure everyone understood how the Programs worked. BG&E sometimes has a tendency to create a perception that they are doing all this themselves when it is really your Legislature that passed the emPower MD law requiring them to use these programs. If it wasn't for the MD Legislature, my guess is that BG&E would not be doing a thing to help homeowners reduce their energy bills. In addition, it is YOUR money funding these Programs not BG&E's, which they would like you to think they are funding.

  I'm glad he did a thorough job, all the contractors that work in the Programs are well trained and qualified. Do you now if he just did a QHEC (Quick Home Energy Check-up) or a full Comprehensive Energy Audit? If he only did a QHEC then there are many other areas for energy savings that could be isolated through a comprehensive audit by doing blower door testing, thermal imaging, etc... Stay tuned, the 2012 Energy Star Program may make a comprehensive Energy Audit VERY affordable to all homeowners.

• On the Blog Post New Blog: The Myths of Energy Efficient Windows

  

  energyMusings by Holistic Home Energy

  6:27 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011

  As a point of note, none of the Home Performance w/Energy Star or Quick Home Energy Check-up Contractors are "sub-contracted" by BG&E. We are ALL privately owned contractors who specialize in energy audits & home performance. We've spent many years getting trained & licensed in our field which has allowed us to meet the requirements of the Energy Star Program that BG&E and MANY other utilities across the country use. These programs and rebates are YOUR money NOT BG&E's money that they are giving back out of the kindness of their hearts. All the MD utilities are required by the emPower MD Law to put these programs together to help Marylanders reduce their energy bills. It is the rate payer's money and hard working Maryland business owners making these programs happen, helping save you from wasting money each month and lowering our energy demand as a State and Country!

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• On the Blog Post New Blog: The Myths of Energy Efficient Windows

  

  energyMusings by Holistic Home Energy

  6:18 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011

  Thanks for sharing your experience Jane! Speaking on behalf of emPower MD and BG&E's Home Performance w/Energy Star Program, we are dedicated to helping MD homeowners save money on their energy bills and lower our State's demand on the electrical grid. There are SO MUCH rebate money available to BG&E customers to make energy improvements on there homes. Feel free to call me at Holistic Home Energy or any of BG&E's participating contractors to find out how to SAVE!!!

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