Stimulus Funding Continues to Help Homeowners Cut Energy Costs, Lower Environmental Impact

A significant part of the stimulus money from the Department of Energy has enabled homeowners to perform extremely cost-effective retrofits for energy efficiency. A lovely and articulate spokesperson from Energy Upgrade California I met at the AltCarExpo in Santa Monica explained to me how the “whole house approach” (stopping leaks, using energy efficient windows, saving on water with low-flo toilets and showers, and efficient heating and air-conditioning systems) can reduce energy bills, improve building comfort, enhance indoor air quality, and reduce the impact on the environment.

I asked for examples of what she meant by “building comfort and air quality.”

“Ah,” she responded.  “Have you ever noticed that the southern-exposed rooms in your house are hotter than the others? Or that the air in your house, flowing through old ducting, doesn’t smell too good?”

She showed me a terrific demo of “Low-E” (low emittance) windows.  Here’s a graphic that explains how this terrific technology works.

It’s not too late to cash in on some of these opportunities, courtesy of the stimulus program.