Google has long been at the forefront of the movement for energy efficiency and affordable renewable energy sources. During this Halloween holiday season, they have developed an energy savings calculator that warns households of the ghosts, vampires, monsters, zombies, and demons that are tricking their way into your electric bill. The calculator advises people to take a few simple steps like turning off your game console or closing the chimney flute and it adds up your potential cost savings as well as your reduced pounds of carbon emissions. Follow the link below for the calculator:
http://www.google.com/hauntedhouse08/index.html
Official Google Blog: Is your house haunted by high energy prices?
October 27, 2008
October 22, 2008
The Fifth Fuel and Negawatts
When it comes to energy costs, energy efficiency is the less glamorous, more cost effective, easiest solution to implement. Sometimes referred to as the fifth fuel alongside oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and renewables, it is often overlooked. Its importance has risen about as fast as energy costs. Environmentalists, economists, and homeowners can all support this push as the only byproduct is wealth. A successful push for energy efficiency would drive down consumption which would theoretically lower prices. Experts coined a term for the lower consumption as “negawatts.” Fancy definitions, titles, and technology breakthroughs are important, but the homeowner must be equipped with the finest resources to make educated decisions on how to use this exploding field of energy efficiency to actually lower their bills. CNT Energy hopes to bridge this gap. Real-time pricing programs help maintain system energy efficiency. When residences lower their consumption during high peak, high demand times, it reduces the necessity for electricity generators to turn on more power plants. On occasion the additional plants are forced to produce far more electricity than they will use so they can respond to the need of the consumer. It is amazing that by simply changing the way your home is charged for electricity you can have a positive impact on the energy efficiency system wide.
October 17, 2008
Net Metering
Earlier this year, Net Metering for small (2,000 kW and below) renewable (solar PV, wind etc.) electricity generating sources was legislated and put in place by the utilities.
In Ameren, the rules are generally as follows:
A flat rate customer with an electricity generator will get billed for the amount of electricity their household used minus the amount it produced. If they generated more power than they used then they will receive a credit in their account for future bills. Your account will keep the credits from month to month until they are used up, or if you reach the end of the year (defined as April-April or October-October).
Customers with hourly prices (such as Power Smart Pricing customers) are billed under a similar standard. The difference is that each hour is used as either a credit or a charge based on the rate for electricity that particular hour. These hourly energy charges and credits get added up over the month and result in either a net dollar amount energy charge or dollar energy credit for that month. Any leftover credit will be used on other parts of that bill (taxes, monthly customer charge, etc). If there is still a dollar amount credit left, it rolls over to the next month's bill. By the end of the year any leftover credit is forfeited.
Here is a handy device that will help your household keep track of the performance of your solar PV system:
In Ameren, the rules are generally as follows:
A flat rate customer with an electricity generator will get billed for the amount of electricity their household used minus the amount it produced. If they generated more power than they used then they will receive a credit in their account for future bills. Your account will keep the credits from month to month until they are used up, or if you reach the end of the year (defined as April-April or October-October).
Customers with hourly prices (such as Power Smart Pricing customers) are billed under a similar standard. The difference is that each hour is used as either a credit or a charge based on the rate for electricity that particular hour. These hourly energy charges and credits get added up over the month and result in either a net dollar amount energy charge or dollar energy credit for that month. Any leftover credit will be used on other parts of that bill (taxes, monthly customer charge, etc). If there is still a dollar amount credit left, it rolls over to the next month's bill. By the end of the year any leftover credit is forfeited.
Here is a handy device that will help your household keep track of the performance of your solar PV system:
October 15, 2008
Beware Green Washing
As energy prices are rising and families are paying more attention to the environment, many companies are looking to capitalize on this new market of consumer interest. Many businesses claim to be “green,” or claim that their products are the simple fix to a complicated issue. There are simple ways to lower your energy bills, and there are great products out there that can help. However buyers beware—some products are not as effective as they claim.
Consumer fears are rising over “green washing.” It is a marketing term that claims that many companies are selling their products as eco-friendly when in fact it does not provide the types of environmental benefits they claim. Furthermore, environmentalists interested in the economic development of “green” products fear that cluttering the message hurts the products that are effective environmental solutions.
However, this rational consumer apprehension has forced companies to be more transparent and descriptive with their efforts to be “green.” Any savvy company has seen the trend in recent years that has proven a direct market advantage of a green company as compared to its non green counterpart. The pressure for businesses to close the “green gap” has led to “green washing.”
Many people who are looking for the way around this issue are looking for advice.
Via Unsuitablog:
• Be suspicious of all environmental claims. Don’t trust any claims unless you have verified them yourself.
• If a company, in particular, takes out a large advertisement in a newspaper, or runs a TV advertisement saying how great their green credentials are — then they are hiding something, guaranteed. If someone is trying sell their “green” credentials then ask yourself, “why?”
• If a company has a bad history it is highly unlikely to have changed overnight. Use web sites like SourceWatch and Corporate Watch, as well as this site, to find out the truth behind the mask.
• Look out for poor use of scientific facts, especially when listening to politicians: “Reducing carbon emissions will protect the ozone layer”, “this technology is sustainable”, “emissions can be offset”, “the greenhouse effect is not certain” etc. All examples of rubbish that has no basis in fact, even the last one (think about it).
• Look out for buzzwords that put a gloss on reality: ”carbon intensity”, “sustainable development”, “carbon offsets”, “clean technology” etc. Another clear sign that something is being covered up.
• Use your common sense and your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.
Consumer fears are rising over “green washing.” It is a marketing term that claims that many companies are selling their products as eco-friendly when in fact it does not provide the types of environmental benefits they claim. Furthermore, environmentalists interested in the economic development of “green” products fear that cluttering the message hurts the products that are effective environmental solutions.
However, this rational consumer apprehension has forced companies to be more transparent and descriptive with their efforts to be “green.” Any savvy company has seen the trend in recent years that has proven a direct market advantage of a green company as compared to its non green counterpart. The pressure for businesses to close the “green gap” has led to “green washing.”
Many people who are looking for the way around this issue are looking for advice.
Via Unsuitablog:
• Be suspicious of all environmental claims. Don’t trust any claims unless you have verified them yourself.
• If a company, in particular, takes out a large advertisement in a newspaper, or runs a TV advertisement saying how great their green credentials are — then they are hiding something, guaranteed. If someone is trying sell their “green” credentials then ask yourself, “why?”
• If a company has a bad history it is highly unlikely to have changed overnight. Use web sites like SourceWatch and Corporate Watch, as well as this site, to find out the truth behind the mask.
• Look out for poor use of scientific facts, especially when listening to politicians: “Reducing carbon emissions will protect the ozone layer”, “this technology is sustainable”, “emissions can be offset”, “the greenhouse effect is not certain” etc. All examples of rubbish that has no basis in fact, even the last one (think about it).
• Look out for buzzwords that put a gloss on reality: ”carbon intensity”, “sustainable development”, “carbon offsets”, “clean technology” etc. Another clear sign that something is being covered up.
• Use your common sense and your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.
October 13, 2008
Illinois Wind
Across Illinois, people are interested in the prospect of wind power becoming a great source of renewable energy that would one day help reduce household electricity costs. The upfront costs, zoning requirements, and adequate wind for each site makes the expansion of this technology a cautious endeavor. Opportunities for advancement in wind farm construction have increased significantly, but developers are appropriately thorough.
Future wind farm sites will be built in Illinois, but wind provides only one part of a solution to provide cheaper, more sustainable electricity generation. The excitement and enthusiasm for alternative sources of energy is the foundation for coming years of responsible development and exploration.
Wind farm near Mendota, IL - Jennifer Zimmerman
Illinois wind facts, figures, and advice for homeowners looking to get their own small wind turbine:
http://www.illinoiswind.org/
http://www.awea.org/smallwind/illinois.html#Wind%20Resource%20Information
http://www.illinoiscleanenergy.org/
http://www.windustry.com/
Future wind farm sites will be built in Illinois, but wind provides only one part of a solution to provide cheaper, more sustainable electricity generation. The excitement and enthusiasm for alternative sources of energy is the foundation for coming years of responsible development and exploration.
Wind farm near Mendota, IL - Jennifer ZimmermanIllinois wind facts, figures, and advice for homeowners looking to get their own small wind turbine:
http://www.illinoiswind.org/
http://www.awea.org/smallwind/illinois.html#Wind%20Resource%20Information
http://www.illinoiscleanenergy.org/
http://www.windustry.com/
October 6, 2008
Newspaper Editor Shares His Power Smart Pricing Story
A recent editorial in the Decatur Herald & Review points out the benefits of Power Smart Pricing. Managing Editor Dave Dawson signed up for the program in June, and in his editorial he says, "if you are like my family, and you look at the program and think you are doing a lot of the things CNT Energy advises you to do to be successful, then it’s definitely worth checking out." You can read the full article on the Herald & Review website!
A smart way to save a bit on your electricity bill
By Dave Dawson
October 5, 2008
A smart way to save a bit on your electricity bill
By Dave Dawson
October 5, 2008
October 3, 2008
Advice on Saving Energy and Money
The changes that people can make to save on energy related costs are nothing new. Use less. Insulate. The key is learning the strategies for using less energy, because the cheapest kilowatt hour is the one you don’t use. For people enrolled in real-time pricing programs like Power Smart Pricing, it also involves learning the strategies for being smart about when you use power.
When travelling across Illinois for Power Smart Pricing, our staff members talk to many people who tell us that their bills are rising and they are out of ideas for lowering their costs. Some are interested in installing solar panels or wind turbines, but the initial installation price for large renewable energy devices can make them impractical for many families. The first step in saving energy is awareness. Then, do a little research into the kinds of no-cost and low-cost solutions that lower energy costs. Next, take positive steps towards that goal, while understanding that both large and small investments can make a difference when used appropriately.
Your bills won’t ever turn to zero, but if you can cut your energy use down by 20 percent that might give you an extra 40 dollars to spend on your family’s other needs. Combining a lot of little things will make a real difference but only you can take the first step.
Here are some helpful links:
http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/default.cfm
http://www.ilenergyraters.org/
www.energystar.gov
http://www.powersmartpricing.org/energy-saving-tips.php
www.energysavers.gov
When travelling across Illinois for Power Smart Pricing, our staff members talk to many people who tell us that their bills are rising and they are out of ideas for lowering their costs. Some are interested in installing solar panels or wind turbines, but the initial installation price for large renewable energy devices can make them impractical for many families. The first step in saving energy is awareness. Then, do a little research into the kinds of no-cost and low-cost solutions that lower energy costs. Next, take positive steps towards that goal, while understanding that both large and small investments can make a difference when used appropriately.
Your bills won’t ever turn to zero, but if you can cut your energy use down by 20 percent that might give you an extra 40 dollars to spend on your family’s other needs. Combining a lot of little things will make a real difference but only you can take the first step.
Here are some helpful links:
http://www.keepwarm.illinois.gov/default.cfm
http://www.ilenergyraters.org/
www.energystar.gov
http://www.powersmartpricing.org/energy-saving-tips.php
www.energysavers.gov
October 1, 2008
Low Fall Prices!! Electricity Sale!!
Now that historically lower fall prices are here with the quickly emerging fall temperatures, it is the perfect time to sign up for Power Smart Pricing. With days, like today, that have prices lower than the flat rate for every hour are great for new participants to get used to the new pricing structure. Looking at the price pattern and conserving prices are the highest will continue to maximize your savings. However, the savings will be even greater. If you are already signed up, get the word out! If not, look through www.powersmartpricing.org for the information or call us toll free at 1-877-655-6028.
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