Wednesday, July 22, 2009

From Blue Planet: A TV show on cutting your own home energy use

Just how difficult is it to cut your home energy bills?


Not that hard, unless you don't know where to start.


The Blue Planet Foundation hopes to bring folks a little understanding with the sponsorship of a new television show, to be aired this fall on KGMB9.


The show is Hawaii Home Energy Makeover. Blue Planet is seeking applicants to fill two spots on the show. Interested? Click here for information.


The program is looking for two different kinds of homes.


The first will be one with high energy costs in which little has been done toward energy efficiency. The goal is to cut that home's power bill in half, using insulation, more efficient lighting, a solar water heater and Energy Star appliances.


The second home, selected to show more advanced techniques, will be one that has already done the basics. The goal here, to include a photovoltaic system, will be to make it a zero net energy home. Through efficiency and solar generation, it will produce as much energy as it uses.


“Simple home upgrades and lifestyle changes can translate into significant energy savings. Blue Planet would like to show you just how easy it is to save money while doing your part for Hawaii’s clean energy future,” said Blue Planet executive director Jeff Mikulina.

Hawai‘i Home Energy Makeover will feature local contractors, local vendors and local products, and aims to provide a roadmap for how to cut energy costs.


“Cutting your power bill in half or even eliminating it entirely isn’t as far-fetched as it seems. We want to take you inside some local homes and walk you through the process,” Mikulina said.

If you apply and are not selected for the show, you can participate in a contest. Those not selected will be provided with home energy monitors that will help track their electrical use. They can then apply energy efficiency techniques themselves. The home that cuts its power bill the most, percentage-wise, wins.


© Jan TenBruggencate 2009

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