Government Eco-Action Monday: Go Green This Summer Part I

This “Government Eco-Action Monday” post is part of a new feature at CityRenewed.com. Each Monday, come back to the site for a recurring post on what local and national governments are doing to make the DC metro-area more eco-friendly.

DC programs help residents save the environment and their cash.

Does the swamp-like DC summer (ok, we’re not quite there yet) have you reaching to turn up the A/C while you contemplate global warming from the comfort of your living room?

Don’t feel bad if you answered yes, as many of us are confounded with such challenges on a daily basis. But there are things — in addition to using fans and keeping that thermostat at 78 degrees — that District of Columbia residents can do to make their homes more eco-friendly.

Leading the charge is the District Department of the Environment’s (DDOE) Energy Office, which offers multiple programs to promote home energy conservation. For many, applicants must meet income eligibility criteria while for others, everyone is eligible. Not only can you help green DC, you can help green your wallet — and who couldn’t use that in these trying times?

For starters, District homeowners with a townhouse, rowhouse or single-family home of 4,000 square feet or less are eligible for FREE energy audits! A trained energy professional will measure such factors as insulation levels, solar orientation of the home, the water heating system, and window, heating and cooling system efficiency.

Upon receiving a rating of one (you have a loooong way to go) to five (kudos) stars, you’ll get a list of specific, cost-effective recommendations to make your home more energy-efficient. Heed the advice and you just might be qualified for a lower rate on your mortgage or even a new energy-efficient mortgage. And it doesn’t hurt that such homes are often more attractive to home buyers.

So now that you’re ready to “super-energy-efficient-size,” your home, be sure to check out DDOE’s Renewable Energy Incentive Program — which provides rebates to residents (as well as NGOs, businesses and private schools) for the installation of a solar photovoltaic or wind turbine renewable energy system.

The program has been an overwhelming success and in fact (as of April 30) is oversubscribed beyond its allocated budget of $2 million per fiscal year. DDOE is seeking additional funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka the federal stimulus package). But it’s still worth applying via the prequalification application, as reservations will carry over into future funding queues

What if you don’t own a house? There are still plenty of ways you can make your living quarters more eco-friendly — from switching to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) to using cold water for laundry to installing low-flow shower heads. What’s more, you can use your voice — to speak with the building’s owner, landlord, management company or condo board and inform them of the options above.

Perhaps they’ll also be interested in learning about a DDOE subsidy of $5 per square foot (up to a total of $20,000) for installing a green roof (one planted with special vegetation). Not only does such a roof cool the building (and save considerable cash on utility bills), it reduces the amount of stormwater runoff (and helps protect the District’s waterways).

Now that’s something we can all agree-n on.

PS:  OK, OK, I know everyone reading isn’t a DC resident, so in next week’s post, I’ll examine what Maryland and Virginia are doing to help their residents become more energy-efficient.

For more info on the District Department of the Environment, please visit: http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/site/default.asp

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User greenforall.org