Volume 1, Issue 2 April 2015
In This Month's Issue:
Make the Most of Your April!
April is a big month for several reasons. Not only
does it focus on environmental sustainability with
Earth Day on April 22and North Carolina State
University (NCSU) celebrating Earth Month, but it
also means Financial Literacy Month and Tax
Day. Why not focus on both themes to help save
the planet and save yourself some money at the
same time!
Make the Most of April!
Preparing for Spring
High School Students Learn Energy
Strategies
Sign Up for Our Program!
Duke Energy Offers
CFL bulbs
Explore these guidelines to ensure an altruistic and financially-efficient April for you and
your family:
Just Announced!
 Tax Credits: If you haven't yet, be sure to check out our website to find out
about financial incentives available for residential energy efficiency
improvements.
 Financial Literacy Month: Learn about and help emphasize to others the
benefits of being sufficiently educated on personal finances.
 NCSU's Earth Month: Check out all the awesome events going on all April
long to promote sustainability throughout campus and beyond.
 Don't forget that April 22 is Earth Day! Pick up trash on a roadside, plant a
tree, even try out one of our many DIY guides!
E-Conservation will be hosting two
upcoming workshops in the Raleigh area,
allowing you to pick the time that best fits
your schedule!
Thursday, April 30
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
10:30 a.m. to Noon
Click here for more information and
click here to register for either event!
Spring Has Sprung -- Is Your Home
Ready?
Join In On the
Social Media Buzz!
Now that it appears winter is finally over, it's time to make
sure that you and your home are prepared for the warm
weather months ahead! E-Conservation has got you
covered with plenty of strategies to ensure that you
conserve energy while keeping cool at the same time.
Thanks to you, we've hit new highs on our
social media follower numbers! Spread
the word that following us on social media
allows for the quickest updates, such as
workshop events, resources, and
interesting energy news.
A few of our suggested warm-weather strategies include:
Facebook
 Help Your Air Conditioner: It’s important to keep
your air conditioner happy since it both cools
and dehumidifies indoor air. Before cooling
season begins, make certain your unit is in
good working condition and have it inspected
Twitter
Pinterest
Also be sure to visit
our website!
by a qualified technician.
 Outdoor vs. Indoors: Keep windows and doors closed to keep hot, humid
temperatures outside. Close the fireplace damper if you’re not using the
fireplace. Also, seal gaps around windows and doors with caulking and feel
free to open your windows during the occasional cooler, low humidity day
or evening.
 Filter Fix: When your air conditioning filters are dirty, less air can get through
the filter and your unit has to work harder. This means...you guessed it:
more energy and higher bills. Check your filters at least once a month and
change them when dirty or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Additional Warm-Weather Strategy Resources
E-Conservation: Your Essential Home Checklist For Keeping Cool This Summer
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist from TXU Energy
Collection of Do-It-Yourself Guides to Save Energy In Your Home
Area High School Students Get Proactive With Energy
Efficiency
In Durham, the E-Conservation program coordinated a
hands-on workshop for North Carolina high school students
from Alliance for Climate Education (ACE). The teens
gained valuable energy efficiency knowledge and skills by
job shadowing professional contractors and performing
basic retrofit services on homes. A soggy and early
morning didn't stop these youth from getting their hands
dirty and learning everything from detecting air leakage in
ductwork to installing weatherstripping to leaky door
frames.
We hope these newly-honed skills will serve these
exceptional students well as they go out to encourage
others to adopt energy-efficient behaviors and promote
environmental responsibility throughout the state! See
more information about the organization on the ACE website and view more pictures
from the event on our Facebook andTwitter page!
"With the expert mentorship on everything from energy
consumption of home appliances to practicing with a power drill, our
Fellows left with knowledge and practical skills that they will use
well beyond the Action Fellowship Program."
-- Melinda Robinson, ACE Program Manager
Make Sure You're Receiving
the Energy Efficiency Advisor!
Receiving this newsletter from somebody
else? Make sure you're on our recepient
list so you can directly receive our
newsletter along with other important EConservation updates!
If you would like to start receiving
the Energy Efficiency Advisor, please
send a request to [email protected].
"I thought the presentation
gave me a new light on being a
homeowner. Some of these
energy strategies you don't
think about until they're being
presented to you."
Eric Arnold on recent Pittsboro workshop,
Home Assessment and Energy Retrofit
Program participant,
Raleigh, N.C.
Space Limited for Receiving Low-Cost Retrofit Services!
Have you and your friends signed up for our Assessment
and Retrofit Program yet? If not, time is running out to
receive low-cost residential retrofit installations that can
put you well on your way to major financial savings!
Performed by professional contractors, the services
include an energy assessment of your home and
weatherization measures valued at $800 that will cost you
only $100! Weatherization actions vary by home and can
include air sealing, installation of energy-efficient light
bulbs and water heater insulation. Find examples of
energy upgrades HERE.
If you're interested, view our requirements to see if your home qualifies and then fill out
this participation request formto hear back from us. Please note that you will need online
utility accounts to take part in our program.
Are You A Customer of Duke Energy? Get Your Free
CFLs Now!
If you're a customer of Duke Energy Carolinas, you
could be eligible to receive up to 15 free Compact
Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) bulbs that can result in
hundreds of dollars in savings in the lifetime of the
bulbs!
Click here to see if you are eligible and to sign up.
You will need to confirm your account with your phone
number/account number and the last four digits of
your social security number.
E-Conservation - http://energy.ces.ncsu.edu/