The Energy Office offers a low interest loan program for energy efficiency measures which meet certain efficiency or payback requirements. The guidelines and forms for this program, which list the efficiency or payback requirements, can be downloaded from the website.
Once the forms are completed, they are submitted by the applicant to any participating Nebraska Bank. The bank then submits the completed application to the Energy Office for review and approval. It is important to note that no purchases may be made until applications are approved and a person receives notice from the bank of the loan's acceptance and approval.
This is an excellent site. You can check to see what products meet Energy Star requirements. Energy Star products are those that fall into the top 25% with regard to energy efficiency. You can also “Bench Mark” a building. Bench Marking entails putting building specification into a database at the Energy Star site. The Bench Marking will then tell you how your building compares with other similar buildings around the country with regard to energy efficiency. If your building meets certain requirements, your building may be eligible for an 8 pound bronze plaque designating your building as and Energy Star Building. These are just a couple of the opportunities that can be had at this site.
This site offers two free computer softwares, REScheck, and COMcheck. REScheck is for residential and COMcheck is for commercial buildings. These two softwares can be used to check buildings for energy code compliance, given that proper HVAC load sizing is completed and followed.
The DOE's site is very user friendly, and has numerous links to other energy efficiency related sites. Check out the transportation section. You can compare cars and trucks for fuel efficiency and average yearly operating costs (click on energy efficiency and transportation).
The NFRC provides thermal test data for windows and doors. From their web site you can Check a windows 'total unit' U-value. R-value = 1 divided by U-value, and vice versa, R = 1/U and U = 1/R (note that this only applies to total R and U values). It is important to look for 'total unit' values versus Center of Glass (COG) values. Total unit values from NFRC take into account the windows frame, sash, and air leakage.
ARI offers a directory of manufacturer's efficiency ratings for Chillers, Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners, and other HVAC products. Searches can be done based on HSPF, COP, SEER, EER, IPLV's, manufacturer, coil part numbers, and other characteristics.
GAMA offers a products directory in pdf format. The directory lists the efficiencies of gas furnaces, boilers, water heaters, electric water heaters including heat pump types, and other gas and oil fired residential and commercial products. Click on Consumer Info.
"The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), a national, non-profit public benefits corporation, promotes the manufacture and purchase of energy-efficient products and services." The CEE site offers a number of links on different topics concerning energy efficiency.
IGSHPA is a great source for ground source heat pump information. They offer free case studies of installations (click on catalog products).
HVI does independent testing of ventilation products such as HRV's and ERV's. The efficiencies are published in their directory which is available on their website in pdf format.
This site lists the top rated appliances and gives you links to other energy efficiency sites.
AHAM offers product directories in pdf format on Refrigerator/Freezers, Chest Freezers, Room Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Humidifiers and Room Air Cleaners. The products directories show efficiencies or $/year operating costs.
Visit these web sites for information on Moisture and Mold:
Noted inspirational speaker Zig Ziglar tells the story of an experiment by French naturalist John Henry Fabre to support his point that people must have goals to work toward to that they don't follow the crowd.
Fabre employed some processionary caterpillars, which got their name because they blindly follow the one in front of them. He arranged them in a circle around the rim of a flower pot so that the lead caterpillar actually touched the last one. In the center of the flower pot he put pine needles, the food of these caterpillars.
The caterpillars started around the rim, trudging day and night until they dropped dead of starvation with an abundance of their favorite food less than 6 inches away. They "confused activity with accomplishment," says Ziglar.
“Many people make the same mistake and, as a result reap only a fraction of the harvest life has to offer. They follow methods and procedures for no other reason than, 'It's always been done that way.'”
Source: Bits & Pieces
If you're looking for a good guide on residential energy conservation, look at the text for the HERS program:
Residential Energy by John T. Krigger,
ISBN 1-880120-11-9
Order by calling 1-800-735-0577