Today, Ana's focusing on the programs implemented by the city of Austin in an effort to go green. Tell us what you think in the comments.
This month, Apartment Therapy readers have been sharing all of the ways they're going green @ home. Little changes that individuals make can really add up. So imagine what can happen when an entire community makes a commitment to conserving energy and water. Take a look at -- and maybe find inspiration in -- what Austin's doing ...
Going green: Sometimes, It Takes a City
One popular program involves signing up for a free programmable Power Partner thermostat. In exchange, residents allow Austin Energy to coordinate the "cycling" of your air conditioner with others to reduce demand for electricity.
Residents can also buy steeply discounted rain barrels directly from the city.
In addition, Austin Energy's GreenChoice program is considered the nation's most successful utility-sponsored green power program. (At one point it was so popular that residents had to enter a lottery for a chance to sign up.) Program participants pay a little more on their utility bills, which allows the city to buy more electricity from clean, renewable sources, including wind farms in West Texas.
The city also offers appliance rebates, free materials and installation of home energy improvements, energy audits, and workshops and resources on green building.
So, what kind of green programs does your city have?
-Ana
Comments (4)
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In Lexington, KY, we also have the option of the programmable thermostat, and if you sign up for it, you even get a credit on your bill during the summer months. (Unfortunately, I don't have central air/heat, so it's no go for me.) We also have the option of signing up for green offsets; I pay $5 a month to offset 300 kWh of CO2 production, which is about what I use. You can also get your bill delivered by email and paid by electronic transfer.
Nonetheless, we still have the highest per capita carbon footprint in the US. How embarrassing.
view Cheryl's profile
Vancouver-we also have subsidized rain barrels and composters-both of which we have in our backyard.
view truenic's profile
Long Island - They will pay a rebate of $3.75/watt for the installation of a residential solar photovoltaic panel system along with net-metering, i.e., paying you for excess electricity you feed back into the grid. Also, they will pay $800 per ton of capacity on a geothermal heat pump system. Between these two programs, Long Island Power has paid me over $23,000 dollars. Additionally, I saved $3,000 on my federal taxes... There are also NY state income tax incentives as well...
view hejiranyc's profile
While Austin Energy may have some interesting programs, they do not always work so well. The rebate programs are incredibly stringent and if you do not go precisely by the letter, your rebate will be null and void.
As a side note, those thermostats also end up being abused a bit by the city.
view kosmicfreeway's profile