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How to Live Green in Austin (and Elsewhere)
Green living spans a wider variety of topics than you might think. An Inconvenient Truth combined with a few recent reports from the worldwide scientific community have created a lot more mindshare on the global warming issue, but there are a lot more problems - and solutions - to consider. The key is to not get frozen into inaction by the number of thing you could be doing. Just pick one or two to start and go from there. Take your time and just start working things in as you are able. We owe it to our kids and future generations to take action! Following are some ideas especially for Austinites to get on the bus. |
Links 1-10 of 11 in this trail
- Power - Solar Panels - Rebates Available
"Austin Energy currently offers a rebate program under which they'll contribute $4.50 per watt. This rebate level will pay between 45-75% of the cost of installation of a solar system. For a residence, the cost of installation of a 1-kilowatt (1000 watts) solar system - the smallest considered practical - is expected to cost between $6000 and $10000. The Austin Energy rebate ($4.50 x 1000 watts) will pay $4500 toward an installation of this size. I have heard that if you finance the installation, you can actually save more money each year than you pay for the panels. Nice deal! Click the Apply link on the right side of the page to submit an application for the rebate program.
- Power - Solar Water Heaters - Rebates Available
Austin Energy offers a rebate program for solar water heaters. These heaters are a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative to conventional methods of producing domestic hot water. Based on a typical system you can expect rebate savings from $450 to $650 - plus a 30% tax credit of $750 to $1000 - for a total net savings of $1200 to $1650.
- Power - Energy Efficient Air Conditioners - Rebates Available
Today's energy efficient air conditioners use up to 40% less electricity than older models. This reduces energy consumption and energy expenses significantly while you enjoy the same or an even greater level of comfort. Rebates range from $180 to $600 depending on the energy efficiency rating of the HVAC system you purchase.
- Power - General Home Energy Efficiency Maintenance - Rebates Available
Austin Energy has partner companies that will perform an energy analysis to tell you how efficiently your home uses energy. This knowledge can result in lower electric bills, a more comfortable home, and improved air quality for better health! Austin Energy offers a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Rebate Program that can rebate as much as 20% of the cost of certain improvements up to $1575.
- Power - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
"This is super easy. Just replace the incandescent light bulbs in your house with new compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs. These new CF bulbs use at least 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light. They can save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb’s lifetime. They can also last up to 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. I like the n:vision bulbs that Home Depot sells because the color is nice and warm/soft like a traditional bulb - not like an industrial fluorescent light. The bulbs I bought use 14 watts but produce lighting equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent bulb.
- Water - Toilet Replacement - Rebates Available
Austin's Toilet Replacement Program can help replace up to three old large-capacity toilets per household with new efficient toilets. Rebate amounts vary depending on the age of your old toilet and the new toilet model purchased. To qualify you must receive your water from the City of Austin or an eligible MUD. Available rebates range from $50 to $150 per toilet.
- Water - High Efficiency Clothes Washer - Rebates Available
Austin offers rebates on the purchase of high efficiency clothes washers. The $100 rebate is made up of two parts: a $50 water rebate and a $50 energy rebate. To qualify you must receive your water from the City of Austin or an eligible MUD. From May thru September 2007 the rebate is doubled to $200.
- Water - Rain Barrels - Reduced Cost Program
Rainwater stored in rain barrels has many uses. Many people find it useful for watering their landscapes and gardens. Others find uses within the house as well. Rainwater can also be used for drinking but requires special treatment with a filtration system. If you’re harvesting rainwater with rain barrels to use for watering your landscaping, the rainwater can help to improve the health of your gardens,lawns, and trees. Rain is a naturally soft water and devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. For this reason plants respond very well to rainwater. City of Austin water customers (and customers of eligible MUDs) may purchase rainbarrels from Austin Water Conservation at a discounted price of $60 per barrel.
- Water - Irrigation System Audit
If you are a City of Austin water customer (or a customer of an eligible MUD) and have an underground sprinkler system and use more than 25000 gallons per month in the summer, then you qualify for an irrigation audit. A city water auditor will check your system and determine an efficient watering schedule. Many customers have reduced their summer water bills by 20 to 50 percent. This link has a phone number you can call to schedule an evaluation.
- Waste - Composting
You can cut down the amount of trash you add to dumps and landfills by composting your organic waste - things like grass clippings, leaves, fruit and vegetable scraps, and more. Use this link for information on what and how to compost. You can also use the Compost Bins link at the bottom of the page for information on how to store your compost. You'll also benefit from super organic fertilizer you can use in your planting beds - free!
