Several AECP members won Weatherization awards at the Virginia Weatherization Program Interchange held during the week of June 21 at Virginia Beach.
Community Energy Conservation Program (CECP), located in Charlottesville, VA won the “Best All Around Program” award. It was stated that CECP “has consistently had good compliance reports and a low average cost per (weatherized) unit. In addition, they are consistent and timely with reports. CECP’s program was categorized as excellently managed, with facility, files, and equipment in exemplary condition. There were no findings and no corrective actions or re-works”. Congratulations to Linda Rayner, CECP Executive Director and Bill Craig, CECP Field Director, and all the staff at CECP for a job well done.
Other AECP members who received awards are as follows:
- Most Improved Program – Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project (STOP)
- Best Compliance Report – Rooftop of Virginia
- Certificates of Appreciation – BayAging, Inc., Community Housing Partners, H.O.P.E., Inc., Halifax/Charlotte County CAA, and Mountain CAP
- Special Certificate of Appreciation – Fred Gross, Weatherization Coordinator with People, Inc. and his Buchanan County Crew of Tina Blankenship and Beverly O’Quinn for excellent mobile home belly insulation work.
Congratulations to everyone and keep up the great work!
ENERGY EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING WILL REDUCE UTILITY BILLS
The Department of Energy has done sophisticated computer models showing that three properly placed trees can cut your utility bills – heating and cooling – by up to $250 per year. Trees reduce pollution, create more oxygen, and reduce road noise and dust as well as making a house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In the summer, trees provide natural shading from the heat of the sun but they also function as natural air-conditioners through an evapotranspiration process. As the leaves on trees give off water, they cool the air similarly to how our own perspiration cools our skin. The air temperature near the house on a well- landscaped yard can be 10 degrees cooler than on a treeless one. Plant deciduous trees on the south and west of the house to block the sun during the summer. In the winter these trees, with their leaves gone will allow the warmth and natural light of the sun to shine through. Plant evergreens on the north side for a winter windbreak. The key to efficient landscaping is selecting the proper species – trees that are natural to your area – and placing them in the proper location for your specific climate. Utilizing the services of a landscape designer is highly recommended.
HONDA UNVEILS THEIR THIRD HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Honda introduced the Insight, America’s first hybrid gas/electric vehicle and still the fuel economy leader – in December of 1999. Honda then took Hybrid technology into the mainstream with it’s introduction of the Honda Civic Hybrid in March of 2002. Sales of the Insight and Civic accounted for more than half of all U.S. Hybrid sales in 2003. Now Honda will have available, later this year, its 2005 Honda Accord V6 Hybrid. Utilizing a newly developed powertrain, the Accord will deliver power and performance of a 240 horsepower, six-cylinder engine that has the fuel economy of a compact-class, four-cylinder Civic sedan. Honda’s hybrid technology uses a high-output electric motor/generator to provide for more efficient engine operation by capturing electrical energy during braking or deceleration and using that energy to power the engine. This results in superior fuel economy and a very significant reduction in harmful emissions.
STUDY SAYS BLACKOUT LED TO CLEANER AIR
Last summers blackout disrupted lives and cost the economy billions of dollars but the temporary shutdown of more than 100 power plants dramatically cleaned up the air. University of Maryland scientists say air monitoring during the second day of the blackout showed a 70% decrease in sulfur dioxide and ozone levels. Scientists expected to see some reduction but were surprised at the extent and quickness in which the air that we breathe became so much cleaner.
Energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy can accomplish the same thing – clean our air by shutting down power plants.