Dear Lisa,

I am happy to distribute this information (below) because I love my country and its countryside, but I want to register my disapproval of the Energy Hog program as woefully inadequate. This is the first time I can remember being contacted by the agents of a federal agency to help get the word out. Project Laundry List is ten years old. In fact, it would appear that you are an employee of a full-service public relations and public affairs consultancy that has been brought on by the federal government. Hill & Knowlton is an impressive firm and I am happy about this decision. Nevertheless, I do hope you will let the President (and Vice President Dick "Conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it cannot be the basis of a sound energy policy" Cheney) know that their actions are too little, too late. If they have both had a conversion and really believe this stuff is important, God bless them, but it comes across as disingenuous, even cynical.

I hope you will let your management and their boss, the President of the United States, know that lots of us out here do not want to see the budget for Energy Star gutted, as this warring nation tries to pinch pennies in the wake of natural disasters. (See http://renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story;jsessionid=aFVVZ2WNIaxh?id=37260). Please feel free to have the EPA Spokesperson give me a ring. This email is going to everybody in my address book because this information is so important. My heart goes out to those in the flooded regions. I thank you for your important work.


I hope you hang out your clothes to dry. It can save six to ten percent of residential energy use. The "Load it Up" section below neglects to mention the clothesline, which lots of frugal Yankees still use. Many more could. Maybe you can amend your document. Thanks.


Walk in balance,


Alexander P. Lee

Executive Director


Project Laundry List

P.O. Box 189 ● South Royalton, VT 05068-0189

www.laundrylist.org ● (603) 226-3098 (home & fax)


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From: Lisa Dreisch mailto:LDreisch@HillandKnowlton.com
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 4:15 PM
To: 'alee@laundrylist.org'
Subject: ENERGY STAR Tips to Protect the Environment


Hi Alexander,

The U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR program is providing the below consumer-friendly tips on how everyday homeowners can do their part to protect the environment - making their homes more energy efficient and reducing greenhouse gas production.

We're hopeful that you'll be willing to share this information with your readers - these are simple things that nearly anyone can do that will make a big difference for our planet. I'm happy to arrange an interview for you with an EPA spokesperson, and can also provide tips that are customized to the winter heating season if you are looking for information that may be more timely right now. Please just let me know.

Thanks very much,

Lisa

(XXX) XXX-XXXX - office
(XXX) XXX-XXXX - cell

Working in support of ENERGY STAR


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15 Energy Savings Ideas for Your Home from the US EPA

Change a light. Lighting can make up nearly 20 percent of your household energy use. Don't sit in the dark, but whenever possible, remember to turn lights off when not in use, and replace high-use, standard incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR. ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures and bulbs use 2/3 less energy than traditional lighting and last up to 10 times longer. By replacing just five of your home's most frequently used fixtures or the light bulbs in them with energy-efficient lighting, you can save more than $60 each year in energy costs.

Tighten up your home. This is one of the most cost effective ways to improve your home's comfort and reduce energy costs. Hidden gaps and cracks in a home can add up to as much airflow as an open window and cause your heating and cooling system to work harder and use more energy. Seal all these leaks with caulk, spray foam, and weather stripping. Next, inspect your attic, to be sure it's properly insulated - it's the easiest place to add insulation and make a big impact on energy bills. Together, sealing air leaks and adding insulation can reduce your annual energy bill by 10 percent and improve comfort. Many of these steps are easy to do yourself, or you can hire a professional contractor to help. For details on how to do it yourself, get the ENERGY STAR Home Sealing DIY Guide. Finally, keep your fireplace damper closed, unless a fire is going.

Adjust your thermostat and turn up the savings. Heating and air conditioning account for up to 50 percent of household energy bills. Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable for winter heating and as high as comfortable when air conditioning. When used properly, a programmable thermostat with 4-temperature settings can save you $100 each year on energy costs. You can set an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats to automatically adjust your home's temperature when you're at home, asleep, or away for the day or an entire weekend.

Remember your ceiling fan. Use your ceiling fan to not only keep you comfortable but also to allow you to adjust your thermostat for more energy savings, especially in the summer months. When buying a new ceiling fan, consider purchasing an energy-efficient model. An ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fan comes with optimized fan blades and motor and those with lighting use up to 50 percent less energy than standard models. Always turn off your ceiling fan when you leave the room, just as you do your lights. Remember that a ceiling fan only cools you, not a room, by using a "wind-chill effect." In the winter, reverse the spin of the fan (most fans have a small switch) and set it on the slowest speed to help send warm air down to the living area.

Keep your air filters clean. Regularly clean or replace air filters in your home's heating and cooling system. This simple change - done monthly or every 3 months (depending on filter type) - will help lower energy bills and maintain better indoor air quality. Have your heating system checked in the fall and your cooling equipment checked in the spring by a licensed and insured contractor to keep your system performing efficiently and safely.

Consider an A/C upgrade. If your air conditioning system is more then 10 years old, consider an upgrade. Air conditioning accounts for nearly half of your summer energy bills. Ask for ENERGY STAR qualified models to get the highest efficiency. Make sure your contractor properly sizes and installs your new air conditioner. Improper sizing and installation can significantly reduce the performance of your new equipment. Your licensed contractor should use a calculation tool such as Manual J or other similar tool to assess the proper size.

Tighten Your Ducts. If you have a forced air furnace, heat pump, or central air conditioner, then a duct system is responsible for circulating "conditioned" air throughout your home. Leaky ducts can reduce your system's overall efficiency by as much as 20 percent and deliver more comfort where you want it. Sealing your ducts can save up to $140 annually on energy bills, help you consistently heat or cool every room and also improve indoor air quality. It is especially important to seal and insulate ducts that are in the attic or crawlspace.

Keep out of hot water. Set your hot water temperature at the "normal" setting - no higher than 120 degrees F. This can cut your water heating costs by 11 percent. Second, if your water heater is pretty old, make a quick trip to the hardware store or home improvement center for a hot water insulation kit to wrap your water heater and save even more on water heating costs. (New water heaters are better insulated, so may not require an insulation kit). Third, place pipe insulation on the hot water pipe that carries the heated water from the water heater - especially in cold basements or closets.

Load it up. Wait until you have a full load to run your clothes washer, dryer or dishwasher in order to use less energy. Use the energy saver feature on your dishwasher, and skip the heat dry cycle. If you're trying to do your part to prevent brownouts/blackouts or reduce energy demand in your area, it's best to run these appliances during off-peak hours, in the morning or evening.

Out with the old. Refrigerators use more energy than any other appliance in your home. If your refrigerator is 10 years old or older, it may be time for a replacement. A new ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator uses less than half the energy of a 10-year-old conventional model. Get rid of the old fridge idling in your basement or garage; it probably uses more energy than any other appliance in your home, and is wasting you money.

Look for the ENERGY STAR on new appliances. Always ask for ENERGY STAR on refrigerators, clothes washers, room air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and other appliances when replacing or remodeling. Check with your local utility or use our Special Offers Finder to see if any product incentives or rebates are available in your local area.

Let the Sunshine In/Keep the Sunshine Out. In the winter, open your window shades and drapes to let the natural warmth of the sun in during the day. At night, close them again to help insulate your windows against heat loss. In the summer, close shades and drapes and consider adding awnings or heat-blocking window film to keep out the sun and reduce the work your air conditioner has to do.

Power down computers and electronics products. A common misperception is that computers and other electronics use small amounts of energy. In fact, they account for an increasing energy load in most homes, and often draw power even when switched off. To save energy with laptops, computers, printers, wireless routers, and other electronics, use a power strip that can be turned off when you're done using them, or at bedtime. Unplug battery chargers and power adapters when they are finished charging, or not in use, otherwise they continue to drain (unnecessary) energy. Activate your computer's power management features, so it powers down when sitting idle.

Get Your Score. Use the Home Energy Yardstick online at www.energystar.gov/yardstick to find out how your home energy use compares to other homes. You may be surprised. To get your score you will need to enter some common information about your home such as age, square footage, number of occupants and energy bill totals for a consecutive 12-month period (one year). If you don't keep your bills, contact your utility for a 12-month summary.

Finally, Drive Wisely. Consolidate trips and errands - several short trips can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance, especially in wintertime. Continue to carpool, ride share and use mass transit whenever possible. Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned, and your car well maintained, to improve overall fuel efficiency. When buying a new vehicle, make a smart choice. Look for energy efficiency, air pollution and greenhouse gas scores at EPA's Green Vehicle Guide.

What is ENERGY STAR?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established ENERGY STAR in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce air pollution by giving consumers simple energy-efficient choices. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR label is a feature on more than 40 types of products.