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Web site of the month: Stay Cool, Save Money
Warm weather is here and high electricity bills are close behind, as Americans use more energy to keep their homes or businesses cool and comfortable. Finding ways to combat these high costs is essential, so the U.S. Department of Energy has launched Stay Cool, Save Money. This educational Web site can help consumers be more energy efficient by giving them simple, cost-effective, energy saving solutions to implement during cooling season. The Stay Cool strategies are divided into three categories: No-cost and low-cost tips, energy audits and long-term investments. Each page provides links to in-depth explanations so visitors can do their energy-efficiency homework. For those who are ready to take action, there are links to Energy Star products and help locating local service providers. Energy efficiency step-by-stepOn the tips page, visitors will find ideas for keeping their homes comfortable in spring and summer without running up a big utility bill. Some of the measures are free and can be used on a daily basis to increase electricity savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions that can ensure maximum savings through the spring and summer. The first step in preparing to save energy is to find out where a building is leaking energy—and money. The energy audit page offers resources for homes, multifamily units and small businesses. Homeowners can choose to self-audit or contact a professional. The self-auditing link goes to the DOE Energy Savers page on do-it-yourself audits, with links to online tools for a more comprehensive evaluation. A link to the Certified Rater Directory from the Residential Energy Services Network will help visitors locate professional auditors in their area. The Multifamily Building Calculator can help property owners figure out what energy-efficiency improvements will give them the most "bang for their bucks." Small business owners will find resources to help them green their business and reduce operating costs. The long-term investments page lists several, more expensive measures that can yield greater savings for months and years to come. Visitors will be able to research such options as increasing insulation, replacing windows, upgrading heating and cooling systems and more. Funding resourcesIt is always a challenge to find money to pay for building improvements—even ones that will save money in the long run—and Stay Cool has that covered, too. Financial assistance offers resources for consumers, including weatherization information, state low-income home energy assistance programs and rebates for appliances and products. Small business owners can connect with national agencies providing funding for energy-efficiency upgrades, along with state and local resources. Help for utilitiesAll of the consumer-oriented resources on Stay Cool make it a valuable reference for utilities—especially ones with limited budget or staff for energy services. Power providers can download partnering materials to adapt for their own campaigns. Adding the Stay Cool widget (small program that updates content automatically) to a utility Web site is an easy way to give customers weekly energy-efficiency tips. The fact sheets in the media kit are intended for members of the press, but the Top 10 Tips to Stay Cool, Save Money would make a great summer bill stuffer, too. And, when winter comes, download the Top 10 Tips to Stay Warm, Save Money. Because energy efficiency is a year-round need, Stay Cool, Save Money will be revised as the seasons change. Whether it's June or December, saving money—and energy—is always cool.
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