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Energy Awareness
| Are you looking for ways to conserve
energy and reduce energy costs? BCPL can help. The library has books on
topics related to
home energy conservation. For other energy-saving tips and
information, visit the web sites listed below. |
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Bill Payment Assistance Programs
Baltimore County Department of Social Services. Office of Home Energy Programs
Need help in paying for fuel and electricity? This office is the local contact
for state home energy assistance programs designed to help low-income
citizens pay their heating bills and reduce their energy costs.
Maryland Department of
Human Resources. Office of Home Energy Programs
Eligibility, information on how to apply, and downloadable applications in
English and Spanish for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) that assists with home heating
bills, the Electrical Universal Service Program (EUSP) which assists low-income
customers with their electric bills, the Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)
that protects low-income families from utility cut-offs, and the Weatherization
Assistance Program (WAP) which provides at no cost weather stripping, caulking,
plastic window covering, etc. to eligible families.
2-1-1
Maryland at First Call For Help
A free, confidential service that connects callers with services
statewide. The service is available 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
If you are having difficulty paying your gas or electric bills, call to work out
payment arrangements. Download the Purple Book, which is also available
in Spanish, to find out what help is available.
Baltimore County Department of Aging. Senior Information and Assistance
Contact for seniors, their families and caregivers about services, emergency
grants, and other benefits.
Community Assistance
Network Utility Assistance
Six Baltimore County offices help clients with utility payments to prevent utility cut-offs,
to restore
terminated services, and to purchase fuel oil and propane. Contact for the Fuel
Fund of Baltimore County.
Community Assistance
Network Weatherization Assistance Program
Delivers weatherization services to income-qualified residents of Baltimore County
to reduce fuel costs.
Utility Bill Assistance
by Maryland Office of the People's Counsel
Resource guide that gives detailed information about assistance programs
for all Maryland counties.
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Choosing Your Energy Supplier
Choosing Your Residential
Electricity Supplier
by Maryland Office of the Attorney General
Provides advice on making the decision on who supplies your electricity.
Electricity Supplier Shopping Information
from Maryland Public Service Commission
Basics on shopping for an electricity supplier.
Licensed Electricity
and Gas Suppliers
A directory of energy suppliers that have met Maryland Public Service Commission
and utility requirements to provide service in Maryland.
Utility Company
Customer Contact Information
by Maryland Public Service Commission
Phone numbers and website links to Gas and Electric companies
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Consumer Tips and Information
Alliance to Save
Energy
Offers consumer tips on saving money through energy efficiency. Includes
information on energy efficiency tax credits.
Consumer's Guide to Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy
by U.S. Department of Energy. Office on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Explore your options for saving energy and using renewable energy at home and at
work.
Current
Electric Rates and Tariffs
by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
Information on the current residential electric supply rates and a
bill example.
Do You Have
A Dispute? [PDF]
from Maryland Public Service Commission
Frequently asked questions about how the Public Service Commission can help you
with utility problems
Insulation
Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of Energy
Excellent information to read when deciding to insulate your home.
Maryland Energy Administration
Information on financial incentives available to Maryland residents and
businesses. Background information on conventional, renewable energy sources as
well as heating and cooling energy efficiency options.
Maryland Home
Improvement Commission
Site to verify a contractor's license, to ask about complaints filed against
a company or to file a complaint.
Maryland Office of the People's Counsel
An independent state agency that represents residential utility customers. Their
Customer Assistance Unit provides information to assist in answering or solving
problems with electricity, natural gas, telephone and water service.
Ready to
File a Complaint Against a Utility?
by Maryland Public Service Commission
How to get help and file a complaint about a utility company. Online and
downloadable complaint form is available.
Save Money
by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
Do-It-Yourself and energy saving tips for your home and your major appliances.
Utility
Bills Higher Than Expected?
by Maryland Public Service Commission
Answers to consumers' commonly asked questions when disputing the amount of their
electric or gas bill.
United States Department of
Energy - Your Home
Tools and information for consumers on saving energy at home and on the road.
Watts it Worth? Energy
Saving Tips to Keep Your Energy Costs Down and to Help Protect the Environment
[PDF]
by Maryland Office of the Attorney General. Consumer Protection Division
Newsletter that offers no cost and low cost ways to save energy costs.
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Efficiency Ratings
Consumers' Directory of Certified Efficiency
Ratings
by Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association
Performance data for furnace and water heating equipment
Consumer Information
by Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Search database of certified dehumidifiers, room air cleaners and room air
conditioners.
Maryland Energy
Star Program
A government-backed product labeling program of energy efficient products with
store locator.
Performance Certified Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment
by Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute
Directory that allows you to search by HVACR equipment and components by
product lines, certified ratings or manufacturer.
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Fuel Efficiency
Provided by the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Maryland's State Library Resource
Center
Saving Money at the Gas Pump
Produced by the Federal Trade Commission, this site offers quick gas-saving
tips for different parts of your car, including the tires, the truck, and
under the hood.
The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline
If you think that high octane gas is always the best for your car, you need to
read this page by the Federal Trade Commission.
"Gas-Saving" Products: Fact or Fuelishness?
Not all gas-saving products are created equal. Get the facts from this Federal
Trade Commission page.
Fuel Economy
This government site allows you to look at the fuel efficiency of different
cars, read gas mileage tips, learn more about hybrid cars, and understand why
fuel economy is important.
AAA Fuel Cost Calculator
If you're traveling somewhere, this site lets you plug in the type of car you
have and tells you how much gas you will use on the trip and how much it will
cost. The calculator gives you a list of major U.S. cities to choose from, so
you may not be able to find the exact city you are in.
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Green Technologies
Building Green
"Find the green building products that you need for your
project and see examples of green projects around the world."
Green
Building Supply
Green Building Supply features natural and non-toxic building
materials -- that are safe, environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Green Progress
"Green Progress provides the latest news and information on
environmental technology and green innovations being developed to protect our
environment and our well-being."
Green Schools
From the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor
Education, learn how to become
a Green School and view a Green School recipient list.
Maryland Environmental Design
Program
"Dedicated to advancing the application of economically sound and
environmentally sensitive building and site-design techniques, the
Environmental Design Program provides the business community, local
governments and interested citizens."
Maryland Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
Find state, local, and utility incentives from the Database of State
Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
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Lowering Your Utility Bills
Provided by the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Maryland's State Library Resource
Center
There are a lot of tricks to make your house more energy efficient, so you
use less gas and electricity and have smaller bills as a result. These sites
will help.
Energy Efficient Homes | DoItYourself.com
This site has lots of of pages on making your home more energy efficient,
including sections on evaluating your windows and doors, insulating, and
weatherizing.
Home Energy Saver
This Web site, designed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, offers
an energy use calculator that can help find the best ways to save energy in
your home.
Saving Starts at Home
This guide from the Federal Trade Commission gives energy-saving tips for all
areas of your home.
Energy Savers Blog
From the U.S. Department of Energy, this blog provides a place for consumers to
learn about and discuss energy efficiency and renewable technologies at home, on
the road, and in the workplace.
Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audits
This guide from the U.S. Department of Energy shows you how to conduct your
own home energy audit.
Tips for Cutting Your Carbon
Cool Capital has compiled a list of ideas for reducing your energy use at
home.
Maryland State Office of Energy Programs
How to contact your local home energy program office
Office of Energy Programs
From the Maryland State Department of Human Resources
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Baltimore County Public Library, Towson Maryland USA
Last Revised: 11 December 2008
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