News - Local Energy Alliance Program - Page 3

Solar? On your roof? It’s more possible than you think.

Solar? On your roof? It’s more possible than you think.


  Going solar is a big decision, one that has big potential to greatly reduce your utility costs and your greenhouse gas emissions. Maybe you’re just starting to explore a solar photovoltaic system for your home, or maybe you feel ready to take the plunge. Here are some factors to consider to get solar read more...

Treat Your Attic Right – Insulation and Air Sealing

Treat Your Attic Right – Insulation and Air Sealing


Many homeowners ignore their attic except for the quick trip to retrieve holiday decorations once a year, but ignoring your attic comes at a price through wasted energy and money. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that as much as 85% of the conditioned air lost in a house passes through the attic. read more...

Checking Your Gas Appliances

Checking Your Gas Appliances


The Energy Information Administration reports that natural gas fuels 50% of Virginia’s net electricity generation, making safe and efficient use of natural gas appliances a concern for many residents. If you have a gas stove, water heater or furnace there are basic safety tips that every homeowner needs to be aware of. First, natural read more...

Easy New Year’s Energy Resolutions

Easy New Year’s Energy Resolutions


About 40% of U.S. adults make New Year’s resolutions and a popular one is to spend less and save more. These simple energy resolutions can help make a dent in your energy bill and best of all these actions are largely one time actions. With about half of New Year’s resolutions abandoned by June, read more...

DIY Window and Door Weatherproofing

DIY Window and Door Weatherproofing


According to the Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your heated or cooled interior air; that’s energy and money down the drain. A little weatherproofing goes a long way, and the good news is there are some super easy and inexpensive ways to reduce drafts around windows and doors. Weather read more...

Demystifying your electric bill

Demystifying your electric bill


By annual presidential proclamation, October is Energy Awareness Month. The Federal Energy Management Program is supporting Energy Awareness Month this year with a plan and resources for federal agencies to raise awareness of energy-and water-saving possibilities in their buildings and operations. Here at LEAP, we want to support you by deconstructing and explaining the read more...

Heat Pump Water Heaters: Big Winners for Your Wallet and the Planet

Heat Pump Water Heaters: Big Winners for Your Wallet and the Planet


Domestic water heating costs the average household up to $700 per year. What if you could slash that cost by 60%? Compared to a standard electric storage water heater, a heat pump water heater uses 2-3 times less energy, saving thousands in utility costs over the life of the water heater. How does it read more...

How Often Do I Really Need to Change My HVAC Filter?

How Often Do I Really Need to Change My HVAC Filter?


Replacing the filter in your air conditioning and/or heating system is one of the best and easiest things you can do to keep it working effectively and efficiently. The filter keeps particles (some visible and some not) from getting into the fan and motor. A dirty filter will reduce airflow which causes the system read more...

5 Tips for Efficient Air Conditioning

5 Tips for Efficient Air Conditioning


More than 90 percent of U.S. homes have air conditioners that use 6% of electricity produced in this country at an annual cost of $29 billion to homeowners and 117 million metric tons of carbon dioxide released into the environment. Furthermore, those carbon emissions are predicted to double by 2050 at their current rate. read more...

Managing Indoor Moisture and Humidity

Managing Indoor Moisture and Humidity


Virginia summers mean an inevitable rise in humidity. While this may appear to be a simple outdoor annoyance, the inside of your home can also be negatively affected. There are many vulnerable points in your house that may allow for the build up of moisture, humidity, and eventually mildew and mold. In addition to read more...