Coming soon: NEW YORK'S GREAT APPLIANCE SWAP-OUT Residents will be able to receive a cash rebate for replacing older appliance(s) with a new ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliance. An online application and detailed eligibility rules will be available at http://www.getenergysmart.com/nyapplianceswapout/ in February. In February 2010, New York State residents can participate in the Great Appliance Swap-Out, a program designed to provide a boost to New York's economy while providing an incentive for consumers to reduce their energy consumption. Under the program, residents will be able to receive a cash rebate for replacing older appliance(s) with a new ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliance. This program, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will also provide added incentives for consumers who recycle their old appliances to help reduce the impact on landfills.
Under New York State's proposed plan, consumers can receive rebates for purchasing eligible appliances individually or in a bundle of three specific appliances. Only appliances with an ENERGY STAR® label denoting higher efficiency are eligible for a rebate. Consumers may receive a larger rebate by purchasing three eligible appliances that meet standards issued by the Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) that are higher than ENERGY STAR standards.
As proposed, customers purchasing appliances would qualify for a rebate of $75 ($105 with documented recycling) for ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, $75 ($100 with documented recycling) for clothes washers and $50 ($75 with documented recycling) for freezers. Rebates are available for dishwashers when they are purchased as part of a three-appliance package (refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer), which may qualify for a $500 rebate ($555 with documented recycling).
An online application and detailed eligibility rules will be available in the near future, so please check back with us again!
In the meantime, please refer to http://www.nyserda.org/economicrecovery/appliance.asp for more information on this program. Allegra Dengler Energy Conservation Coordinator Town of Greenburgh 993-1649 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY
—AND MAYBE THE PLANET!Tips and resources for saving energy, using clean, renewable energy & fighting global warming Welcome to the Greenburgh energy conservation page!
Please scroll down to see the list of topics under “What Do You Want to Learn About?” (Sorry, this is one very long page due to the structural constraints of our website!) –The Greenburgh Energy Conservation Coordinator Watch our Greenburgh Cable TV show, THE ENERGY SHOW! - Every Friday at 7 p.m. on Channel 75 (unincorporated Greenburgh only)
- The second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. on Channel 76 (all of Greenburgh including villages)
NEWS http://www.westchestergov.com/pdfs/ENVFACIL_globalWarmingAction2008FINAL.pdf. The plan identifies workable strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with energy; transportation; land use; recycling and waste management; and water resources management. The plan provides specific actions for major sectors (residential, business, local government, county government, and school) to reach the emission reduction goals. WAP 2008 provides basic “how to” information for implementing the actions, provides sources and resources to help in achieving the actions, provides examples of success, and identifies potential funding resources and options. ANNOUNCING GREENBURGH’S “GREEN YOUR MILES” CAMPAIGN!
Gas prices and global warming: two great reasons to “green” the ways we get around. Reducing the number of miles we drive alone helps lower our use of fossil fuels and reduces our carbon footprint; it also saves on the cost of gas and vehicle wear and tear, and helps reduce local air pollution and traffic congestion. For solutions, please see TRANSPORTATION below:Click here. And share your success stories about “greening” your miles—contact the Energy Conservation Coordinator! For a list of the exhibitors who participated in our 2007 Green Living Fair, click here. Thanks to everyone who attended and participated in this event, and to Mid-Hudson Energy Smart Communities and NYSERDA for co-sponsorship!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT?
1. NEW! Take action to solve Global Warming! Click here. | |
2. How to save energy at home (including tax incentives info):Click here.
3. How to save energy in your business (including tax incentives info):Click here.
4. How to reduce pollution and support clean, renewable energy by buying “green” electricity or choosing a new electric utility provider:Click here.
5. How to generate clean, renewable energy such as solar, wind, or geothermal at your home or business:Click here.
6. Green (environmentally friendly) building:Click here.
7. Healthy, high-performance schools:Click here.
8. Energy policy and action: Click here. 9. Saving energy in transportation (including saving gas in your car):Click here. __________________________________________________________________________ 1. Take action to solve Global Warming! FIRST, FOCUS ON ENERGY: SAVE ENERGY AT HOME, AT WORK, AND IN TRANSPORTATION, AND TRY TO USE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND/OR BUY GREEN POWER (see rest of this page for details on all of these topics!) NEXT, REDUCE WASTE: recycle more, compost if possible, buy products with minimal packaging, reuse more. BECOME A CONSCIOUS CONSUMER. Consider the energy and resource implications of everything you buy. For example, was food raised organically? How far was it transported? Are paper products made from recycled sources or virgin forests? Buy local as much as possible. CHECK OUT OUR SELECTED WEBSITES FOR GLOBAL WARMING ACTION STEPS: __________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE START HERE AND THEN EXPLORE THE LINKS LISTED BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION:
1. If you want to save on your heating and cooling costs and you live in a 1- to 4-family home, consider getting a Home Performance comprehensive home assessment to find out exactly where your home is wasting energy and which home improvements would most quickly help in saving money and increasing your comfort. Conducted by a Building Performance Institute accreditede contractor, this report will include where your home is leaking air (driving up both heating and cooling costs), how efficient (and safe) your heating and cooling equipment is, health and safety issues (such as carbon monoxide levels and moisture problems), and more. (See information below about the www.getenergysmart.org website.) (If you live in a larger multifamily building—more than 4 units—there are different programs available; see the same website.)
2. If you want to reduce your electric bill, consider replacing your most frequently used ordinary (incandescent) light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, also known as CFLs (fixtures are available too), which are 40 to 60 percent more efficient and last up to 10 times longer. Now you can also find a good selection of attractive light fixtures which are designed to use the compact fluorescent bulbs. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label. When buying CFLs, remember that sometimes the cheapest bulbs may not produce satisfactory results, but that even though a CFL may be expensive, it will save you money in the long run. (For more info on how to select and where to buy, see www.getenergysmart.org and www.energystar.gov below, as well as the Lighting Research Center at http://www.lrc.rpi.edu .)
3. Next, whenever you need to buy a new appliance, such as a refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, dehumidifier, or room air conditioner, make energy efficiency a top priority in your selection, and try to get one with an ENERGY STAR® ® label. In some cases it can even be worth while to replace an older (9 or 10 years or more) refrigerator that is still working, since energy efficiency for such appliances has improved so dramatically. (Note! Do not save an old refrigerator to use somewhere else—it will continue to be an energy hog. Don’t give it away, either—your local utility doesn’t want anyone else using it. Dispose of it through your municipal appliance pick-up.) High-efficiency clothes washers and dishwashers can save energy a second way: since they use less water, you save on water heating costs. (See www.getenergysmart.org and www.energystar.gov below)
4. If you’re going to build an addition to your home, consider green building techniques; explore the Green Building links below. If you want to buy or build a new house, check out the ENERGY STAR® Labeled Homes section at www.getenergysmart.org (Note: the Town of Greenburgh requires that all new 1-4 family homes in the Town meet ENERGY STAR® standards; for more information, see Town Code elsewhere on the Town’s website). Also see the Windows, Doors, and Skylights links below.
BEST LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SAVING ENERGY AT HOME:
GENERAL SITES
www.getenergysmart.org New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) website for consumers. Includes: For Existing Homeowners: Under Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, a participating Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited Home Performance contractor will inspect your home, provide recommendations for energy improvements, and they can even do the work. Incentives and financing options are available to help pay for the work. For Homeowners and Renters: information on ENERGY STAR® products such as lighting (one of the easiest ways to save!) and appliances; other tips and resources on saving energy and money. For Buyers/Builders of a New Home: information on New York ENERGY STAR® Labeled Homes, that use proven technologies and advanced building practices to make your new home as energy-efficient as possible. [Note: all new 1-4 family homes in Greenburgh must meet this standard, by Town law.] Find-a-Resource Map: Locate ENERGY STAR® Homebuilders, Products Retailers & Home Performance Contractors near you. www.energystar.gov “ENERGY STAR® is a program backed by the federal government (EPA and DOE) helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.” This site includes tips on saving energy at home including: · www.energystar.gov/products Learn how ENERGY STAR® qualified household products including lighting, appliances, heating and cooling, home electronics, office equipment, etc. can reduce your electricity use (and also, in the case of dishwashers and clothes washers, your water use). Use the Store Locator to find not only stores near you but also online retailers. · www.energystar.gov/homesealing “Sealing your home’s envelope is one of the most cost-effective ways to lower your home’s energy bills and improve your comfort. ENERGY STAR® Home Sealing improves your home’s envelope by adding insulation, sealing air leaks to stop drafts, and choosing ENERGY STAR® qualified windows when replacing old windows.”
WINDOWS, DOORS, SKYLIGHTS
www.efficientwindows.org/ Efficient Windows Collaborative. “Provides unbiased information on the benefits of energy-efficient windows, descriptions of how they work, and recommendations for their selection and use.” www.nfrc.org National Fenestration Rating Council. “One-stop shop for fair, accurate and credible information on the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights.” [Fenestration= an opening in the building envelope]
LIBRARY RESOURCES
www.greenburghlibrary.org The Greenburgh Public Library has books, videos, and other publications on these topics, and through the library you can also borrow materials from other libraries throughout the Westchester Library System. TAX INCENTIVES www.energytaxincentives.org Federal Tax Incentives.The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) is designed to give consumers and businesses information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. __________________________________________________________________________ 3. Save energy in business and industry
GENERAL WEBSITES
www.nyserda.org New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Offers many programs and resources for businesses and institutions (including nonprofits and churches) on saving energy. Click on Commercial/Industrial programs.
PRODUCTS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
www.energystar.gov The ENERGY STAR® program of the U.S. DOE and EPA offers many tools, resources, and strategies for businesses to reduce their energy use and improve their bottom line. Click on the Business Improvement tab. TAX INCENTIVES www.energytaxincentives.org The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) is designed to give consumers and businesses information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. __________________________________________________________________________ 4. How to reduce pollution and support clean, renewable energy by buying “green” electricity or choosing a new electric utility provider www.conedisonsolutions.com Con Edison Solutions offers electricity generated from green sources such as wind and water power. If you are a Con Edison customer, you can switch to this provider for your electricity. www.newwindenergy.com Community Energy, Inc. sells 100 percent wind power generated from an upstate New York wind farm. You can sign up directly or get their wind power through Con Edison Solutions (above). www.AskPSC.com or 1-866-GRN-POWR. The New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) explains how you can choose an energy supplier that offers Green Power. From the home page, click on Electricity, then on Shopping for Electricity. __________________________________________________________________________ 5. How to generate clean, renewable energy such as solar, wind, or geothermal at your home or business www.powernaturally.org The NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) guide to solar (electric) and wind energy, including general information, incentives ($$$!) that they offer New Yorkers for both residential and commercial installations, lists of participating installers, and their solar School Power Naturally program.
www.geoexchange.org The Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium site offers information on how home and business owners can enjoy a high level of comfort, while significantly reducing their energy use with geoexchange (geothermal, ground source) heating and cooling systems. They state that “geoexchange is the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning system available, according to the Environmental Protection Agency”. Site includes video clips of geoexchange in different applications (residential, school, health care, hotel, etc.) that you can download or request on a CD. www.eere.energy.gov The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Center contains a wealth of information on various forms of renewable energy, including geothermal, solar (heating as well as electricity), wind, and much more. __________________________________________________________________________ 6. Green (environmentally friendly) building
WEBSITES FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL GREEN BUILDING
www.usgbc.org The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) is a “coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.” They offer resources including the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™, which “encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.” LEED rating systems include New Construction (for commercial and institutional projects); Existing Buildings (for operations and maintenance); Commercial Interiors; Core & Shell; Schools; Retail; Healthcare; Homes; and Neighborhood Development.
www.greenhomeguide.org NEW! The Green Home Guide is the USGBC’s website of information on green home building as well as the first nationwide green guidelines for remodeling/renovating existing homes. Includes a Green Renovation Checklist and resources to help you find green products and live a more sustainable lifestyle. __________________________________________________________________________ 7. Healthy, high-performance schools www.ase.org/section/program/greenschl The Green Schools Project of the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE). “Energy costs are an enormous expense for our nation's schools. To help free up more resources for education while strengthening academic learning, the Alliance's Green Schools Program engages students in creating energy-saving activities in their schools, using hands-on, real-world projects. Through basic changes in the operations, maintenance, and individual behavior, Green Schools has achieved reductions in energy use of 5 to 15 percent among participating schools. In addition, Green Schools encourages students to apply the lessons of energy-efficiency message in their homes and communities.” www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/schools is one of several sites offered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) providing information for designing, building, renovating, operating and maintaining energy-efficient, healthy schools. Their Building Technologies Program sponsors the EnergySmart Schools Program www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmartschools to “reduce schools’ energy use and to provide better learning environments for children. Endorsed by the National School Boards Association (NSBA), the initiative seeks to help school districts by disseminating financing opportunities, providing training to building industry professionals, and weaving together broad networks of public and private partners.” The section offers guidance in planning, including key points to include when making presentations to gain community support (http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmartschools/howto_planning.html). The program provides resources for teachers (http://www.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/) as well as resources for architects and other members of the design team (http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmartschools/howto_designing.html).
www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/schools/maintain.html The DOE’s Operations and Maintenance page reminds us of the value of commissioning, operations and maintenance in new OR existing school buildings. “Energy-efficient building designs and components will only save energy and money if they are functioning as intended. Building commissioning is critical to ensuring that a new school building and the systems within it perform in accordance with the design intent, contract documents, and the school district's operational needs….Equally important is the development of a strategic operation and maintenance (O&M) program that specifically targets energy efficiency and performance. This ensures that initial energy savings become ongoing savings. In existing school buildings, a well-crafted O&M program and increased awareness of maintenance and instructional staff can save 5% to 20% on energy bills without a significant capital investment.” www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/toolkit.html While you’re making your school energy-efficient, you may also want to address its indoor air quality (IAQ). The U.S. EPA offers an Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit, which “shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little- or no-cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The Kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan. The voluntary guidance can save schools time and money so that resources can be directed toward educating children.” - Energy Smart Schools - Attention facilities managers! If you are looking to make energy efficiency improvements to your school, or thinking of building a new energy-efficient school, NYSERDA can help. [NOTE: Greenburgh schools that buy their electricity from NYPA are less eligible for NYSERDA’s programs than schools that buy directly from Con Edison.]
- SchoolPowerNaturally.org - Solar education for New York
- Energy Education in the Classroom - Attention teachers!!! The Energy Smart Students Program, a K-12, classroom education program for New York teachers, is sponsoring free workshops for teachers.
www.healthyschools.org The Healthy Schools Network, Inc. offers guides, materials, and reports on many topics of school environmental health, including design tools, indoor air quality, healthier cleaning practices, lighting, and much more.
www.nypa.gov The New York Power Authority (NYPA). Many schools in Greenburgh get their power from NYPA rather than from Con Edison, which somewhat limits their eligibility to get assistance from NYSERDA for energy efficiency projects. If this is the case for your school, one option is for your school to enter into an agreement with NYPA (or a private energy performance contractor) for energy efficiency improvements (primarily for electricity use). For details, contact the Greenburgh Energy Conservation Coordinator (see top of page). www.earthday.net/programs/teachers/greenschools.aspx Earth Day Network (EDN). Its new Green Schools Campaign seeks “to green all of America’s k-12 schools within a generation. EDN uses innovative education tools to promote civic participation and to develop a sense of environmental responsibility among all citizens.” Its Educators’ Network offers resources (http://www.earthday.net/programs/teachers/default.aspx) including environmental education lesson plans (for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12), an “Environmental Tips” video series, and more. Through its “Hands On Earth Day” program, Earth Day Network’s hands-on approach to school greening “not only helps the environment but also increases student performance, improves teacher retention and saves money and resources. EDN's school greening efforts improve both the physical and learning environments, while also encouraging action against climate change and other environmental problems.” __________________________________________________________________________ 8. Energy policy and action www.aceee.org American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). They say: “As part of our commitment to making energy efficiency the centerpiece of our nation's energy policy, we develop specific energy efficiency policy initiatives; analyze their impacts; advise national, regional, and state policymakers; and work with coalitions of environmental, consumer, business, and progressive energy organizations in order to increase our influence.”
www.nrdc.org Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Great resources and action items for influencing policy on energy and its impact on clean air and global warming, as well as many other environmental issues. Includes www.nrdc.org/reference/topics/air.asp, a list of reference links to energy related websites.
www.environmentaldefense.org Environmental Defense. Offers information and action campaigns to address environmental problems, including on energy and its impact on clean air and global warming. Includes “Global Warming: Undo It” (www.undoit.org), their campaign to tackle the critical issue of climate change.
www.globalwarm.com The World News Network’s international news postings on global warming. www.crest.org Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology – National Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP). REPP's goal is “to accelerate the use of renewable energy by providing credible information, insightful policy analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs by researching, publishing, and disseminating information, creating policy tools, and hosting highly active, on-line, renewable energy discussion groups.” | |
9. Saving energy in transportation A. GREENBURGH’S “GREEN YOUR MILES” CAMPAIGN Gas prices and global warming: two great reasons to think about how to “green” the ways we get around. Reducing the number of miles we drive alone helps lower our use of fossil fuels and reduces our carbon footprint; it also saves on the cost of gas and vehicle wear and tear, and helps reduce local air pollution and traffic congestion. Solutions include carpooling and ridesharing; taking public transportation; walking and biking. With Greenburgh’s “Green Your Miles” campaign, we hope to raise Greenburgh residents’ awareness about ways to save money and reduce their environmental impact while on the move. Information about these transportation solutions can be found at: - www.NuRide.com, a free and highly flexible online ridesharing service that offers rewards (such as gift certificates) for sharing rides, not just for commuting but for any reason
- www.GoLoco.org, a service that helps people and communities create their own personal public transportation network
- www.MetroPool.com, help with commuter alternatives including carpooling, vanpooling, and public transportation.
- www.westchestergov.com/smartcommute. Westchester County’s SMART COMMUTE Program “is available free of charge to all employers and building owners/managers in the County as part of Westchester County and the New York State's commitment to reducing congestion on our roadways and improving the quality of the air we breathe. The program is designed to encourage and support companies whose employees are looking for alternatives to getting to work rather than driving alone.”
B. TIPS ON SAVING GASOLINE When you must drive, try to make the most of every gallon of gasoline. The following tips can help you save money, protect our environment (by reducing air pollution and emission of greenhouse gases), and reduce our use of fossil fuels, a nonrenewable resource. (According to the U.S. Department of Energy, two-thirds of the oil we consume powers transportation vehicles, and half goes to passenger cars and light trucks.) In addition, some of these tips can also help improve personal safety. Of all the tips listed below, one of the simplest and most overlooked is to keep your tires properly inflated. This can make a difference not only to your fuel efficiency but can also help make your vehicle safer (according to the Society of Automotive Engineers, low tire pressure is the cause of several hundred thousand accidents a year) and help your tires last longer. And when was the last time your checked your tire pressure? It’s a good idea to keep a pressure gauge in your glove compartment and check tire pressure monthly, and especially before you leave on a long trip. Remember to test your air pressure when the tires are cold (when the car has been driven less than a mile). (For directions on how to check and adjust tire pressure properly, see the Rubber Manufacturers Association page at http://www.rma.org/tire_safety/tire_maintenance_and_safety/part_pressure.cfm ).
For the rest of the tips, please see below (courtesy of the Alliance to Save Energy, www.ase.org. All content © copyright The Alliance to Save Energy. All rights reserved. 1200 18th Street NW | Suite 900 | Washington, DC 20036 | 202/857-0666).
Gasoline Tips
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Alliance to Save Energy have teamed up on a Powerful $avings campaign to help consumers reduce energy bills and to help the nation reduce its energy use. They offer these tips for getting better gas mileage and reducing costs at the pump:
Smart Energy Practices
- Keep your engine properly tuned. Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by about 4 percent. Replacing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve gas mileage up to 40 percent.
- Keep tires properly inflated to improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. In addition, properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
- You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil . Select motor oil with "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
- Check and replace air filters regularly. Replacing a clogged or dirty air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, and a clean filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine.
- Plan ahead for the shortest, most gas-saving itinerary to save time, money and wear-and-tear on your car. Avoid retracing your route to reduce the distance you travel. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a multi-stop trip of the same distance with a warm engine.
- Stagger your work hours, if possible, to avoid peak rush hours. You'll spend less time sitting in traffic and consume less fuel.
- Take advantage of available carpools and ride-share programs. Sharing your commute with others cuts your weekly fuel costs, reduces wear on your car and may allow you to use less-congested High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.
- Consider public transportation. Check the American Public Transportation Association's website for local information (www.apta.com/links/state_local/).
- Consider telecommuting - working from home - if and when possible.
- Whenever possible, walk to your destination. You'll lose weight, lower stress, save gas and money, and reduce pollution.
- Gas mileage declines rapidly above 60 mph, so don't speed. Each 5 mph increase above 60 is like paying an additional 10 cents a gallon for gasoline. (see this Wall Street Journal article)
- Curtail aggressive driving, which wastes gas and can lower your mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and 5 percent in town. Nix jack-rabbit starts in favor of slow acceleration from a dead stop. Sensible driving also is safer for you and others - so you may save more than gas money.
- Avoid excessive idling, which gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines usually waste more gas while idling than those with smaller engines.
- Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk cuts a typical car's fuel economy 1-2 percent.
Energy Efficiency Technologies
- When buying a new vehicle, think high gas mileage - it's the most important fuel economy decision you will make. See DOE's www.fueleconomy.gov website for information on fuel-efficient vehicles.
- The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy also offers information on fuel-efficient vehicles on its website (www.greenercars.com).
- Learn about current electric drive vehicles on the Electric Drive Transportation Association website (http://www.electricdrive.org).
- Consider purchasing a hybrid car, which can provide a $1,500 tax deduction this year.
- Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, save gas.
- Use your overdrive gear to lower engine speed, save gas, and reduce engine wear.
- If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets better gas mileage whenever possible.
- When renting a car, ask for a model that gets better fuel economy. Also, remember to fill up the tank before returning the car to the rental company, which always charges much higher gas prices - and sometimes an extra gas surcharge.
| | C. HYBRID-ELECTRIC CARS Many drivers are getting interested in hybrid-electric cars, which save gasoline because they are powered by both a regular gasoline engine and an electric motor which uses energy recaptured as the vehicle brakes or coasts (no, you don’t plug it in!). The most popular hybrids currently available include Toyota’s Prius and Highlander (www.toyota.com), and Honda’s Civic hybrid (www.honda.com). Make sure to choose a car in which the hybrid technology is focused on better mileage rather than just improved performance. |
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