PSCCU Introduces Low Interest Energy Efficiency Loans

Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union (PSCCU) a non-profit credit union orignally affiliated with Puget Sound Energy, is offering an outstanding deal on Energy Efficiency Loans with terms up to 8 years and loan amounts up to $20,000 with fixed rates as low as 5.24% for most energy efficient projects*.? PSCCU also provides financing for permanenty installed Stand-By Generators.

With 30% tax credits set to expire soon, the savings that these improvements can generate, utility rebates, and now low interest financing throgh PSCCU, it is a great time to invest in the efficiency and comfort of your home.

Read more...

0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 2:37 PM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Green Economy

New Rebates Can Help Save you Thousands if You Act Now!

As part of the the Washington State Cash for Appliances Rebate program, Bel Red Energy Solutions is proud to offer the following products that qualify for rebates of up to $750 . Combine these rebates with available utility incentives and current tax credits, and you could save over $3,000 on your new system!

Read more...

0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 12:37 PM - Categories: Cooling | Efficiency | General | Green Economy | Heating | Products

Washington Policy Center Supports Re-Evaluation of Costly Code Changes

The non-partisan Washington Policy Center has requested further analysis of the costs and benefits of the new energy code requirements, specifically the sections that apply to existing homes (not new construction). While Bel Red is in favor of voluntary duct testing and sealing, we are opposed to forcing this on homeowners retroactively.  To read more on this issue, please check out this link to the Washington Policy Center.

Read more...

0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 1:34 PM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Green Economy

Bel Red and Comfort Institute - Solving Your Comfort and Efficiency Problems

Bel Red Energy Solutions has become a member of Comfort Institute, an international indoor comfort research, training and consumer protection organization dedicated to helping homeowners achieve a safe, healthy, clean, comfortable and affordable indoor living environment. By joining Comfort Institute, Bel Red is now able to bring the most effective tools, skills and techniques to bear to assist its customers with improving the comfort, health and safety of their homes.

Read more...

0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 10:22 AM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Green Economy | Safety

Energy Code Delayed - But Huge New Costs Still Loom!

At the urging of the Council of Economic Advisors, and after filing of a lawsuit by the Building Industry Association of Washington, Governor Gregoire requested a delay of the implementation of the new energy code until April 1, 2011. In a letter to the Satate Code Commission, she stated: "We cannot risk further delay of our state recovery, or worse, a deepening recession. The needs of our families and communities for jobs, and a healthy economy, must take precedent."

What the Code Council and Governor made abundantly clear is that this is just a delay, not a change in direction. Ultimately, the Legislature and the Governor have charged the Code Council to reduce energy use by 70% between the current code and the 2031 code. In asking for a 70% reduction in energy use in just over 30 years, they have set an arbitrary and overly agressive target that may never be met, and have done so without input from the industries that are being charged with carrying out those mandates, or any idea of what the ultimate costs of these changes will be.

In the coming months, we will be working with state and national organizations to promote some common sense changes to the new code, trying to make it both effective AND workable for everyone.  We will let you know how you can make your voice heard on this issue too. We look forward to an engaged dialog with our customers and the government in Olympia.

Read more...

0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 9:48 AM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Green Economy

Surprise for Homeowners - New State Energy Code Can Cost Them Thousands!

The Washington State Building Code Council recently released the final state energy code to take effect July 1, 2010. This code has far-reaching implications for new home construction, but existing homeowners may be surprised to know that when they repair or replace their heating or cooling system, it could cost them thousands of dollars when they can least afford it. Bel Red is working with other contractors and distributors to try to have the code revised. Your help is critical! Public comment on this issue can be offered at the next public meeting of the State Building Code Council at Shoreline City Hall, June 11, 2010 at 10 am. Comments can also emailed to the Code Council at sbcc@cted.wa.gov. You can also write or call your legislators asking them to have the Code Council review their decision to incude existing homes in the new Energy Code.

Read more...

1 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 3:04 PM - Categories: Cooling | Efficiency | General | Green Economy | Heating

The Smart Grid is Coming - What You Need to Know

The term smart means that the energy grid could detect excess demands or equipment problems, and re-route power from areas with low loads to prevent brown-outs. It would also allow power to be produced or managed from micro-generation sites (businesses or even homes) and have that energy put back into the grid efficiently. All of this requires very sophisticated transmission systems, computerized management systems, and information inputs along the entire generation and distribution system, as well as at each end user. Some pundits thought this would take 20 years to implements, but the beginnings are here now and they are developing rapidly!

Read more...

0 comments - Posted by Bel-Red at 3:32 PM - Categories: Efficiency | General | Green Economy | Products