Tag Archive: energy efficiency
Energy Action Month 2021 – Balloons Soar, Your Utility Bills Shouldn’t
What do hot air balloons and incandescent bulbs have in common? They are similar in shape and both produce/use heat. According to Wikipedia, “a hot-air balloon is a lighter-than-air aircraft consisting of a
Environmental and Economic Advantages of Switching to an Electric Heat Pump
As Montgomery County seeks to cut its greenhouse gas emissions drastically over the next decade, homeowners may be wondering what significant actions they can take to contribute towards the county’s
Commercial Solar Market Survey
We, the Department of Environmental Protection for Montgomery County, envision a County where under-utilized commercial space is filled with solar. We see parking lots covered with solar canopies, turning a hot, barren parking lot,
How to Beat the Maryland Summer Heat – 5 Tips for Cooler Living
This article was first posted on April 13, 2021 on the Hometrust Remodeling blog written by Eric Gans – Certified Home Energy Auditor, Building Analyst, Envelope Professional, Blogger, Dog Lover,
Don’t Pay Sales Tax on President’s Day Weekend
Every President’s Day weekend, shoppers across Montgomery County can participate in the state’s Shop Maryland Energy Tax Free Weekend which gives residents a break on the six percent sales tax for
Washington Gas is Offering an Extra 15% on High-Efficiency Natural Gas Equipment Now Until December 2020
Now, more than ever, Washington Gas is here to help with your energy savings needs. Replacing your natural gas equipment with new high-efficiency equipment is one of the best ways
County’s Streetlight Conversion Yields Financial Savings and Reduces GHG Emissions
By Julia Henderson, Climate Intern Interview with Dan Sanayi, Traffic Engineering Design and Operations, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, July 20, 2020. Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) recently
Energy BINGO
This Earth Month, we are excited to host Online Energy BINGO, and we have awesome prizes to give away! To be eligible, you must either tag us on Social Media
Energy Tips for Teleworking
During these unprecedented times, many of us are now working from home – and usually with kids in tow which means that we are using more electricity and water every
Announcing: Clean Energy Advantage from Montgomery County Green Bank
The Montgomery County Green Bank has launched its energy efficiency and renewable energy program called the Clean Energy Advantage (CEA) Residential Financing Program. The Green Bank has partnered with Clean
Where do CFLs go?
Throughout this past summer and fall, DEP’s Residential Energy Program Manager, Larissa Johnson, has been collecting old incandescent and compact florescent (CFL) light bulbs to ensure that Montgomery County residents
What is Montgomery Energy Connection?
For the last few years, the Department of Environmental Protection has been working with Health and Human Services and other community partners to launch Montgomery Energy Connection. Montgomery Energy Connection
Winter is Coming: Prepare your building with this checklist
In commercial buildings, an ounce of foresight is often worth several thousand dollars worth of regret. As the weather gets colder, Aquicore reminds us of the most important tasks to
Check out the Energy Roadshow!
The Energy Roadshow is your one stop event for all things energy related in the County. It is an open house setting and residents will be encouraged to come and
First Summer of P.O.W.E.R.
This year, we piloted a program called P.O.W.E.R. which was an acronym for Peer Outreach With Energy Resources. The program was created as a partnership between Audubon Naturalist Society and
6 Sizzling Tips for Summer Energy Savings
Summer is well underway. So you may already be “in the soup” of sticky, humid days and bracing yourself for unpredictable cooling costs. But don’t worry—energy efficiency has got your
BLAST OFF on the Energy Express this Summer!
We are excited to be celebrating our third year of visiting Montgomery County Public Libraries during their Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “A Universe of Stories” and the
A High School Student Compelled to Take Action on Climate
Through the P.O.W.E.R. Program (Peer Outreach with Energy Resources), a partnership of Audubon Naturalist Society and the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Montgomery County students help residents learn about
Bringing Happy, Healthy Homes to Residents in Properties Developed by MHP
This summer, Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) is collaborating with Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on a project called “Happy, Healthy Homes.” In partnership with Larissa Johnson, Residential Energy
One MCPS Principal Shares Her Energy Saving Story!
Quick Home Energy Checkups (QHEC) are easy, free and can help save money on energy costs. But what exactly does it take to schedule and complete one? To help give
Thermal Cameras Arrive at a Library Near You
Interested in seeing exactly where your house is losing energy but don’t want to buy an expensive thermal imaging device? Don’t fret – your local library will now have cameras
Brews and Bulbs
What is Brews and Bulbs In 2019, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Energy Programs partnered with local breweries. These events showed residents how to reduce their energy bills, switch
Scheduling a QHEC in Potomac Edison
Did you know that there are three utility suppliers who provide electricity to residents in Montgomery County? Your utility is determined by where you live. If you live in
DEP Travel Diaries: Energized in Costa Rica
In January 2019, our Residential Energy Program Manager, Larissa Johnson spent 15 days in Costa Rica, a country that (while she was there) was running on 100% Renewable Energy! Find
Energy and partnerships…what’s the connection?
This blog post was written by DEP’s Residential Energy Program Manager, Larissa Johnson, and originally appeared on the BOOST Breakfast Club blog. There’s something you need to know about me,
Energizing Student Potential through partnerships
Pepco and the Exelon Foundation, in partnership with the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, and Montgomery County Public Schools are in the second year of implementing Energizing Student Potential
Community Solar is now available for Marylanders
Montgomery County residents finally have the chance to take part in the new Maryland community solar program and be part of the newest, most innovative solar industry development. Community solar
Takoma Park’s Gina Mathias is always up for a challenge
At DEP, we truly believe that our partners are key to making Montgomery County as green as it can be. This “Partners in Energy” series profiles a local leader, advocate,
How to decrease your home’s carbon footprint
Home buyers and owners from coast to coast have zeroed in on cost and energy-saving features in an effort to boost sustainability and make homes more efficient and cost effective. There are
Habitat for Humanity repairs and weatherizes homes
Traditionally, Habitat for Humanity is known as an organization where you can volunteer to raise walls and drive nails, and serve alongside your community members in order to build new
County Advisory Committee member takes energy savings very seriously, especially in her own home
At DEP, we truly believe that our partners are key to making Montgomery County as green as it can be. This “Partners in Energy” series profiles a local leader, advocate,
There’s a way to make your home more energy efficient…for free!
Did you know that there’s an organization in Montgomery County that offers safe and healthy home repairs at no cost to the recipient? There is and the organization is called
Rockville Teens become part of the NOAA Climate Stewards Community this Summer: Part Two
This year, the Residential Energy Program Manager, Larissa Johnson, became part of the NOAA Climate Stewards Community. As part of the community, she had to develop a climate stewardship action
Rockville Teens become part of the NOAA Climate Stewards Community this Summer: Part One
This year, the Residential Energy Program Manager, Larissa Johnson, became part of the NOAA Climate Stewards Community. As part of the community, she had to develop a climate stewardship action
Energy and net-zero projects at United Therapeutics in Silver Spring
In 1994, Dr. Martine Rothblatt’s young daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare and progressive lung disorder that affects 15 to 50 of every million people. Since
Getting on the “Energy Express” with Montgomery County Public Libraries this summer
This summer, DEP is partnering with Montgomery County Libraries to help kids “Build a Better World/Construye un Mundo Mejor.” Every summer there is a different theme for the summer reading
I’ve benchmarked my building… Now what?
As the summer rolls on, you may find yourself wondering what to do with the commercial building benchmarking data you reported to DEP earlier this month. If you’re not familiar
One family’s story of making home renovations more energy efficient
Our family moved from central Pennsylvania to Montgomery County in 1998. Like many relocating families, our first priorities were access to work and schools, not energy efficiency. Our new house
County’s first C-PACE project celebrates with “green” ribbon-cutting ceremony
An innovative financing program opened the door for a Montgomery County business to make energy-efficient building improvements that will help increase its energy savings by about 30% per year. By
Let There Be Light: Bulb exchanges are taking place throughout the County
This spring, the County’s Residential Energy Program has partnered with local congregations for the Let There Be Light, Bulb Exchange. This is a collaborative effort between Pepco, Potomac Edison, DEP, and
Recap of the 4th Annual Montgomery County Energy Summit
On Wednesday, April 5th, 240 attendees convened for the fourth annual Montgomery County Energy Summit. The Energy Summit is an annual, must-attend event for County building owners, property managers, energy
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and DEP receive joint BUBBA Award for innovation!
First, what exactly is a “BUBBA Award”? BUBBA is an abbreviation for Best Urban Best Management Practices in the Bay. Administered by the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, these annual awards recognize
For renters, sustainability can be simple too
With so many sustainability programs targeted towards property owners and homeowners, it often seem that renters get left out. Renters are just as “green” as owners and, more often than not,
For Rockville’s Erica Shingara, being green is a team sport
At DEP, we truly believe that our partners are key to making Montgomery County as green as it can be. This “Partners in Energy” series profiles a local leader, advocate,
Garden-style condo communities have a lot of room for green
Big sustainability measures need not be the sole domain of high rise buildings. A garden-style condo community in Silver Spring is proof. Vicki Vergagni didn’t know much about trees when
CivicPACE: Cutting Energy Costs for Community-Based Facilities
Montgomery County’s community-based institutions deliver critical mission-driven programs and services to local residents, from providing affordable housing for the homeless, educating our youth in public charter schools, or ministering to
In Silver Spring, Tower thinks long term on sustainability
Energy and water savings are high priorities for this multi-use area of Downtown Silver Spring.
Another successful Montgomery County Energy Summit on the books
This annual event, focused on commercial energy efficiency, had the greatest attendance to date. On Tuesday, April 5th, 187 attendees convened for the third annual Montgomery County Energy Summit. Hosted
