Change a Light, Change the World Campaign

How many light bulbs does it take to change the world? Only one, but it has to be the right kind. Energy Star bulbs use about 75% less energy than standard bulbs and last six to ten times longer. The focal point of this campaign is an ENERGY STAR pledge to replace at least one standard light bulb in your home with a qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR approved CFL bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars. As of December 2007, more than 1 million U.S. residents have pledged to change more than 2.6 million light bulbs to more efficient versions-an effort that will save nearly $70 million in energy costs and prevent 1 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Take the Pledge!

Texas Electric Service
Low-Income Assistance
Business Energy Savings
Professional Energy Raters
Energy Efficient Mortgages
Home Energy Savings - Why Not Do it Yourself?
Transportation Energy Savings

Professional Energy Raters

If you want to improve the efficiency of your home, especially if you have high energy bills or your home is uncomfortable, consider contacting a professional to conduct a home energy audit. Your first step should be to contact your electricity provider to see if they offer free or discounted energy audits to their customers. If not, you can hire a home energy professional, such as a certified Home Energy Rater, to evaluate your home's energy efficiency. Many home energy raters work with small businesses as well.

What to Look for in a Professional Home Energy Auditor
This U. S. Department of Energy web site gives tips on what to look for in a home energy auditor. Professional energy audits generally go into great detail. The energy auditor should do a room-by-room examination of the residence, as well as a thorough examination of past utility bills. Before contracting with an energy auditing company, it is suggested that you take the following steps:

1. Get several references, and contact them all. Ask if they were satisfied with the work.
2. Call the Better Business Bureau and ask about any complaints against the company.
3. Make sure the energy auditor uses a calibrated blower door.
4. Make sure they do thermographic inspections or contract another company to conduct one.

Find a Home Energy Rater in Texas
This ENERGY STAR database lists home energy raters who have qualified at least one ENERGY STAR new home in the last 12 months. Many home energy raters work with small businesses as well.

Texas HERO
The Texas Home Energy Raters Organization (HERO) is a not-for-profit professional organization that promotes the benefits of energy conservation initiatives and monetary incentives to homeowners, homebuilders and businesses. Texas HERO consists of independent energy management professionals located throughout Texas. Many home energy raters work with small businesses as well.

RESNET Home Energy Ratings
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) sets the standards for raters, rater trainers and energy auditing software that are used in the housing industry. A rating is required to qualify the home for an energy-efficient mortgage and for a home to be labeled as ENERGY STAR®. RESNET can help you find a rater near you. RESNET is a national network of mortgage companies, real estate brokerages, builders, appraisers, utilities and housing and energy professionals whose mission is to improve the energy efficiency of the nation's housing and to qualify more families for home ownership by expanding the national availability of mortgage financing options and home energy ratings.

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Electric Service in Texas

On January 1, 2002, Texas opened its electric system to retail competition. The electric industry was restructured and partially deregulated to provide customers choices in many markets. On that date, investor-owned electric utilities (IOUs) officially began to compete for electric customers. The new law also stated that public power entities (electric cooperatives and city-owned utilities) may decide with their members and citizens whether their customers will have a choice of retail electric providers. Customers should contact their electric cooperative or city utility for more information.

Electric Service in Texas
This Public Utility Commission of Texas web site offers resources to help you better understand your electric service.

Texas Electric Choice
Enter your zip code to find an electric provider in your area. This is a Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) web site where customers can choose the retail electric provider that meets their own requirements. Some electric providers offer lower rates, wind or solar power, or the promise of better customer service. At this site customers can shop and compare. Also see the Power Guide to Electric Choice - How it Works.

Energy Efficiency Assistance for Customers of Investor-Owned Utilities
Texas law requires investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to give their customers the opportunity to implement energy efficiency measures in their homes and/or business for lower utility bills. This is achieved by providing incentives to energy service companies and other providers of energy efficiency services to offset a portion of the up-front cost associated with energy efficiency measures. The web site provides links to these Texas IOUs: AEP, CenterPoint, Entergy, TXU, TNM, Xcel, El Paso.

Electricity Market Competition in Texas
This web site makes use of a Power Scorecard, which is a rating mechanism that assesses the environmental impact of different types of electric generation offered in the new retail competitive market.

Can I Buy Green Power in Texas?
This U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) web site lists organizations that offer green power in Texas. The information includes utility green pricing programs, retail green power products offered in competitive electricity markets, and renewable energy certificate (REC) products sold separately from electricity. Included are Green Mountain Energy Company, CPS Energy (San Antonio), Austin Energy Green Choice, El Paso Electric, TXU Energy, Reliant Energy, First Choice Power, and Gexa Energy.

Residential Electricity Prices: A Consumers Guide
A DOE publication designed to give further understanding of the consumer's monthly electric bill as well as the history of retail electricity prices, and the basics of how electricity is produced and delivered to the average residential customer.

How Clean is the Electricity You Use?
In the United States, electricity is generated in many different ways, with a wide variation in environmental impact. Traditional methods of electricity production contribute to air quality problems and the risk of global climate change. With the advent of electric customer choice, many electricity customers can now choose the source of their electricity. At this U. S. Environmental Protection Agency web site, you can use the Power Profiler to generate a report about your own electricity use.

Making Your Own Clean Electricity
A DOE web site. Generating electricity using your own small renewable energy system fits the circumstances and values of some home and small-business owners. Although it takes time and money to research, buy, and maintain a system, many people enjoy the independence they gain and the knowledge that their actions are helping the environment. renewable energy system can be used to supply some or all of your electricity needs. Some people, especially those in remote areas, use the electricity from their systems in place of electricity supplied to them by power providers (i.e. electric utilities). These are called stand-alone (off-grid) systems.

Guide to Electric Power in Texas
This is the third edition of Guide to Electric Power in Texas, published in 2003 by the Houston Advanced Research Center and the Institute for Energy, Law & Enterprise at the University of Houston Law Center.

How is my electricity generated, delivered, and priced?
This is a DOE Energy Information Administration web site.

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Business Energy Savings

Small Business Energy Savings
An ENERGY STAR web site with energy savings information for small facilities. This web site includes a small business hotline support page to provide technical support to questions regarding the ENERGY STAR program, and to inquiries that will help small businesses and congregations improve the energy efficiency of their facilities. Many of the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Raters in Texas work with small businesses as well. If you are looking for the services of an engineer, this Engineer Registry lists Texas engineers who have performed verifications for buildings that have qualified for the ENERGY STAR label.

ENERGY STAR Building and Facilities Services
This ENERGY STAR web site includes a service and product provider directory, and if you are looking for the services of an engineer, this engineer registry lists Texas engineers who have performed verifications for buildings that have qualified for the ENERGY STAR® label.

Texas Industries of the Future
Are you a small to medium-sized manufacturer, concerned about energy costs? Texas Industries of the Future at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University has developed a step-by-step assessment manual that will assist you to identify and screen potential projects at your plant. The manual comes with a calculator which allows you to estimate energy, cost and emissions reductions from potential projects at your plant, based on data you input. The 16 projects included in the manual and calculator cover compressed air, combustion and steam, motors, lighting, and chiller projects.

Home Office Tips: Lower Your Operating Costs

Renewable Energy Vendors & Services
SECO does not link directly to vendors, but you can visit the Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association web site and select the Search Our Members tab. There you can search by the type of renewable energy that interests you. You can also find vendor contact information on the Texas Solar Energy Society web site and select the Find Vendors link for their database of vendors who provide products or services related to renewable energy. Of course, when talking with a vendor, always be sure to ask for references.

ENERGY STAR
Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy efficient solutions - helping to save money while protecting the environment for future generations. Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy that identifies energy efficient products. Energy Star programs and products help save the environment and save consumers money by using less energy through advanced design or construction.

Energy Savers
This U. S. government site offers energy-saving solutions for homeowners, contractors, builders, building managers, realtors and state agencies.

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Low-Income Assistance

Low-Income Assistance Programs
A Public Utility Commission of Texas web site.

TDHCA Weatherization and Low-Income Energy Programs
A Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs web page with guidelines for eligibility for energy assistance programs, weatherization and utility bill assistance. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and weatherization programs are available in each Texas county. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income Texans, particularly the elderly and persons with special needs control energy costs to ensure a healthy and safe living environment. The WAP funds the installation of weatherization materials and provides energy conservation education. See the Service Provider list sorted by provider or sorted by county to Locate the local WAP service provider nearest you.

NOTE: How to contact the LIHEAP director in Texas
To inquire about Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program ( LIHEAP) assistance, the general public should use the public inquiry telephone number if available for their State. That number may provide the public with information about the State's program much quicker than the LIHEAP agency number. Further information about a State's LIHEAP program can be obtained from State LIHEAP web sites where available.

Texas LIHEAP Assistance
Ms. Amy Oehler, Program Manager
Energy Assistance Section, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs P.O. Box 13941 Austin, Texas 78711-3941
(512) 475-3864; FAX: (512) 475-3935
E-mail: amy.oehler@tdhca.state.tx.us
Web site: ww.tdhca.state.tx.us/ea.htm
Public Inquiries: 1-877-399-8939
Lite Up Texas: 1-866-454-8387
Public Utility Commission Complaints: 1-888-782-8477.

DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program

DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program
The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. It is this country's longest running, and perhaps most successful energy efficiency program. During the last 30 years, the U.S. Department of Energy 's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program has provided weatherization services to more than 5.5 million low-income families. On average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 31% and overall energy bills by $358 per year at current prices.

Home Energy Savings - Why Not Do It Yourself?

If an energy expert's services are out of your price range, there is still a lot that you can do on your own that will significantly decrease your electric utility bill. Each small improvement adds up! Reduce your energy consumption by taking a whole-building approach. View your home as an energy system with interrelated parts, working together to contribute to the efficiency of the overall energy system. From the insulation in your home's walls to energy saving light bulbs and energy efficient appliances, there are many ways you can save money on your electric bills. The following links and resources offer hands-on tips on how you can make improvement that will save on energy costs and create a more comfortable home environment. Most energy professionals begin with these steps.

Consumer's Guide: Elements of an Energy-Efficient House
A U.S. Department of Energy consumer's guide with tips and guidelines on how to use the energy in your home more efficiently as well as ideas on how to use renewable energy to provide your home with electricity, heating, cooling, and water heating. The information covers apartments, appliances and electronics, design and remodeling, electricity, energy audits, insulation and air sealing, lighting and daylighting, space heating and cooling systems, water heating, and energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights.

Do Your Part for Conservation
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality offers this public education campaign to remind individual Texans that everyone has a role in environmental protection. As part of the "Take Care of Texas" initiative, the agency offers 25 tips on pollution prevention and energy-saving measures.

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit
This DOE web site gives tips on locating air leaks, insulating, heating/cooling equipment, lighting, and insulating underneath the house.

Home Energy Saver
The Home Energy Saver is an Internet-based tool that calculates energy use and savings opportunities based on a detailed description of the home as provided by the user. The Energy Saver is sponsored by DOE as part of the national ENERGY STAR Program for improving energy efficiency in homes.

Power$mart
This Alliance to Save Energy web site offers a free consumer booklet, that shows how saving energy is fun, easy, and effective. Order up to 10 free copies.

Energy Hog
Originally aimed at children with its over-the-top spokesvillian and Energy Hog-busting computer games, the Energy Hog campaign is now also reaching out to adults who want to save energy and money.

ENERGY STAR
When shopping for appliances, look for the Energy Star® label. Energy Star® appliances have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy as being the most energy-efficient products in their classes. Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy efficient solutions - helping to save money while protecting the environment for future generations. Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy that identifies energy efficient products. Energy Star programs and products help save the environment and save consumers money by using less energy through advanced design or construction.

Home Energy Efficiency Guide
HomeTome provides comprehensive web resources to all aspects of energy efficient homes and home energy conservation.

How to Make Home Energy Savings
This web site offers numerous energy-saving tips.

Energy Savers
This U. S. government site offers energy-saving solutions for homeowners, contractors, builders, building managers, realtors and state agencies.

The Power Is in Your Hands
This web site offers consumer tips and resources to bring down energy bills. The information is provided by 23 companies, government agencies, trade associations, and organizations.

Insulation, Air Sealing and Ventilation
This is a list of links to information that can help reduce your home's heating and cooling costs through proper insulation and air sealing techniques.

Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration
This is a list of links to information that can help reduce your home's air conditioning, heating and refrigeration costs.

Energy Efficient Lighting
These links will help you to save energy through efficient lighting techniques.

The Green Home: Sensible Home Buying in Central Texas
A City of Austin Green Builder Program article.

Energyhawk
A multitude of tips for lighting, heating, air conditioning, construction and remodeling, appliances, office equipment, water heaters, alternative energy, fuel economy and more. The Energyhawk depends on the contributions of thousands of individuals publishing information about energy conservation and new energy technologies.

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Transportation Energy Savings

2008 & 2009 Fuel Economy Guide

Driving and Car Maintenance
This U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) web site offers tips on improving gas mileage and car maintenance.

SECO Carpooling
Welcome to the SECO Carpooling database. This database will allow you to look for other Austin area State Employees that are interested in sharing a ride to and from work. There are options for:

- daily carpooling,
- scheduled part-time carpooling (one day or a few days each week),
- locating a person willing to provide you an occasional ride, and
- indicate that you are willing to provide an occasional ride to others.

Gas Saving Road Trip Tips
This is a CNN Money article with tips on how to take your family's summer trip and still have some money left when you get there.

All-Electric Vehicle Incentives for Austin Energy Electric Customers
This is a Central Texas Clean Cities and Austin Energy website. Applicants may receive the following incentives: $500 for all-electric cars, $250 for all-electric scooters, $150 for all-electric motorcycles and select scooters, and $100 for all-electric bicycles. Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Current incentive valid for the life of program (April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010) or until program funds are expended, whichever occurs first. Incentive application must be submitted within sixty (60) days of vehicle purchase.

The Drive Smarter Challenge
How you drive and maintain your vehicle can either increase or decrease your vehicle's fuel efficiency and your gas costs. Consider these simple tips that can add up to savings worth weeks of groceries or other needs for you and your family. Why pay more at the pump than you have to?

Fueleconomy.gov
This DOE/EPA web site helps consumers make informed fuel economy choices when purchasing a vehicle and helps them achieve the best fuel economy possible from the cars they own.


Alternative Fuels Station Locator
This DOE web site provides information and maps to all the AFV fueling stations across the country. It also helps you identify point-to-point routes based on fueling availability.

Alternative Fuels Data Center
This web site has more than 3,000 documents in its database, an interactive fuel station mapping system and current listings of available alternative fuel vehicles.

Alternative Fuel Route Mapper
This DOE mapper can map a route between a start and end point of your choice showing alternative fuel stations along the entire route and displays driving directions for the route.

Green Vehicle Guide
An EPA web site that provides browsers with a guide to locate the cleanest running and most fuel efficient vehicle that meets their needs. Cars and trucks are sorted by air pollution score. Information includes vehicle specs, sales area, air pollution score, fuel economy and greenhouse gas score.

Fuel Efficiency
This HowStuffWorks web page explains how a car's speed affects fuel efficiency, and includes a table of gas mileage versus speed for various sizes of cars.

The Low-Down on High-Octane Gasoline
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published this fact sheet in cooperation with Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

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