Accent Energy Helps Central Ohio Families Reduce Utility Bills

Accent Energy helped disadvantaged Central Ohio families by donating 970 Conservation Kits to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, which then redistributed to families in need to help reduce their utility bills. The kits contain three compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), a night light and insulating outlet covers. CFLs use up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

The nightlights are a great addition considering families can use the low-energy option to light entryways and other areas of the home at night without leaving wasteful incandescent lights running. The combination of items in these conservation kits could add up to noticeable annual savings on the electricity bill. More importantly, low-income families are often faced with the choice between paying the electricity bill or putting food on the table, so these kits and the money saved on utilities is a much-need commodity in tough times.

Texas PUC Approves $5 Billion in New Transmission Lines for West Texas Wind

The Public Utilities Commission of Texas approved last week $5 billion for the construction of new transmission lines to help carry wind energy from West Texas to other areas of the state. Texas is already the nation's top producer of wind energy with two of the world's largest wind farms residing in the Lone Star state.

Further development of wind technology in Texas depends on the capabilities of transmitting the alternative energy over great distances. 13 companies will apply through the PUC to begin construction on new transmission lines, marking an important step in generating more power from alternative sources. Updating the transmission capabilities will merit additional generation, which could eventually serve as a model for other states. The the San Angelo Standard-Times has more details on the process awaiting the companies aiming to build additional transmission lines.

Carbon Dioxide Dangers

Recent winter storms have left many across the country without power and looking for alternative sources of heat to stay warm. Unfortunately, this has led to an increase in reports of carbon monoxide poisoning. The National Center for Environmental Health suggests the following guidelines for staying safe:

• Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your home or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall for daylight savings time. If the detector sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911.
• Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement or garage or near a window.
• Don’t run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open.
• Don’t burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t properly vented.
• Don’t heat your house with a gas oven.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Early symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Carbon monoxide poisoning is treatable.

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning, check out the CDC's Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Program.

Green Mountain Energy and Standard Renewable Energy Give Green

Earlier this week Green Mountain Energy and Standard Renewable Energy (SRE) donated and funded solar panels to Workshop Houston, non-profit organization that provides after school programs to Houston children.

The donated solar panels will offset approximately 5,900 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year, the equivalent of planting 354 trees or not driving 6,554 miles annually. Green Mountain Energy and SRE sure know how to give a green gift back to a community!

Seth Capron, co-founder of Workshop Houston said, "The solar array will help us save money on our electricity costs, reduce our carbon footprint and promote renewable energy in the surrounding community. This is an exciting example of Houston businesses and the community teaming up to make our community and environment better."

This marks the fourth solar energy project that Green Mountain Energy and SRE have done together under the Big Texas Sun Club program. This unique program allows Green Mountain Energy customers to donate $5 on their monthly bill to go towards solar energy installation projects.

Get the Average Utility Costs for December

The December data has been updated at the WhiteFence Index, our handy little tool that shows the average utility costs among 20+ of the top U.S. cities. You can compare phone, high-speed Internet, cable TV, electricity and natural gas prices in cities like New York, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and more.

The index also allows you to compare by city or by service, giving a ton of options to dig down and see what our neighbors are paying for home services.

New Wind Farm in Texas

Looks like Texas has a new wind farm that's complete and ready to go. Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. has just completed at $350 million wind farm, called the Hackberry Wind Project, in Shackelford County, Texas.

The wind farm consists of 72 Siemens wind turbines, which produce 166 megawatts of clean wind energy, enough electricity to power 39,000 average Texas homes. Austin Energy, the electric utility company serving Austin, Texas, will purchase the power produced by the wind farm, as they plans to power the city with 30 percent renewable energy by 2020.

Getting a New HDTV for the New Year

So you've decided to get a new HDTV. Well good for you! Did Santa leave you some money? Perhaps you're going with the saying, out with the old and in with the new? Either way it's time to go shopping.

When I was in the market for an HDTV, I found this cool site with lots of information, everything from understand high-definition to buying an HDTV to optimizing your HDTV. Pop on over to HDTV World: CNET's Guide to HDTV before you invest in a new TV.

Eco-Friendly New Year's Resolutions

I don't know about you guys but I really need to be more green. I mean sure, I take advantage of my neighborhood curb recycling program but I know there's more I can do. So for my New Year's resolution I'm making a list of all the things I can do to be more Eco-friendly in 2009.

Being green for the new year. Here are my ideas:

• Stop buying bottled water and use a water filter syster that attaches to my faucet.
• Look into using clean energy for my home.
• Purchase some renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset my carbon footprint.
• Start using a power strip for my electronics so I can turn the power switch off and avoid wasting energy.
• Buy cotton grocery bags so I can reuse them instead of the paper or plastic bags at the market.
• Learn to ride the bus or carpool to work at least 3 days a week.

Do you guys have any other green ideas I can incoorporate into my 2009 plan? Please leave me a comment.

Happy Holidays from WhiteFence

Everyone here at WhiteFence wants to wish our loyal readers a very Happy Holiday season!

We hope your:

• Table is filled with yummy food and desserts. Mmmm turkey and stuffing, or tofurky if you're veggie and pumpkin pie, no wait, apple pie, or any pie you like.
• Holidays are filled with friends and family. The more the merrier!
• House is warm and cozy with the power of natural gas.
• Holiday lights are nice and bright and humming with electricity.
• Home phone is connected so you're able to contact friends and family that are far and near.
• TV services like cable or satellite are working perfectly so you can enjoy your favorite holiday shows.
• Pocket book isn't empty from buying presents. But if you spent too much, just click on over to WhiteFence and enter in your address to shop and compare rates to find a lower rate on your home phone, Internet, utilities and more and begin saving money in the new year!

More Holiday Cents Saving Tips From TXU

In addition to providing great holiday lighting tips, electricity provider TXU also has the dish on creating a tasty holiday feast without busting your energy budget!

• Cook outdoors—If you live where the climate is mild enough to use an outdoor grill, cooking outside is a great way to save electricity and natural gas.
• Choose glass or ceramic pans for the oven—Glass or ceramic pans heat faster than metal pans and allow you to set the temperature 25 degrees lower. Plus, meals will cook just as quickly.
  
• Use microwaves as much as possible—Microwave ovens use much less electricity than a stove or oven and take less time to cook meals.
  
• Use slow cookers—Slow cookers can cook a whole meal for about 17 cents worth of electricity!
  
• Clean burners and reflectors—Clean burners and reflectors will provide better heating, while saving energy

These are just a few of the simple things you can do to conserve. What sort of things are you and your family doing to save energy this holiday season?