RESOURCES
NEW! $35 mail-in rebate for the Chimney Balloon (also know as a Chimney Pillow or Draft Stopper) a removable, reusable and durable device that helps to stop airflow, odor, and debris from flowing through your chimney.
$10 mail-in rebate for ENERGY STAR® windows with a cap of $200 (rebate ends 12/31/09 due to specification changes).
$25 mail-in rebate for ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostats for oil & propane customers (limit two per customer). $100 mail-in rebate for heating system controls (must have energy audit). $100-$400 rebate for oil & propane heating systems. $300 rebate for indirect or on-demand hot water heaters. $300-$500 rebate for central air conditioning heat pump and ductless mini-split systems. Rebate available through an approved contractor. Click here for a contractor list. $500-$1500 rebate for solar hot water heater. Rebate amount depends on number of household members. Pre-approval required. Must replace electric hot water heater. $2,000 rebate for a Freewatt Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. Rebate limited to ten residential customers.
 
The Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative, Inc. was formed to help member towns on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard collectively develop and own renewable energy projects. Our guest for the December 2009 broadcast is Barnstable County Assistant Administrator Maggie Downey, who will explain how and why the Cooperative was developed and review several exciting projects already in the works.
LED Holiday Lights Survey Results
On average, how many watts does a 70 bulb strand of LED Holiday lights save over a comparable string of standard C-6 lights?
Congratulations to 43% of survey respondents who picked 377 watts in electricity savings
Get the facts on the benefits of LED Holiday Lights - 30 times longer operating life than traditional miniature lights
- 90% lower energy consumption per lamp
- In 2007 alone, LED holiday lights saved enough electricity to power 500,000 homes for one year
Source: Department of Energy: Energy Savings Estimates of Light Emitting Diodes in Niche Lighting Applications, Sept 2008
Click here to read more about the benefits of LED Holiday Lights in Slate.
Click here to read about record sales for LED Holiday Lights this season.
TAKE THIS MONTH'S SURVEY
What is the optimal daytime thermostat setting during winter to promote comfort and savings?
72 degrees
68 degrees
74 degrees
65 degrees
Click here to share your answer. Results will be posted in the January 2010 Newsletter.
Upcoming Events
January 14, 2010
Energy Planning for Today and Tomorrow (for architects, engineers, town planners, and other building design professionals)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER
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Cape Light Compact announces a
30% price reduction
on new 2010 electricity rates Underscoring their continuing commitment to affordable energy and customer service, Cape Light Compact and its electricity supplier, ConEdison Solutions, are pleased to announce the Compact’s new basic electricity rates for the first six months of 2010, available to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard residential, small commercial and large industrial customers. Basic service rates for January 2010 through July 2010 meter-read dates: Residential 8.790 cents per kWh Small Commercial 9.260 cents per kWh
Large Industrial 9.019 cents per kWh
The new electricity prices for the first half of 2010 marks the second consecutive rate reduction for Cape Light Compact customers, providing our Cape and Vineyard customers 30% savings over current 2009 rates. As always, the Compact negotiated a comprehensive contract to ensure continual, worry-free service at a fixed price regardless of fluctuating market conditions. “The Compact believes in and supports competitive electric markets and customer choice,” said Bob Mahoney, Chairman of the Cape Light Compact. “Our latest basic service rate reflects how healthy competition, coupled with overall lower market prices for energy, can benefit our ratepayers. Ultimately, Cape Light Compact’s goal remains the same – helping our customers make informed decisions that best serve their financial and personal needs. We continue to offer a stable, comprehensive approach to energy services and remain strongly committed to providing competitive rates for electricity, progressive energy education, advocacy support on the local, state and federal level, and proven savings through our energy efficiency programs.” “We would also like to invite any customers who have left the Compact for other competitive suppliers to come back and take a second look at our excellent new rates and quality services,” added Joseph Soares, Cape Light Compact’s Senior Power Supply Planner. “Choosing Cape Light Compact as your electricity supplier is fast, secure and hassle-free. Just call ConEdison Solutions at  1-800-381-9192. There is never a fee to leave or rejoin our service.” "Businesses and households throughout Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard save money on electricity by leveraging the power of the marketplace," said Robert E. Anderson, Vice President of Retail Commodity Sales for ConEdison Solutions. "In these challenging economic times, ConEdison Solutions knows that lower energy costs can make a significant difference in making ends meet. We are proud to work in partnership with Cape Light Compact to help manage energy costs throughout the region." Cape Light Compact MYTHBUSTERS
Understand Your Electric Rate:
How Cape Light Compact and other energy suppliers arrive at their price Timing of the electricity purchase is an integral component of Cape Light Compact’s price. The point at which power supply is purchased to serve load for a contracted term reflects the price passed on to consumers. This is true for Cape Light Compact as well as other companies procuring power supply for the consumer market. The timing of electricity purchase also explains why the Compact’s price can either be higher or lower than other offers currently available in the market. The Cape Light Compact’s 2010 electricity prices decreased because the market price for fossil fuels, used to power the generators that produce electricity, remained significantly lower than in 2008 and most of 2009. The Compact’s current electricity prices reflect energy purchases that were made for calendar year 2010 during the latter part of 2009, when market prices had dropped dramatically from the highs seen in mid-2008.
 Stay Warm and Save on your Winter Heating Costs
Heating your home in the winter can account for almost half of your energy expenses. Cape Light Compact offers a FREE home energy assessment that will pinpoint energy loss and offer solutions to increase efficiency and maximize savings. To set up a home energy audit call 1-800-797-6699.
In the meantime, you can implement many improvements on your own that will result in instant savings on heating costs.- Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable – 68 degrees or lower during the day and 55 degrees at night or when leaving your home for work or other extended periods of time. You can save up to 5% off your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat. To counteract a chill, wear warm clothing like sweaters and woolen socks and use extra blankets on the bed.
- Install an Energy Star® programmable thermostat and follow the setting guidelines at www.energystar.gov. You can save an average of $180 annually on your energy bills by maintaining the proper setting. Cape Light Compact offers a $25 mail-in rebate for ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostats for oil and propane customers (limit two per customer). Natural gas customers can find a similar rebate application from GasNetworks at www.gasnetworks.com.
- Schedule a yearly inspection of your heating system to make sure it is in proper working order. Replace furnace filters every month to help your heating system run at its most efficient level during the winter season.
- Reverse your ceiling fan to run counter-clockwise to re-circulate warmer air that naturally rises to the ceiling.
- Promote maximum flow of furnace-heated air by moving furniture and draperies away from radiators, heating vents, and registers, while keeping them clean from dust and dirt. Check to be sure that your heating vents are open.
- If you have a seasonal home on the Cape or leave for an extended period of time, be sure that the fan function on your thermostat is turned to the “AUTO” setting before you leave town. You will save $50 to $60 a month on your electric bill.
- Harness the warming power of the sun by opening drapes on south facing windows. Closing window coverings at night also insulates against drafts.
- Remove mesh window screens in the winter allows up to 25% more solar heat into your home.
- Lock your window. Not only a safety measure, a locked window fits more snugly in its casement and reduces air leaks.
- If you have single-pane windows, add storm windows to cut heat loss by up to 50%.
- Eliminate air leaks and cut up to 10% from your energy bill. Cape Light Compact will install free weather-stripping, when applicable, as part of your energy assessment. Common places to find escaping air are floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, plumbing penetrations, doors, windows, fans, vents, and electrical outlets.
- Use old towels and blankets at the base of your doors and on window sills to block drafts and prevent warm air from escaping.
- Shut the damper in your fireplace. An open damper draws about 8% of the warm air in your house up the chimney.
- Spend more time in public spaces that provide ample warmth, light, security, and even entertainment like senior centers, libraries, museums or malls.
HAVE A SAFE, WARM AND WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON AND AN ENERGY EFFICENT NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT
CAPE LIGHT COMPACT! |
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