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Baltimore County Office of Sustainability
The County has created a comprehensive portal that provides residents with
all aspects of green living. Cleaning tips, driving tips, energy saving tips as well as a do-it-yourself home energy audit. There are activities and fact sheets for children. A Green Glossary of commonly used terms associated with sustainability helps residents understand this new green initiative.
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Are you looking for ways to conserve energy and reduce energy costs? BCPL can help.
Bill Payment Assistance Programs
Baltimore County Department of Social Services. Office of Home Energy Programs
Need help in paying for fuel and electricity? This office is the local contact for state home energy assistance programs designed to help low-income citizens pay their heating bills and reduce their energy costs.
Maryland Department of Human Resources. Office of Home Energy Programs
Eligibility, information on how to apply, and downloadable applications in English and Spanish for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) that assists with home heating bills, the Electrical Universal Service Program (EUSP) which assists low-income customers with their electric bills, the Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) that protects low-income families from utility cut-offs, and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) which provides at no cost weather stripping, caulking, plastic window covering, etc. to eligible families.
2-1-1 Maryland at First Call For Help
A free, confidential service that connects callers with services statewide. The service is available 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
If you are having difficulty paying your gas or electric bills, call to work out payment arrangements. Download the Purple Book, which is also available in Spanish, to find out what help is available.
Baltimore County Department of Aging. Senior Information and Assistance
Contact for seniors, their families and caregivers about services, emergency grants, and other benefits.
Community Assistance Network Utility Assistance
Six Baltimore County offices help clients with utility payments to prevent utility cut-offs, to restore terminated services, and to purchase fuel oil and propane. Contact for the Fuel Fund of Baltimore County.
Community Assistance Network Weatherization Assistance Program
Delivers weatherization services to income-qualified residents of Baltimore County to reduce fuel costs.
Utility Bill Assistance - Maryland Office of the People's Counsel [PDF]
Resource guide that gives detailed information about assistance programs for Baltimore County.
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Choosing Your Energy Supplier
Choosing Your Residential Electricity Supplier
The Maryland Office of the People's Counsel provides information to help on deciding who
supplies your electricity.Contact information is given to help with comparing services.
Current Electric Rates and Tariffs - Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
Information on the current residential electric supply rates (the price to compare) and a bill example.
Electricity Supplier Shopping Information
Basic tips on shopping for an electricity supplier from the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Licensed Electricity and Gas Suppliers
A directory of energy suppliers that have met Maryland Public Service Commission and utility requirements to provide service in Maryland.
Utility Company Customer Contact Information - Maryland Public Service Commission
Phone numbers and website links to gas and electric companies
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Consumer Information and Dispute Resolution
Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - U.S. Department of Energy
The Office on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy helps consumers explore options for saving energy and using renewable energy at home and at work.
Do You Have A Dispute? - Maryland Public Service Commission [PDF]
Frequently asked questions about how the Public Service Commission can help you with utility problems
Insulation Fact Sheet - U.S. Department of Energy
Excellent information to read when deciding to insulate your home.
Maryland Energy Administration
Information on financial incentives available to Maryland residents and businesses. Background information on conventional, renewable energy sources as well as heating and cooling energy efficiency options.
Maryland Home Improvement Commission
Site to verify a contractor's license, to ask about complaints filed against a company or to file a complaint.
Maryland Office of the People's Counsel
An independent state agency that represents residential utility customers. Their Customer Assistance Unit provides information to assist in answering or solving problems with electricity, natural gas, telephone and water service.
Ready to File a Complaint Against a Utility? - Maryland Public Service Commission
How to get help and file a complaint about a utility company. Online and downloadable complaint form is available.
Save Money - Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
Do-It-Yourself and energy saving tips for your home and your major appliances.
Utility Bills Higher Than Expected? - Maryland Public Service Commission
Answers to consumers' commonly asked questions when disputing the amount of their electric or gas bill.
United States Department of Energy - Your Home
Tools and information for consumers on saving energy at home and on the road.
Watts it Worth? Energy Saving Tips to Keep Your Energy Costs Down and to Help Protect the Environment [PDF]
A Maryland Office of the Attorney General. Consumer Protection Division Newsletter that offers
no cost and low cost ways to save energy costs.
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Efficiency Ratings
Alliance to Save Energy
Offers consumer tips on saving money through energy efficiency. Includes information on energy efficiency tax credits.
Consumer Information - Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Search database of certified dehumidifiers, room air cleaners and room air conditioners.
Maryland Energy Star Program
A government-backed product labeling program of energy efficient products with store locator.
Performance Certified Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute Directory that allows you to search by HVACR equipment and components by product lines, certified ratings or manufacturer.
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Fuel Efficiency
Saving Money at the Gas Pump
Produced by the Federal Trade Commission, this site offers quick gas-saving tips for different parts of your car, including the tires, the truck, and under the hood.
The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline
If you think that high octane gas is always the best for your car, you need to read this page by the Federal Trade Commission.
"Gas-Saving" Products: Fact or Fuelishness?
Not all gas-saving products are created equal. Get the facts from this Federal Trade Commission page.
Fuel Economy
This government site allows you to look at the fuel efficiency of different cars, read gas mileage tips, learn more about hybrid cars, and understand why fuel economy is important.
AAA Fuel Cost Calculator
If you're traveling somewhere, this site lets you plug in the type of car you have and tells you how much gas you will use on the trip and how much it will cost. The calculator gives you a list of major U.S. cities to choose from, so you may not be able to find the exact city you are in.
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Green Technologies
Building Green
"Find the green building products that you need for your project and see examples of green projects around the world."
Green Building Supply
Green Building Supply features natural and non-toxic building materials -- that are safe, environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Green Home Guide
Before you begin planning for your green home, check out this U.S. Green Building Council site. In addition to building and remodeling guidelines, the site addresses lifestyle issues. It features helpful interactive tools and information to help you find out how green your life is and how to make it greener.
Green Progress
"Green Progress provides the latest news and information on environmental technology and green innovations being developed to protect our environment and our well-being."
Green Schools
From the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, learn how to become
a Green School and view a Green School recipient list.
Maryland Environmental Design Program
"Dedicated to advancing the application of economically sound and environmentally sensitive building and site-design techniques, the Environmental Design Program provides the business community, local governments and interested citizens."
Maryland Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
Find state, local, and utility incentives from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
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Lowering Your Utility Bills
Energy Efficient Homes | DoItYourself.com
This site has lots of of pages on making your home more energy efficient, including sections on evaluating your windows and doors, insulating, and weatherizing.
Home Energy Saver
This Web site, designed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, offers an energy use calculator that can help find the best ways to save energy in your home.
Saving Starts at Home
This guide from the Federal Trade Commission gives energy-saving tips for all areas of your home.
Energy Savers Blog
From the U.S. Department of Energy, this blog provides a place for consumers to learn about and discuss energy efficiency and renewable technologies at home, on the road, and in the workplace.
Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audits
This guide from the U.S. Department of Energy shows you how to conduct your own home energy audit.
Tips for Cutting Your Carbon
Cool Capital has compiled a list of ideas for reducing your energy use at home.
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Editor: cmi
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