Home Energy Blueprint Contest

Consumers across the country were encouraged to write in explaining why they thought their home should deserve to win—in other words, why it was wasting so much energy.  The 10 most convincing entries—two each from five regions around the country: the West, South Central, North Central, Southeast and Northeast—were declared winners.

Each winning homeowner received an audit of their home’s actual energy use.  Based upon the findings of that audit, the owners received a series of energy-efficient product upgrades—ranging from ENERGY STAR® qualified Whirlpool appliances to insulation, weatherstripping and other materials from Lowe’s.

In October 2006, all appliances and materials were in place in time for the Department of Energy and EPA's Energy Awareness Month, beginning October 1.  EEI and the other collaborating organizations returned to the winners' homes in October 2007 to analyze energy, water, and cost savings.

• Visit the Home Energy Blueprint contest Web site to learn more about the findings.

Electric Utilities Help All Consumers Save Energy

EEI and its member electric utility companies know that energy-efficient practices and products are key to help offsetting the nation’s rising energy costs.  The nation’s electric utility companies are encouraging all consumers to become "winners" by visiting their local utility's Web site to learn do-it-yourself tips to lowering electric usage, such as cleaning or replacing air conditioner filters, and using a programmable thermostat to maintain household temperatures throughout the day.  Many utilities also are offering programs such as online energy audits to help consumers learn what energy improvements their home needs right from their own desktop computer.

• Learn how electric utility programs can help you save energy.

EEI Members, for more information:

• Contact Keith Voight, EEI Manager of Publicity and Promotion, 202-508-5683, or kvoight@eei.org. 

© 2008 Edison Electric Institute