Planting Carroll Creek with 1,000 plants to mitigate algae growth in lieu of algaecides or expensive power hungry pump systems has been under way for two years. Join us at Color on the creek.com

Great new website!

When living in a home owners association not all green ideas are allowed. I focused on things that I could do to improve my townhouse. I have installed new .055" vinyl siding with a rain drop system and 2" fit insulation behind the vinyl siding. The builders had nothing but junk vinyl siding attached to the exterior particle board. I then replaced the steel entry door with an energy star fiberglass entry door. I then had new energy star vinyl windows installed including slider for the entire house. The soffit was replaced with vinyl soffit along with new gutter for the house. Next project with replacing the 20 year old roof with new CertainTeed Landmark Pro shingles as part of the roofing system. The roofing system included the starter, WinterGuard, DiamondDeck and ShingleVent II hip and ridge. The projects continued and then I put 15"-18" of blown insulation in the attic with a solar panel to run an attic fan. All the appliances were upgraded to Energy Star including the HVAC. All the lighting in the house was changed to CFL lighting over time. When this was done the power company actually called and requested and inspection of the property due to the savings within one year. They could not believe the amount of savings that occurred within the first year. So it does take some money and time to correct inadequate builders materials. In the big picture the power companies will adjust the pricing to keep up with all the new materials being used to conserve energy. Just set small project goals and knock them out one at a time.

It's great that Potomac Edison bills are down to about $35 since installing solar panels, down from over $100 before solar. Our insulation upgrade has been worth doing. both for comfort and energy savings. However, we did not receive the rebate from Potomac Edison for insulation and sealing retrofits in over a year since we applied, and nothing from the Maryland Energy Administration Residential Clean Energy grant program for solar in over 6 months, since we applied. :)

Upgraded electrical system from 100 Amps to 200 Amps; replaced wall A/C unit with central A/C; added 8" additional attic insulation; added attic exhaust fan to roof which makes attic much cooler in summer and lowers A/C costs; replaced wooden windows which had lead paint sashes with double-glazed aluminum windows; replaced back door and back storm door; added heavy living room drapes which keeps both heat and cold outside; thanks to Frederick County Refrigerator Exchange Program and am in the midst of replacing 1986 fridge with a much more energy efficient refrigerator