Urban Discoveries Baltimore

Following up on earlier good news from BGE, there’s now another way these cold-eyed corporate mercenaries will help you pay them less money. And once again, it’s free. BGE recently launched a home energy efficiency calculator through its website.

The new utility will allow BGE users (as well as non-users) to enter information about their home energy use   and receive reports on ways to use less. The more detailed the information you enter, the more accurate the report you get. BGE’s calculator will identify the biggest energy sinkholes in your house and help explain fluctuations in monthly bills.

If you enter your account number, then the calculator will incorporate data from previous statements into its calculations for future use and savings. Finally, the calculator will identify specific tips for more energy-efficient living that will help you spend less money on the services BGE provides. Altogether nice of them.

But in case your self-criticism skills are wanting, or your energy problems are too big to be resolved with a twisty light bulb, there is another option, albeit not a free one. Get a pricey but extremely thorough home energy audit from TerraLogos in Bolton Hill (1500 Bolton Street). These local experts will listen to your concerns, visually inspect your home, test it with specialized equipment (door blower, infrared camera, gas leak detector), compose a detailed report, help you contact an appropriate contractor to make any necessary modifications or repairs, and come back later to make sure the changes have actually helped. This whole package will run you $495, but they won’t do half a job, so call them if you’re serious.

In the meantime, keep checking back with us for more cheap ways to be cheap.

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