Tag: utilities
Solarize Fairfax offers discounts for installing solar energy
A solar-powered house in Annandale. The Solarize Fairfax County program offers property owners discounts for a signing up for a solar energy system before Aug. 31. The program offers reduced rates through a pre-qualified solar installer, Solar Energy World, and a streamlined process for exploring solar power for residences and businesses. Fairfax County homeowners … Continued
Long list of new laws signed by Northam
Northam Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed dozens of bills into law in recent days, on criminal justice, marijuana decriminalization, voting, energy, Confederate monuments, discrimination, clean energy, workers’ rights, and more. The bills take effect July 1. The General Assembly plans to reconvene on April 22 to consider Northam’s amendments to some of the bills. Northam … Continued
Dominion will pay customers $20 for an old fridge
Keep your old refrigerators out of the dump. [USDA.gov] Thinking of getting a new refrigerator? Dominion Energy will pay customers $20 to pick up old refrigerators or freezers that are in working order but use more electricity than newer or more efficient models. According to Dominion, this program will help customers reduce their energy use and … Continued
Residents urge Dominion to bury power lines
A downed tree hit a power line on Sleepy Hollow Road in 2012. Mason District residents who’ve suffered through several power blackouts in recent months – some lasting days – are urging Dominion Virginia Power to bury power lines as the best way to prevent outages. They expressed frustration at a meeting with Dominion Aug. … Continued
Discounts on solar energy systems available from Solarize Fairfax County
A solar array on a house in Sleepy Hollow Woods. If you’re interested in switching to solar power, you can get discounts on solar panels through Solarize Fairfax County, a bulk purchasing program. Under this program, discounted prices have been negotiated on equipment installed by three local solar contracts. The Solarize Fairfax County campaign is part … Continued
Lots of resources available for furloughed federal government employees
Furloughed workers protest the government shutdown in front of the White House (Greg Nash/The Hill) As the shutdown of the federal government reaches its 26th day – and federal workers have now missed a paycheck – companies, nonprofits, and individual volunteers are stepping in to offer assistance. The Virginia Employment Commission estimates nearly 178,000 federal … Continued
Energy-saving project approved for Rosedale Manor
Rosedale Manor Rosedale Manor, a 96-unit affordable housing complex in Bailey’s Crossroads, is getting a complete weatherization retrofit, including new attic insulation and installation of efficient LED light bulbs. Rosedale Manor is owned by the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The weatherization is being carried out by LEAP: the Local Energy Alliance Program using … Continued
Discounts available on solar energy
Solarize Fairfax County is offering discounted prices on solar panels purchased between April 2 and May 31. Converting to solar energy can cut a homeowner’s electricity bill by 60 percent or more. The solar discounts work like a Groupon. The program provides one-time, low prices with companies chosen through competitive bids. Last year, nearly … Continued
Utility phone scams on the rise
Utility scams are on the rise again in Virginia and across the country, Dominion Energy says. Reports of scammers calling Dominion customers and threatening to disconnect their electricity in exchange for immediate payment has increased by 49 percent since last year. The scammers ask people to pay via a prepaid debit card or credit card … Continued
Downed tree knocks out power in Lake Barcroft
Here’s the downside of living in a heavily wooded neighborhood: A large tree came down on Lakeview Drive in Lake Barcroft July 6 during a rainstorm, knocking down power lines and leaving residents with no electricity for about four hours. A VDOT crew removed the tree and Dominion restored power. [Photos from J. Larry Golfer … Continued
Cut energy costs with a thermal camera available from libraries
Thermal cameras show where energy is being wasted. Fairfax County libraries have thermal cameras available to borrow that can be used to check for air leaks and areas of poor insulation in your home. The devices, which attach to a smart phone, are available to anyone with a library card. By spotlighting those areas, homeowners … Continued
Verizon antennas proposed for a dozen sites in Mason District
Verizon is proposing to put telecom antennas on 12 Dominion utility poles in Mason District, mostly in the Lincolnia area, and several more in the City of Alexandria. Verizon would replace existing utility poles with new ones that would be about five to seven feet taller, Ed Donohue, of Donohue & Stearns PLC, told the … Continued
Dominion pays customers $50 for removing old refrigerators
Got an old refrigerator or freezer you want to get rid of? Dominion Virginia Power will pick it up at no cost and give you a $50 rebate. The company’s Appliance Recycling Program saves energy by taking inefficient appliances out of service, helps customers cut their utility bills, and reduces the environmental impact of appliance … Continued
Raymondale residents cope with water main break
Crews work on repairs on Add Drive. [Photo by Josh Byrd] Residents of Add Drive and Ellis Court in the Raymondale neighborhood experienced a water main break this morning. Water was turned off for 25 homes as Fairfax Water carried out repairs at 7402 Add Drive, Falls Church. According to Fairfax Water, water main breaks … Continued
It’s scam season, Dominion warns
Dominion Virginia Power warns customers not to fall for scammers who call and tell them they missed a payment and their electricity will be disconnected unless they pay up immediately. These types of scams tend to increase around the holidays, when people are stressed out and distracted. Dominion does not require payment over the phone … Continued