Maryland Business

By: Danielle Ulman

I know you’ve all heard this before — making your home more energy efficient will not only help the planet, but save you money. For those of you who want to up the ante by saving money and earning rewards for your reduction in energy use, I’ve got just the ticket.

A few months ago, Earth Aid, a Washington, D.C.-based company, launched a rewards program to attach to its free program that tracks users’ energy and water consumption.  Each time a participant reduces monthly consumption, they rack up points to use at local shops.

While the program is in its pilot stage, companies can sign up to offer rewards for free. Earth Aid says the draw for businesses is that when people reduce their energy consumption, they save money. The rewards incent people to spend that saved money with participating businesses.

Right now, most of Earth Aid’s local partners are in the Washington, D.C., area, but there are a scattered few in Baltimore and some in Frederick. For 75 points, Baltimore-based TerraLogos Energy Group is offering users $45 off a home energy audit or Baltimore’s Scrub a Dub Dog will wash the family pooch for free once a month for a year.

Earth Aid compiles consumption data by logging onto participants’ Web accounts with their providers — but only with users’ permission. The company calculates a baseline on consumption through past use. They  need at least a year’s worth of data to compare to new bills.

Households earn one point for every 1 kilowatt hour of electricity, every 10 cubic feet of natural gas, and every 20 gallons of water that they save. On average, participants earn about 75 points a month, although they caution that results vary.

If points aren’t your bag, or none of the businesses offering rewards are located near your home, you can also participate in the company’s voluntary carbon market program. As you reduce your energy and water use, Earth Aid sells the carbon credits to those looking to offset their own use. Once the credits are sold, you get some of the proceeds.

Along with rewards and cash back, Earth Aid offers ideas on how to cut use and highlights any local government or utility incentives for being more efficient.

They also show you just how much you’re consuming with graphs and charts. Forget the rewards, that kind of compiled information alone might make me feel guilty enough to put on an extra layer of clothing and turn down the thermostat this winter.