Hey, Seattle, Why Not Cut Your Heating Bills in Half with Microsoft's Help?

I bet if your power company gave you a month off from paying your utility bill, you'd say yes.  Maybe it won't happen tomorrow, but an article I just read (in Sierra Club Magazine, I'm a member for the ski lodges and hikes but don't mind help saving money on my energy bills!) in a few decades large power bills will be a thing of the past.  Or should I say, misery of the past.  From our grade schoolers who still believe they matter (and let's keep it that way) we know it's possible to save the planet by going green.  One major way is to build homes and offices that will both be energy self-sufficient and will actually produce zero carbon emmissions.  Initially the building costs are higher (understandably a minus in the eyes of some builders that worry about pricing).  But we know that over a bit of time (five years or eight years in many cases) built green homes pay for their own energy efficiency... and after that it's all profit in your pocket. At first an energy aware home (Green Built) costs you several thousand dollars than it's energy hogging competitor.  But soon enough, it will pay for itself then SAVE you money.  That's money in your pocket to update the kitchen, buy a new car, or take that special family holiday.

Hey, you know that company, Microsoft?  Kind of big in Seattle, of course, being based here.  Quite a rep for giving back to the community.  And of course the cutting edge technology to do it right.  Well, I love what I'm hearing because it now appears that Seattle City Light and Microsoft have teamed up to provide a really exciting customer service...and it's FREE!  And it will save you money!  And it will help reduce your energy costs!  In fact Seattle City Light is one of the 1st 4 utility companies in the country to join in this innovative consumer support program.  They provide an online application to help consumers keep track of their energy usage and then the program provides personalized recommendations for imporved energy efficiency!  You can (and I think I'll try it and report back) sign up to be one of the first local customers to use the product!  (Microsoft Hohm for Seattle.)