Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Northern Michigan

Thursday, October 22, 2009  Rebates and incentives from utilities companies are helping residents save money on improvements to make their homes more energy-efficient.

Thursday, October 15, 2009  Using a lower thermostat setting, sealing windows and doors, and insulating windows are just a few simple things you can do to reduce your heat usage this winter.

Thursday, September 10, 2009  Using certain colors, materials, and designs in a home can increase the amount of heat it gets from the sun.  Using passive solar design can help cut down on energy usage and costs, especially during the winter months.

Thursday, August 27, 2009  Recycled building materials are not just eco-friendly.  They can add character and unique charm to a home and often cost less than buying new materials.

Thursday, August 13, 2009  A new program at NMC offers education and training for green careers.  The first class will be completing their coursework this week.  From here, they can become energy auditors or work as quality control.  Many of the students came into the program through Michigan's No Worker Left Behind program, which assists displaced workers with new education and training.

Thursday, April 30, 2009  Energy auditors assess homes to find out where they're losing energy and offer solutions for improving efficiency.  Often, small changes to the home can lead to big energy and money savings.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009  A Charlevoix company offers energy audits to help residents and business owners make their buildings more energy efficient.  Ric Evans, the company's owner, says Michigan has the potential to become a leader in green energy.