Empire State Building goes green with new display of LED light bulbs

As people across the country continue to embrace environmentally friendly lifestyles, it's no wonder that "The City That Never Sleeps" is making efforts to promote energy-efficiency throughout its lively, densely-populated streets.

On Monday night, R&B singer Alicia Keys belted out her hit song, "Empire State of Mind," in celebration of New York City's Empire State Building showing off its brand new set of dazzling LED light bulbs.

According to The Associated Press, the LED system, which boasts 16.7 million color possibilities, is part of an ongoing effort to modernize the famous skyscraper and make significant cuts to city-wide energy consumption. At 81-years-old, the Empire State Building is an essential part of the New York City skyline, representing, as Keys said when she addressed the crowd, a "symbol of what's possible in New York, and all the dreams that can come true."

"There were hundreds of thousands of people on the streets looking up, filming and videoing, clustered on street corners [when the lights came on]," Anthony Malkin, whose company owns the Empire State Building, told The Associated Press. "[It's] a gift we gave to the world, these lights. We don't get paid for this."

This brilliant display of LED light bulbs is a huge deal, not only for New York City, but for the rest of the individuals and businesses throughout the country making efforts to go green. For those of you interested in energy-efficient homes and CFL and LED bulbs, there are professionals who can help you transition to a more earth-friendly lifestyle. If you live in Maryland, Washington D.C. or Virginia, call Alban Inspections and we'll help you get started.

Energy-efficient homes are more than just a fad, and cities and towns across the country continue encouraging inhabitants to make their houses more environmentally-friendly. Brookline, Massachusetts, is the latest city to publicly promote its support for energy-efficient homes, announcing a town-sponsored effort incentivizing residents to go green.

According to The Boston Globe, Green Homes Brookline and Brookline Local First have teamed up for a contest they're calling "Weatherize Brookline," which urges residents to sign up for and complete free energy assessments by April 2013. Participants will have a chance to win up to $500 in gift cards to Brookline stores, in an attempt to ramp up support for local businesses.

Green Homes Brookline, a partnership between NSTAR and National Grid, aims to provide free home energy assessments and incentives to local residents. In a recent press release, it explained that people can save up to $600 each year by insulating and sealing their homes.

Chobee Hoy, chair of Brookline Local First, further explained the goal of Weatherize Brookline in the press release. "The Weatherize Brookline contest will extend the benefits of the holiday shopping season for local businesses, help residents stay warm by insulating their homes and give several lucky winners the chance to invest in Brookline."

This is just one example of the many rebates and incentives available throughout the country for people interested in converting to energy-efficient homes. For Maryland residents, Pepco and Potomac Edison both offer rebates, including up to 50 percent back on services such as air sealing and air insulation. To get started, contact Alban Inspections for an energy audit. We're a home inspection contractor that services Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia.

For Maryland residents, upgrading to energy-efficient homes can be a cost-effective option, one that gives them an opportunity to take advantage of the state's multiple rebate offerings, including those available from Pepco and Potomac Edison. Just ask Montgomery County couple Jim and Sue Russ, whose story about sustainable living was recently featured on the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) website.

Starting with an energy audit that helped them identify ways to upgrade their home and lower their energy bill, the Russes used the MEA's Home Performance Rebate Program to help pay for new insulation, air sealing and carbon monoxide detectors.

But the couple didn't stop there. Next, they researched solar photovoltaic technology so they could convince their homeowners association about the many benefits of solar panels. After turning the association into solar energy advocates, the Russes had a 2.3 kW group of panels installed on their roof, which has saved them roughly $80 a month on their energy bill.

Ultimately, the Russes received $1,813 in grants from the MEA. Many Maryland residents don't even realize that the state offers such enticing incentives for upgrading to energy-efficient homes. In most counties, utility companies offer up to 50 percent back on services such as air sealing and air insulation. The Russes received most of their funds from the Residential Clean Energy Grant Program, which has helped more than 7,500 Maryland families since 2010.

"With the tax incentives, grants and savings, financially, it seems like a no-brainer if you look at a five-year timeline," Jim told the MEA. "We owe no taxes, and we likely won't next year either. When does that happen? Never."

If you're thinking of following in the Russes' footsteps, the best place to start is with an energy audit from a home inspection contractor like Alban Inspections. We also offer air sealing and air insulation services that can help you take advantage of the state's rebates by upgrading to a more energy-efficient home.

These days, moving into a bigger house doesn't always mean accepting an increase in utility bills. According to Energy Star, by upgrading to an energy-efficient home, new homebuyers can actually save up to 10 percent on their annual energy bills thanks to proper sealing and insulating.

Newlyweds David and Sally Hoppe, of Warrenville, Illinois, who paid up to $200 in monthly electricity bills in a 1,200-square-foot house, said they couldn't believe it when the bill for their new 3,100 square-foot home was only $40, reported the Chicago Tribune.

By using new types of insulation, installing airtight windows and tightly sealing ductwork, lighting portals and attic entry points, builders are making modern homes so well-insulated and energy efficient that homeowners are seeing significant changes in the amount of money they pay per month to heat or cool their homes.

"There have been many advances in the quality of home-building products in the past number of years," Robert Meyn, Midwest director of sales and marketing for Orleans Homes, which built the Hoppe's house, told the source. "Our buyers are living and breathing these changes. To say they are surprised about their heating and cooling costs is a fair statement."

Pat Coveny, chairman of the Home Builders Association of Illinois's energy efficiency and green building initiatives, explained that building science is now a huge part of the housing business. The Hoppes are just one example of the many people saving money by purchasing an energy-efficient home.

Homeowners interested in buying a new property due to its energy efficiency are encouraged to conduct a home inspection to make sure it's as cost-effective as possible. If you live in the Maryland or Washington D.C. area, consider contacting Alban Inspections for all your home inspection needs.

There are many myths and misconceptions about how to go about weatherizing your home as colder temperatures begin to descend this winter. By utilizing practices that encourage energy efficiency, you can get the most out of your property without breaking the bank.

Fox News recently released a list of common mistakes homemakers make when preparing their residences for the changing season. The most common one pertains to your home's heating system, and the myth that you should turn off your thermostat as early as you can in the season.

In reality, you may be making a big, and costly, mistake in the long run while trying to save on your utility bills in the short term. If you live in an area where the temperatures dip below the freezing mark, there is a good chance that your pipes may eventually burst because of freezing. As well, should your home get unbearably cold because you had your thermostat completely turned off, abruptly turning it back on may be more costly as the heating system plays catch-up  than if you had kept the thermostat at a steady temperature.

The source recommends making the small investment for a programmable thermostat that will keep your home at a steady and comfortable temperature throughout the season. The less variance the better, as your thermostat won't have to play catch up because you are temperamental with keeping your home heated.

As well, a lot of people who have fireplaces may believe that these units are a simple solution to their home heating expenses. However aesthetically pleasing a fireplace may be, heat actually escapes out of the flue.

An energy audit from a home inspection contractor will also go far in helping homeowners prepare for the cold weather that is already affecting much of the country.

Students at the College of William and Mary have seen their residence halls ravaged by mold over the past six months after a string of wild storms battered the Williamsburg, Virginia campus.

The college's Environmental Health and Safety Office has received 19 requests throughout 2012 to have mold testing conducted in dorms across the campus. So far, the school has only responded to five such requests.

In the summer, relative humidity in the Williamsburg area peaks at around 80 percent, meaning that buildings in this city are highly susceptible to mold buildup. With many facilities on the William and Mary campus being well over 100 years old, some mold may have been developing for long periods and have only recently become apparent on walls and other surfaces.

"The ceiling had water spots and then the water grew and spread. It was gray and then green and then black. It was disgusting. Your room is supposed to be somewhere you feel at home, but we didn’t really want to be there," Stephanie Krauss, a William and Mary student, told the school's newspaper, the Flat Hat.

Sandra Prior, the head of the school's Environmental Health and Safety Office, told the source that in cases where mold spores get loose in the air, symptoms usually include persistent colds and fatigue. However, if cases are extreme, nose bleeding and hair loss may occur, according to Prior.

For homeowners who believe their property may have been affected by the tumultuous weather that has rocked much of the country over the past year, a home inspection contractor can perform mold testing and help determine what steps should be taken to remedy the situation.

Maryland residents now have more reason than ever to give energy efficiency a chance, as the state government is offering incentives to get homeowners to think green before the arrival of cold winter weather.

Empower Maryland, a program run by the state's Division of Energy, is offering homeowners rebates of up to 50 percent if they make eco-friendly retrofits to their property in anticipation of cooler temperatures.

Specifically, the program is encouraging residents to take an extra look at their hot water heaters and seal up any potential leaks to ensure that they are running at optimal performance. Should homeowners take the extra step and replace these units, Empower will give them up to $3,150 in cash for solving the issue.

The goal of Empower Maryland is to decrease the state's overall carbon footprint and curb greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 60 percent of all properties in the Mid-Atlantic were built prior to 1960, which makes them two-thirds less energy efficient than modern homes.

The EPA has also found that nationwide, no matter when a house was constructed, homeowners currently have the potential to reduce their energy consumption by at least 25 percent by becoming "energy wise." This means that most homeowners are not aware of more efficient lighting fixtures and appliances, nor are most homes properly insulated to reduce home heating bills.

Government officials told the Baltimore Sun that they anticipate Maryland residents can collectively reduce utility consumption throughout the state by more than 25 percent if everyone does their part. An energy audit from a home inspection contractor is the first step homeowners should take in helping the state lead in efficiency.