How will Shaheen-Portman help energy consumption?

Yesterday, we discussed on this blog that a new energy efficiency bill – with the bipartisan support of Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman – had finally made its way to the Senate floor for a debate and what supporters hope will be a quick passage into law. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act – or just Shaheen-Portman – seeks to implement structural improvements throughout the United States to reduce energy consumption and, in turn, the nation's effect on climate change. But the question remains, how exactly will Shaheen-Portman accomplish that?

The Huffington Post highlights some of the most important features of the bill, including:

  • Founding SupplySTAR, a new Department of Energy initiative that will provide companies with ways to improve their supply chains' efficiency methods
  • Providing financial incentives to promote investments into energy efficiency upgrades for municipal, industrial and commercial buildings
  • Reducing power expenditures and costs for manufacturers to, in turn, make them more competitive
  • Setting national standards for building codes, to create more energy efficient homes and businesses.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, residential and commercial buildings consume three-quarters of the country's electricity. By earmarking these buildings for green upgrades, Shaheen-Portman can make significant cuts to the daily amounts of wasted energy, saving billions of dollars in the process as well as boosting the economy and mitigating negative influences on the environment.

Maryland residents can take steps to begin reducing their own energy consumption and environmental impact by scheduling an appointment for a home inspection. Maryland home inspectors can perform an energy audit of your property, which will help to address and resolve ways in which your house may be wasting energy and bring down your utility bills.

New Senate bill critical for U.S. energy efficiency

In previous weeks, it was been reported that a new bipartisan bill on energy efficiency – sponsored by New Hampshire Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman – was making its way through Congress. Known as the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act – or, alternatively, just Shaheen-Portman – the bill has finally made its way to the Senate floor, where advocates are hopeful that a debate will end with the eco-friendly legislation becoming law.

According to the Huffington Post, Shaheen-Portman presents a win-win situation for both Congress and the United States. But why exactly is this bill so important?

The United States is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world, second only to China. Consequently, the country unnecessarily spends billions of dollars per year on wasted power, simultaneously making serious contributions to climate change. But there's no grand source for this problem. Instead, the issue stems from the small, common conveniences we use without thinking in our day-to-day lives.

For example, the source reports, a typical computer uses 65 to 250 watts a day. A monitor burns an extra 35 to 80 watts. While these numbers may be statistically insignificant on their own, multiplied over 310 million computers used across the country, they represent a considerable factor in the nation's electricity usage. Shaheen-Portman looks to amend this problem by investing in energy efficient computers, which will not only save energy but also billions of tax dollars.

Homeowners in Virginia can make their own green upgrades by scheduling an appointment for a home inspection. Virginia home inspectors can perform an energy audit of your property, assessing the power demands of your home and helping you find ways to improve energy use and reduce utility expenses. 

New York laws spurring energy efficiency demand

As states begin enacting new legislation for energy efficiency requirements, some areas are reporting greater clamor from residents for sustainability. One of the biggest hotspots for this demand has been New York, which, after establishing its Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, has seen many building owners request help for establishing more eco-friendly standards.

According to Greentech Media, the biggest pushes for this green movement comes from Local Laws 84 and 87. Local Law 84 requires large property holders to annually measure their energy consumption, while Local Law 87 stipulates that any buildings greater than 50,000 square feet – a figure that applies to more than 15,000 buildings in New York – have an energy audit conducted to assess their current efficiency profile as well as what further steps can be taken to improve it. The law also calls for these buildings to install "retro-commissioning" and "tune-up" renovations once per decade to help better regulate energy consumption.

Jeffrey Perlman, president of energy company Bright Power, tells the source that while some owners are only doing what they can to abide by the law, others have taken proactive measures in resolving longstanding energy issues like uneven heating distribution and high utility costs. Some building owners have even asked for assistance in drawing up plans to cut down on expenses and consumption in the long-term.

"This law is a great catalyst for people to say 'I have to do this anyway, so now is a great time to handle it,'" Perlman told the source. "We've seen a real uptick in folks who are interested in getting the most out of Local Law 87."

Maryland homeowners can get their own energy audit done by making an appointment for a home inspection. Maryland home inspectors can help you take the necessary steps in improving your property's energy use and bringing down your electric bills.

California schools awarded energy efficiency grant

With governments making strides toward energy efficiency on a local, state and national level, the number of energy efficient homes and businesses in the United States is looking to increase over the next decade, benefiting both the environment and electricity bills.

One of the more overlooked sectors, just as much in need of sustainability upgrades, is that of schools. While many politicians want to reduce energy consumption for houses, companies and federal agencies, schools have been largely left out of the conversation. But one California school district is aiming to reverse this trend.

According to local news outlet The Contra Costa Times, the schools of the West Contra Costa district have won a grant allocating $1.64 million a year, over five years, for the sake of implementing eco-friendly renovations. The award comes from Proposition 39, passed last November. Although the money is designated for energy efficiency uses, the exact details of how those funds will be used have yet to be decided. Charles Ramsey, a member of the district's Board of Trustees, suggested that some projects may include more efficient heating systems or solar panel installations.

School administrators will draw up energy efficiency designs before passing them to the California Energy Commission for approval. In addition to reviewing these proposals, this state body will also decide on how to distribute specific costs for each project.

While schools will be allowed to carry over unused funds from one year to the next if they're looking to pool together money for larger projects, the entirety of the grant award must be spent by June 30, 2018. 

Maryland homeowners interested in making their own energy-saving improvements should schedule an appointment for a home inspection. Maryland home inspectors will perform an energy audit of your property, analyzing ways you can implement energy efficient upgrades and cut down on your utility expenses.

Milwaukee pledges $100 million to energy efficiency

With the Obama administration making a more serious push toward nationwide energy efficiency, states and cities have begun ramping up efforts recently to commit to sustainability. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced on Tuesday, July 23, that his city was the latest to join the fold, with a new plan that will dedicate $100 million to helping building owners afford green living renovations over time instead of all at once.

Although energy efficient homes and buildings save money in the long run thanks to lower utility bills, the initial upfront costs discourage some from moving further. With this new initiative, that stumbling block is gone.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a local news source, reports that the deal is the result of a new agreement between the Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. and the Clean Fund, a California-based company that helps finance energy-saving upgrades.

Clean Fund chief executive John Kinney told the press that his company will devote $100 million to eco-friendly projects over a three-year period, which will be financed by property tax charges.

"What we found is a need to have longer-term thinking for property owners," Mayor Barrett told the source. "We're looking for a voluntary way […] for property owners to invest in their properties and spread the cost of these improvements."

The announcement is a result of the ReFresh Milwaukee initiative, which aims to help building owners reduce energy consumption over five million square feet of properties by 20 percent by 2020. This goal is part of the country's Better Buildings Challenge.

Residents in Virginia can take their own steps toward energy efficiency by having a home inspection conducted. Virginia home inspectors can check your property for ways that you can improve efficiency and, in turn, reduce your energy bills.

California leading the charge on energy efficiency

Last month, President Obama finally acted on longstanding promises to make greater strides toward national energy efficiency, and put into action a plan designed to accomplish exactly that. By increasing the number of energy efficient homes in the United States and reducing the consumption needs of households and companies, the White House hopes to wean the country off more harmful power plants – which produce the greatest amounts of carbon pollution – and replace them with new ones.

But some states are more ahead of the curve than others, and California is one of the nation's leading examples of eco-friendly living. For 40 years, Californians have taken measures like weatherproofing houses and upgrading lighting fixtures, allowing them to get just as much done with equal or less amounts of energy, all at half the cost of fossil-fuel sources.

The Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the country's top environmental agencies, has released a new analysis outlining California's energy efficiency accomplishments, which include the following:

  • Both homeowners and business owners have reaped over $65 billion in energy savings
  • Five million cars' worth of carbon pollution annually has been cut
  • Home electric bills have dropped to 25 percent lower than the national average
  • Millions of lower-income families pay much cheaper utility bills
  • State standards for building and appliance energy use helps reduce waste
  • The state economy has generated twice as much output as the rest of the nation per kilowatt-hour consumed.

Because of these efforts, the Golden State has reported a nearly flat per capita electricity consumption over the course of 40 years. In that same time, consumption for the rest of the United States has risen by 50 percent.

Energy efficiency doesn't have to be exclusive to California though. Virginia homeowners can meet with Virginia home inspections to conduct an energy audit of their property, finding ways to improve their household efficiency and bring down their bills in the process.

Buyers beware: Be sure to get a home inspection before purchasing a house

It goes without saying that buying a house is a serious investment. To help ensure that you're getting your money's worth and not setting yourself up to live in a building rife with structural problems and health risks, it is imperative to make an appointment for a home inspection first. Professional contractors can assess a property and make sure that the house is up to code on safety regulations and isn't being sold to you with problems that will cause headaches at best and require thousands of dollars in repairs at worst.

AOL Real Estate has identified some of the most prominent and harmful issues a home may contain, which home inspection contractors can address:

  • Cracked foundation: Weaknesses here can threaten the entire house and cost thousands to fix. 
  • Drainage: Make sure that the home is outfitted with a proper drainage system, otherwise heavy rains may damage roofs or leak water inside, which is a common source for mold and mildew.
  • Mold: A home mold inspection can save you from these toxic spores, which, if left unchecked, can not only ruin the look of your home but lead to serious health problems, like a lung infection or other respiratory diseases.
  • Termites: These common wood-eating insects are among a home's worst nightmare, and can wreak havoc on the structural integrity of any building.
  • Toxic agents: Asbestos and radon gas are two toxic materials known to be present in houses and can result in some very serious health consequences.

Don't take any chances when buying a home. Individuals in the market for real estate in Maryland should meet with Maryland home inspectors to ensure that their purchase is problem-free and won't be causing any significant stresses to their health or wallet in the future.

Save big on energy bills with proper insulation

There's no doubt about it: Summer can be an expensive season. Not just in terms of vacations and weekend beach trips, but simply when it comes to living comfortably. With one 90-degree heat wave following another, this year has been particularly uncomfortable to get through without air conditioning. But blasting AC all day, every day is hardly conducive to affordable electricity bills and eco-friendly lifestyles. Implementing more energy efficiency measures at home can help bring down those expenses while still staying cool this summer.

"Keeping energy efficiency in mind has both environmental and economic impacts," Joe Pryor, with the Oklahoma Association of Realtors, told local news source The Catoosa Times. "Not only does taking steps to reduce energy have the potential to save home owners on energy bills, but the possibility of saving money often can be very attractive to prospective buyers should you decide to sell your home in the future."

Weak insulation is one of the biggest contributors to wasteful energy use. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy reveal that temperature regulation amounts for as much as 70 percent of the typical home's power usage. A household not being properly insulated allows cool air to escape, forcing homeowners to have their HVAC system running longer to keep a steady temperature. A few of the most common air leakage spots in a house are door frames, windows, attics and places where the exterior and the foundation meet – such as siding or brick.

Virginia homeowners can get help with this by making an appointment with Virginia home inspectors. Home inspection contractors can identify areas around the house that require insulation, as well as other measures you can take advantage of to create more energy efficient homes with lower electric bills.

How to survive a heat wave without breaking the bank

Summertime means vacations, beach trips and barbecues. It also means heat waves, which, for people without air conditioning, can be miserable. Particularly for tenants that live on higher floors, where rising hot air means that your bedroom is often hotter inside than it is outside. Even if you do have air conditioning, it's not a very cost effective way to beat the heat, especially when temperatures are constantly north of 90 degrees. 

For anyone looking for ways to keep cool this summer without breaking the bank, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine: While this may be sacrilegious for beer and coffee drinkers, alcohol and caffeine will only work to dehydrate you, making living in the heat that much more difficult.
  • Cool yourself down with water: Placing wet towels on your head or shoulders, dipping your feet in buckets of cool water or even taking cold showers can bring some much needed relief.
  • Eliminate extra heat sources: Replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs, and shutting off or unplugging computers and other appliances, can help get rid of a lot of extra heat in the house.
  • Ventilate your house: Running ceiling fans during the day and opening windows at night can help promote ventilation throughout the home, allowing cool air to breeze through rooms.

Of course, if you do want to run the air conditioner, more power to you. But this amenity can prove unnecessarily costly if your home isn't well-insulated. Poor insulation can result in that expensive cold air leaking outside, spending your money without actually cooling you. Homeowners in the Virginia area should meet with Virginia home inspectors to get an assessment of their property as to how well-insulated and energy efficient it is. A home inspection will not only improve your household, but greatly bring down your utility bills.

Connecticut library hosting presentation on energy efficiency

A major roadblock to increasing the number of energy efficient homes in the United States is awareness, but one Avon, Connecticut, library is looking to change that with a presentation on programs for home energy efficiency that is open to the public and free to attend.

According to the Stamford Plus, the discussion forum will give both businesses and locals an opportunity to discuss the range of energy-saving and sustainability options available to them now. The presentation will also touch on how energy efficient initiatives can improve Avon's standing in the Clean Energy Communities pledge.

The Clean Energy Communities project is comprised of 60 participating Connecticut towns, including Avon. Its goal, The Courant reports, is to decrease municipal energy use by 20 percent and allocate its electricity demands to renewable sources, all by 2018. The initiative is supported by the state's Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority and the Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) utility company.

The presentation will be partly led by CL&P representatives who can help inform attendees about the importance of home inspection services in establishing eco-friendly houses. As the source reports, some of the recommendations made by home inspection contractors include sealing leaky air ducts, installing more efficient light bulbs and replacing hot water pipes with more insulated alternatives.

Of course, home inspections are not limited to Avon. There are a number of qualified, professional Maryland home inspectors on hand to serve the residents of the Chesapeake Bay State. Maryland homeowners are encouraged to make an appointment with these contractors to determine ways they can improve their house's energy efficiency and decrease their utility expenses.