Indiana governor wants a new energy efficiency initiative

Last week, when the Energizing Indiana energy efficiency program came to an end, many began to doubt the state's commitment to reduce its power consumption. Governor Mike Pence (R) did not sign a piece of legislation that would cut off funding for the program at the end of 2014, but his lack of approval or veto made the bill that would end the Energizing Indiana official state law. Despite this action, Pence has told the public that he remains deeply committed to improve Indiana's energy portfolio, which will be one of the top priorities of his administration going forward.

In a public statement released after the legislation ending the funding of Energizing Indiana became law, Pence told the public that he would be working with the state legislature and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to create a new energy efficiency program. This new initiative that would not put unfair financial burdens on taxpayers and would allow people to see how they directly benefit from any energy upgrades the state makes. Some environmental advocates, however, remain unconvinced that progress will be made in the near future.

"While I believe that the governor is sincere with his intentions in pursuing legislative options to Energizing Indiana, I'm not so sure that he will succeed," Citizens Action Coalition director Kerwin Olson said in a statement. His group was a major supporter of the now-defunct Energizing Indiana program.

While the future of energy efficiency is up for debate in Indiana, if you are a Maryland resident there are steps you can take to reduce your own home's power consumption. Alban Inspections is a leading home inspection company, with a team of trained professionals that is experienced in creating more energy-efficient homes throughout the state. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Energizing Indiana program comes to an end

On Thursday, March 27, Governor Mike Pence (R) of Indiana allowed the Energizing Indiana program to come to an end. A new law, which was first proposed in the state Senate over a month ago, targeted the program by cutting off its funding, which had stemmed from a small surcharge on each household's monthly utility payment. Critics of Energizing Indiana said that it was a waste of taxpayer money, while proponents believed it was essential to the future health of the entire state.

Governor Pence said in a statement that he could not sign the bill either way because it was deficient on all sides. While he wants Indiana to become more energy-efficient, he said that the current program was not the way to do so, because it placed an unfair financial burden on each taxpayer. Alternately, he also stated that he was disappointed the state legislature could not come up with a new way to reduce the state's power consumption, something he says will be very important during the 2015 legislative session.

"I could not sign this bill because it does away with a worthwhile energy efficiency program. I could not veto this bill because doing so would increase the cost of utilities for Hoosier ratepayers and make Indiana less competitive by denying relief to large electricity consumers, including our state's manufacturing base," Pence said in his statement.

As Governor Pence has said in the past, energy efficiency is a very crucial part of the country's future. If you live in Maryland and want to improve your home energy efficiency, have your residence inspected today by Alban Inspections.

Solar energy now as expensive as power conventional sources

Germany, Spain and Italy are among the European countries that have reached a new level in energy efficiency. According to a recent report, the installation and use of photovoltaic (PV) panels in these countries now costs as much as traditional power sources. This equipment is now affordable for homeowners on all levels of the economic spectrum, something that has not happened previously in the relatively short lifespan of solar energy.

Eclareon is the international solar power research organization that conducted the study. The original purpose was to see to what extent solar energy was being used by homeowners and how well it was becoming a part of the broader energy market. The information points to a very bright future for solar power, as prices will only continue to drop as demand for the equipment rises.

However, according to the research, government regulations could stand in the way of further energy progress. In Spain, for example, Madrid recently introduced legislation that would make it illegal for people to consume electricity they produce their own personal solar panels. Such unnecessary interventions need to be stopped if Europe – and the rest of the world – is going to embrace this technology.

Germany, in particular, has been singled out by Eclareon for its vast improvements in renewable energy sources. While the country was recently criticized for shutting down its nuclear power operations, the study found that a quarter of its overall power is provided by renewable energy, an astounding 7 percent increase in just over a decade. Germany hopes to move that number up to 45 percent by 2025.

If you are a Maryland resident interested in the energy efficiency of your own home, schedule an energy audit today with Alban Inspections.

Connecticut towns praised for their commitment to energy efficiency

Last week, over 20 towns in the state of Connecticut were recognized for their energy efficiency efforts. There is work being down all over the state, including the capital of Hartford, to reduce Connecticut's energy consumption across the board.

There is intense focus on bringing down the amount of power used by municipal and commercial spaces, because those areas are what consume the most energy. The cities that have been commended for their efforts have earned money through the Clean Energy Communities program, an initiative that offers financial incentives to small towns for going green.

The grant amounts can range anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000, with the size awarded depending on the scale of the project, in addition to how well a community is doing with cutting down on its power usage. The money that is given out through the Clean Energy Communities program is known as the "Big Idea Grant."

The energy initiative, which is part of the bigger Energize Connecticut program, has already involved 92 towns and cities across Connecticut. The individual pledges that are signed by each city outline their plans to reduce energy consumption, with the goal being a 20 percent cut across the state by the year 2018. How the money from these grants is spent is voted on by the entire community.

It does not matter what part of the country you live in, as improving the energy efficiency of your home is a great way to help the environment while saving money on your monthly utility payments. If you are a Maryland resident, schedule an energy audit today from Alban Inspections. Our team of highly trained home inspectors will be able to identify all of the areas in your house where you are unnecessarily using power.

Testing your home for lead paint

While lead-based paint has been illegal to use in the United States since 1978, that does not mean it is completely gone from all residences. Many homes might still have this highly toxic chemical, especially those places that were constructed before lead paint was banned. Research has found that 75 percent of homes that were built before 1978 contain at least some lead-based paint, and the older a home is the more likely there will be lead found. If you think your family's health might be at risk, it is a good idea to get your home tested.

Here are a few reasons you should test your home for lead paint:

  • Age: How old your home is will be a strong indicator as to whether or not it contains lead. Homes that were built before 1950 almost always contain lead, and you will likely find some if your home was built before 1978. If your home is more than four decades old, a home inspection will be important.
  • Location: Where you home is can have a dramatic effect on whether or not it contains lead. If you live near a busy street or highway, it is possible that leaded gasoline and exhaust may have affected your home, particularly in the soil of the yard. Lead can be found everywhere on your property, not just in the walls.
  • Remodel: If you are thinking about renovating your home, that is a perfect time to test for any lead paint. You should know if there are any harmful substances in your home before you put any more money into it, so you can get rid of it as quickly as possible.

If you live in Maryland and are interested in a lead paint inspection, schedule an appointment with the professionals at Alban Inspections today!

3 signs that your home has a mold infestation

While mold is something that no homeowner wants to deal with, it is an issue that cannot be ignored. If left untreated, mold can cause significant damage to a house and can even be responsible for serious health problems. Exposure to mold can result in rashes, conjunctivitis, breathing difficulty and even asthma. If you want to keep your home safe from this hazard, there are certain signs to be on the lookout for. Mold most commonly thrives in moist climates, so temperature control in your home is extremely important.

Here are a few common signs that your home has a mold infestation:

  • Heavy moisture: If you notice that the air of a certain room has gotten heavier, then there is a chance that mold has already worked its way into your walls. To avoid furthering spreading, open up every available window and door, while also turning on ultraviolet lights. This will help reduce the problem, but a home inspector should then come in for an evaluation.
  • Health issues: Mold exposure can lead to a whole host of health problems. If you begin experiencing conditions that you do not usually suffer from — such as breathing issues — there is a good chance that your home is infected with mold.
  • Structural issues: If problems with your house start to occur – such as the discoloring of walls, water stains, chipped paint, and rotting wood – then mold could be the culprit. More serious issues will need to be handled by a professional, to ensure that your home does not come further apart.

If you live in Maryland and notice any of these problems, schedule an appointment with Alban Inspections today for our mold testing and home inspection services.

SAVE Act would reward energy-efficient homes

If you are in the process of looking for a new home, a new bipartisan bill in the works could prove very helpful. The federal Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act, co-sponsored by Senators Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), would require mortgage lenders to take the energy efficiency of a home into account when considering a loan applicant's eligibility. This could make affording a home easier for those who might be almost qualified but need a little financial help.

Though the bill would only be applicable to federally-backed mortgages, that accounts for nearly 90 percent of all new home loans. This will be beneficial for those who are looking to make a purchase, but cannot entirely afford it due to their debt-to-income ratio being a little too high. The SAVE Act would allow the monthly payments for a house to be cut down, if it is proven to be energy-efficient. Some critics are skeptical, believing this will further complicate the loan process, though proponents believe it will offer a big incentive for people to improve their home's efficiency.

The SAVE Act was originally introduced by Isakson and Bennett last summer, but it failed to reach the number of votes needed to pass. The SAVE Act has widespread support among environmental advocates, and was included as a part of the larger energy bill put forward by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) a few months ago. The Shaheen-Portman bill will see a vote later this year, which means the SAVE Act could be passed along with it.

If you live in Maryland, you can improve the energy efficiency of your home by having an energy audit conducted from Alban Inspections. We can help you address the areas where your house is using an unnecessary amount of power.

How much is solar power worth?

Early last week, Minnesota became the first state to adopt a formula for calculating the value of generated, but unused, solar power. Minnesota's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) passed the measure in a 3-2 vote, with the final methodology to be decided no later than April 1.

The new calculation is specifically designed for residential homes that rely on solar power for their energy needs. Residents are allowed to sell the power they generate, but do not consume, in a given month back to the utility company — freeing up this energy for another customer. Before, there was no clear way to determine the worth of unused solar power, but Minnesota is taking steps to change that.

If the Minnesota formula proves successful for the state, there is a chance it can be modified and adopted across the country. Consumers and utility companies have long debated how to deal with energy that is generated but not used, with consumers wanting financial compensation for power that would otherwise go to complete waste.

Experts think this groundbreaking new formula will be beneficial for Minnesota's gradually expanding solar power market. Having monetary benefits will be a great incentive for homeowners to install solar panels and other energy-efficient technology in their living spaces. Making these investments will yield savings each month even before a payment from the utility companies are factored in.

If you live in the Maryland area and are interested in improving the energy efficiency of your own home, there are plenty of steps you can take. A basic change – one recommended by Alban Inspections – is to replace all of the lighting in your home with CFL bulbs.

New England sees energy-efficient savings

For many areas of the United States, local governments are beginning to make serious investments in energy-efficient technology. California has worked to become a leader in solar power, while Minnesota has recently adopted measures to calculate the amount of energy that is produced by each home's solar panels. The world is becoming a more environmentally-aware place, with the global community producing more renewable power than even industry experts expected. This commitment to energy efficiency is starting to create significant financial benefits.

According to a recent report, New England is seeing the rewards of investing in energy-efficient technology and upgrades. Data from the Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED), shows that the Northeast is saving money on energy consumption while increasing their dependence on renewable resources. Over the last year, New England states saved a total of 3,200 gigawatts of power. While these energy program upgrades cost $1.2 billion to implement, they have yielded approximately five cents per kilowatt in savings.

"Energy efficiency continues to be a sound investment of ratepayer funds to help meet our region's energy needs, not to mention reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants emitted from power plants, and other non-energy benefits to customers and the region's economy, including creating new jobs," said Robert Scott, commissioner of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.

In addition to massive energy savings in New England, Maryland also experienced a 30 percent increase in saved power expenditures from 2011 to 2012. Energy efficiency programs are beginning to pay off, no matter where you live in the country.

If you live in Maryland and want to improve the energy efficiency of your home, an excellent first step is to have an energy audit from Alban Inspections. Schedule an appointment with us today!

China leads the world in solar power technology

According to a new report from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), there were 37 gigawatts worth of new solar panels installed worldwide in 2013. This exceeded even the highest of industry expectations, as solar industry analyzer NBD Solarbuzz projected that there would only be 36 gigawatts across the globe. Though they were relatively accurate, this has not stopped the organization from making an even bolder prediction: In 2014, there will be 49 gigawatts worth of solar panels constructed.

Though some European countries found their numbers falling from 2012 to 2013, there were plenty that saw gains in the solar energy market. Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom and Romania all saw a greater number of solar panels built last year over the year before. China has claimed the top spot, making up a majority of the solar panels that were built with 11.3 gigawatts alone. This towers over the clean energy investments made by the second-place Japan (6.9 gigawatts) and third-place United States (4.8 gigawatts).

There are several factors that could be responsible for the European decline in solar panel installations, which has given rise to dominance in this arena by the Asian markets. Many industry analysts believe the future of clean energy – including solar power and the development of new technologies – exists in China and Japan, instead of Europe.

"In a number of European countries, harsh support reduction, retrospective measures and unplanned changes to regulatory frameworks that badly affect investors' confidence and PV investments viability have led to a significant market decrease," stated Gaëtan Masson, head of business intelligence for EPIA told reporters.

While the world wrestles with where solar power and clean energy can go, there is plenty that homeowners in the Virginia and Maryland area can do to improve energy efficiency in their own uses. Contact Alban Inspections to schedule an appointment for a home inspection, which can help you determine places around the house where you can cut back on energy consumption.