Energy-saving tips for your refrigerator and freezer

As most homeowners know, kitchen appliances can suck up a major amount of a dwelling's energy. While technology has improved in recent years as companies have worked to go green, refrigerators and freezers still account for 20 percent of a house's monthly electricity bill. While these units will always use a certain amount of power, there are ways to ensure that they are working as efficiently as possible, so you do not spend an unnecessary amount of money on them. A few small changes can go a long way.

Here are a few suggestions for making your refrigerator and freezer more energy-efficient:

• Keep it clean: You should make it a point to clean out your refrigerator once a week. Not only will this prevent any stains and smells from accumulating, it will also prevent the build-up of dust and other items that can make the refrigerator less efficient. Cleaning out your fridge is also a great way to get rid of any expired foods.
• Placement in the kitchen: Your appliance should be kept away from any sources of heat – such as the oven and microwave – as well as spots that gets direct sunlight. If the refrigerator is heated up by outside objects, it will have to work harder to keep the interior cool, which will in turn increase the amount of power it uses.
• Size matters: As with any appliance, a bigger refrigerator and freezer will consume more electricity. If you are shopping for a new unit, be sure to only look at ones that are reasonably sized, so you can anticipate how much it is going to cost you each month.

If you live Maryland and are looking for ways to increase energy efficiency around the house, schedule an energy audit today with Alban Inspections!

Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) announced his plan to create an energy-efficiency program that would aim to reduce the power consumption of New York State over the next decade. At a press conference, Governor Cuomo called the new program a "fundamental shift in utility regulation." At the time of the announcement, Governor Cuomo has earmarked nearly $1 billion for funding the initiative.

The project is officially known as the Reforming Energy Vision (REV), which will also focus on the general public's use of technology to help reduce overall electricity and power use. It will also urge utility companies in New York to focus on distributed systems of providing power, which would generate electricity from various small energy sources that are linked together.

One of the ultimate goals of the program is to find ways to reduce peak energy demands in New York State. These peak demands only occur at certain times during the day, but cost taxpayers an unnecessary amount of money to keep the electrical flow running. By reducing these increased power demands, it would eliminate the need for bulky infrastructure needed to transmit power, which would also be beneficial for the environment.

"By introducing and embracing information technology and clean energy solutions, millions of New Yorkers will benefit from a 21st century power grid, enabling them to better manage and reduce their energy costs while protecting and preserving the environment," Governor Cuomo said at the press conference.

If you live in the Maryland area and are interested in reducing the power use of your own home, schedule an appointment with home inspection company Alban Inspections today! We can help you identify the areas where you may be wasting electricity and energy.

At the end of last week, Georgetown University announced that it would be running a competition in the United States dedicated to improving the energy efficiency of cities. The idea for this challenge — dubbed "Energy Prize" — first came about at a workshop held at the school in 2012, where government leaders expressed concern over the political realities of starting green energy programs.

Professor Francis Slakey, the executive director of the Energy Prize, said that the ultimate purpose of the challenge is not the money – the winning city will receive $5 million to go towards funding its projects – but to get local communities invested in the future of the environment. He told reporters that the threat of global climate change is too great to be ignored any longer.

The competition is open to all cities in the United States that have populations between 5,000 and 250,000 people. The purpose of setting these limitations, according to Slakey, was to bring green energy to places that might not have established energy-efficient infrastructures like their larger counterparts. Those running the program did not want to give the advantage to those places with major populations.

As of last week, 51 cities have signed up to take part in Georgetown's competition. The original goal was to get 50 cities involved, though now Professor Slakey believes it could expand to over 100 before the sign-up period is over. Although most leaders will be motivated by the money, the resulting positive influence on the environment will be beneficial to the entire country.

If you live in the Washington, D.C., area and are interested in reducing the power consumption of your own house, schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections today.

Over the past several years, the state of Montana has taken various steps to have less of a negative impact on the environment. At the end of last week, Governor Steve Bullock (D) announced that the government would be releasing documents detailing exactly how taxpayer money was being used for these energy-efficient projects, saying that people have a right to know how their money is being spent.

While at a press conference, state officials proudly touted the energy reforms that had been taken by the state since 2010. Governor Bullock was joined by Department of Administration director Sheila Hogan and Department of Environmental Quality director Tracy Stone-Manning for a tour of Montana's state data center on Friday, April 25. One of the stops on the tour included the center's Kyoto Wheel system, which is used to keep the building's computers cool, saving the state nearly $200,000 annually.

The Kyoto Wheel gathers cool air from outside and cycles it into the facility, into the spaces between the servers. By cutting down on the heat that is produced by the building's machines, the Kyoto Wheel has been found to be 85 percent more energy-efficient than traditional cooling methods. The program has reduced the state's power bills by a total of $1.8 million so far. Governor Bullock told local reporters that while the state facility was benefiting the environment, there were further steps that the state can – and will – be taking in the near future.

If you live in the Maryland area and are interested in reducing your own home's power consumption, schedule an energy audit with leading home inspection company Alban Inspections today! Contact us for more information about our services.

While no homeowner enjoys receiving their monthly utility bill, it is an unavoidable part of life. As most people know, it can be pretty expensive – particularly in the summer and winter – to power a home each day. There are areas around the house, however, where each individual can cut down on the amount of electricity being used.

Here are a few ways to improve the energy efficiency of your television:

• LED is best: As with their light bulb counterparts, televisions with screens made with LED technology consume far less energy than a traditional model. If you are shopping for a new television, be sure to look out for one with LED lighting.
• Size matters: These days, it seems as if no television is ever big enough and that people always want more. A higher percentage of homeowners now own sets that are classified as either big or jumbo, often exceeding 43 inches. This is not good news for the environment or your bank account, as the bigger a television is, the more power it consumes. You should sacrifice a few unnecessary inches on your television to reduce your utility payments.
• Turn it off: One of the biggest ways that people waste energy when it comes to their televisions is to keep it on or on standby even when it is not being actively watched. When a television is not in use, turn it off completely. This way it will not consume energy that is not being used for a practical purpose.

If you are a Maryland resident interested in other ways to reduce the power consumption of your home, schedule an energy audit today with Alban Inspections!

At an Earth Day event earlier this week, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) attended an event focusing on the effects that climate change was having in the state of New Hampshire. Senator Shaheen, one of four keynote speakers at the event, spoke about the progress her bipartisan energy bill was making in the Senate. The bill, commonly known as Shaheen-Portman, is expected to be on the floor of the Senate within the next couple of weeks, now that is has the votes necessary to defeat a potential Republican filibuster. 

While Shaheen noted that the bill was not everything she would like it to be, she did note that it was a major step in the right direction on dealing with the climate change crisis, calling it the "cheapest, fastest way to deal with our energy needs." The bill was first introduced in Spring 2013, but stalled due to the addition of various unrelated amendments and the federal government shutdown.

But speaking at the event, Shaheen expressed great optimism that the energy bill, which she has co-sponsored with Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman, will be able to pass through the Senate and make its way down to the House. Should the Shaheen-Portman bill pass, it will be the first major energy legislation enacted by Congress since 2007. Senator Shaheen said that climate change will have a real, tangible effect on the ecosystem of New Hampshire.

"If we don't have moose in New Hampshire, it makes a difference when we think about the jobs we have here, to the outdoor industry, to tourism, to fish and wildlife," Shaheen said at the event.

If you live in Maryland and would like your own home to be environmentally-friendly, schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections today!

Happy Earth Day! Today marks the 44th birthday of the modern environmental movement, when people began to look more seriously at the effect we collectively have on our planet. Although global climate change may seem like a big issue that no individual person can help prevent, this is not the case. Any small steps taken by a household can have positive results, which means having a healthier Earth for years to come. It's up to each person to make the commitment to reducing power consumption.

Here are a few ways you can improve your home's energy efficiency this Earth Day:

• Change the light bulbs: If you still have any incandescent fixtures in your house, be sure to replace them with CFL or LED bulbs. These light bulbs use about 40 percent less power than the traditional models, which will cut down on your monthly utility payments.
• Keep unused electronics unplugged: If you are not using a machine in your home – whether it is a computer or a blender – be sure to keep it unplugged. A device will consume electricity when it is plugged in even if is not in use, wasting both power and money. This is a no-cost way to save you money in the long run.
• Reuse certain items: A towel can be used twice before it needs to be washed, something that will reduce the amount of laundry you have to do each week. By reusing different items, such as towels or sheets, you will be using much less water by having less to clean.

This Earth Day, commit to making your home greener! If you live in the Maryland area, schedule an energy audit today with Alban Inspections to find out other ways to have a more efficient house.

Earlier this week, Towson University received a rebate check for nearly $2 million for its participation in the Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge. The check was presented to school officials at a ceremony on Thursday, April 17, which was attended by DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Kathleen Hogan and Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) CEO Calvin Butler Jr.

The rebate from BGE was given to Towson through the utility's Smart Energy Savers Program, a program that works with the DOE to offer residents and businesses the chance to earn financial incentives by reducing their overall energy consumption. Towson was recognized for updating 35,000 light fixtures on campus, as well as having 10,000 motion sensors installed. The university reduced its power use by 25 percent, which amounts to annual savings of $1 million.

"Towson is a leader not just here in Maryland, but across the country, and our exciting announcement today is just another example of how this great university is setting the standard for other educational institutions and commercial and business customers around the world," Butler said during a press conference held at Towson's campus.

While speaking to the press, Hogan praised the school's commitment to improving itself for the environment. It has been so successful that it will serve as a model for other schools and businesses in the area that are looking to reduce their own energy use. Those who participate in the Better Buildings Challenge have a goal of reducing power consumption by 20 percent by 2020.

If you live in Maryland and are interested in reducing how much power your home uses, schedule an energy audit today with Alban Inspections!

Earlier this week, the retail chain Walmart made a major announcement: It will soon begin the process of installing LED bulbs in its major stores across the globe. Walmart is one of the biggest brands in the world, as its reach extends to 27 different countries around the world with 10,000 locations. According to estimates, having these LED lights installed will result in major energy savings.

The new light bulbs are a part of Walmart's broader plan to make its stores more energy-efficient. The company's goal is to reduce its overall energy consumption by 20 percent by the end of the decade. The LED fixtures will use up to 40 percent less power than traditional incandescent bulbs, putting Walmart on course to meet its target. New Walmart stores that are built will have this lighting installed from the start.

Sales-floor lighting accounts for an overwhelming 90 percent of the energy used by Walmart stores. By making the switch to LED lights, electricity usage will be reduced by around 5 percent in each U.S. store, with an estimated 340,000 kilowatts per hour saved. This will cut utility costs of Walmarts in the United States by $34,000 annually, while also removing about 330,000 metric tons of carbon emissions from the atmosphere.

You can improve the energy efficiency of your home by installing your own LED light bulbs. If you live in the Maryland area and want to find out other ways you can reduce the power consumption of your house, schedule an energy audit today with Alban Inspections. Our team of professionals will be able to identify all of the places where you may be spending an unnecessary amount of money on wasted energy and power.

The federal government will soon be opening up a massive amount of federal loans for projects that intend to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued its draft request for applications of renewable energy and energy-efficient projects at the beginning of this week.

This move is in line with President Barack Obama's overall climate agenda. The president has stated countless times that one of the major goals of his second term in office is to get the country on track to improve its energy consumption both in the immediate future and over the long term. The DOE is helping this process by funding state projects.

The amount of money that will be available for these nationwide projects totals $4 billion in federal funds. The DOE is looking for projects that will help advance the integration of electricity grids with various renewable resources, as well as projects that create biofuels to turn waste into major sources of energy.

The last time the DOE opened up federal money for applications for similar projects was in 2011. The announcement made by the department on Tuesday has officially started a one-month period during which members of the public will be able to meet with DOE employees to pitch their projects. The ones chosen for funding will be notified sometime in the summer.

If you are interested in reducing the overall energy consumption of your home, schedule an energy audit today with Alban Inspections. Our team of DC home inspectors will be able to pinpoint the areas in your house where you are spending unnecessary power and money.