3 ways to reduce energy waste in the home

October is a month of many awareness campaigns and calls to action, including domestic violence and breast cancer. October is also home to Energy Star Day. Characterized by reducing energy usage and costs, as well as protecting the earth's climate, this day highlights the still real need for changes in energy usage for Americans.

According to The Huffington Post:

• Americans spend $130 billion per year on energy that has no real purpose.
• The amount of energy wasted by 75,000 average American homes in one year is equal to the amount of waste that was spewed during the 2010 BP oil rig disaster.
• The amount of energy wasted by U.S. businesses and homeowners would have been enough in 2012 to power the United Kingdom for seven years.

Keep the following tips in mind for reducing energy usage in your life today:

• Invest in thermostats that can be controlled based on auto adjustments or remote cell phone access. By turning down the heat or air conditioning when it's not in use or when no one is at home, costs can be greatly reduced.
• Light dimmers can make a huge difference, saving more than 90 percent of light usage when implemented correctly. Keep in mind too, the less light you use, the longer the life of your LED light bulbs.
• Using a dual flush toilet reduces water waste by only using water as it is needed rather than as it is flushed each time. Another easy bathroom fix involving the shower head uses a water drip feature instead of continuously running water to reduce waste.

Learn more about energy efficiency or schedule an energy audit by visiting our website. 

As energy efficient means in businesses and homes continue to sweep the nation, many states as a whole are taking a stand for better control over emissions and usage.

The ninth annual edition of the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has named the following 10 states the most efficient of all 50.

1. Massachusetts 
2. California 
3. Vermont
4. Rhode Island
5. Oregon
6. Connecticut 
7. Maryland
8. Washington
9. New York
10. Illinois and Minnesota

Massachusetts has retained the top spot for the fifth year in a row based on its major efforts to increase energy efficiency under its Green Communities Act. 

"Being recognized for the fifth consecutive year by ACEEE as the nation's leader in energy efficiency underlines the commitment Massachusetts has made to pursue a diversified energy portfolio and my administration is seeking more, renewable energy sources like hydro power to continue this important effort," said Charlie Baker, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Maryland has also made great improvements within the past year in terms of efficiency, increasing its commitments in 2015 by establishing new, more aggressive energy savings targets for utilities. 

The survey also found that:

• Savings from electricity efficiency programs in 2014 totaled approximately 25.7 million megawatt hours, a 5.8 percent increase over the past year.
• The leading states in terms of the latest commercial and residential building energy codes and compliance include Maryland and California. 
• Maryland was one of the highest ranked states in terms of combined heat and power policies. 

Energy efficiency begins with one step in the right direction. If you're interested in learning about the energy efficiency of your home or business, schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections today, or visit our website.

Energy efficiency is an important part of being a homeowner. Although many focus on paying off debts, adding on to the household and meeting each monthly bill payment on time, focusing on efficiency can aid in all of these areas. 

As autumn is still upon many, it's important to note changes that can begin to reduce costs now and in the future. Keep the following three tips in mind for optimal efficiency:

• Control the thermostat: By using a programmable thermostat, or one that checks room usage and temperature, you can keep your home warm and your bills lower. Often, it costs more to keep the house warm at all times than to turn on the heat or change it as necessary.
• Keep the draft outside: When was the last time you changed your window treatments or took a hard look at your actual windows? If the windows appear full functional, keep them, but consider adding heavier curtains or sealing the edges with a saran-like material. In addition, caulking any apparent holes or opened edges will make a difference. During this time, look at other entryways as well. Use weather stripping or door sweeps for draftier doors as well.
• Manage your heating system: No matter how new a system is, it will still need routine maintenance. Be sure you understand how the heat works, and know the signs of any trouble. Changing a filter or a setting is a simple fix that can make a huge difference.

If you're interested in learning about the energy efficiency in your home, schedule a consultation with Alban Inspections. Our energy assessment information, keeping cost and comfort in mind, is a great start for change. Visit our website for more information.

The cost of energy is expensive, both in monetary and environmental terms. On average, Americans spend nearly $2,000 a year on energy bills, half of which can be attributed to heating and cooling expenses. 

WalletHub's recent study highlights the change many states are making to increase their overall efficiency, in terms of home energy and car consumption. These rankings were determined by calculating the ratio between total residential energy consumption and annual average temperature, as well as dividing annual vehicle miles driven by the gallons of gasoline consumed.

The top 10 states making changes include:

1. New York
2. Vermont
3. Minnesota
4. Wisconsin
5. Utah
6. Rhode Island
7. Colorado
8. California
9. Connecticut
10. Nevada.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, of the 115 million residences in America today, 22.5 percent of the country's energy is consumed. In order to reduce your own carbon footprint, as well as lessen monthly bills, keep the following tips in mind:

• Change heating filters: By changing these filters each month, in addition to using natural light for heat and covering bare floors, homeowners can increase the warmth in their home without increasing their monthly payments.
• Install a programmable thermostat: Use a thermostat that tracks heating and cooling in the home and room use. If no one is home, consider lowering the heat or turning off the cooling system until people return.
• Use appliances sparingly: No, this doesn't mean to stop doing laundry or not use your dishwasher. In terms of these appliances, start them only when full. Running a dishwasher when it's half full or washing a small amount of clothes is a waste of energy.

To learn more about energy efficiency, or to schedule an energy audit in your home, contact an Alban inspector today or visit our website. 

Energy efficiency is a vital component for homeowners but can be hard to achieve at times due to incorrect information or a lack of general understanding.

Innovative technologies and changes have begun to emerge over the past few years, surpassing just switching to energy efficient light bulbs and shutting windows tighter.

The switch to LED bulbs remains important though, as their use creates a 70 to 80 percent more efficient experience, as well as increases the overall operating life of the bulb.

According to Utility Drive, building codes are becoming stricter, as appliance efficiency standards are too, creating consumers that are more aware of their use, as well as curious about how they can save more. 

Recent research from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) found that efficiency savings are still capable of hitting as high as 30 percent by 2030. This 30 percent though, is most likely to be achieved through a number of household changes.

"There are still large savings out there, but the only way to get them is to go after a diverse mix of technologies and resources," said Dan York, lead author of ACEEE's report.

In terms of big name efficiency players and utilities, some changes that could be considered include voltage reductions, new construction programs and comprehensive commercial retrofits. 

If you are interested in enhancing the efficiency of your home, begin with small changes. Make sure all your light bulbs are up to date in terms of efficiency screenings. Take some time to search your home and unplug any materials not in use or that are no longer needed.

Simply starting with shutting off lights when leaving a room is a great start.

Schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections to learn more, or visit our website.