President Barack Obama has made it his administration's goal to set the country on pace for doubling energy productivity by 2030. Achieving this end would both save billions of dollars in fuel costs and significantly cut down on carbon dioxide emissions that harm the environment and contribute to climate change.

To follow through on this, the Department of Energy (DOE) has instituted a program known as "Better Buildings, Better Plants," that targets over 120 manufacturing companies in the United States for energy efficiency retrofits. The investment has already started to pay off, with a DOE press release announcing that the more than 1,750 manufacturing plants participating across the country have already reduced their power consumption by 190 trillion British thermal units. In more tangible terms, this figure translates to $1 billion in saved energy expenses and 11 million fewer metric tons of carbon emissions.

Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, hailed the results at this year's World Energy Engineering Congress, held on September 25 in Washington, D.C. In her keynote address, Hogan not only reaffirmed the value of the Better Plants program to the country's energy goals but also took the opportunity to welcome 12 additional participating companies to the fold.

"Through the Better Plants program, American manufacturers are cutting energy waste and saving millions of dollars each year," Hogan told the crowd. "These manufacturers are leading by example – demonstrating the promise of energy efficiency, increasing competitiveness in the private sector and reducing harmful carbon pollution."

D.C. homeowners looking to cut down on their own utility bills are encouraged to make an appointment for a home inspection. With help from qualified DC home inspectors, you can work to make your house more energy efficient and eco-friendly, doing the environment and your wallet a service.