2050 will be the year of 100% renewables use

According to CleanTechnica, the U.S. switching to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 is possible if the right actions are taken now and in the future.

New research from several U.S. universities has created the first state-by-state transition outline. The plan's motive is clear: make the country more sustainable. The shocking part is that no new technology breakthroughs are needed to make it happen.

Although the changes could be considered big, in terms of both infrastructure and energy consumption, using already present technology, states can take charge of their energy efficient renewables with ease.

"The main barriers are social, political and getting industries to change. One way to overcome the barriers is to inform people about what is possible," said senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and at the Precourt Institute for Energy Mark Z. Jacobson. 

The changes can be separated into four categories including commercial, industrial, residential and transportation. As these changes were then implemented through simulations in all 50 states, there was a 39 percent reduction in total end-use power by 2050.

The bulk of this can be attributed to replacing current sources and uses of combustion-related energy with electricity. 

This type of conversion will also create a range of jobs, as well as stabilize fuel prices and reduce pollution. A reduction of pollution over time will have an overall effect on related health issues in addition to reducing all types of emissions.

If the plan is followed, a total of almost 63,000 deaths a year could be prevented.

Using the water, wind, solar and other available energy efficient means is one change that can better the world.

On a smaller scale, using energy efficient means in your home can also make a difference. Schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspectors today for more information or a house inspection.

Department of Energy to invest $6 million in energy efficiency

According to Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration News, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $6 million investment in energy efficiency. 

This initiative is part of President Obama's effort to cut energy waste and double the energy productivity by 2030. The investment will accelerate energy efficiency in offices, shops, schools and other buildings by reducing pollution, creating jobs and saving money.

"These low-energy building solutions will reduce air pollution and help building owners and operators save money on their operating costs through best practices that can be replicated by others," said the DOE's assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy David Danielson. 

In total, eight separate projects will be awarded a piece of the $6 million and each will demonstrate an approach for improving commercial building energy use by up to 50 percent. Each project is similar in that they will use high-priority tools and technologies.

This initiative could save billions of dollars with investments in cost-effective energy saving technologies. Commercial buildings accounted for about 20 percent of the total of U.S. energy, equal to about 18 quadrillion Btu of energy.

In addition to this latest investment, the DOE is also funding $32 million for solar energy workers and innovations.

The goal of this fund is to decrease the cost of solar changes by developing low-cost solar power as well as increasing access to solar data. $12 million will go toward developing a better trained solar workforce, $15 million to fund new projects focused on concentrating solar power (CSP) collectors and $5 million for greater industry transparency and access to solar energy data.

This is also part of President Obama's initiative to train 75,000 solar workers by 2020 in hopes of increasing the solar power industry as a whole.

To learn more about energy efficiency initiatives or to have an energy audit performed in your home or business, visit our website. 

June is set to be a great month for the home sale market

According to the National Association of Home Builders, June is National Homeownership Month.

What does this mean for realtors?

June is a great month to push for home sales and deal closings.

Although previous data from CoreLogic already suggests spring and summer are the strongest times of the year for the home market, an even bigger upturn seems to be occurring as well. 

Many home markets across the U.S. are seeing improvements in sales, interest rates and overall homebuyer satisfaction.   

The top 10 home markets according to the latest data from Realtor.com include:

  1. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
  2. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
  3. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
  4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
  5. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
  6. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
  7. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
  8. Santa Rosa, CA
  9. Ann Arbor, MI
  10. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

This surge in home sales is being caused by:

  • A growing listing inventory: Although it's lower than previously recorded numbers, the number of homes available for sale is growing. With more choices, homebuyers are viewing a range of home possibilities strengthening their idea of what they want and broadening it as well. 
  • Catering to new homebuyers: The home market is currently targeting new homebuyers with lower interest rates, decreased closing costs and better payment options. If some of your clients are first-time buyers, encourage them to buy now while the market is in their favor. 
  • Old fashioned supply and demand: The home market constantly revolves around supply and demand. As the need for new homes increases, so will prices and quicker closing deals. Although homes may sell quickly, encourage buyers to not settle, but rather check out what the market has to offer, before a final decision is made.

In addition, make sure buyers understand the importance of a home inspection before signing the dotted line. The cost of home inspection often outweighs the cost of problems that may arise in its absence. Schedule a home inspection with Alban Inspections today for energy efficiency and overall home safety.

Better Buildings Challenge saves $840 million in energy costs

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Better Buildings Challenge has cut energy waste by 94 TBTUs since it was first launched in 2011.

This energy savings is accompanied by a total of $840 million in energy costs and a reduction of 6 million tons of harmful carbon emissions. This reduction is equal to cutting the emissions of 1 million cars. 

The Energy Department is currently expanding the Better Buildings Challenge to include water saving goals as well.

"As the Better Buildings Initiative enters its fourth year, leaders continue to showcase how saving energy saves money, creates jobs, and most importantly accelerates the nation's competitiveness in the clean energy economy while preserving our environment for generations to come," said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.

The Better Buildings Challenge has more than 250 partners in over 50 cities including Sprint, Volvo, the City of West Palm Beach, Florida and the state of Maryland.

In addition, 18 new partners have joined the partnership including Intel Corporation, Toyota of Texas and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. 

The newest frontier for the Challenge is water savings. Those that choose to work with the Department of Energy will be able to collaborate on data collection, analysis and possible solutions to known water wasters. 

The Challenge hopes to make a change by 2030 by doubling American energy productivity while encouraging water saving practices among other energy saving changes.

There are many ways home and business owners can save water and water-related energy uses. These include:

  • Ensuring water systems are completely turned off when not in use.
  • Eliminating water wasting practices such as long showers and long periods of running water. 
  • Using water energy to power buildings and homes.

To create a more energy efficient workspace or home environment, schedule an energy audit inspection with Alban Inspectors. Visit our website for more information.

5 important things to remember during a home inspection

Before a new home settlement is complete, a final home inspection will be held to go over any last minute details or issues that may have been missed.

This walkthrough allows both you and the inspector to discover anything that may be wrong with the home that can be used as leverage in pricing and changes before any paperwork is signed. 

During this time an inspector will discuss how the home operates, maintenance and upkeep responsibilities, warranty coverage and protections as well as the overall location of the home. 

If a home is being built brand new, the inspection process is even more important. Although new homes have nearby builders, disputes can arise if inspections are not carefully done. If something is missed, such as a nail hanging out of a board or a hole in a wall, builders may think you did the damage, as there is no way to prove when it occurred.

In addition, many builders require owners to sign paperwork stating that everything has been inspected and agreed on by both parties. During this time, ensure each of the five following home components are completely in working order:

  • Attic and basement: Make sure the extremities of your home are well crafted. If there is any indication of water leaks, damage or significant cracking, don't sign off on any paperwork. 
  • Electricity: Be sure all wires are inspected, outlets are grounded and anything amiss is checked out. Leave an electrical investigation, though, to a professional.
  • Flooring: Make sure there are no missing seams or ridges in flooring. Ensure wood floors are properly finished and rugs are tight to the floor.
  • Foundation: Look out for sloping, water damage and large visible cracks. If a foundation is bowing, it may not be safe to proceed with the sale.
  • Roofing: Are the shingles flat and tight? If it rained would the gutters protect your home?

Learn more about commercial inspections and Alban home inspection contractors on our website.    

Energy efficiency for small businesses

Small businesses are showing an increasing amount of interest in energy efficiency. According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), 90 percent of these businesses are attempting to become more energy efficient. 

Many factors impact the willingness of small businesses to invest in energy efficient workspaces. These include overall costs, environmental impact and customer attraction.

"Small businesses are really enthusiastic about energy efficiency and this desire should be capitalized on for the good of their business and the environment. However, what our research does tell us is a simple 'one-size fits all' approach will not work as different businesses are driven by a diverse range of factors," said FSB National Chairman John Allan.

58 percent of small businesses claim they have taken steps toward energy efficiency, but more can be done to increase this number.

According to the Small Business Association, these tips include:

  • Be aware of phantom usage: Even when appliances are turned off, they still use a small amount of energy. Although this amount may seem insignificant, it can add up over time. Implement a power strip with an on/off button to stop using electricity when it's not needed.
  • Controlling direct sunlight: Consider using solar screens, awnings or vegetation to keep your business cool and energy savvy during the day. Using interior curtains can keep heat out as well, using less energy to cool the office down.
  • Regular checkups on air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems: If your systems are outdated or haven't been checked in a while, they may be wasting valuable energy. This can become a costly issue for small business owners. Routine maintenance is vital for both efficiency and safety. 

Learn more about energy efficiency in your small business by conducting an energy audit inspection today. Visit our website for more information. 

What is the future of solar technology?

According to Clean Technica, solar energy costs will drop another 25 percent by 2017.

Canadian Solar statistics indicate that solar PV modules will fall by 25 percent to US36c/watt at the end of 2017. This drop will be caused by improvements in cell efficiency and the output of a range of solar modules.

Besides these lower prices, why should your company or home consider utilizing solar power? 

The Solar Energy Industries Association is one of the largest proponents of solar energy use. This type of energy is one of the most abundant natural resources found in the U.S. 

There are many ways to harness the power of the sun including:

  • Concentrating solar power 
  • Passive solar
  • Photovoltaics (solar electric)
  • Solar heating and cooling.

There are both active and passive solar systems. Active solar systems use electrical or mechanical means to convert the sun's heat or light into usable energy. Passive solar systems are designed to collect, store and distribute the heat energy from sunlight without using electricity or moving parts.

How can homes and businesses increase their solar energy usage?

  • Install solar panels: Solar panels can be expensive, but their captured energy is perfect for reducing electrical energy sources. In addition, their prices are dropping. 
  • Let the light in: Use natural light whenever possible. Open the shades during board meetings or in the office and turn off the lights. Natural light can decrease energy usage and has been proven to increase worker productivity. 
  • Unplug items: If you're not using it in that exact moment, you shouldn't have the appliance plugged in.

To learn more about energy efficiency or to schedule an energy audit, visit our website. The cost of a home inspection with Alban Inspections may save you money and valuable energy use in the future.

Boston, energy efficiency, and what your state can change

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently published the 2015 biennial city energy efficiency scorecard, ranking U.S. cities based on local energy policies and initiatives. 

The rating is based on five crucial criteria including local government operations, community-wide initiatives, building policies, energy and water utility policies and transportation. Each category is worth up to 100 points. 

Boston, Massachusetts was ranked number one with 82 points, the only city to obtain over 80 percent of the possible points. 

Boston was rated number one in building policy, energy and water utilities, water efficiency efforts, as well as natural gas efficiency. 

The city also has a range of energy efficient programs and ordinances including the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance, Renew Boston initiative, Renew Boston Solar and a climate action plan.

Boston has also created the Greenovate Boston campaign, a program aimed at emission reduction through citizen engagement in climate and sustainability initiatives. Engagement includes community meetings, bike weeks and how to improve energy efficiency in the home.

"Community outreach is really the key element. One thing that we're really focusing on is making sure that when we are communicating with our residents and businesses, we're making sure we're reaching out to those people who haven't heard the message already," said Boston's chief of environment, energy and open space Austin Blackmon. 

The top five cities according to the ACEEE are:

  1. Boston, MA
  2. New York, New York
  3. Washington D.C.
  4. San Francisco, California 
  5. Seattle, Washington.

Many experts believe changes in cities can translate to innovations and new practices throughout states. 

Making energy efficient changes in a city begins with the personal changes of residents and commercial changes in homes and businesses. Schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections to learn how your home can enhance the impact. Visit our website for more information. 

Governor Terry McAuliffe aims to speed up Virginia’s energy efficiency initiative

According to the Daily Press, Governor McAuliffe announced his increased efforts to meet energy efficient goals under the Virginia Energy Plan.

McAuliffe's new plan involves Virginia reducing retail electricity consumption by 10 percent by 2018, two years earlier than the previous goal. In order to meet the goal, the governor has created a team of 12 individuals from both private and public sectors. Known as the Executive Committee on Energy Efficiency, the governor has high hopes for its outcome.

"The energy sector is a key strategic growth area as we work to build a new Virginia economy," McAuliffe said in a statement. "And improving energy efficiency is one of the real opportunities."

The most recent data from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) said Virginia ranks in at number 35 for efficiency measures and policies.

The original plan had a 2020 end date in which the state would:

  • Develop a plan to create a statewide outreach and education effort.
  • Develop a way to track energy consumption at commercial, residential and retail levels within a year.
  • Identify any areas or barriers that could affect the goal from being achieved.
  • Implement new and innovative financial tools that can help energy efficiency occur quickly.

There are many steps you can take to reduce the use of energy in your retail space. Some of these include:

  • Clean and perform routine maintenance on HVAC systems.
  • Keep doors and windows closed if the heat or air conditioning is on.
  • Shut off lights and electric signs when the store is closed.
  • Unplug or turn off lights and other electric-based tools when not in use.

For more ways to reduce your own energy output or make a change to more energy efficient practices, schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections. Visit our website for more information. 

Take advantage of inexpensive energy efficient changes today

According to a recent study conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), investing in energy efficient changes is still cheaper than other ventures.

The study, obtaining its information between 2009 and 2013, compared research across 20 states and concluded that investing in energy efficient changes costs only an average of 4.6 cents per kilowatt hour. It is a 6.4 cent difference compared to the average retail cost per kilowatt in the U.S. now. 

By 2025, utility customers will invest $9.5 billion in energy efficiency. 

The U.S. Energy Department has begun a new push for energy efficient lighting in commercial production. Based on numbers from the residential and commercial sector, the push is mainly focused on next-generation LEDS and OLED (organic) lighting features.

This information comes on the heels of President Obama's newly enacted measures to improve energy efficiency in buildings and end efficiency standards for certain water heaters.

The measure, passed at the end of April, created a new voluntary building efficiency standard as well as exemptions for certain grid-enabled water heaters from regulations.

According to The Hill, these changes can not only benefit the earth, but can unite opposing political forces under energy efficient changes as well.

Another energy efficient bill has also been recently introduced. This bill, created by New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen​, would reduce operating costs for places such as hospitals and universities by helping them make energy efficient changes. 

The bill takes into consideration regulatory barriers that are known to waste power used to heat buildings. Known as the HEAT Act, the Heat Efficiency Through Applied Technology Act could decrease energy waste and increase efficient means to generate power. 

"Deploying these efficient energy production technologies will save money, create jobs and reduce pollution," Shaheen said.

To learn more about energy efficient changes, to schedule an energy efficient consultation, or to speak with an experienced home inspection contractor, visit our website.