Energy efficiency continues to improve

According to a study conducted by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, stricter energy efficiency standards on cars, fridges and other items are cutting annual greenhouse emissions across the world.

These greenhouse gases are projected to decrease by about a tenth of their current rate by 2030, spurring economic growth simultaneously. The report estimates that the new investments in energy efficiency could boost economic output by $18 billion by 2035. Simple measures such as changing light bulbs, insulating rooms and installing tracking thermostats can make a vast difference. 

"Energy efficiency really contributes economically and it is also important in terms of climate change," said study leader Russell Bishop. 

The commission was attended and lead by a range of politicians, business leaders and climate experts from around the globe, highlighting the crucial part each plays to stop global warming and enhance climate sustainability. 

By taking voluntary energy efficiency measures seriously, annual greenhouse gas emissions could be cut by the equivalent of 4.5 to 6.9 billion tons of carbon dioxide.

The United Nations has found that collectively, government plans are too weak as they are now to limit the target of two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial times. By eliminating this, the extinction of animals and plants, as well as the rising of sea levels and threat of drought can be prevented. 

To start saving energy and conserving climate in your hometown, consider scheduling an energy audit with Alban Inspections. An audit can help determine what may be necessary to change in your home and what is sustainable in terms of overall carbon footprint reduction. 

Visit our website to learn more.

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. 

Where are some of the most energy efficient universities in the country? 

According to Cogeneration and On-Site Power Production, one is right here in Maryland. On average, U.S. universities spend almost $7 billion a year on utility and energy costs. Many have begun to reevaluate these costs, recognizing that less money spent on utilities could mean more money for students in the long run.

The University of Maryland sought to change its $40 million a year energy bill by installing more than 200 occupancy sensors in classrooms and buildings across campus. The school also purchases 66 million kWh of energy made from clean wind power yearly, offsetting about 60 percent of the school's electricity use.

In 2011, UM also installed more than 2,600 solar panels.

As school costs continue to rise, for both educators and students, it is vital that universities do what they can to alleviate soaring tuition and other expenses. 

In addition to these changes, the university also:

• Reduced daytime energy demand by installing a thermal energy storage system behind a section of the school
• Replaced old lighting fixtures with new energy efficient ones
• Purchased renewable power from regional solar and wind projects.

The school also has a highly efficient combined heat and power plant, capable of heating the entire campus by producing 50 to 90 percent of its electricity demand.

Energy efficiency is an important part of today's society. By implementing more energy efficient standards, schools, private homes and businesses can save money as well as reduce their overall carbon footprint. 

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

One of the largest consumers of energy in the home is heat loss and gain through the windows. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 percent of heating and air conditioning use is through this. 

Energy Star has found that energy-efficient windows can save homeowners from losing seven to 15 percent of energy, a monetary total of up to $111 a year in energy bills. This number has also been proven to change with the type of windows a home has, such as single-pane or double-pane.

If you're interested in installing energy efficient windows, keep the following information in mind from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:

• Energy-star related: Having an Energy Star label on any product you buy for the home is a great indicator of its efficiency. To be Energy Star compliant, these windows must also have an NRFC label, which indicates window performance ratings in terms of U-Value (preventing heat from escaping) SHGC level (the amount of solar energy transmitted through the window) and air leakage.
• Extra air-tightness: The ACEEE recommends looking at air leakage specifications. Although there are many to choose from, experts believe having casement and awnings are a great choice.
• Glazing: A low-E coating, such as a transparent layer of silver or tin oxide can help reduce solar heat gain, without reducing visibility. 
• Go bigger: Energy performance is most heavily maximized by choosing windows with larger unbroken glazing, instead of mutli-pane windows. This has been known to reduce air leakage.

Upgrading to energy efficient windows is one of the best things you can do as a homeowner, for both your wallet and the earth.

If you're interested in learning more about the energy efficiency in your home, schedule an energy audit with Alban Inspections today.