6 energy efficiency changes you can make today

Energy efficiency in your home doesn't have to be time consuming. For each room, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your monthly bills and energy consumption. Implement these changes the next time you have five free minutes during your day.

Kitchen energy savers:

  • Don't overload your dishwasher. Placing too many plates and cups inside it causes it to work harder than it should and do a worse cleaning job. Scrape off food and other items on your plate before washing. In addition, don't run the dishwasher when it's half full. This is a waste of energy and dish detergent.
  • When cooking on the stovetop, use covers to cook your food which results in a shorter cooking time using less energy. Clean your appliances such as your fridge and oven regularly to keep them from overworking and burning out quicker than usual.

Laundry room energy savers:

  • According to This is Money, 90 percent of laundry machine energy is used to heat water. Using cold water decreases energy consumption and your heating bill.
  • Hang up your clothes instead of drying them all the way through. This can give them a light, fresh spring smell as well as reduce the use of electricity and power.

Bedroom energy savers:

  • Open your windows and let in a fresh breeze. On cooler days and nights, turn off your air conditioner and let the outside air cool down your room. 
  • Open your blinds. Letting in natural light makes a room feel more open and airy. It also decreases your electricity bill by eliminating the need for artificial lighting. Take advantage of the longer sunny days.

For more energy efficiency tips or to schedule an energy audit or new home inspection with a certified Alban inspector, visit our website. 

4 benefits of LED light bulbs

According to PC Magazine, Philips Lighting has partnered with Home Depot to create a $5 LED light bulb. 

The LED A19 bulb uses only 8.5 watts of power and was created with shatter-resistant material. Perfect for bathroom light fixtures, closet lighting and kids rooms, the bulb can save home owners about $62 for every bulb lifespan. It will cost about $1.02 per bulb lifespan. 

It is available as of now on Amazon and will be available for sale at Home Depot beginning in May.

LED bulbs have numerous benefits including:

  • Design flexibility: LED bulbs can be combined into any shape to produce energy efficient lighting. They can also be dimmed by changing the color or light power.
  • Eco-friendly: LED lights are made with no chemicals and are 100 percent recyclable. According to LED Luxor, one LED bulb can prevent the creation of 25 incandescent bulbs.
  • Energy efficient: LED bulbs are made to illuminate using about 80 percent of energy to light a room at a loss of 20 percent to heating. The numbers for incandescent and other types of bulbs are much higher compared to these. 
  • Long life span: The life span of these bulbs is much longer than other bulbs. You can expect to use one bulb for up to 100,000 hours of lighting.

There are numerous types of LED bulbs you can use in your home. 

Alban Inspectors can help you realize the energy efficiency potential of your home. Small changes, such as using LED light bulbs can reduce monthly bill payments and your overall carbon footprint. Visit our website to learn more information or to schedule a new home inspection. 

What steps are Americans actually taking to enhance energy efficiency

With another Earth Day celebrated and passed, what has the U.S. actually changed in terms of its energy consumption and reduction process?

According to The Harris Poll, not much. The poll, taken by over 2,000 adults in February of 2014, revealed that few people spanning all demographic groups have taken steps toward energy-saving habits. 

Although most Americans do turn off their electrical appliances when not in use, even that number has dropped 4 percent from 79 percent in 2014 and a high of 82 percent in 2012 to 75 percent now. 

There has been a decrease in other areas of energy efficiency including:

  • 50 percent replacing incandescent bulbs with florescent bulbs down from 55 percent in 2014.
  • 47 percent of Americans look for an Energy Star label down from 50 percent in 2014. 
  • 49 percent use power strips for home electronics down from 50 percent in 2014.
  • 40 percent take shorter, colder showers down from 45 percent in 2014.

Reputation & Public Relations Practice Leader for Harris Poll, Carol M. Gstalder believes this is due to the decrease in energy prices. 

"As energy prices drop, so do consumers' commitment to energy-saving decisions from replacing light bulbs and water heaters to installing solar," she said.

In general, Americans across all demographics believe that solar and wind power are the best energy sources for the environment. Coal and nuclear are the worst. 

What can be done now? Start with your home.

The poll indicated only 11 percent of people have looked into conducting a home energy efficiency inspection. Alban Inspections can help with that.

Alban professionals are experienced in heating and insulation specialties as well as radon testing and energy consumption. Visit our website for more information or to schedule an inspection appointment.  

4 more spring energy efficiency tips

Home energy efficiency begins with you. It begins with the information you know and the changes you make in lifestyle and home improvements to reduce your carbon footprint. 

Each room in your home has a unique set of energy qualities. Ensure your house is as energy efficient as possible with the following four tips:

  • Bring on the sunshine: During daylight hours, capitalize on natural light and warmth. Open shades and allow the sun to light your home instead of lights. Consider installing skylights for even more light.
  • Check your air conditioner now: Routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower energy consumption by up to 15 percent, according to Breaking Energy. Check the evaporator coil as well.
  • Make some kitchen changes: Business Wire recommends vacuuming refrigerator coils and diminishing dust buildups, which can cause the motor to use more energy. In addition, clean your oven. A dirty oven can absorb heat and require more energy. 
  • Seal ducts: Open ducts can lead to significant air loss, resulting in high electricity costs and wasted energy. This can cause your cooling system to work up to 30 percent harder than it already is, putting a strain on its motor and your electricity budget. 

According to Energy Star, replacing the light bulbs in your home can also have a lasting effect. Switching out just five light bulbs for Energy Star bulbs can save you up to $75 on your next bill. A LED light bulb can also be a good alternative. In addition, using an electronic power strip can help prevent "phantom loads." Phantom loads are plugged-in electronics that are not in use but still consume energy. Turning off the power strip when not in use can save you up to $100 on your next bill.

Conducting a home energy efficiency inspection can help identify your home's problems and figure out a plan of action. Visit our website for more information or to schedule an inspection. 

7 reasons why solar panels are becoming more popular

Solar panels seem to be popping up everywhere, between daily commutes, walks during lunch breaks and spring road trips, the phenomenon seems to be here to stay. But why?

There are many reasons why solar panel power has become increasingly noticeable including:

  • Cheap production: According to The Consumerist, there is a global surplus of panels because of Chinese factories producing the product since early 2009, creating a massive oversupply. This oversupply has caused prices to drop and panel pop-ups to surge.
  • Homeowners with solar panels can save an average of 50 percent on their electric bills or even eliminate the bills completely, said Solar World.
  • Homes with solar power sell 15 percent faster than homes without it.
  • The Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory has stated that adding a solar power system to a home can increase the resale value by an average of $5.50 per watt.
  • Solar energy on and in your home can help conserve more than 16,000 gallons of water per year as well as reduce your overall carbon footprint. Eliminate your personal generation of carbon dioxide beginning with your home.
  • Solar power panels are silent generators of electricity and require little to no maintenance once installed. 
  • Solar energy is a renewable resource that emits no pollution. It doesn't require fuel or other non-renewable resources. It can be used to harness power in remote locations as well as store energy for cloudy or sunless days.

If you are interested in learning about your energy efficient options for your home, visit our website. Alban inspectors are ready to perform a home inspection that can gauge what areas of energy need the most improvement as well as other steps you can take to reduce your bills and personal pollution. 

Where is the current most active home selling market located?

Do you know where the most active home selling market is this spring? According to the National Association of Realtors, San Jose, California had the fastest selling home market for the month of March. The median amount of time a home spent waiting to be sold was 22 days.

The spring and summer months are the beginning of the best time to sell a home, with median list prices up 11 percent higher than the previous year. 

The top 10 fastest home selling markets (based on the median number of days spent on the market) as of March are:

San Jose, California: 22 days 
San Francisco, California: 26 days
Santa Roa, California: 32 days
Denver, Colorado: 37 days
Seattle, Washington: 37 days
Boulder, Colorado: 38 days
Vallejo, California: 38 days
Los Angeles, California: 41 days
Minneapolis, Minnesota: 43 days
San Diego, California: 43 days

In addition to the fastest selling home markets, the National Association of Realtors has also released top 10 lists of the most and least popular home features. The top three of each include:

Features least likely to be built in a new home:

  • Carpeting as flooring on the main level
  • Outdoor kitchen or cooking area
  • Sunroom.

Features most likely to be built in a new home:

  • A walk-in closet in the master bedroom
  • Energy Star-rated windows 
  • Programmable thermostat.

Many new home features are being added for seamless energy loss reduction as well as better use of space provided. Maintaining an energy-efficient home can be easily done when all the efficient methods have already been implemented.

To find out where you can make changes in your home, schedule an energy efficiency home inspection with Alban inspectors. Visit our website for more information.

4 spring energy efficient tips you need to know

Spring is finally here, and though it may not seem like it yet, warmer weather will be along soon as well. The new season brings blooming flowers, more animal sightings and sunny skies, but it also brings obviously hotter temperatures.

Keep the heat out of your home and away from your electricity bill with the following four tips:

  • Change the airflow direction on your ceiling fan: Using a ceiling fan in a room correctly can reduce the tangible heat. In the spring and summer months, switch the fan direction upward so cool air reaches toward the floor instead of warmer air.
  • Don't heat your home with appliances: On warmer days don't cook with an oven, instead use a microwave or grill outside. In addition, reduce hot water use with short showers. Use energy-efficient appliances that give off smaller amounts of heat as well.
  • Operate an efficient cooling system: Schedule routine maintenance for your home system in addition to using efficient air cooling devices. Avoid placing lamps or other devices near your thermostat as this can throw off the temperature reading and cause the cooling system to run longer than necessary. 
  • Use your windows to your advantage: Understand the climate you live in and how utilizing your windows can lower your bills and carbon footprint. Invest in natural ventilation systems as well as window treatments or covers that keep sunlight and other heat sources out.

Schedule an inspection with Alban today to obtain an energy efficient plan before the hot spring weather really hits. Alban inspectors are reliable, seasoned professionals in a range of areas including mold testing and radon testing. Learn more on our website.

U.S. Energy Department will train 75,000 workers in solar energy standards

According to The Washington Post, the U.S. Energy Department is set to train 75,000 workers to enter the solar energy workforce by 2020. 

This move reflects the U.S.'s stance toward the rising solar energy field and establishing permanent jobs for Americans.

The solar industry is creating jobs 10 times as fast as the rest of the economy with many in construction and installation.

Last year, the U.S. invested in enough solar power energy initiatives to power the equivalent of 1.4 million homes, said the Solar Energy Industries Association. The increasing amount of natural energy usage is an increasing benefit that can be coupled with its decreasing price. 

This change is also a step forward in President Obama's initiative to curb greenhouse gas emissions by almost 30 percent below the levels recorded in 2005. 

This will also create jobs for veterans across the U.S. with its accompanying Solar Ready Vets program. This program will transition military veterans into solar workforce employees with skills such as installation, marketing, inspection and other related field occupations. It will be launched at 10 military bases. 

As of now, businesses and agencies have been instructed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2025 as well as increase their share of renewable energy consumption to 30 percent. 

Renewable energy investment and consumption is becoming an ideal American initiative. Reducing our carbon footprint will not only help save the earth but can lower utility bills as well as create jobs. 

Schedule an inspection consultation with Alban inspectors today for an energy audit. Alban has a range of inspection categories including radon testing and mold issues. Check out our website for more information. 

Solar power will be the cheapest source of energy for some by 2025

According to a recent German study conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, by 2025 solar energy will be the cheapest source of power for numerous regions of the world.

The study concluded that:

  • By 2025 the cost of power production in Central and Southern Europe will decline to between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt hour and by 2050 as low as 2 to 4 cents.
  • Solar power will play a role close to the one wind plays when it comes to energy consumption and distribution.

A recent deal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, highlights the move the world is already making toward energy efficiency with a long-term power purchase contract signed for 5 cents per kilowatt hour. There are also similar projects happening in Brazil and Uruguay.

In comparison, electricity from coal and gas plants costs between 5 and 10 cents per kilowatt hour.

Read through the following three reasons why you should make an energy-efficient change in your home today:

  1. According to Class 5 Energy, plugged in, but not in use appliances, electronics and other household items use close to 75 percent of electricity each month. Simply unplugging electronics like laptops or coffee pots that aren't in use could save you money on your next bill
  2. If every home in the U.S. switched one light bulb to an Energy Star bulb, it could prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
  3. A faucet that leaks 60 drops per minute will waste almost 165 gallons of water in a month.

For other energy-efficiency facts, news, or to schedule a home inspection consultation, visit our website. 

UNEP releases 2014 Global trends in Renewable Energy Investment data

The United Nations Environment Program released its ninth annual Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment Report this past week. According to the report, renewable energy increased by 17 percent from 2013 and investment reached close to the 2011 all time high of $279 billion shy by only 3 percent at $270 billion. The UNEP's evaluation also came to the following conclusions:

  • A solar energy rise of 25 percent to $149.6 billion for the year, adding 46 GW of capacity
  • Geothermal investment rose 27 percent to $2.7 billion 
  • Solar and wind energy accounted for 90 percent of all investment
  • Wind energy rose by 11 percent with an added 49 GW and $99.5 billion investment

This 103 added GW of power, according to Clean Technica, is equal to the same output capacity as the 158 nuclear power plant reactors in the United States. The study concluded that renewable energy sources like biomass, geothermal, marine power, small power, solar, waste-to-power and wind made up 9.1 percent of the world's electricity generation.

 Renewable energy sourcing all expanded more into a range of developing countries including:

  • Brazil ($7.6 billion)
  • China ($83.3 billion)
  • India ($7.4 billion)
  • South Africa ($5.5 billion)

Chile, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and Turkey also invested more than $1 billion each in renewable resources. 

This data makes it clear that the renewable energy market is not going to disappear anytime soon, rather, it will only continue to grow as more countries see their investment return in resources, capital and environment changes.

On a smaller scale, playing your part in the renewable energy game can be as easy as having a home inspection done. An energy efficiency audit, like those conducted by Alban Inspections, can alert you to home changes, maintenance and other issues that could be increasing both your utility bills and carbon footprint. Schedule an inspection today or read through our site for more information.