Senate has passed Energy Efficiency Improvement Act

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), D.C. is leader in energy-efficient certified buildings. This is the first time since 2009 that Los Angeles, CA has been knocked out of the top spot.

480 of D.C.'s buildings qualified as ENERGY STAR efficient. The city is also the nation's leader for the top number of LEED certified projects.

D.C. buildings account for 75 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions {What category do DC buildings contribute 75% to? Right now it sort of reads like DC accounts for 75% of the world's emissions. Also is 75% a good number or a bad one?}. Its top place on the EPA list proves the capital's commitment and interest in curbing the human carbon footprint.

According to the D.C. Department of the Environment, "The District was the first in the country to pass a law requiring large private buildings to annually measure and report energy and water performance for public disclosure."

The top 10 metro areas for 2015 are:

1. Washington, D.C. 
2. Los Angeles, California
3. Atlanta, Georgia,
4. New York, New York
5. San Francisco, California 
6. Chicago, Illinois
7. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
8. Houston, Texas
9. Denver, Colorado
10. Boston, Massachusetts

According to ENERGY STAR, Americans saved $30 billion on utility bills in 2013. More than 40 percent of the commercial business market is ENERGY STAR certified. It has prevented the equivalent of 5 million home's electricity usage and overall emission footprint.

In order to qualify for ENERGY STAR certification, a building must be in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide. More than 30 types of facilities can be ENERGY STAR approved. To learn more about this certification, check out its website.

Alban inspectors are certified and experienced in energy audit and home energy efficiency. If you are interested in reducing your carbon footprint or decreasing household bill totals, schedule a consultation today. Alban also has numerous home inspection services and a range of audit choices.

Why should your customers make a switch to energy efficient technology in their home or business? Obtaining new customers or interest in efficient utilities begins with customer engagement. 

According to Greentech Media, only two percent of utility providers believe they have great customer outreach programs. Another recent survey by Utility Drive for NTC Corporate concluded that many of the 144 companies polled were unsure of how to develop new, more effective programs to educate their customers on the benefits of environmentally-friendly utilities. 

Seventy-six percent of those polled by NTC stated that consumer education is a higher priority than it was even 10 years ago. This could signify an end to a monopoly-like system, in favor of a more open market made up of knowledgeable customers. 

The most important customer education programs in the eyes of utility companies include:

• Energy efficiency (50 percent)
• Demand response (20 percent)
• Renewable energy (18 percent)
• Energy distribution (12 percent)

Using efficient energy can:

• Decrease the amount of pollution, chemicals and other waste that can harm the environment.
• Improve overall economical growth by avoiding high energy costs.
• Lower cost of utility bills.
• Spur job growth and other workplace infrastructure changes.

Customers will not change the amount of energy they consume if they don't realize they can, or know where to start. Incentives such as government tax breaks are helpful, but utilities could also implement their own bonuses for switching to an energy conserving mode. Public seminars, email blasts and stories of real people making a change could also jumpstart the movement.

If you are interested in learning where your business or home falls on the energy efficient spectrum, consult Alban Inspections for an assessment. An energy audit or better home heating and insulation could be an investment in future efficiency and monetary savings. 

According to a recent study by Stanford University, the question is not should we use solar power energy, but rather, where should we develop it?

Instead of building sprawling energy conservation sites in the middle of nowhere, energy users should invest in solar power or other efficiencies right outside their doors. 

Often, solar energy and other types of power are created far away from the places that actually use them. It takes energy, manpower and money to transfer the energy from these locations to where it is needed most. If this distance was eliminated, and production of energy was engrained in cities, two possible outcomes include:

• Bringing what actually happens into our backyards: Do you know what an energy-efficient plant looks like? Implementing these areas in cities can decrease confusion about what energy is and how to tap into it. Not every change is just going to be a large windmill. 
• Utilizing energy-efficient areas already available in cities: If structures are already built and available for energy need changes, why build others? Using flat city roofs for solar energy and other renewable options can minimize the environmental destruction of wildlife habitat and preserved lands. 

Renewable energy testing is currently being conducted in California because of its progress in solar power generation. California is the number one solar energy consumer in the U.S. with more solar installations than all other states combined since 1970. 

If you would like to learn how energy-efficient your home or business is, schedule a consultation with Alban Inspections. Alban home inspection contractors are trained and certified in a range of other specialties including mold, radon detector screening and lead paint testing. Visit our website for more information.

If you haven't already implemented solar power technology into your home or business, you are missing out. 2014 was the year solar power solidified its importance in the U.S.

Consider these facts as just some of the many reasons why you should jump on the energy efficient bandwagon.

• U.S. solar production has increased by 139,000 percent in the last 10 years.
• According to the Solar Foundation, the solar industry has employed 173,807 people as of November 2014. This is a 21.8 percent increase from just a year ago. 
• Photovoltaic installations increased by 30 percent from 2013.
• It added almost as many new megawatts last year to the natural grid as natural gas, said GTM research.

This growth can be attributed to three major reasons, according to Mother Jones:

1. Costs are dropping for installation, financing and actual materials used.
2. Falling costs allow both large and small companies to innovate advancements and perform installations.
3. Federal incentives are still on the books (for now).

Despite these growing statistics, these numbers may not last. An increase in installations now could decrease the future amount needed to be placed. Installation is also becoming more efficient, eliminating steps and possibly jobs. The federal tax credit incentive offered by the government is also set to expire in 2017. Groups are already lobbying to keep this incentive, in at least some form, so solar power can remain a popular method of energy.

If you are interested in learning more about home energy efficiency or possible commercial installations schedule an inspection with Alban inspectors. Alban inspectors are licensed and trained for a variety of home and commercial inspection fields including mold, energy efficiency and water damage.

At the end of December 2016, the 2005 Energy Policy Act's 30 percent Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for commercial solar energy systems will drop to 10 percent, said Scientific American. The residential credit will disappear. Why should you care?

The 2005 Energy Policy Act addresses energy production including:

• Climate change technology
• Electricity
• Energy efficiency
• Nuclear security
• Oil and gas
• Renewable energy
• Vehicles and motor fuel

A new solar project was installed in the U.S. every three minutes during 2014. This increase in demand has lead to the creation of almost 159,000 jobs since 2005. 

If the tax credit amount drops so significantly and the residential break becomes non-existent, these numbers may not continue to grow. A decrease in these implementations could cause job cuts and an output of non-efficient energy.

Propositions to the new budget include suggested reforms for these problems to ensure wind, solar and carbon energy efficient changes are still made.

Both Google and Apple have announced plans to jump on the energy efficient wagon by either investing in solar power or buying directly from its sources before the 2017 changes begin.

According to the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), 2014 was the first time in history that the three major U.S. market areas – commercial, residential and utility – installed more than a gigawatt of solar photovoltaic (PV). It generated a total of $13.4 billion in the U.S. in 2014. 

Schedule an energy audit with an Alban inspector today by visiting our website or calling 301-662-6565. This inspection will be a thorough look at how your home creates and loses energy through a series of tests and screenings. This type of examination could save you money in the future while also reducing your carbon footprint. 

How can you be energy efficient if you're unsure of what it even entails? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, energy efficiency refers to a system or range of products that use less energy in performing the same tasks as other energy eaters. Many people are unaware of monetary, environmental and other benefits that could be realized by reducing consumption of energy.

The benefits of energy efficiency include:

• better environmental impact
• bill cost reduction
• enhances quality of life
• improves national security
• personal tax credit options

Initiatives to reduce green house gases and air pollution through automotive and business energy reduction has a lasting impact on the environment. The U.S. has lessened its energy consumption so much that it can be equated to energy used to power up to 12 states for a year. This number can be increased simply by turning off a light or changing a household electronic. 

U.S. residents save an average of $200 to $400 a year by switching into energy saving programs, according to the EPA. Their quality of life has also been enhanced by changing home environments into more enjoyable, self-sufficient areas.

Energy efficient methods of transportation, resources and other types can increase national security, as noted by the Alliance to Save Energy. Using less energy can increase the amount available for future generations. 

Likewise, implementing more energy efficient standards can reduce U.S. total energy demands up to 20 percent by the year 2025. This could cut electric consumption in half and increase the use of natural gas by 50 percent, said EPA statistics.

A residential renewable energy tax credit is also available for those that choose to cut energy output in their homes and business. More information can be found here.

If you would like to learn more about energy efficiency or schedule an energy audit contact Alban Insurance at 301-662-6565 or visit our website.

Making your house more energy-efficient is a no-brainer. Doing so can eliminate wasteful costs, improve the economy and even help save the environment, according to The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE). The average home in the U.S. spends over $5,000 a year on energy alone, noted the news source.

Implement these five easy to remember cost-saving changes in your home to reduce your overall energy footprint: 

1. Install and upkeep proper home energy efficient insulation: Effective home insulation can help prevent heat escaping from your house, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. If your house was built without insulation, or needs better protection, insulation can also be blown in.

2. Let in natural light: Allow the sun to enter your home during the winter months to help heat your home. But in the summer, this kind of light can actually force your air conditioners and fans to work harder. Use light-colored window shades or blinds to reflect light during warmer weather, as noted by Energy.Gov.

3. Replace old furnaces and other appliances: According to the Green Home Guide, furnaces built before 1992 can waste about 35 percent of the fuel they use. Think about replacing dated electronics for maximum energy reduction. This could also speed up some of your cooking processes!

4. Turn on light timers: Close to 10 percent of home energy can be attributed to lighting. If you're not sitting in a room turn off the lights. Try and remember to shut off lights when you're gone for extended periods of time, and invest in light timers if this is a reoccurring problem. 

5. Use safe electronic power strips: Using a power strip can eliminate energy draining electronics like plugged in hair dryers, phone chargers or night lights. The ability to turn off numerous devices with one power switch could save you almost $100 a year.

Visit the Alban insurance website for more tips and resources or to consult home inspector contractors.