For the first time in four years, California is no longer leading the country in energy efficiency, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

After analyzing each state's renewable energy initiatives, ACEEE found that Massachusetts is now the most efficient, largely due to the commonwealth's implementation of the Green Communities Act (GCA).

The GCA is an initiative that aims to help all of the Bay State's cities and towns to find clean energy solutions, according to the Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs website. These progressions aim to strengthen local economies by reducing long-term energy costs.

"The legislation requires electric utilities in Massachusetts to purchase all available energy efficiency improvements that cost less than it does to generate power," Co-Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Northeast Clean Energy Application Center, Thomas Bourgeois, told Forbes.  "It has been a major boon to energy efficiency in Massachusetts over the past three years.

The top ten states for energy efficiency were Massachusetts, California, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington state, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Connecticut and Maryland.

When calculating rankings, ACEEE considered residential involvement in creating more efficient homes and businesses, as well as state-led green initiatives.

One of the best ways to become part of the green revolution is by getting a home inspection that evaluates the overall efficiency of your house and determines steps for improvement that can be made. While Maryland is clearly already well established in the field of energy efficiency, residents can make further progress of their own right in their own homes.

If you live in the Maryland area and are interested in having your home inspected, contact Alban Inspections today.