I can’t believe it is 2015 already, can you? This is the time of year when we reflect on what we have experienced the past year individually, nationally, and even globally. One of my favorite videos to watch at the end of the year is TED Talks recap of ideas. It’s fascinating to watch the discoveries, the ideas and just the passion each individual shows with what they present. Here’s a spoiler alert, but the video ends with a quote by Andrew Solomon, “Forge meaning. Build identity. And then invite the world to share your joy.”
Here at GreenHomes we like that quote a lot, especially the last part. A big part of our work is inviting each of you into our joy; helping America to become more energy efficient. Doing this extends the life of our resources for the generations to come and, well, extends the life of our pocketbooks, too. Our joy is helping families all over America live comfortably and affordably. This year, as we go into 2015, we are looking forward to continue to do that and we ask that you join us. Let’s all share the joy!
Every October, we celebrate, along with the nation, Energy Action Month. Its call on us is simple, take action. With all the energy we use on a daily basis, it’s a good idea to step back from time to time and see where we can save energy for future generations. We don’t want to use up all of our resources before our kids, grandkids, and great grandkids get to enjoy them. From what the Residential Energy Consumption Survey tells us, we are using more energy than we ever have before! Here at GreenHomes America, we focus primarily on home energy. Each homeowner has an opportunity to not only save energy, but also save money. For example, if you use a programmable thermostat, you will save energy and an estimated $180 a year. There are more examples like this one on our Energy Action Month fact sheet.
The first step, though, is to find out where your home is using and losing energy with a home energy audit. From there, you can join the forces in saving energy and save money while you’re at it.
Share this post with anyone who owns a home. Help save energy and help them save money.
We spend much of our time indoors in this country. For those who suffer from Asthma this can be a problem especially when our indoor air can trigger attacks. I’ve been talking about Asthma Awareness this month, and I want to draw attention to some triggers in more detail.
Improving a home with insulation and air sealing brings more than comfort and energy savings. It can reduce the amount of dust generated as well. Shutting down pathways to the outside can help reduce other pests and the influence of the outside as well. Sometimes the great outdoors isn’t so great for those of us who suffer from Asthma.
Air sealing can reduce connections to other spaces as well, such as your garage where chemicals and fuels are kept. It can also reduce connections to crawlspaces and basements where things can get moldy.
Consider an energy audit as a way to help increase the quality of your indoor air.
This year we’ve spread our reach across the country, allowing us to help serve even more customers with three new locations joining our network!
Buckeye Heating and Cooling joins us from Columbus, Ohio. “We are thrilled to be a part of the GreenHomes organization,” said Brad Wentz, President of Buckeye Heating & Cooling. “We are proud to be able to offer Home Performance services to the Columbus region and provide homeowners with solutions to help lower energy bills and improve overall comfort and safety in their homes.” It is great to have them on board!
Out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, Tom’s Mechanical is gearing up for cooling season and helping homeowners with more than their systems as a GreenHomes America franchise partner. “Above all, Tom’s Mechanical is committed to ‘doing the right thing’ for our customers and employees,” said Rich Ashton, President of Tom’s Mechanical. “By joining the GreenHomes America network, we can now offer even more home solutions for our customers. I couldn’t be happier about this next chapter for our company.”
From the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area I also want to welcome Boehmer Heating and Cooling. “We are a reliable and friendly company, dedicated to fulfilling our customers’ requirements for their homes,” said Steve Boehmer, co-owner of Boehmer Heating and Cooling. “As a GreenHomes America contactor, we are thrilled to also offer our customers Home Performance solutions. We look forward to providing homeowners with solutions to help lower their utility bills and improve the comfort and safety in their homes.”
GreenHomes America looks forward to assisting our latest locations help homeowners improve their homes, making them safer, more efficient and comfortable in the process. I encourage you to reach out them and see how they can help you!
One of our newest locations, Buckeye Heating and Cooling, was featured on the news in Columbus Ohio. Technician Jeff Walsh spent some time performing a home energy audit and using the infrared camera. Nice work Buckeye Heating and Cooling! I think central Ohio just got a little warmer! Not in Ohio, find a location near you!
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, the call for environmental responsibility, is well known.
The demonstration home in San Diego, I’ve been discussing over in the last few months, has been a great success allowing GreenHomes America partner ASI Hastings to show, as well as tell, their community of the great work that can be done in their homes tackling these R’s in particular the first one Reduce.
We’ve talked about some of the high efficiency equipment they installed, some of the exterior improvements which helped to reduce water usage, but a homeowner can reduce their usage simply by improving the building itself. GreenHomes America locations combine building improvements with equipment improvements for a win-win situation.
This is exactly what ASI Hastings did, they insulated the walls, attic and air sealed the home. By insulating and reducing the amount of uncontrolled airflow in the home they reduced what the home’s systems needed to produce for comfort.
Nothing like learning from our experiences or mistakes is there? Becoming aware of our energy use, naturally leads to finding ways to reduce that usage. In celebration of Energy Action month you could really geek out on some resources out there like this from the National Academy of Sciences, But to make it relevant and to “bring it home” consider a home energy assessment.
A good energy advisor will be able to help you in your energy awareness right where it matters most. Look for an assessment of your home that also provides solutions you can act on, not just a list of problems. Awareness is a great start, and embracing the learning experience with action is putting the right foot forward and that is what October is all about.
I’ve been talking about the demonstration home at one of our locations lately, and ASI installed some great upgrades including a high efficiency water heater and HVAC system, Energy star appliances, and LED lighting. We’ve discussed many of these things in the past because they make sense, especially when electric rates can be high.
It’s a great idea to reduce the wattage of lights but who wants to read in the dark? Lighting is like comfort, you don’t need to compromise in order to be more efficient. When it comes to lighting, Lower wattage CFL’s and LED’s allow us the best of both worlds just like high efficiency equipment. As an added bonus, the LED lighting that we install has a life of over 50,000 hours. That’s a lifetime for most people.
They say HVAC is the heart of home performance and good equipment goes hand and hand with good buildings, these are stars that are both within your reach.
When you shop for a car, you can see it on the lot or the showroom floor, same goes for most retail things, new clothing, or a book. You can even find a modular home on a sales lot, but it’s still difficult to see what comfort or efficiency looks like. Or, what kind of savings there are to be had for a homeowner and their existing home.
Well the team at ASI Hastings Heating, Air & Solar in San Diego has created a showcase home to help spread the word about the huge energy incentives available to homeowners in their area as well as the great things that can and should be done in every home. ASI converted the garage into a hands-on “Innovation Center” to help homeowners get a clear understanding of how they can make similar upgrades to their home.
“We invested in the home to prove just how much savings a homeowner could receive,” explains Ken Justo, co-owner of ASI Hastings Heating and Air. “The home has undergone a full remodel inside and out. We are extremely proud of the outcome. People can actually see these upgrades in a real life setting; improvements that the average homeowner can also make.”
Over the next few weeks I will talk about what they did and why it’s so important for you to consider improvements like these in your own home.
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