by Andrea Christman | Dec 28, 2018 | News & Blog
Happy New Year! As 2019 rapidly approaches, we’re excited to look forward when it comes to the future of green energy. The world is constantly changing, and people are becoming more aware than ever that everything we do has an impact on the environment. As a result, we’re also becoming more conscious in our efforts to help protect and sustain energy and water sources. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some positive trends to expect in 2019 when it comes to eco-friendly advancements and green energy. Solar Panel Popularity We shared a blog earlier this year about California’s new solar panel law. Newly-constructed homes will be required to utilize solar panels, and that will go into effect in 2019. As it continues to grow in popularity and we start to see just how much energy is being saved, don’t be surprised to see other states follow this trend, and implement solar panel laws of their own. Look for more solar panels to appear on apartment buildings and multi-family homes, too. It’s common for landlords and building owners to include ‘perks’ in their advertisements to potential tenants. Solar power is starting to become one of those positive draws that can attract a person to a specific building. It helps to lower the cost of utilities while saving tons of energy. Larger Venues Going Green Sports stadiums, concert venues, hotels, etc., all use tons of energy every day. But, commercial building owners have started to see the importance of renewable energy sources. As a result, you can expect the green energy trend to really...
by Andrea Christman | Dec 21, 2018 | News & Blog
Sometimes, hearing the phrase “going green” can go right over our heads. It sounds like a buzzword, or something marketers use to get us to recycle more. While there isn’t anything wrong with that, this phrase can be easily ignored nowadays because it’s become so overused. When we think about “going green,” we often think it requires some big, grand gesture. Actually, that isn’t the case at all. Of course, those big gestures are important. If people didn’t reduce their carbon footprint on a global scale, our world could be in dire shape. But, there are plenty of little things you can do on a daily basis to go green, and do your part to protect the environment. These little things can make a big difference. Replace Your Appliances We’ve talked about the benefits of Energy Star appliances in previous blogs, but it can’t be repeated enough. Changing out the old appliances in your home for more energy-efficient ones will save you money, and will reduce energy waste. It’s a one-time investment that can have a big impact. Think About Food Waste America is notorious for being wasteful with food. If you take the time to really look at how much perfectly-edible food you throw away on a weekly basis, it might shock you. Food costs energy to make, to package, to ship, etc. So, the less wasteful we are with food, the better. There are a couple of different ways to be more conscious of this. First, you could buy less food. This will end up being a bit of a guessing...
by Andrea Christman | Dec 14, 2018 | News & Blog
We’ve talked a bit before about some changes you can make to your diet that can have an impact on the environment. But, as the new year approaches, people tend to make more drastic dietary changes. If your New Year’s resolution this year is to eat healthy and make a more positive impact on the environment, you might want to consider changing the way you eat, altogether, rather than just adding or taking away certain foods. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most environmentally-friendly diets you can adapt to in 2019. Switching to a Vegan Diet Veganism has become a lifestyle for so many people across the country for various reasons. The good news? Because of its popularity, it’s easier than ever to “go vegan” and not have to miss out on some of your favorite foods. There are vegan restaurants, vegan supermarkets, etc. You’re certainly not limited to tofu and vegetables! How does a vegan diet help the environment? Simply put, when you consume more plant products and less (or no) animal products, less energy is being used to produce the sustainable materials you’ll be eating. It takes a lot more energy to raise livestock, for example. When you switch to plant-based food, you’re reducing your carbon footprint by lessening the amount of energy it takes to create that food. The Mediterranian Diet You may have heard of the Mediterranian diet before, but if you think it means you’ll be eating nothing but fish, think again. Obviously, this diet has roots in Mediterranian areas like Greece, Spain, etc. The lower...
by Andrea Christman | Dec 7, 2018 | News & Blog
Building a new home is an exciting experience. It allows you to create something from nothing, and everything is designed exactly how you like it. But, when construction is taking place, you should also consider what you can do to conserve energy. New home construction and energy conservation should always go hand-in-hand, thanks to advancements in technology and energy efficiency resources. So, what can you do to make your new home design saves on energy? Let’s take a look. It All Starts With Design The very first thing you can do to make sure your home is energy-efficient is to start with a ‘smart’ design. Work with an architect or builder who shares your passion for energy conservation. The more experience they have in the industry, the easier it will be for them to make sure your home wastes as little energy as possible. Sealing and Insulating As the structure and frame of your new home start to take shape, it’s important to super-seal and insulate the house. There are several ways to air-seal a home, and your contractor can speak with you about the best option for your construction. There are so many benefits to super-sealing and insulating during construction. You’ll have to make a small investment up front, but these two actions will save you thousands of dollars over the year in utility bills. Consider Solar Energy Another great way to cut down on utility costs and energy waste at the same time is to install solar panels. These panels are much less expensive than they used to be, and...
by Andrea Christman | Nov 30, 2018 | News & Blog
The colder months are finally upon us, and that means fighting the sting of chilly temperatures wherever you go. While it’s easy to come inside and escape the cold, sometimes it can feel like your home isn’t as warm as it could be. Of course, you could always turn up the thermostat. But, that wastes a lot of energy, and can do some serious damage to your utility bills! So, how can you stay warm this winter without using up a lot of energy in the process? Cover Your Drafts Have you ever walked into someone’s home in the winter and nearly tripped over the “draft dodger” leaning against their doorway? Well, these innovative inventions aren’t just annoying or decorative. They can actually make a big difference in how much cold air escapes into your home, and how much heat is released. Draft dodgers or stoppers have come a long way. You can actually purchase ones that slide right underneath your door, so you don’t have to worry about a big, bulky piece of fabric to get in the way. Do a little research and see which options would work best for your home. The Curtain Call Did you know that simply taking advantage of your curtains can make a big difference in how often your furnace kicks on? During the day, when the sun is shining and the air temperature gets warmer, leave your curtains open. The sun will naturally help to heat up your house. At night, close your curtains. The home will retain heat longer, and the chillier temperatures will be less likely to...
by Andrea Christman | Nov 23, 2018 | News & Blog
All over the country, more businesses are focusing on conservation. These efforts often start out because a business wants to do their part in helping the environment. Many businesses even pride themselves on operating with conservation in mind and use it as part of their branding. Conservation (saving water, in particular) actually can have many benefits for the business itself. So, whatever you’re doing to give back to the planet can come back to the success of your company. Let’s take a look at a few simple, yet powerful ways saving water can benefit your business. You’ll Save Energy Just like saving water at home can lower energy costs, doing it at a business will have the same results. You’ll save on water treatment, heating, and plumbing. When you start to use less water, you’ll likely see a dip in your energy bills, so you’ll actually be saving money by doing the right thing. You’ll Boost Local Ecosystems Utilizing less water means there will be more available for local streams, lakes, etc. That might not seem like much, but depending on the size of your business, it could have a big impact on local ecosystems. In some areas of the country, water regulation is required to help protect certain inhabitants of wetlands. Even if it isn’t required where you live, knowing you’re doing your part to protect these bodies of water can give your entire company peace of mind. Speaking of which… Improved Employee Productivity Certain case studies have shown that companies who take an active interest in water and energy conservation have...
