A few weeks back I touched on some of the hidden costs in our home (http://blog.greenhomesamerica.com/2012/04/12/fixes-for-hidden-costs-reveal-hidden-benefits/).  There is a tie between our houses and our cars and energy use.

Fixing up your home could even help you drive for free.  The Florida solar energy center created this great video:

The benefits of home performance improvements are clear and widespread.  You can be more comfortable, safer, and healthier and save money.   Money you can put elsewhere, such as towards the expense of driving with an electric vehicle.  What I think is important here is that this isn’t just for Florida.  Florida is of course a great place for solar power being the “Sunshine State”, but this isn’t really part of the formula for most homeowners.  Generating electricity can be done in many ways, and energy efficient homes are the key to being able to drive for free.

GHAmerica | electric vehicles, Electricity Use, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Green, GreenHomes America, News, Oil / Coal / Natural Gas, Solar / Renewables, utility bills | 05 14th, 2012 | Comments Off

The Alliance to Save Energy posted this graphic comparing some common costs for U.S. homeowners.

As Benjamin Franklin said in 1817 “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” seems to me energy bills should replace taxes.

I’m guessing things are more comfortable in your home than they were for Mr. Franklin and I’m certain you want to keep it that way.   But addressing energy efficiency issues in the home can keep you comfortable and Ben Franklin honest, and save you more than a few of those bills with his face on it.

Thanks,

Jason

GHAmerica | comfort, energy, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Energy Audits, Green, GreenHomes, GreenHomes America, News, utility bills | 05 11th, 2012 | Comments Off

GreenHomes America Partner ABC Cooling and Heating, was recently presented the 2012 Energy Upgrade California Highest Performance Award.  This award is presented to the contractor that has completed the highest number of Home Performance projects within the PG&E territory in the state of California.

This is a significant achievement since 75% of all Energy Upgrade California projects were completed in the PG&E territory.  I won’t steal ABC’s thunder but, collectively GreenHomes America Partner locations have performed close to half of all completions in the State of California!   I know this won’t be the last award we will see from ABC Cooling and Heating!

Jerry Unruh
President & Owner

We’re proud to support ABC Cooling and Heating’s locations in Fresno and Hayward as they perform both energy assessments and upgrades from Santa Clara County/SF Bay Area to the Central San Joaquin Valley.  Their dedication to quality, hard work and customer service has paid great dividends.

Rest assured that when a GreenHomes America Partner works on your home, those dividends will be more than energy savings.  You will experience the service and quality that instills the trust to recommend a company from friend to friend and neighbor to neighbor.

GHAmerica | air conditioning, air-sealing, energy, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, energy audit, Energy Audits, Energy Upgrade California, Green, GreenHomes America, Hayward, News, PG&E, utility bills | 05 8th, 2012 | Comments Off

Many Americans love their TVs, and it must be “love” otherwise why would we spend so much on something that takes up so much real estate on the living room wall!   Until recently they used a lot of energy too.

According to a recent posting from the NYT, “Incorporating LED and laser technology has helped slash the energy consumption of new TV models by nearly 50 percent within the last three years.”   But really it’s not efficiency claims selling these sets in some parts of the country, its “technology” or “better picture quality”.

What sets these TVs apart is the Energy Forward label which identifies a small group of the most efficient Energy Star appliances.  The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a utility supported non-profit organization based in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, is behind the label and they have taken an interesting approach.  Since TV watchers are prone to “geek out” by wanting the best set, it seems leveraging this “weakness” and making the best sets energy efficient is a win-win situation.

Collectively, small savings add up when everyone tunes in to the evening news on a high efficiency TV.  The important shift recognized here is that comfort and efficiency don’t have to conflict.  We fix homes to make them more comfortable.  It just so happens that is a wonderful side effect of reducing energy usage as well!

Peace,

Jason

GHAmerica | comfort, energy, Energy / Efficiency / Renewables, Energy Geeks / Energy Policy, Energy Star, Green, GreenHomes America, LED, utility bills | 05 2nd, 2012 | Comments Off

This video helps to demonstrate the importance we place on air sealing.  Before insulating, we tighten up the attic.  Of course we also air seal elsewhere, and it’s part of many of the common household problems we can address.  Basements and crawlspaces help a lot too.  Windows and doors matter, but really focusing on the top—and the bottom— first, creates the greatest impact.

Drafty homes can be fixed, and not just for heating season!  Air leakage happens year round and affects our comfort daily!

Thanks,

Jason.

GHAmerica | air-sealing, Green, GreenHomes America, Health / Safety / Indoor Air, insulation, utility bills | 04 20th, 2012 | Comments Off