The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

September 22nd, 2011

Energy bills can be hard for anyone to deal with, especially low-income families. That is why the U.S. Department of Energy came up with the Weatherization Assistance Program. The initiative is designed to permanently reduce the energy spending of low-income households by making these homes more energy efficient with the help of the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available.

During the past 33 years, WAP has provided weatherization services to more than 6.4 million low-income households. The average energy savings of these families is $437 annually. Because the energy improvements that make up weatherization services are long lived, the savings add up over time to substantial benefits for weatherization clients and their communities, and the nation as a whole.

Not only will this program result in lower utility bills for needy families, but it will also help to reduce our nation’s dependency on foreign oil.

If you have any questions, contact American Home Energy Corporation by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

American Home Energy Corporation specializes in helping home and business owners reduce energy use while increasing the savings on their energy bills. Founded and operated by engineering professionals, AHEC uses the latest equipment and measuring methods to identify trouble spots that cause heating and cooling systems to waste energy. Our home and commercial energy audits review every portion of the heating and cooling structure – if one part isn’t working correctly, then the entire system is compromised.

As an active participant in the Home Performance with Energy Star System, we offer our energy audit services at reduced rates!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

Sources:

Weatherization Assistance Program U.S. Department of Energy

Be SMART (Save Money and Resources Today)

September 16th, 2011

The Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development recently launched the Be SMART (Save Money and Resources Today) program. The initiative, which is funded in part by $20 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is designed to help save energy and reduce energy bills by up to 30%, while increasing comfort, safety and affordability for Maryland families and businesses (2,500 buildings in 15 communities).

Not only will this program help to save the citizens of Maryland money, but it also even created 900 new jobs.

The Be SMART program has 3 main components – financing, outreach, and workforce development – which work together to address energy efficiency needs across Maryland. The program encourages community members to improve the energy performance of their homes, businesses and multifamily buildings, so that they can save money by saving energy.

Financing: Be SMART financing is available for the purchase and installation of energy efficiency measures including ENERGY STAR-qualified heating and cooling systems, insulation, windows, appliances, and water heating equipment.

Outreach: Volunteer “Green Teams” have been formed to educate residents and business owners on how to access residential and small business loans through the Be SMART program.

Workforce Development: Maryland’s Be SMART initiative also provides training for the implementation of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that will certify plan reviewers, inspectors, developers, engineers, and architects, and will assist local jurisdictions to implement and enforce energy codes.

If you have any questions, contact American Home Energy Corporation by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

American Home Energy Corporation specializes in helping home and business owners reduce energy use -while increasing the savings on their energy bills. Founded and operated by engineering professionals, AHEC uses the latest equipment and measuring methods to identify trouble spots that cause heating and cooling systems to waste energy. Our home and commercial energy audits review every portion of the heating and cooling structure – if one part isn’t working correctly, then the entire system is compromised.

As an active participant in the Home Performance with Energy Star System, we offer our energy audit services at reduced rates!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

Sources:

Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development Launches New Energy Efficiency Program U.S. Department of Energy

How LED Lights Can Reduce Energy Costs

September 9th, 2011

One of the newest trends sweeping the nation is the idea of Going Green. One of the oldest trends of our nation that never seems to go out of style is saving money. What is I told you that you could do both and it was as easy as changing a light bulb? Don’t believe me?

Well, it actually is changing a light bulb.

If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a LED light bulb, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, reduce energy demands from lighting by up to 62%, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions every year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.

I know what you are thinking; those big numbers encompass the entire United States and there is no way the savings for an individual household would be the least bit significant. Well, wrong again.

An LED light bulb can save more than $40 in electricity over its lifetime, because it uses 75% less energy than a standard incandescent light bulb and up to 50% less energy than fluorescents. And that’s just one bulb. Imagine replacing all the light bulbs in your household.

LED lights can save you money because they are simply more energy efficient than their incandescent counterparts. Most of the energy emitted from incandescent bulbs is converted to heat instead of light, wasting immense amounts of energy. LED bulbs are about 85 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last up to 6 times longer.

Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change.

If you have any questions, contact American Home Energy Corporation by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

Sources:

Light Bulbs EnergyStar.gov

LED 101 CreLEDRevolution.com

Recovery From Hurricane Irene & Efficiency Measures

September 2nd, 2011

When Hurricane Irene reached Maryland, it was rated as a category 1 (winds 74-95 mph). While this is the least severe of the hurricane ratings, it is still a HURRICANE rating. The high winds and torrential downpour wreaked havoc on homes all around the Baltimore-Washington area. Countless homes were damaged and many homeowners were left without power for extended periods of time (some still do not have power).

The recovery process has begun and with it comes the opportunity to not only repair our damaged homes, but also to improve them. One way to do this is through energy conservation, which is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used. It may be achieved through efficient energy use, reduced consumption of energy services and use of renewable energy sources.

Consider these immediate steps for improving energy efficiency:

•      Seal air leaks around windows, doors, plumbing and electrical penetrations.

•      Tune-up heating systems, check for duct leaks.

•      Reduce water heater temperature to 120 degrees F.

•      Turn down thermostats in unoccupied areas. Check programmable thermostats for winter settings

•      Check for recommended insulation levels.

•      Install programmable thermostats.

•      Install energy-efficient lighting

For a better idea on how to improve your home’s energy efficiency, consider a Home Energy Audit from American Home Energy Corporation. According to the American Energy Administration, the average energy savings for a home that undergoes home energy performance improvement is over 20% and is often as high as 40%.

For more information on what American Home Energy can do for you please visit our website or give us a call.  If you have any questions, contact us by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

Sources:

1. Preparing for and Recovering from Hurricane and Tropical Storm Damage to Tropical Fruit Groves in Florida University of Florida :IFAS Extension

2. Disaster Recovery Edition Public Housing Energy Conservation Clearinghouse News

3. Public Housing Environmental and Conservation Clearinghouse Hud.gov

Mold, Your Home, and American Home Energy Corporation

August 26th, 2011

Mold is everywhere. It is part of the environment. And believe it or not, but even the cleanest home is susceptible to a mold outbreak. This is because mold growth has little to do with cleanliness and a lot to do with moisture. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.  This can be anywhere, from your bathroom, basement, and attic, to crawlspaces, drywall and everywhere in-between.

And while most molds are harmless, some present serious health risks to you and your family. This article from EPA.gov explains those health concerns associated with mold and what you can do to ensure your home is mold free.

Mold produces allergens, irritants and, in certain cases, toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mold may cause allergic reactions – sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash – in sensitive individuals (this is common). Mold can also trigger asthma attacks and can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. 

For more detailed information consult a health professional. 

If you feel you may have mold issues, it may be time to employ the American Home Energy Corporation’s Home Advisor Service.

House problems like poor ventilation, excess moisture and subpar construction methods quickly turn into health problems for inhabitants in the form of mold, rot and loss of structure durability.

The home advisor services offered by American Home Energy Corporation are designed to investigate areas that traditionally harbor these flaws, and provide a course of action if problems are found.

As part of the service, we’ll investigate crawl spaces, attics and the space behind walls for faulty construction that leads to excess moisture or poor ventilation. We’ll also conduct tests for any gas emissions, such as carbon monoxide, that could prove harmful.

A healthy home translates into healthy inhabitants, and trained professionals at AHEC know the warning signs, and the hiding places, for problems that a homeowner might not notice.

For more information on what American Home Energy can do for you please visit our website or give us a call.  If you have any questions, contact us by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

The Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

August 18th, 2011

According to the American Energy Administration, the average energy savings for a home that undergoes home energy performance improvement is over 20% and is often as high as 40%. Of course, the only way to know which energy performance improvements need to be made is to have a professional home energy audit. A home energy audit is a comprehensive, whole-house approach to identifying the primary sources that are making your home energy usage inefficient, uncomfortable and potentially unhealthy.

The top 10 reasons to spring for a home energy audit, provided by this article from EnergyCircle.com, include:

1. You will save money on utility bills.

2. You will learn how to make your home feel more comfortable during both cooling and warming seasons, without spending a lot of money.

3. You will find out how your heating systems works (or why it doesn’t).

4. You will learn how to stay cool without relying on air conditioning.

5. You will lighten your imprint on the earth.

6. You will understand the interconnectedness of your house.  Learn what no contractor working on your house ever told you – that every action you have ever taken has caused a reaction… somewhere in your house.

7. You will find out where the mold is and have a chance to get rid of it before it eats your walls and makes you sick.

8. You will find the energy vampires in your house, and learn how to slay them… without the need for wooden stakes.

9. You will get straight answers about whether the air you are breathing every day is actually safe to breathe.

10. You will be given an audit report. That means, you will have a road map of what you can do – from caulking to replacing the insulation in your walls to fixing the roof… in order to save money in your house, make it safer and more comfortable.

If you feel you could benefit from a home energy audit, look no further than American Home Energy.

American Home Energy Corporation provides a variety of services for residential and commercial owners, which are complemented by our expertise in mechanical engineering and our experience in the energy field.

The tools and methods we employ represent the latest diagnostic developments, and our employees are fully trained in the use of each piece of equipment. This is crucial to accurate data collection.

Home energy audits, feasibility studies for large companies, designing renewable energy systems – these are provided by AHEC in a professional manner.

We’ll explain the results to you and offer a variety of recommendations and solutions that target every part of the entire system.

Our home and commercial energy solutions, coupled with our working knowledge of the latest renewable energy sources, and how to put them to work for you, make AHEC a valuable partner.

For more information on what American Home Energy can do for you please visit our website or give us a call.  If you have any questions, contact us by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

Save Money by Stopping Air Leaks in your Home

August 11th, 2011

Small cracks throughout your home can allow air to flow and out which can lower the efficiency of the climate control in your home. Hot air from outside can seep in while central air is running as the same with cold air in the winter. According to this article on Ehow.com Fixing these leaks can be a challenging task, but it is worth your time to save money in the long run.

Here are instructions via Ehow on how to remedy these leaks:

Windows and Doors

  • 1 Install a tube of caulk in the caulk gun and use the utility knife or scissors to cut off the tip. Cut the tip at an angle about 1/8 of an inch down. Check the tube’s nozzle to be sure it is open. If you will need a wider bead of caulk, cut the tip farther down to make a larger opening.
  • 2 Do the interior of the windows and doors first, since gaps, holes, cracks and crevices are generally easier to spot on the exterior framework. Lay the tip of the caulk tube along the line where any parts of the window or door frame and jamb meet. Squeeze the trigger on the caulk gun until the caulk begins to extrude from the nozzle, and slowly apply an evenly thick line of caulk along every seam.
  • 3 Smooth the caulk bead with the sponge or smoothing tool so that the seam is completely sealed, with good adherence to the surfaces. Don’t forget to caulk the seam where the frame meets the wall. Repeat on all windows and doors.
  • 4 Caulk the threshold on all exterior doors using the same method as for windows and doors. If white caulk is not suitable in some areas, use a clear or tinted caulk to match your decor.
  • 5 Go outside and caulk the exterior sides of the windows and doors, sealing all seams in the frameworks and jambs. Apply insulating tape or weatherstripping around the edges of the door frame that meet the door itself and along the base of the window, if needed.

Attics

  • 1 Apply foam insulation tape or weatherstripping to the attic access door frame so that the door seals tightly when shut.
  • 2 Wearing goggles, breathing mask and gloves, shift insulation strips aside on the attic floor to check for leaks. Caulk the seams or use spray-on expanding foam insulation to close gaps and crevices, then put the insulation back in place.
  • 3 If necessary, replace damaged strips of insulation with new strips or add a second layer. Use the sharp scissors or utility knife to cut strips from the fiberglass attic insulation roll to fit snugly between the rafters.
  • 4 Check joints and seams on all exterior walls of the attic for leaks. Caulk small leaks or apply wall insulation. Fill larger holes and crevices with spray-on expanding foam insulation.

As always, plan ahead for these projects and contact professional when in doubt. If you need information or assistance with any home climate needs contact American Home Energy by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

For the Second Time, Money Has Been Added to the Maryland Energy Administration’s Home Performance Program

August 5th, 2011

It was made public Thursday, August 4 that the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is adding an additional $850,000 to its Maryland Home Performance (MDHP) program. This is the second time in the six months the MDHP has been in existence that the MEA has added funds to the initiative. In those six months, the MDHP has served 986 homes, with an average rebate of $1,529.

The MEA Home Performance Rebate program offers homeowners bigger rebates than ever for home energy efficiency improvements. By combining a 35% rebate (up to $3,100 total) from the Maryland Energy Administration with a 15% rebate from your utility, you can save a total of 50% on home energy improvements.

The MDHP is part of Governor Martin O’Malley’s EmPower Maryland initiative and seeks to reduce Maryland’s electricity consumption by 15% per person by 2015.

Companies, like American Home Energy, participating in the MDHP is trained and certified to diagnose your home for issues such as drafty rooms, hot or cold rooms, mold and moisture problems, and other hidden causes for high-energy bills. The program trains and certifies contractors to perform home energy audits and install whole-house energy improvements.

A home energy audit provides an excellent starting point for saving money on your energy bills. At American Home Energy Corporation, we perform home energy audits in a professional, scientific manner.

Our home energy audits begin with a measurement of the house followed by a pressure test. Using a tool known as a blower door, this diagnostic determines how much air escapes the building. If needed, an infrared scan illustrates how cool or heated air escapes the house.

We’ll also perform a physical inspection of attics, crawlspaces and other accessible areas to locate holes, gaps or construction mistakes that have created escape routes for hot and cold air.

These processes help AHEC identify the “envelope” of the house, which is created by thermal and vapor boundaries such as insulation, drywall and the protective membrane material used to wrap the house.

Once the breaks in the envelope have been correctly identified, American Home Energy performs a variety of fixes. One example of this includes an air seal, which closes unwanted gaps with a spray foam.

The final step in our home energy audit is performing a secondary pressure test to ensure that your house is not entirely airtight; if this occurred dangerous gases could be trapped and inhaled.

For more information on what American Home Energy can do for you please visit our website or give us a call.  If you have any questions, contact us by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

American Home Energy: Redesigned and Revamped to Better Your Experience

July 28th, 2011

American Home Energy Corporation recently launched not only a newly designed website by Adventure Web Productions, but also a brand new blog. The purpose of both is to give you, the customer, a more complete experience.

So what is the American Home Energy experience all about?

American Home Energy Corporation specializes in helping home and business owners reduce energy use –while increasing the savings on energy bills. Founded and operated by engineering professionals, AHEC uses the latest equipment and measuring methods to identify trouble spots that cause heating and cooling systems to waste energy. Our home and commercial energy audits review every portion of the heating and cooling structure – if one part isn’t working correctly, then the entire system is compromised.

As an active participant in the Home Performance with Energy Star System, we offer our energy audit services at reduced rates! In addition, the energy audits we perform may help you qualify for tax credits. Besides saving energy for our clients, AHEC is knowledgeable about alternative energy sources and how they can be applied to your home or business solutions – you’ll save money and lessen your impact on the environment.

American Home Energy is here to help you, the customer.

So, in order to better our customer service efforts and provide a more intimate communication platform in which to interact with customers, American Home Energy Corporation is now on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

If you are new to the world of social media, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn help you connect and share with the people or businesses in your life. Every day, millions of people use these social media sites to chat with friends, upload photos and videos, share links, and learn more about the businesses that they deal with everyday.

The American Home Energy Facebook fan pageTwitter profile and LinkedIn business page allow us to interact with our customers like never before. These pages allow you, the customer, to communicate with American Home Energy on a more intimate level. You can post testimonials or questions on our wall, share links to interesting videos or stories and upload pictures.

So what are you waiting for? Follow American Home Energy on these various social media platforms and become better connected with your energy experts.

For more information on what American Home Energy can do for you please visit our website or give us a call.  If you have any questions, contact us by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well!

Enter for a Chance to WIN a FREE Home Energy Audit from Energize Delaware and American Home Energy Corporation

July 14th, 2011

Declare your Independence from High Energy Bills!

Delawareans will have a weekly chance to win a FREE Home Energy Assessment Report – a comprehensive review of your home designed to help identify ways to reduce energy use up to 50 percent.  An Energize Delaware Home Performance energy expert will use high-tech diagnostic equipment to spot leaks, drafts, weaknesses in equipment and other areas of your home where energy is wasted.  Based on the findings of the audit, the homeowner will receive a customized report highlighting opportunities to cut energy waste in order to tap into their home’s energy-saving potential.

If you decide to implement any of the recommendations from the report, you can save even more with rebates up to $8,250 offered by the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program.  And, you may also apply for a low-interest home energy loan to minimize your out-of-pocket costs.

Thanks to Our Partners

Several of Energize Delaware’s participating contractors are donating their services to provide the free Home Energy Audit prize to the lucky winner each week.  The report will put homeowners in a stronger position to decide which upgrades can best work together to optimize a home’s comfort and energy savings.

American Home Energy Corporation has partnered with Energize Delaware to give you, the customer, a chance to win a free home energy audit, valued at $400. This report will help you identify ways to reduce energy in your home by up to 50 percent, saving you tons of money on your monthly energy bills.

Additional information about the Home Energy Audit Giveaway can be found on Energize Delaware’s website, EnergizeDelaware.org/giveaway. A lucky winner will be selected and announced each Monday.

American Home Energy Corporation donated this week’s free home energy audit to the lucky winner. If you have any questions, contact American Home Energy Corporation by calling 1-866-977-1406 or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!