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Forward thinking companies have immediately taken steps towards initiatives in response to the Global energy Efficiency Challenge that was recently launched by the U.S. government. While some initiatives are very diverse and also niche related, others are focused on the promotion of education and awareness towards taking action in the mainstream market. Most of such initiatives were already launched at the Clean Energy Ministerial that recently took place in Washington DC. The United States Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) points out that there are recently significant investments made on energy efficiency across the board. Most of such initiatives are focused on building efficiency, that are estimated to account for about 60% of the GHG emissions worldwide in every year. Seeing such as a priority, the DOE has already invested funds for the certification of inspectors, operators, technicians, auditors while allocating grants for research as it is pushing energy efficient initiatives.

A variety of forward thinking initiatives have been created as a result of the Global Energy Efficiency Challenge, which was launched recently by the United States government. There would be diverse initiatives which could also be niche related, with the other aiming towards the promotion of education and taking action in the mainstream. Many of these initiatives were launched at the Clean Energy Ministerial which took place recently in Washington DC.

The Global Superior Energy Performance Partnership (GSEP) is among the most significant initiatives out of the Clean Energy Ministerial. This partnership involves a three-pronged approach to efficiency improvements in commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Some countries that have participated in the Copenhagen energy Summit have thrown criticisms at the United States, and the United States government’s initiative on the Global Energy Efficiency Challenge could concoct a very welcome buzz. A number of other countries have signed on to support the project and become part of the partnership and these countries combined represent more than 80% of energy consumption, worldwide.

One of the primary goals of the GSEP is to develop a certification process to make sure that energy efficiency improvements are meaningful and sustainable. The companies that are participating in the pilot program will need to adopt an energy management system and establish baseline energy performance. There is also a need to undergo a process that ensures the improvements of efficiency in the future, which are to be done according to approved protocols that have been subjected to unbiased validation. Many large companies including Wal-Mart and Target, which combined represent some of the largest retail outlets in the world, have committed to dedicate staff solely to the implementation of partnerships created under the Global Energy Efficiency Challenge. The staff will in turn ensure that employees within the organization are trained on the program. Participating companies will upload their findings to a centralized database, where the data will be made available as generic sector benchmarks.

The companies selected to take part in the GSEP represent commercial buildings, retail operations, industrial facilities, public buildings and educational settings and the information collected from their operations will be made available as application specific case studies. Once feedback has been obtained, the actual certification process itself will be finalized and will be launched for adoption across the board. Companies are in a waiting list, ready to participate, which is also an indicator that the GSEP pilot project is very popular. The GSEP partnership and the Global Energy Efficiency Challenge are further reminders that every organization needs to be fully aware of its relative efficiency. This program is so popular, which becomes a very strong indicator of its consequent impacts to energy efficiency that would bring gains in any company’s reputation and improving an organization’s proactive stance in such direction.

With the constant rise in energy prices it is becoming more important for businesses to focus on improving their energy efficiency. There are many ways to improve your business energy efficiency some of which I’ll explain in this article.

Before digging any deeper it is important to have a clear understanding of what energy efficiency is. Energy efficiency in plain English is the efficient use of energy by business or households. Improving business energy efficiency is the goal to reduce the energy consumption within all areas of a business, be it in the production line or in the offices.

Simple examples of energy efficiency improvements are when you reduce by one degree the water temperature of your boiler or insulate the premises so the building uses less heating and cooling. But improving business energy efficiency goes far beyond that.

First of all any commercial building with over 50m2 must have an Energy Performance Certificate to determine its energy efficiency grade. The EPC classify buildings in two distinct categories: Simple Building and Complex Building, this will affect the type of EPC assessor you will need. (For detailed information see resources box link Energy Performance Certificate).

Install smart meters to gain more control over your energy consumption and expenditures. This next generation of electricity meters were developed to put an end to estimated utility bills and meter readings, and provide customers and energy suppliers with accurate information on the amount of electricity and gas being used.

According to a survey conducted by the Carbon Trust, businesses that installed smart energy meters reported savings of 12% a year when combined with consumption data and energy-saving advice. Hence the importance of hiring an energy consultancy company.

Back in the mid 90s the energy industry was revolutionised by the introduction of compact fluorescent lamps (energy saving lights). CFL lamps consume less energy and have a lifespan 15 times longer than ordinary incandescent light bulbs. Nowadays a new lighting revolution is taking place with the introduction of LED Lights.

LED lighting can save up to 90% on lighting bills, since lighting accounts for 40% of your business electricity bill; led lights can not only improve your business energy efficiency considerably but also reduce its carbon footprint.

Fact: Eco Solutions LED lights last on average 50,000 hours that’s 42,000 hours more than the traditional tubes.

Replace old machinery with newer and more energy efficient. Modern machinery uses significantly less energy. With that mindset the UK Government is working on a multi-billion pound scheme help more than 4m businesses replace energy hungry equipment with more energy efficient ones improving their overall business energy efficiency.

As you can see improving your overall business energy can be strenuous job and it is best if left to the professionals. So my final advice here is hire an energy consultancy firm and let their energy consultants find the best ways for your business to save money on energy bills.

The federal government passed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which included many tax breaks and incentive programs for personal and business use. However, trying to sort out which if any of the energy efficiency rebates you or your business qualify for can be confusing. On top of the federal tax breaks, your company may be eligible for state based incentive programs as well.

Most businesses rely heavily on electricity. Electricity use has reached all time highs and is projected to grow another 40% in the next 25 years. It only makes sense to try and convert your business to a more energy efficient system now, rather than waiting for electricity charges to rise higher. While electricity is one of the main sources of energy used by businesses today it is not the only one.

Leasing or purchasing energy efficient vehicles for your company could also mean energy efficiency rebates for you. There are many companies that use company vehicles, or employ other companies to transport their products. These companies could qualify for energy efficiency rebates by switching over to vehicles that are more fuel efficient or use alternative fuel sources.

There are many ways that companies can qualify for energy efficiency rebates. Many of the energy conservation methods also mean lower utility costs for the company. Utility bills are one of the major expenses faced by all companies. Finding ways to reduce the amount of energy used by your company could help to lower the cost of doing business, as well as allowing your company to qualify for energy efficiency rebates offered by state and federal governments.

Your business cannot run efficiently if you are faced with energy outages due to a shortage of power in the area. This may be one of the best reasons to invest in alternative energy sources for your company. Whether you use solar, wind, methane, or geothermal power it would ensure that your business always had the power needed to run efficiently. Any of those alternative energy sources would be better for the environment as well, and qualify your company for energy efficiency rebates.

Many businesses are taking advantage of the energy efficiency rebates being offered by state and local governments to switch over to alternative energy resources. The rebates help to reduce the out-of-pocket amount that businesses have to pay in order to make the change to a more energy efficient system. In the short term it may be more expensive to switch over to alternative energy sources but long term it could save your company money and time.

EnerChange.org is one non-profit organization that can help businesses determine the best and most effective methods for reducing their energy use. Their highly trained staff will look over your business and recommend all the energy conservation options that could help you reduce your costs. They will meet with you to discuss methods of educating your employees; help you to create an action plan, help you to implement the energy conservation plan, track the plans progress, and help you succeed in increasing your energy conservation

Real quickHere are seven reasons to install energy efficient windows:

- Save energy

- Save money from using less heating or AC

- Add to appearance of the house

- Protect a homes interior furnishings from fading

- Higher impact resistance

- Make outside noise less audible

- Insulate your home better, keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer

With reasons like those, its no wonder energy efficient windows are all the rage. If your windows need to be repaired or even replaced, consider installing energy efficient windows.

How exactly do I pick out energy efficient windows?

When picking out energy efficient windows, you want to look for windows that are Energy Star certified.

Energy Star was developed by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The government programs purpose is to help individuals and organizations protect the environment through energy efficiency. The standard does not just apply to windows but to other products as well.

For the purpose of this article, we will be taking a look at windows that are Energy Star certified. What makes windows Energy Star certified? Any Energy Star product including windows must meet the following criteria:

- Have an NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label. The NFRC tests the insulating quality of the entire window.

- Be 40% more efficient than the product usually requires under most building codes.

- Reduce energy bills by up to 15%.

Customers cannot just rely on the Energy Star label to pick out a good energy efficient window though. An important consideration for consumers is to select windows that are appropriate for the area of the country in which they live. Energy Star labels windows three ways:

- N for northern climates

- S for southern climates

- C for central climates

The three types of windows are designed to address the heating or cooling concerns in each climate: mostly heating for the Northern Zone, mostly cooling for the Southern Zone, and both heating and cooling for the Central North Zone and Central South Zone.

How Energy Efficient Windows Improve the House

Aside from saving energy, energy efficient windows are particularly fantastic in states that can get extremely cold. These windows work to make homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which becomes particularly evident in states with very cold winters and states with extremely hot summers. With these windows insulating well, homeowners spend less on heating and air conditioning bills. Energy efficient windows also improve the house due to their attractive appearance, though not all energy efficient windows are the same. Homeowners have choices concerning main parts of the window, such as the frame, panes, and spacers.

Parts of the Window

- The frame

Look for windows that have fiberglass, wood composites, or vinyl because these materials are better at insulating. One negative aspect of using wood material for framing is that wood can be difficult to maintain, often needing painting after a few years. Thus, if you choose to frame your windows using wood material, its advised to get some exterior vinyl or aluminum cladding to cover the wood frame.

- Window Panes

If wondering whether having multiple window panes is preferred to having one window pane, remember the phrase Two is Better than One or The More the Merrier. Two panes of glass with space in between filled with air or krypton or argon insulates better than just one pane of glass does. Certain Energy Star windows have windows with three or more panes of glass, which do the best job of insulating and have greatest the impact resistance as well as improved energy efficiency. Another benefit of multiple panes is that they keep outside noise out better than a single glass pane does.

- Low-E glass coating

Low-E coating is a special coating on the window that is great to have. It reflects infrared light to keep heat outside in the summer and inside in the winter. It also reflects ultraviolet light to protect a homes interior furnishings from fading.

- Warm Edge Spacers

Warm edge spacers are great for reducing heat flow and preventing condensation. Made of foam, steel, fiberglass, or vinyl, they keep a windows glass panes the right distance apart.

There are many brands of energy efficient windows from which to choose. Manufacturers include those such as Accent Windows, Andersen, Cascade Windows, CertainTeed, Gorell, Marvin, Winstrom, and many more. Home improvement companies select which manufacturer brand they would like to make available to their customers. For example, Highland Windows, a Connecticut home improvement company based in Hartford is licensed to install Alside, another energy efficient window manufacturer, which has won The Energy Star Window of the Year Award three times.

If you’re like many Americans, you have a desire to “Go Green” in your home, but lack the knowledge of how to do it without spending thousands of dollars in the process. In this article, I will show you several energy efficiency strategies that cost little to no money to do and save you hundreds of dollars when you do them:

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #1

Boil only the amount of water you are going to use – by only filling your kettle or pot with the amount of water you actually need every time you will reduce wasted energy in heating more water than you need or use. If your family did this for one week it would save enough energy to light up your house for a day, or run your TV set every evening for a week.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #2

Keep a lid on all the pans being used in cooking – that’s because water will boil around 6% faster in pans with a lid on, thereby saving time, electricity and your money, as well as giving the environment a break.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #3

When you cook in the oven, keep the door closed – nearly every modern oven has a see-through door to let you see what’s happening inside. Use it! Around 20% of oven heat is lost every time the door is opened. If you’re trying to bake a cake, for example, and you keep opening the door to see how it’s getting on, then you are cooking at 80% of the correct temperature, while wasting energy and money!

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #4

Stop using commercial cleaning products in your kitchen – these cleaners are expensive to buy and expensive to produce. You can make your own cleaner from a mixture of vinegar, salt and baking soda. It will clean perfectly, and it will contain no toxic chemicals, thereby helping the environment. It will cost a great deal less too. Not convinced? Think about this We dump some 32 million pounds of damaging toxins down our drains every year, just from household and kitchen cleaning products alone.

Here’s another simple recipe for an all-purpose cleaner, courtesy of Greenpeace:

cup pure liquid soap
1 gallon hot water
cup lemon juice
Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #5

Switch from sponges to brushes – if you use one of those sponges with a plastic scrub pad on one side for a week or so you and throw it away and start using a new one – you’re just throwing money away each time you replace it. Consider using something more permanent that will last a very long time, and will get the dirt off too. A good old-fashioned scrubbing brush will do that. It will last for months, if not years, and it can be recycled over and over again.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #6

Stop preheating your oven – you’ve been taught by cookbooks and by following package directions to preheat. You don’t have to pre-heat an oven for every dish, unless for bread and pastries. Just shove the dish in the oven and switch on, setting it at the right temperature. Use that preheat time to cook your food and simply adjust the amount of time down from the package times. Your food will cook just as evenly and you’ll save money in the process.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #7

Eat at home more often – Americans eat out on average around five times a week! Meals that are prepared commercially are costly and many contain chemicals, ingredients, and preservatives that really aren’t good for you. You could find yourself saving around 0 a month from eating more meals at home. By eating more organic foods in the process you will not only save money but reduce the number of hormones and unwanted chemicals entering your family’s bodies.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #8

Eat more fruits and vegetables – you can save around ,000 a year on health costs on average by simply eating enough fruit and vegetables. Here’s how – the average weighted price of fresh vegetables is around 64 cents per pound and the average weighted price of fresh fruit is around 71 cents per pound. The average price of a pound of beef is around .15.

Not only is this healthier for you, but is helps the environment too – A lot of the costs are in bringing the end product to the market. Vegetables and fruit are cheaper to produce. Their production is less harmful to the environment too. Consider also that vegetables are plants and most fruits grow on trees, which both absorb CO2 and give out oxygen. Cattle, pigs and sheep don’t do that. In fact, they do the opposite. Cattle especially produce a lot of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #9

Feed you family pot roast – consider that cooking a chicken in a slow cooker for seven or eight hours uses one third of the energy that cooking it in an oven does. The same applies to any meat you might want to cook, as well as vegetables and whatever else you can think of. If you have cheap electricity at night, which is common in some places, then make use of it to slowly cook something overnight to save even more money.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #10

Feed your family Organic foods – besides reducing the hormones, chemicals, and pesticides from your diet, the carbon dioxide (CO2) effects are dramatic as well. CO2 is captured and stored in organic soils much better and more effectively than in ordinary soils. This makes organic foods much more friendly to the planet. If we grew all our corn and all our soybeans in organic conditions, some 580 BILLION tons of CO2 would no longer be pumped out into the atmosphere.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #11

Stop throwing away food – Americans have a wasteful habit of serving up too much food. This leads to an amazing amount of waste. On average, 30% to 50% of the food we buy gets dumped! And that’s whether we eat at home or eat out. Americans throw away a mind-numbing 14 million tons of food a year! That works out at about 100 pounds a year for each of us just dumped in the garbage can.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #12

Drinking water doesn’t need to come from a bottle – if you buy drinking water in small plastic bottles, you could be throwing away a whopping ,400 on average every year! Worse than that, only around 5% of the empty plastic bottles ever get recycled. That means 95% of them end up in landfills. Instead, uou could invest around 0 for a multi-stage water filter to fit to your existing water supply. It’s already safe to drink, but this will make it taste great every bit as good as bottled water, and you’ll save around ,300 a year on average. If you still need to carry water in bottles, consider using reusable bottles. You can get stainless steel water bottles, for example, that will last a lifetime. Consider this: Americans burn some 1.5 million barrels of oil every year just to produce all the plastic bottles of water we use. How many cars would that power for a year? Around 100,000! That’s the number of cars in a fair-sized city.

Energy Efficient Kitchen Strategy #13

Put a sink faucet aerator to the kitchen sink – this will reduce the amount of water you use. Some 15% of the average household’s water consumption goes on faucet use. A faucet aerator provides water under increased pressure, but less of it, so it does a similar job. It gives you a needle spray pattern that’s actually more efficient too. Cost to buy? Minimal. Benefit to your pocket and the environment? Immense!

Those are just a few of the many energy saving options you can easily incorporate into your daily lives. Just remember that it doesn’t have to cost you a lot to save you a lot when you make your kitchen more energy efficient. Obviously upgrading your kitchen appliances will help save you money as well, but that’s a whole different article.

Help Others Save Energy

One way you can help other is to become an Energy Auditor. If you’ve ever thought about having a “Green Career” now is a great time to get started. The Energy Audit Institute is now offering online training programs in Home Energy Auditing. You can get trained and certified in this “in-demand” career field in about about 2 weeks for less than 0. Learn more about getting started at the Energy Audit Institute.