1. Make energy efficiency a household policy.  Homeowners can save money simply by changing their energy use habits.  Turn off lights in empty rooms, unplug unused chargers, and adjust the thermostat for energy savings. A maintenance routine that includes weather stripping and insulation inspection also improves residential savings.  To maximize the impact of energy efficient habits, homeowners can create a green infrastructure in their homes.
2. Reduce overall electrical waste by optimizing the home’s electrical currents.  All electrical systems, including those that run in homes, run on currents that are measured in Amps.  When the current is transferred throughout the home, roughly 15% is wasted due to inefficient transfer.  Installing a power factor correction (PFC) unit eliminates much of this waste.  The PFC unit attaches to the breaker box and gives homeowners savings year-round. 
3. Install energy-efficient appliances.  Although energy-efficient appliances often carry a hefty price tag, they generally pay for themselves several times over.  Over the life of each appliance, a homeowner will enjoy significant energy savings.  Which appliances grant the greatest savings? Washers, dryers, and refrigerators certainly reduce costs, but hot water heaters are the unsung heroes among energy-efficient appliances.  Hot water heaters use about 25% of residential electricity, but this can be reduced through the installation of a device like the Air Tap.  Regardless of a hot water heater’s age, the appliance can be retrofitted to reduce energy consumption by up to 70%. 
4. Replace standard bulbs with energy-efficient ones.  Whether homeowners prefer LED or compact fluorescent bulbs, they can find an energy-efficient option for just about any home application.  Traditional lighting makes up about 60% of the average electric bill.  Meanwhile, only approximately 5% of that electricity actually powers the light bulb.  The rest of the electricity is released as heat.  Energy-efficient lighting use up to 80% less electricity, because they waste less.
5. Safeguard against lightning and other electrical damage. While electricity enables us in countless ways, it can also be extraordinarily destructive.  Downed power lines, lightning strikes, or regular electrical maintenance can cause power surges that seriously damage electrical equipment.  Items like televisions and computers are particularly susceptible because their circuitry is more delicate.  Installed on the electrical panel, a surge protector such as the V-Blox House Surge Protection Unit protects the entire home from power surges.   

The best approach to saving energy incorporates multiple strategies.  A comprehensive approach that includes energy-saving habits, techniques, and equipment will make the greatest difference for budget-conscious homeowners.

New Net Operating Losses Policy

In November 2009, the federal government introduced the “Worker Homeowner and Business Assistance Act of 2009.” The Act was designed to stimulate the economy by reducing the taxes for struggling businesses and homeowners. 

For businesses, the new law means that businesses can carry their Net Operating Losses (NOL) for five years, as opposed to the three years allowed by previous legislation.  NOL refers to tax deductions that exceed the company’s gross income.  Companies that claim NOL are eligible for speedy refunds that they can use for a variety of improvements including structural and equipment upgrades.

Green Energy Savings

Businesses can maximize their energy savings by using the windfall to purchase energy-efficient equipment including:

• Installation of green energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines
• Improvements to insulation
• Replacement of old windows with airtight, energy-efficient ones
• Placement of energy optimization and power factor correction equipment

These types of equipment can ultimately save a business big money on a monthly basis through reduced electric bills, and decreased equipment downtime and maintenance costs. Also, some equipment may qualify for tax credits as well so be sure to tell your accountant all the energy efficient upgrades you made for your business.

Why Make Energy Improvements?

Many businesses have moved to make green improvements in the past decade, and there has never been a better time to go environmentally friendly in the workplace.  Aside from some tax credit benefits, business owners can realize significant long-term savings through energy optimization.

• Energy optimization decreases electrical waste directly from the breaker, improving overall efficiency.
• Green appliances significantly reduce electric bills, for long-term savings that last for the life of the appliances.
• Investing in energy-efficient lighting both reduces wasted electricity and eliminates the production of excess heat, which necessitates additional cooling.

For savvy business owners, the time is ripe for investing in energy efficiency.  Taking advantage of the current policies can translate into dramatic savings in the long run.

Home Improvement Tax Credits

Homeowners who make environmentally friendly improvements to existing homes may be eligible for tax credits up to $1,500.  Improvements may include installation of energy-efficient lighting, windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating/cooling (HVAC) equipment. Guidelines for the credit include the following:

• The tax credit will equal 30% of the cost, up to $1,500.
• To qualify, improvements must be made between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
• The home must be the taxpayer’s primary residence.  New construction homes and rental properties are ineligible.

Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Consumers who install renewable energy sources for their homes are also eligible for tax credits.  The credit will equal 30% of the purchase price, and the 2009 Act eliminated the cap on renewable energy tax credits.

• Eligible improvements include installation of solar energy systems, such as solar water heating and electric systems.
• Geothermal heat pumps, microturbine systems, residential fuel cells, and small wind systems also qualify.
• Systems must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.

Automobile Tax Credits

Both individuals and businesses who purchase new hybrid cars may qualify for a tax credit.  The new vehicle must meet emissions standards and use less gasoline than other vehicles in the same weight class.  Other provisions of this tax credit include the following:

• Vehicles must be purchased by December 31, 2010.
• The tax credit amount depends on the vehicle’s weight and fuel economy.
• The credit is also tied to the volume of vehicles sold by each manufacturer.  Once a manufacturer has sold 60,000 vehicles, the tax credit for that manufacturer’s vehicles will be phased out over 15 months.
• Vehicles that use fuel cells, alternative fuel, lean-burn technology, or diesel may also be eligible for tax credits.

Ultimately these tax credits encourage consumers to make environmentally sound choices about home maintenance and transportation.  In conjunction with measures like electrical current optimization, energy-conscious habits, and energy-efficient lighting, the current government incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources give consumers more reasons than ever to go green.

• Myth #1: Any kind of protection is better than no surge protection. Without any surge protection, the incoming blast hits only the main power supply and will not impact the system ground level at all.  On the other hand, an inadequate surge protector will distribute the surge throughout the system, potentially damaging equipment. 
• Myth #2: UPS offers reliable surge protection.  Most UPS units are designed for microcomputers, so they simply combine traditional metal oxide varistor (MOV) surge suppressors with back-up battery sources.  Although UPS protectors may be more expensive, they do not necessarily provide more effective coverage.
• Myth #3: Hardware damage is the only risk during an electrical surge.  Since computers send data as bit streams, a power surge actually interrupts data transmission.  The interruption can erase data and corrupt files.  That irreversible data loss can translate into significant economic losses, especially for businesses.
• Myth #4: Surge protectors last indefinitely.  Surge protectors use metal oxide to disperse power surges.  Over time, these components wear down and corrode, so traditional surge protectors must be replaced annually.
• Myth #5: More expensive products are more effective.  Most people assume that higher priced surge protectors must work better.  However, virtually all retail surge protectors use the same basic MOV components and offer the same level of protection, regardless of cost. 

Thus traditional surge protection products do not necessarily provide effective, reliable protection.  An alternative is a Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS) system.  Installed at the breaker box, a TVSS unit provides surge protection for the entire building.  Installing a TVSS system offers multiple benefits to both residential and commercial users:

• Long-term protection: Unlike traditional surge protectors, TVSS systems last for years.  The best companies offer warranties of up to 15 years. Installing TVSS units also means less expenditure on yearly surge protector replacements.
• Insurance discounts: Since these systems decrease the monetary impact of electrical surges, many insurance companies offer discounts to businesses and homeowners who install them. 
• Complete protection: Surges can occur from both lightning and other transient sources.  A TVSS protects against all surges, regardless of their source.
• Cost effectiveness: One TVSS protects an entire building, so consumers do not have to purchase a separate surge protector for each electronic device. 

Proper surge protection saves businesses and consumers both time and money.  The best option for comprehensive surge protection is a TVSS system, which protects the entire building directly from the breaker boxes.

Power Factor is the measurement of how efficient your facility is using the power that is being supplied by the utility company. When looking at an individual piece of equipment, the Power Factor of that piece of equipment is the expression of its operating efficiency. For example, if the Power Factor measured at the equipment is 75%, then that piece of equipment is only operating at 75% efficiency.

How is Power Factor Measured?

Power Factor, no matter where it is measured, is simply the relationship between the True Power that is being delivered to the facility and the Apparent Power, which is the actual power that is being consumed by the equipment and is measured by a meter that can differentiate that relationship. The utility measures power factor as a ratio of the true power measured by the wattmeter, versus the apparent power which is a function of the Voltage and Amperage.

What is a PFC Unit?

A PFC unit is a device consisting of capacitors that supply the reactive current needed for the magnetic fields in motors right at the motor itself. The PFC unit is unique in the fact that it is sized exactly for the operating load and increases the power factor to almost unity, which is 100%.

What if my Power Factor is already close to 100%?

If you have a Capacitor installed on the Main Service of your facility, chances are your power factor reading is pretty good. But, a capacitor only works from the point of installation back to the source of power (transformer), so your utility bill might show a high power factor, but in reality, the Power Factor, or efficiency inside your facility will be lower.

What are you trying to accomplish with energy savings? Are you trying to save money on your electric bill or reduce carbon emissions? Maybe you are simply trying to protect your electrical equipment from lightning strikes? Whatever your energy savings goals are, there is a V-Blox energy optimization and power factor correction solution that is right for you.

One of our Certified Energy Specialist will come out to survey qualified facilities electrical systems. They will evaluate your current electrical system conditions and energy demands, determine the current electrical system status, and provide the steps necessary to reduce consumption with a projected savings estimate.

So we V-Blox may not be able to help you or I understand a television, but V-Blox certainly can help you understand and improve your energy usage.

V-Blox manufactures a surge protection unit that protects your electrical equipment from lightning and transient voltage surges. The equipment is installed at every circuit breaker panel and anywhere there are two or more pieces of electrical equipment getting power from. This protects all electrical equipment from any electrical surges from lightning and transient voltage surges no matter where they originate.

Benefits of Surge Protection:

1. Electrical Equipment Does Not Get Damaged
2. Electrical Equipment Runs More Efficiently
3. Energy Usage is Reduced
4. Maintenance Downtime & Costs Reduced
5. You Save Energy
6. Electric Bills are Reduced
7. You Increase Your Bottom Line

If you would like to have these benefits, contact V-Blox for an Energy Assessment and to see if you qualify for an energy optimization and surge protection system.

This means you will be held to higher standards for your building’s energy consumptions and GHG, Green House Gas, emissions. There will likely be some flexibility on how you will have to comply with the new regulations and changes to reduce energy usage and improve GHG emissions will have other benefits for your business. Being a Green Building means your business will see a decrease in utility bills and maintenance costs while increasing your bottom line. Now who doesn’t want that?

Instead of being reactive, let’s try to be proactive. We can foresee these regulation changes on the horizon, so why not start Going Green now. V-Blox has put together a list of 10 Tips to Help Your Business and Building Go Green today.

10 Tips for Green Buildings

1. Use Energy Efficient Lighting

2. Conduct an Energy Audit and determine if you have any options for energy optimization, power factor correction or surge protection products. Contact V-Blox

3. Choose sustainable woods and recycled materials for construction

4. Use insulation designed to help reduce energy costs of the building

5. Reuse and Recycle materials including paper, aluminum and plastic; encourage and/or reward employees for participating

6. Use Green cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals that are bad for our environment

7. Utilize mugs vs. Styrofoam cups; an average person uses 500 disposable cups a year, you do the math

8. Turn off electrical equipment when they are not in use

9. Program your thermostat so that energy consumption will be reduced during off hours

10. Continue learning about new ways you can take your building Green

Just making some simple changes to your building or facility will go along way in helping protect our environment for the future. This Thanksgiving, remember to give thanks to the thing that gives us so much, our Environment.

V-Blox is thankful for everything the environment has given us and is dedicated to helping improve the environment for the future through energy optimization for buildings.

For all intents and purposes surge suppression does not save any measurable amount of energy, in and of itself. This is confirmed by asking any Electrical Engineer. But that is not the whole story. The real question should be “Do surges (transients) cause equipment to malfunction?” The answer is, of course, yes. According to Webster’s dictionary, “malfunction” simply means: to fail to function as designed. 

Nearly every single publication ever written on surges all say that surges cause equipment to malfunction. In many cases it causes equipment to fail suddenly. In nearly every case transients shorten equipment life. If the motor in your car is misfiring, does your mileage go down? Would that misfiring engine require more repair and service over the same amount of miles as a well-tuned engine? If your computer is confused, can it retrieve and use data properly? The equipment in your home or business is no different. When your equipment malfunctions because of surges, it will run hotter. The hotter it becomes the less efficient it will become. This is confirmed by asking any Mechanical Engineer. This excess heat will shorten its life. Malfunctioning equipment will always use more energy than it needs. 

Malfunctioning equipment can affect the power supplied to all the other equipment in your building much like a virus. Every surge generated in your building will contaminate your other equipment. This contamination is CUMLATIVE. This contamination creates a kind of “electronic rust”. Surges (transients) are absolutely catastrophic on computers and microchip processors. Do you own anything that doesn’t have some kind of microprocessor in it? Computer chips require clean power! ALL equipment prefers clean power. 

How many surges are there in a home or business? That would depend on how you measure them. Many devices on the market such as a Fluke 43 or some machines made by Dranetz BMI register surges and transients very effectively. The closer you get to the incoming voltage (sine wave) the more surges there are present. In a home, 900 or more surges occur per hour. Large facilities, such as office buildings, often times will generate hundreds of thousands per hour. It is measurable with the proper equipment. What is the right type of surge suppression to buy? Always insist on UL1449 Second edition certification. 

Besides that, there are three main things to look for, reaction time, recovery time and clamping voltage. Reaction time is simply how fast a device will recognize the existence of a surge. Less than one nanosecond (billionth) is always recommended, especially in Florida or lightning prone areas. Recovery time should be as fast as the reaction time.  

The clamping voltage is the point at which a suppressor recognizes the existence of a surge and then suppresses it. Most surge protection products on the market today clamp at a fairly high level. They usually clamp at 200 – 900% over the rated voltage of the device that they are supposed to be protecting. This is too high to protect you from the bulk of the surges. Any device that does NOT clamp close to the incoming rated voltage (i.e. 120, 240 or 480 Volts) won’t be able to greatly increase efficiency, thus won’t save any measurable amount of energy. 

However surge suppressors that do clamp very close to the incoming voltage on all service panels can greatly increase the efficiency of equipment and extend its life. Because when the ENTIRE building is protected (100%) there is NO cross contamination (electronic rust). This not only equates to dollars saved on maintenance costs, but also dollars saved on energy costs as well. This means if your profit margin is 10%, $1,000.00 saved by reducing maintenance and energy costs increases your profits as much as a $10,000.00 increase in sales. This is “passive” profit. It is earned without increasing sales, manpower, inventory, or advertising. When you factor in for downtime related to equipment inefficiency from poor power quality the dollar figures become STAGGERING. Complete protection is a prudent investment. 

I find it amusing that those who profit the most off your waste are usually the last to tell you how to do anything about it.

U.S. Department of Energy – “Low Power Factor is expensive and inefficient. Low Power Factor also reduces your electrical system’s distribution capacity by increasing current flow and causing voltage drops. Low power factor is caused by inductive loads (such as motors, transformers, etc.).” 

“Some of the benefits of improving your Power Factor are:  1) your utility bill will be smaller. 2) Your electrical system’s branch capacity will increase. Uncorrected power factor will cause power losses in your distribution system. You may experience voltage drops as power losses increase. Excessive voltage drops can cause overheating and premature failure of motors and other equipment.”

FPL – Florida Power and Light- “FPL is not responsible for damage to motors from power abnormalities (surges).   Surge protection should be considered for installation at any breaker panel that has motors attached to it. Surge protection can help reduce damage to a motor’s   windings from external spikes, as well as reduce damage to customer equipment from power spikes generated by large motors starting and stopping.”

Xcel Energy – “Save energy and lower operating costs when you optimize your motors.” “Improve Power Factor.” “even small improvements in motor efficiency will translate to significant energy savings”  “A power factor correction device can cut your costs” “Surges, transients, sags and momentary interruptions can damage your equipment – Protect your business equipment with transient voltage surge suppressors.”

Now you are probably asking youself how can you save energy for your business? It’s simple, contact V-Blox to have a Energy Specialist come and provide you with a free energy analysis.