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.

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.

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.

On our blog we will be sharing some of the hottest energy news along with company updates and green standards. We look forward to sharing this information with all of you and hearing your responses. V-Blox has a YouTube channel, www.YouTube.com/user/TECVBloxEnergy. Visit our channel to view many videos to provide more insight into the benefits of energy optimization along with the presentation of the “Keeping America Strong” Award.

Please stay tuned for our blog posts and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Have a great day!