Energy efficiency is becoming a widespread term that is popularly used. This is for good reason. There is an array of benefits to implementing energy efficient procedures or enhancing the overall energy efficiency of your business or home. As non-renewable energy sources grow scarcer, switching to energy efficient methods can make a significant difference to the quality of your life. Energy efficiency doesn’t only have economic benefits. It also has social benefits and is relatively easy to undertake and improve. Here at Penguin Insulation, we understand the importance of energy efficiency to both the environment and your wallet. We strive to provide services that can significantly enhance the comfort and energy efficiency of a building. Energy efficiency can provide social and economic benefits. It can also improve the level of comfort inside of the building. In many cases, energy efficient improvements can also create better noise isolation and temperature regulation.
What Energy Efficiency Means
Energy efficiency is a relatively broad term, which can make it difficult to describe. However, what energy efficiency ultimately means is a method, product, or tool that allows normal procedures to proceed with a lower energy requirement. It is essentially the idea of doing more with less. Different countries have varying requirements in order for a product to be labeled “energy efficient”. In the United States, it is required that the product reduce the total energy consumption by 10% compared to the current industry standard in order to be labeled as an energy efficient product.
Economic Benefits of Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is commonly used purely for its economic benefits, even though it can provide a plethora of other benefits. These processes result in far lower utility costs and can even improve productivity. Energy efficient upgrades are some of the best investments an individual can make, as they come with an incredibly high ROI (return on investment). This means that they save more money beyond their initial expense. Not only do energy efficient improvements lower energy costs, but they can significantly enhance the overall value of the property. There are also many tax incentives related to practicing energy efficient methods. In addition to all of these other economic benefits, it can be invaluable to reduce your dependence on non-renewable energy sources. As these resources grow more scarce, their prices will grow much higher. By minimizing the use of non-renewable energy sources, you can similarly minimize the likelihood that these raising prices will drastically impact you or your business. It can also prevent any disruption to your business if non-renewable energy sources become unavailable altogether.
The Social Benefits of Energy Efficiency
Most individuals think of greenhouse gas emissions and they automatically think of large factories or driving automobiles. However, though these things certainly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions (GGE), there are many other processes that produce harmful emissions that pollute the environment. In fact, a significant cause of GGE is the everyday use of electricity. Using electricity guzzling appliances or even leaving the light on when you exit the room can contribute to the overall amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. For this reason, implementing energy efficient procedures in your home or business can go a long way toward protecting the environment.
In fact, many energy efficient measures create a safer environment for many people. For example, traditional lightbulbs contain glass and mercury, which can be incredibly harmful when in reach of children. LED lightbulbs don’t use these materials in these high quantities. Therefore, implementing energy efficient lightbulbs to schools or homes with children can provide a safer environment for children.
Additionally, people are beginning to look to energy efficiency to make decisions in many different circumstances. For example, customers are more likely to purchase energy efficient products or obtain the services of a company that practices energy efficient processes. Employees will be more content when they are working for a company that makes an effort to protect the environment. Energy efficiency can ensure that you are able to positively brand your company, which will ensure a much more positive outlook and can even bring in more business.
How to Improve the Efficiency of your Energy
There are many methods for improving the energy efficiency of your home or business. Implementing these methods can help to procure all of the benefits of energy efficiency. Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of a building. This can involve many different areas of a building. It is important to effectively insulate both the attic, under stairs, and around the windows of your building. It can also be valuable to insulate cavities in walls, pipes, floors, and water heaters. This insulation can also create a more comfortable environment within the building, no matter what the temperatures are outside. It keeps heat from escaping the building during the winter and prevents heat from entering the building during the summer.
Energy efficiency can be improved by many other methods, as well. Switching out lightbulbs to energy efficient versions, adding double glazed windowpanes, and regularly cleaning and replacing filters can go a long way toward minimizing your relevant energy expenses. You should ensure that the ducts in your building are sealed and that your faucets aren’t leaking. You may wish to consider installing solar panels to your home or commercial building. This will help you reduce your reliance on non-renewable energy sources and prevent being impacted by exorbitant energy expenses. To further reduce your energy consumption, you should make sure to switch off lights, TVs, and computers when they aren’t in use.
Contact Us Today!
Energy efficiency is incredibly important for commercial and residential buildings alike. Insulating your building can prevent energy from escaping your building. This will result in a more comfortable environment, easier temperature regulation, and reduced utility expenses. We offer excellent insulation services to optimize the way your building uses energy. To learn more about how the appropriate insulation can benefit your building and improve your energy efficiency, contact our experts at Penguin Insulation today!