Energy Efficiency Tips Archives

Eco Friendly Quick Tips

Hey there, eco-warriors and planet-conscious pals! At The Green Cocoon, we’re all about making the world a better place, one insulation project at a time. But we also believe that small, everyday actions can add up to create a big impact on our environment. So, grab a cup of your favorite sustainably sourced tea and settle in, because today, we’re diving into some super simple habits that you can easily incorporate into your daily life to help Mother Earth breathe a little easier. 🌍💚

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Yep, you’ve heard it a million times, but it’s still worth mentioning. Reducing waste is a powerful step towards a greener planet. Try using reusable bags, water bottles, and containers whenever possible. And when it comes to recycling, make sure you’re doing it right – separate those plastics, papers, and glass like a pro!
Conserve Water: Water is a precious resource, and it’s high time we started treating it that way. Fix those leaky faucets, take shorter showers, and consider investing in low-flow showerheads and toilets. Every drop counts!
Go Green with Transportation: Leave your car keys at home when you can. Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation. If you must drive, consider switching to an electric or hybrid vehicle. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.
Energy-Efficient Everything: Swap out your old incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient LED ones. Unplug chargers and appliances when they’re not in use, and opt for ENERGY STAR-rated appliances when it’s time for an upgrade.
Support Local and Sustainable: When you’re shopping for groceries, look for locally sourced and organic products. Supporting local farmers and businesses reduces your carbon footprint and helps your community thrive.
Cut Back on Single-Use Plastics: Say no to straws, plastic utensils, and those pesky single-use bags. Invest in reusable alternatives like bamboo cutlery and cloth grocery bags.
Composting Magic: Start a compost pile or use a composting bin for food scraps and yard waste. You’ll be amazed at how much waste you can divert from landfills while creating nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
Reduce Meat Consumption: We’re not saying you have to go full vegan (although kudos if you do!), but cutting back on meat consumption can significantly lower your carbon footprint. Try participating in “Meatless Mondays” or exploring plant-based alternatives.
Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: Swap out those chemical-laden cleaners for eco-friendly options. Better for your health, better for the planet.
Educate Yourself and Others: Knowledge is power, folks! Stay informed about environmental issues and share what you learn with friends and family. The more people know, the more positive change we can create together.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about progress. Small steps lead to big change. By incorporating these habits into your daily life, you’re not only helping the environment but also inspiring others to join the green movement. It’s all about People, Planet, and Performance, just like our motto at The Green Cocoon.

So, let’s raise our reusable cups high and toast to a brighter, greener future for all of us. 🌱🌞 Together, we’ve got this!

Trace and Reduce Air Leaks to Save Money

Energy Efficiency Tips

Whether you’re building a new home or making an older one more energy efficient, tracing and reducing air leaks can help you save you money. One way to trace and reduce air leaks is with a blower door test. We are thrilled that we were able to help one of our clients find the air leakage!

Blower Door Number Reduced

In order to trace and reduce air leaks, a blower door test was needed. Our pre-insulation blower door test number was 3,132 CFM (cubic feet per minute). After we insulated and air-sealed the space, the number was 2,009 CFM. We reduced it by 1,123 CFM or 35 percent! This is pretty exciting because the Building Performance Institute says that 1 square inch of air leakage is equal to about 10 CFM¹. So that’s 112 square inches, which is an almost a full-sized open window! With that amount of reduced CFM, our customer will see a drastic improvement in his heating bill this winter.

Purpose of Blower Door Test

The purpose of Blower Door Testing is to measure the air tightness of a home and check for air leakage. A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks and openings. Learn more about Why You Need Blower Door Testing

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Recently, we teamed up with York EcoHomes. A York EcoHome is a York (Maine) household that commits to receiving and considering Eco-Friendly actions that will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. They are also a program of York Ready for Climate Action, a great way for residents to help accomplish the Town of York’s goal of 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030.

Insulation Savings Programs

The Green Cocoon is the go-to insulation company for programs like York EcoHome and Efficiency Maine. Efficiency Maine is the administrator for programs to improve the efficiency of energy use and reduce greenhouse gases in Maine. Luckily, one of our customers lives in York, Maine, and was able to take advantage of the insulation savings programs.

Visit our website, thegreencocoon.com, to learn how we can save you money by insulating your home.

[1] Building Performance Institute, Inc. Technically Speaking: What the Blower Door Test Tells You. (Nov. 9, 2017). Bpihomeowner.org

5 Easy Ways to Increase Energy Efficiency and Save Money

Energy Efficiency Tips, Save Money

With winter approaching, The Green Cocoon has five easy ways for homeowners to increase energy efficiency and save money, besides using our fabulous spray foam insulation! As the weather gets cooler, your furnace will start to come on and that means you’ll be using more energy. Consequently, your heating bills will increase. Try these five easy DIY (do-it-yourself) projects to help cut down on energy loss and expenses.

Replace worn weather stripping around doors and windows

Did you know that worn weather stripping can create drafts and let cold air in? This puts a high demand on your furnace and takes away your comfort. Replacing it takes little time and is a low-cost, high-impact solution.

Caulk around windows to increase energy efficiency

Cracks and crevices are a source of heat loss. They can also be an entryway for water/moisture, as well as for undesired insects. Preventative maintenance, such as caulking, can improve energy efficiency and prevent costly repairs.

Change your furnace filter

A dirty furnace filter means less efficiency and that costs money! Check your furnace filter monthly and if it’s dirty, change it or have it changed. Moreover, have a technician come in and inspect the entire furnace at least once per year.

Update light bulbs to LEDs to save money

LED is a highly energy-efficient lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States. Residential LEDs—especially ENERGY STAR rated products—use at least 75 percent less energy, and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.¹

An automatic thermostat increases energy efficiency and saves money

You can save money and increase energy efficiency on your heating and cooling bills by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from home. You can do this automatically, without sacrificing comfort, by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

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¹ Department of Energy (2019). LED Lighting. Retrieved from energy.gov.

Where Is Your Home Energy Going?

Energy Efficiency Tips

The largest misconception people have regarding energy is where they believe they use and waste the most.

Where is your home energy going?

Are your monthly utility bills high? You might not know it, but your home might be leaking energy. Air conditioners and heaters are running longer than they need to because warm or cool air is getting out through cracks, poorly insulated walls, or a leak in the attic. These kinds of energy leaks could cost you hundreds of dollars every year. Finding out where your energy is going to be wasted and how to stop it will save you money and keep your home warm.

Heating and Cooling: The Hidden Energy Drain

The most energy-hungry things in homes are heating and cooling. If your home isn’t well-insulated, you’re heating and cooling systems must work harder to keep it warm or cool. This costs more money and makes heating and cooling units require regular maintenance

Common offenders are:

There isn’t enough insulation in the attic.
Holes and leaks around doors and windows
Walls on the outside that don’t have enough insulation

If the conditioned air escapes as fast as it’s made, you’re wasting energy, even if you’re heating and cooling system is energy-efficient. This is where hiring experienced home insulation contractors can really help.

The Power of Insulation in Cutting Energy Waste

Insulation keeps warm air inside in the winter and cool air inside in the summer. Heat naturally moves from warmer places to cooler places, and your HVAC system has to make up for the heat that is lost.
Spray foam insulation services and cellulose attic insulation are two options that can help stop this loss. For instance, spray foam fills in all the cracks, stopping air from getting through. Cellulose insulation, which is made from old paper products, has a higher thermal value and helps keep heat inside.
The first thing you need to do is get a professional to look at the insulation in your home. A full inspection will show you where you’re losing the most energy and suggest the best insulation materials for your needs.

Eco-Friendly Insulation: Good for Your Wallet and the Planet

Modern insulation products do more than just save energy costs; they also have less of an impact on the environment. Closed-cell spray foam insulation and other eco-friendly products create an air-tight seal that can make your home up to 50% more energy efficient. You save energy and lower your home’s carbon footprint because you’re heating and cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard.
Cellulose attic insulation is also good for the environment. The fact that it is made from up to 85% recycled materials and that it is made in a way that uses less energy than most other types of insulation products are two of its best features. This product can save you money on energy costs in the long run, and it can also help the planet.

For homeowners, using eco-friendly insulation is not just a trend; it’s a smart investment. You will have more money in your pocket if you pay less for energy, and the smaller carbon footprint means that resources will be available for future generations.

Stop Energy Loss Before It Costs You More

Most homes don’t have enough insulation, which means that every month, your money and energy are going down the drain. One simple upgrade can change everything overnight. No matter what type of insulation you choose—spray foam, cellulose, or a mix of the two—you’ll end up with a more comfortable home, lower utility bills, and a home that is better for the environment.
The second-best thing to do if you want to know where your home’s energy is going is to have a professional look at it. They will be able to find the hot spots and recommend the right insulation, which could be anything from closed-cell spray foam to eco-friendly cellulose.
You don’t know how much energy loss is costing you. The sooner you deal with it, the sooner your house will be warmer, cooler, and more energy-efficient all year long.

Reduce Energy Costs with Insulation

Insulation is the most effective way to reduce energy costs. By using energy-efficient insulation techniques, 70 to 90 percent of a building’s heating and cooling need could be cut.

Call us today. Ask how you can reduce your energy waste with eco-friendly insulation!

Category: Energy Efficiency Tips