With spring rains upon us and summer heat right around the corner, now is a great time to plan how you’ll keep the air in your home clean, dry, and cool. (And we wouldn’t complain if you took a few other easy steps to address the changing seasons.) If your air demands attention — whether because of a musty smell, irritants making you sneeze, or just too much heat — some solutions are better than others.  Read on to find out why we love the benefits you get from ENERGY STAR appliances — and which ones are right for addressing air issues at home.  Cool a room without breaking your ener ..read more

Warmer months mean more home construction, and maybe you’re taking the leap on that new home you’ve dreamed of. That comes with a lot of decision-making. Even for energy-efficiency enthusiasts, a heap of those decisions probably come before your Home Energy Rating System® (HERS) number — like how big a closet should be and which direction that living room picture window will face. We get it. But you also have a lot of great reasons to keep that HERS number in the back of your mind, and we’ve done our best to make that easier for you with our free Power Moves Home Program. A little forethought ..read more

What makes a building high-performance? Is it efficient, green, healthy or smart? A truly high-performance building is all of these and more. Here we’ll lay out four key building blocks you’ll need to create a building that costs less to operate, is easier on the environment and is a healthier place to spend time in. 1. Energy efficiency Buildings use a lot of energy and water, so improving building performance should start there. Use ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®, a free online available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to compare your energy use against similar buildings ..read more

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, companies are always looking for ways to boost employee productivity. While there are many factors that can impact worker performance, one area that is often overlooked is energy efficiency in the workplace. Surprisingly, there is a strong connection between energy efficiency and employee performance, and companies that invest in energy-saving measures can reap significant benefits beyond their energy budget. HVAC systems: comfort and health One major factor behind this connection is the impact of HVAC systems on employee comfort and health ..read more

Recently updated guidelines for energy savings offer homeowners and businesses cool (and warm) ways to save energy – and money – with Power Moves rebates. This year, Power Moves rebate application submissions for heating and cooling upgrades require Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2 (HSPF2) and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2) ratings. The new ratings system went into effect in 2023 and are the energy efficiency metrics for residential air conditioners and heat pumps, according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). The goal of the U.S. Department of ..read more

Ah, spring. It seems like it gets here earlier every year. Which, frankly, is totally fine with us. Because we not only like the warmer weather; we also love talking about home energy-saving tips once temperatures start heating up. Thankfully, these ideas won’t take the whole season to accomplish. Let’s take a look! Give Your AC Some Love  Spring weather is notoriously unpredictable — and it’s not uncommon for it to get hot enough that you’ll want to start running your air conditioning unit. But your AC could be a major energy suck if it isn’t well maintained. Always be sure to check your ..read more

Mechanical insulation is one of the best energy efficiency bargains available. Over a 20-year period, a mechanical insulation system can save up to 500 times the energy it takes to manufacture it, according to the National Insulation Association. Thus, mechanical insulation not only reduces facility operating costs, but it can help achieve more lofty goals, such as energy independence and improving the environment. The many benefits of mechanical insulation Mechanical insulation is thermal insulation on pipes, valves and all kinds of mechanical equipment, including HVAC systems, boilers and du ..read more

It’s never too early to start planning your summer landscaping projects — especially if they’re designed to help you save money. While planting trees in your yard is a great way to add beauty, it can also help keep your home cool during hot summer months.  Place Your Roots with Care If you’re thinking about adding a few trees into the mix, the south and west sides of your home are great for shade and wind protection, but trees can really function well in any spot. This will help block out the sun — whether it’s the hazy midday heat or early morning light — and give your home plenty of ex ..read more

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 created and expanded a number of energy-related tax credits and deductions. Here’s a breakdown. Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) created and expanded a variety of financial incentives for energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation. Here’s an overview of what’s available and how it can impact your business. Energy efficiency Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction, available under Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code, was expanded under the IRA. The deduction is designed to help cover the cost of inst ..read more

New rebates offer businesses and farms options to improve energy use More Midwestern businesses this year have cool new ways to lower their energy costs – literally. The Power Moves® energy efficiency rebate program this year features more rebates for businesses upgrading refrigeration in their facility. Wabash Valley Power Alliance and its 23 member electric distribution cooperatives offering the program now offer 8 prescriptive refrigeration rebates; previously, only one such rebate was available. WVPA and its member cooperatives implemented updates after an energy analysis company audited t ..read more