energy efficiency – Energy & Water Conservation Blog

What is the Difference Between a Tier 1 and Tier 2 Advanced Power Strip?

Posted on 07/01/202207/01/2022 by Yaminah Jappah

In the world of power strips, there are two types of advanced power strips. Each has its own set of features and capabilities that make it a good option for different situations in your home. The first type is called a tier 1 advanced power strip, and the second is called a tier 2 advanced power strip. In this article, we’ll explain what these terms mean and how they differ from one another so you can decide which type is right for you!

What is a tier 1 advanced power strip?

A tier 1 advanced power strip is the most basic type of APS. It consists of a single control outlet, usually accompanied by two always-on outlets, and three or more outlets that are automatically switched on or off based on the on/off status of the control device.

These are ideal for use in homes, where they’re plugged into a wall socket next to an appliance like your television or computer monitor. They’re generally inexpensive, so if you need to protect just one device from surges or spikes, this might be the best option to go with.

**Tier 1 Advanced Smart Power Strip (APS)**

What is a tier 2 advanced power strip?

Tier 2 Advanced Power Strips (APS) are more expensive, more powerful, and more durable than their tier 1 counterparts. These devices are designed to handle higher loads while maintaining the same level of safety as Tier 1 Advanced Power Strips. Some tier 2 devices also feature:

Remote switch capability so that you can essentially control the power strip from your phone or other mobile device
Timer connectivity so that you can automatically turn off anything plugged into one of these power strips after a certain amount of time has elapsed
Software and hardware filtering technology that filters out IR interference from non-AV equipment

Advanced power strips can help you control your home’s electricity. There are different tiers of APS to consider.

Advanced power strips (APS) are strips of outlets with an extra function: they let you control the flow of electricity to your devices. APS have a number of different tiers and functions, which can help you save money, protect your electronics and protect your home against surges.

Maximum Safety Fireblock Low Expansion Foam

Posted on 06/23/202206/23/2022 by Yaminah Jappah

Insulating your home or building is a top priority whether you’re starting a new project or upgrading an existing structure. Fireblock foam is a low expansion foam that takes this just a step further. In addition to reducing energy loss and costs, it also works to limit the spread of flames, toxic smoke, and harmful gasses.

How Does Fireblock Foam Work?

The foam is designed to expand ever so slightly to properly fill in cracks and gaps in areas where it is required. The expansion alone makes it a much more effective tool for fire blocking than other standard materials. Additionally, the bright orange color provides clear visibility to inspectors as a Type V construction approved fireblock foam. Once bonded, it blocks air from entering the intended space, helping to fend off the free passage of smoke, flames, and other by-products of combustion between floors, rooms, and wall cavities.

Fireblock foam is a low expansion foam that protects residential and commercial spaces from smoke, flames, and other by-products of combustion between floors, rooms, and wall cavities.

Properly Sealing with Low Expansion Foam

When working with polyurethane foam or other sealants, be sure to wear eye and skin protectants. This includes goggles or protective glasses with shields, nitrile gloves, and protective clothing. Once ready, make sure to apply the foam in a space that is well-ventilated and with certified respiratory protection or a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR). Each manufacturer of polyurethane sealants creates a detailed Safety Data Sheet (SDS) with specifics that should be carefully read before applying foam.

Fireblock foam is typically applied with a foam gun or straw. When applied, it is:

Tack-free in approximately five minutes
Cuttable in approximately one hour
Fully cured in 12-24 hours

To achieve the best results, make sure the foam being used is ICC compliant for fire blocking, and has been tested with modified ASTM-814 and UL-1715. Fireblock foam that meets these requirements withstand the pressure of flames more than twice as long as other competing foams, providing precious additional seconds to a dangerous situation.

low expansion foam fireblock foam — Handi-Foam Fireblock Low Pressure Foam Sealant, 24oz

Conservation Kits Provide Instant Savings

Posted on 07/15/202107/16/2021 by Yaminah Jappah

As the climate crisis on our planet has become a climate emergency, a lot of us are looking for different ways to improve our carbon footprint. While this may initially seem like a daunting and expensive task, it truly isn’t. There are many small ways to start saving both energy and water around your home or building that won’t break the bank. Conservation kits are prepared with these types of savings in mind, and the items they contain provide instant savings once installed.

Improving Energy Efficiency

According to Time.com, “On average, remote workers have seen a $40-50 monthly increase in their energy costs—or as much as $600 a year.” With energy bills steadily on the rise, employing measures that can produce savings right away is even more pressing. Common items you’ll find in conservation kits include:

LED Light Bulbs, which use up to 80% less energy than their incandescent counterparts
Closed Cell Foam to limit drafts and heat from entering through doors
Outlet Gaskets that block air leaks from outlets
Rope caulk to seal air from entering through windows

Help Me Save Water

Each day, the average home in the United States uses approximately 80-100 gallons of water at home. A surprising number, right? When you consider the amount of times we wash our hands and dishes, flush the toilets, and even shower, this number really begins to take shape. Let’s take a step back, and see how we can bring this number down.

Low flow aerators reduce the amount (but not the pressure) of water coming from faucets. Their flow rates range from 0.5-2.0 gallons of water per minute.
Low flow shower heads follow this same concept, except with the shower. Many of these shower heads are also self-cleaning.
A toilet tank bank is placed in the toilet tank to limit the amount of water used per flush.
Outdoor water savers allow you to expand water savings outside of the home and into your gardens.

Saving energy and water at home, or in your building, can actually be quite simple. With a few quick installations of items found in conservation kits you can be well on your way to helping the climate and your wallet at the same time.

Using A Green Loan for Home Efficiency

Posted on 05/03/202107/30/2021 by Yaminah Jappah

“Creating a green home is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint right where you live, while at the same time placing money right back into your pocket.”

Our homes are responsible for approximately 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US. While some may want to add energy saving upgrades, many have held back because of the costs. Adding energy and water efficiency products to your home or building just got a little bit easier. Using a green loan, you can easily get started on completing those projects that will increase the overall efficiency and savings in your space.

How does a green loan work?

This type of loan can be used to complete major renovations, such as installing tankless water heaters, solar panels and energy efficient doors and windows. Additionally, the funds can also be used to make faster green improvements, including:

Low-flow showerheads
Low-flow aerators
Eco toilets
LED lights
Adding or updating insulation
Programmable thermostats

When searching for products that meet energy and water efficiency requirements, look for the Energy Star and WaterSense labels.

How much can I save?

The products installed and projects completed with a green loan can certainly help lower your utility bills. At the highest level, LEED-certified homes can save an average of 15% on the cost of energy annually. Taking into account that the average family in the United States spends between $2,000-$3,100 on energy and water bills every year, that can equal savings of roughly $300-$465.

Creating a green home is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint right where you live, while at the same time placing money right back into your pocket. Check with your local bank or credit union to find out more information on getting started with one of these loans.

4 Tools in Energy Efficiency Kits That Also Keep You Warm

Posted on 09/10/202009/10/2020 by Yaminah Jappah

Brown Wooden House during Snow

With the changing seasons, a lot of us find ourselves playing the temperature game with the thermostat. This constant battle not only wreaks havoc on the energy usage, but the bills as well. Keep things warm inside, and the chill on the outside with energy efficiency kits. These kits – like a swiss army knife for combating drafts – are packed with supplies that properly insulate doors, windows, and other unintentional air entryways.

Foam Switch Gaskets, Outlet Gaskets, and Child Safety Caps

Unless every outlet is in use all the time (and I hope not, cause phantom energy loss can account for 5% of your home’s energy usage), those tiny slits in the wall are letting outside air slowly creep into your home. Along with outlets, the surrounding area behind the outlet and light switch plates also offer a way in for air. These leaks make the house colder than it should be and can cause energy loss of up to 20%.

Plastic Window Kit

Windows can let air in even when closed, but cold weather also makes them vulnerable to frost build-up and condensation. Plastic window kits, also known as shrink and seal window kits or window insulation kits, are installed over the entire window to provide airtight insulation from outside air. Kits are installed from the inside, and require a hair dryer (or some form of blowing heat) to “shrink and seal” film over the window. This method of insulation works on any type of window, is easy on the budget, and can increase R-Value (insulation level) by up to 90%.

Rope Caulk

Nearly every energy conservation kit features rope caulk, a substance is so easy to install a 5-year old could do it (we’re not kidding, just watch). Rope caulk is primarily used to combat cracks, gaps, and openings of every kind. Simply clean the area being sealed (remove dust, dirt, etc.), peel of the amount needed, and stick it into the open area. I think of it as 2-minute insulation.

The benefits of rope caulk don’t stop at insulation:

It’s cheap!
It’s durable through most weather conditions, so you don’t have to worry about it cracking during cold months
Just as easy as it is to install is how easy it is to remove (and clean up after), making this an easy insulation answer for renters

Door and Window Foam Tape

Foam tape is best used with sliding or swinging doors and windows. The tape blocks outside air by sealing the open space between the edges/side of doors and windows. Foam tape installs easily and is very cost effective.

Putting energy efficiency kits to good use – the gaskets, child safety caps, plastic window kits, rope caulk, and foam tape – will go a long way towards stabilizing the temperature in your home, saving energy and preventing energy loss, and allow you to subtract a few dollars from that energy bill.

LED Ready T5 Fixture: What it is and How it Saves

Posted on 01/24/202001/24/2020 by Yaminah Jappah

For years, the T5 light fixture has been the source of illumination for gymnasiums, warehouses, industrial, and other commercial buildings. These lights are such a staple in these settings, that they can be easily forgotten or overlooked when efficiency upgrades are being made. When looking to increase building lighting efficiency, the LED ready T5 fixture should be considered at the top of the list. These energy and cost-efficient fixtures make replacement quick, and maintenance simple.

What is an LED Ready T5 Fixture?

While they look just like fluorescent fixtures, LED ready fixtures are designed to specifically house energy saving LED T5 lamps. The name is an indication of just how these fixtures work. They don’t contain a ballast, allowing the light to be installed without bypassing a ballast, or having to spend money on an LED tube that is ballast compatible.

Time Saving Technology

Along with the time saved during installation, this fixture saves energy by using energy-efficient LED lamps in it. LED lamps are made to last for 50,000 hours on average. That’s more than twice as long as the standard 24,000 a fluorescent is rated. The technology is such that an LED using the same amount of watts as a fluorescent lamp can produce an even higher lumen rating, emitting a brighter light than the fluorescent.

Endless Options

The LED ready T5 fixture provides a smart and simple solution to replacing outdated fluorescent fixtures. There are fixtures that hold from one to eight lamps at a time. The LEDs they house are available in a wide range of color temperatures, wattages, and lumen ratings. The fixtures are also available in high bay and linear, giving you even more options when it comes to creating efficiency in your commercial or industrial space.

Tier 2 Advanced Power Strip for Advanced Savings

Posted on 10/25/201910/25/2019 by Yaminah Jappah

Taking energy efficiency to the next level in your home or business is as simple as plugging an outlet into the wall. The catch: it needs to be the right one. Standard power strips provide power non-stop to all electronics plugged into them. Smart power strips allow for savings by letting you control one or a few outlets, while the power strip controls the rest. A tier 2 advanced power strip takes those savings even further by allowing multiple options for control while providing optimal surge protection for your devices.

We covered the difference between a tier 1 and tier 2 power strip earlier if you want to go into the details. Now, let’s dive into the major benefits of a tier 2 device.

Multiple Sensors

The tier 2 power strip has built-in sensors that detect both motion and infrared (IR) remote control signals. It is equipped with an intelligent algorithm that looks first for IR signals from a remote, and then looks to detect motion if no IR signals are found. Without the presence of either, the adjustable countdown timer is initiated, and powers off devices after that time has passed with no activity present. Additionally, some strips even feature bluetooth technology, allowing for control over devices right from your smartphone.

Surge Protection That’s Fireproof

Advanced power strips come complete with enhanced surge protection in the form of the metal oxide varistors (MOV). These components are designed to dissolve heat much faster than traditional surge protectors. It is also covered by a fireproof ceramic casing. This technology makes it possible to prevent a fire from occurring in the event of a power surge.

Know and Control Energy Usage

The tier 2 power strip communicates and records energy usage data. This includes the history of the energy used by the devices that are plugged into it as well as the real-time data. All of this information can be accessed through a mobile app available for both iOS® and Android® devices. Through the app, users can manage and predict electricity usage and costs, get updated on surge and ground status, sign up for promotions, and complete product registration as well as receive support. In addition, data records are also stored in a raw format, allowing easy access by evaluators and program admins for statistics, installation verification, and tracking.

As technology evolves, the way we use it evolves as well. Using a tier 2 advanced power strip to control the energy consumed by devices is an ideal way to continue to enjoy our tech with the added bonus of energy efficiency.

Choosing a Double or Single Ended T8 LED Tube

Posted on 07/07/201907/09/2019 by Yaminah Jappah

Now that you understand more about ballasts, retrofitting, and the benefits of switching from fluorescent to LED, let’s get into even further detail about LED T8 lights. These lamps come in a few different configurations. The most obvious of which is the single and double-ended tube. Knowing whether you’ll need a double ended T8 LED or a single ended T8 LED tube for your lighting project gets you on the right track to completing the ideal renovation.

What Kind of Lamp is the Single Ended T8 LED Tube?

Single ended tubes receive all of their power from one side. This is the side that contains both the neutral and live pins. It is known as the input end. Many of these types of lamps are direct-wire, and do not require a ballast in order to operate. However, if you are using this lamp in a retrofit, the lampholders will require replacement, and the ballast removed.

What Kind of Lamp is the Double Ended T8 LED?

On the double ended T8 LED, you will find the neutral pins on one end, and the live pins on the other end of the tube. Traditional fluorescent lamps also have this double ended configuration. When replacing fluorescent tubes with LEDs, using the double ended LED lamps can make retrofitting much easier.

If this is your first major lighting project, consider enlisting the assistance of a licensed technician or electrical expert. Once these lamps are installed throughout your building, they are guaranteed to bring energy and dollar savings for years to come.

Outdoor LED Flood Light vs. LED Spotlight

Posted on 03/13/201903/18/2019 by Yaminah Jappah

When doing an outdoor lighting project, there are so many options to choose from. Among all available lights, the most energy efficient are easily the ones with LED technology. Once you know LED is the way to go, you have to know what beam you need, how wide of a beam is necessary, and how to calculate the beam spread you’ll need. Let’s take a look at a few of the key differences between an outdoor LED flood light and the LED spotlight.

Beam Differences

Spotlight – an LED spotlight will project a light beam that fairs on the more narrow side, at 45 degrees or less. This sort of beam spread is concentrated in a more specific area, and can be simpler to direct.

Flood Light – LED bulbs in this category create a large beam spread that can cast from 50 to 120 degrees of light. As this is a larger beam, this light covers a significantly large amount of space without compromising energy efficiency (wattage) or light brightness (lumens) in comparison to the spotlight.

Which to Choose?

LED spotlights can be seen when looking to highlight specific points or details, such as artwork in a museum, features in landscaping, or items for display.

If your project requires illuminating large spaces that need a wide and even distribution of light, the outdoor LED flood light is the one you want to go with. These lights are used in settings such as parking lots, warehouses, other commercial spaces, and driveways to name a few.

Measuring the Coverage Area

While having a general idea of what setting a spotlight or floodlight can be used in is helpful, being able to measure in feet how much coverage you’ll have per light can make your lighting project run even more smoothly. Keep this formula handy for when you need to do just that:

Distance from Bulb x Beam Angle x 0.018 = Beam Width in Feet

For example, if you want to cover 20 feet of area using a 90 degree floodlight:

20 x 90 x 0.018 = 32.4 feet

With your knowledge of how an outdoor LED flood light differs from an LED spotlight, and with this formula in hand, you’re now more than ready to take on that next lighting project.

Replacing Fluorescents with T8 LED Light Bulbs to Power Up and Save

Posted on 11/29/201804/21/2022 by Yaminah Jappah

According to the US Energy Information Administration, lighting accounts for 10% of total energy consumption in commercial buildings. This includes schools, hospitals, warehouses, offices, and other industrial spaces. Limiting the amount of energy lost from lighting is just as simple as changing the lights. The most common type of lamp found in these buildings are fluorescent T8 lights. By simply replacing them with T8 LED light bulbs, you can easily reduce energy usage and costs right along with it.

What’s So Different?

When looking to replace fluorescent lamps with their LED counterparts, the first thing to check is wattage. For example, if you’re replacing a 32-watt fluorescent, a 17-watt LED T8 will do the trick. This tremendously cuts the energy being used from just the one fixture. Imagine the savings possible after replacing them all.

Next, do a comparison of lumens. While wattage measures the amount of energy being consumed, lumens accounts for the brightness of a bulb. Let’s take the same example from earlier. A T8 fluorescent that uses 32 watts of energy typically produces 2500 lumens of light. It’s LED equivalent, while using only 17 watts, produces 2200 lumens.

Additionally, T8 LED light bulbs have a lifetime rating of 50,000 hours, more than 3 times longer than 15,000 hour average lifespan of T8 fluorescent lights. Also keep in mind the warranty period. Generally, most fluorescent tubes have a 2-year warranty. Their LED counterparts are warrantied for as much as 5 years after the date of purchase.

Tube Types

There are two types of T8 LED tubes: Plug and Play, and Ballast Bypass. If you’re looking to do a quick replacement and install, you’ll want to go with the plug and play LEDs. These models do just as the title suggests. Rewiring isn’t necessary, and this reduces the maintenance costs. Installing Ballast bypass LEDs is slightly more complicated, and a professional electrician should be contracted to do the job. The existing ballast in the fixture will first need to be removed. These lamps work by using the voltage that flows directly to the socket.

All LED tubes come in either cool white or daylight color temperatures, matching the colors of the already installed lamps. T8 LED light bulbs allow for less energy use, greater energy savings, longer lamp life, and less maintenance. They are manufactured to make the switch both seamless, and well worth it in the long run.