Efficiency First

Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy
Efficiency measures could save the U.S. more than $1.2 trillion by 2020 according to a new McKinsey & Company study

July 31, 2009 – The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company has released a new report based on an exhaustive study of potential savings from energy efficiency measures. The [...]

WHITE ROOFS You heard Secretary Chu mention it at a Nobel Forum and on the Daily Show. California Energy Commissioner Art Rosenfeld, says it is the easiest way to save 24 billion metric tons of carbon; wow that’s a better than if we all switched to a Prius or even like turning off the [...]

A Day on the Hill
Last Thursday, 7/23, I talked to some Republicans. This is not my normal routine.
Normally, I hang with the Blues. I’m from Baltimore, in Maryland, after all. We haven’t had any surprises on Election Day in quite awhile.
But that’s part of the change we are initiating with Home Performance. The solutions we [...]

Van Jones on the Energy Efficiency Revolution
White House green jobs adviser makes the case for “humble and hardworking solutions”
For those of us who work in the Home Performance industry, the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency retrofitting have long been clear. Now, the “reduce, then produce” message is [...]

How to reduce carbon emissions from laughter – The Daily Show
If you are the first sitting U.S. Cabinet member with a Nobel Price how often would you bring that up? Have you ever wonder how Super (Secretary) Chu could battle those naysayers that don’t believe climate change is real?
Bottom Line: We need to reduce [...]

Energy Codes in Action Existing state and local building codes prove the effectiveness of stronger efficiency standards
Like what you read below? Want to get involved in this issue. Join our growing State & Local Action Committees which address these issues. For more information contact us at info@efficiencyfirst.org
Section 201 of the landmark clean energy legislation [...]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced July 2 that nearly 17 percent of all single-family homes built nationally in 2008 earned EPA’s Energy Star label, up from 12 percent in 2007.
“Every year more Americans decide to cut their energy bills and help keep the air clean in their communities by buying a new home that [...]

In Praise of Cap and Trade
Why markets, not government regulation, will change America’s energy future

July 8 – Criticism of the American Clean Energy and Security Act has come from all sides – environmentalists who say the bill doesn’t go far enough in capping carbon emissions, climate change deniers who [...]

A Legislative Call to Action
Bipartisan Support Needed for National Residential Energy Program
Downloadable Letters:

GOP Sponsor Form Letter
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus – Republican

Your help is needed in support of H.R. 1778, the Residential Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) legislation currently under consideration on Capitol Hill. Your Congressional representative could be influential in getting this [...]

Cashing in on Existing Federal Tax Credits
Strong incentives are already in place for efficiency and renewable energy upgrades

July 8 – While the American Clean Energy and Security Act is still pending on Capitol Hill, homeowners and Home Performance contractors alike can benefit from federal tax credits that are available [...]