Welcome to the Next Step Living Blog!
- Blog
- 2 Comments
If you’re reading this blog you’re either a concerned homeowner striving to reduce your energy consumption, a family looking for ways to save money, an individual interested in getting on the path towards a green job, a corporate employee interested in finding out how your company can make an impact, a local, state or national government leader looking at implementing new policy in home energy efficiency, a community group looking for support around climate action plans and neighborhood programs, or just a global citizen trying to stay on top of the latest ways to lower your carbon footprint.
No matter who you are, if you are taking even a moment out of your day to ready this, you are an active participant in the fight against climate change.
As a company committed to increasing home energy efficiency on a mass scale, the scope of this blog will be vast. You’ll read about our analysis of recent policy developments, accolades of people, companies and organizations who we think are doing the right things to push energy efficiency forward, and industry trends that either need to be applauded or those that need to be probed. You’ll also keep abreast of some of our exciting news – new cities and towns that sign up for residential energy efficiency programs, companies that make a true commitment to bringing our services to their employee base, expansions to our offering and events that we are supporting or participating in.
We encourage this to not only be a source of information, inspiration and news for you but also a place for constructive discussions, open interactions, mutual education and furthering awareness of how we each have the ability to lower our carbon emissions and lead healthier lives that have less negative impacts on the world around us.
We look forward to hearing from you!
gwendolyn richter
I am a freelance architect in Arlington, MA. I work primarily with residential clients and often find myself in the position of suggesting energy audits to my clients. I like to promote the best insulation and building practices my clients can afford and tell them about the rebate programs available. I’ve worked with Conservation Services Group on a new home and found their services very helpful. Do you offer the same services?
I feel very strongly about helping homeowners to improve their home’s efficiency. In what other ways can an architect (who has little control over the budget in most residential projects) help further home efficiency – beyond recommending audits and spec’ing materials? I find clients are often hesitant to pay for more expensive insulation if they are on a tight budget. Often they would rather put the money towards nicer finishes and appliances. If I knew more about the payback for different insulation and building materials that would be helpful.
I have taken seminars from Energy Star, the state of Massachusetts and LEED for Homes – though I am not yet accredited. Would the accreditation be useful even if my clients are not interested in pursuing the certification process (due to additional expense)?
John Pryor
I applaud your efforts and look forward to getting an audit done at my house. Each one of us can move the needle towards sustainability!