Gail and George Bohling received a Silver Certificate from Alderman Mary O’Connor because of improvements made to their home in Chicago’s 41st Ward. The improvements are expected to save them an estimated $483 annually on their utility bills and an estimated 24 percent reduction in gas energy usage.

Energy conservation can save 5 to 30 percent on energy bills which can translate into thousands of dollars a year for homeowners. Tim Bryant, owner of Bryant Energy Services, shares some advice for keeping customers comfortable while improving the efficiency of their homes. The key is a home energy audit.

Randy Novak, president-elect of SMACNA, has urged his fellow contractors to follow his example and become involved in the home performance contracting market. Novak often works with Home Star Iowa and the firm’s chief building analyst, Rob Novak — who just happens to be his brother.

If contractors sit back and refuse to get involved in home performance, they may find themselves taking orders from an energy "expert" who's had five days of training.

SolarCity®, a leader in clean energy services, has unveiled a new Home Energy Loan for energy efficiency upgrades that the company says will make cleaner indoor air, greater comfort, and lower energy bills more accessible to American homeowners.

The Obama administration announced that nine major utilities and electricity suppliers have committed to providing more than 15 million households with access to data about their energy use with the click of an online “Green Button.”

Carrier Corp. recently introduced its Energy Experts program. The nationwide program is designed for Carrier factory authorized dealers and focuses on improving home performance and reducing consumer energy costs.

To help building owners reduce their energy costs, a new building labeling program is available from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) that not only rates buildings according to the in-operation energy use but also provides owners with suggested measures that can improve energy efficiency.

Carrier announced the introduction of its Energy Experts program at the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Indoor Air Expo in Las Vegas. A nationwide program for Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers, the company said that Energy Experts focuses on improving home performance and reducing consumer’s energy costs.