Goal For The Green

Most people want to have lower utility bills as well as to leave less of an environmental footprint. There are several things that you can do that can leave you with lower bills as well as less of an environmental impact. Understanding which utility company has the greenest approach to the provision of energy is also important, which is why companies like Compare Texas Energy Providers give comparisons of the different available energy options companies offer. Here are things you can do at home to help.

Stop the Phantom Load

Even when you are not using an appliance, it will still consume a significant amount of energy just by being plugged in. According to the University of California at Berkeley, as much as six percent of residential energy consumption across the nation occurs due to these phantom loads. You can stop yourself from having higher bills and contributing to the problem by simply unplugging all appliances that you are not using, or by plugging them into a power strip and turning the power strip off.

Switch Light Bulbs

A very inexpensive way to save on utility bills while also helping the environment is switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs reduce energy consumption by as much as 75 percent over incandescent ones, last 10 times longer and generally pay for themselves on average in about six months.

Buy a Different Thermostat

You might consider purchasing and installing a programmable thermostat, which you can program to automatically adjust the temperature inside of your home according to when you need it to be comfortable. For example, the thermostat may adjust the temperature to where it is either not cooling your home during the day in the summer when you are at work, or not heating it in the winter, only turning back on about 30 minutes before you return home.

Look for and Seal Leaks

As much as 10 percent of a home’s energy costs may be do to tiny cracks which allow air from inside to escape. You should thus carefully inspect your home for these cracks and use caulk or another sealant to close them.

In addition to comparing various energy companies to make certain you are choosing the greenest one and the one with the best rates, taking simple steps on your own can save you big on your energy bills. As an additional plus, reducing your utility bills also reduces your impact on the environment.

Pressure washing is a fast, safe and effective way to clean a wide variety of surfaces, especially the exteriors of buildings. The popularity of pressure washing has really taken off in recent years, with many companies now offering this service. However, the quality of these pressure washing companies tends to vary quite dramatically. Therefore, if you simply call the first pressure washing company you see listed in the phone book, you could be in for a rude awakening. If one of these companies is charging a price that is so low that you can’t believe it, there is probably a very good reason. Be cautious when you are vetting these companies. Here is how you can go about locating a company that does pressure washing.

1. Ask people in your neighborhood

There is a strong likelihood that you have seen at least one of your neighbors having his or her house pressure washed in the past. If this is the case, talk to the person and inquire which company they used. How many times have they hired this company? Did they do a professional job? Was there a large mess when the company left? Did the company leave things just the way they found them? How much did the company charge? The more people in your neighborhood that you can find who have hired pressure washing companies in the past, the better it will be for you.

2. Visit some sites of companies that do pressure washing

You would be smart to take a peek at the various websites that are out there for pressure washing companies. You should do this even if you get a lot of references from the people in your neighborhood. You can never have too many company names to fall back on if some do not pan out. While you are browsing these sites, try to find some that use eco-friendly solvents, like the ones used by Renew Crew.

3. Online reviews

A third option to help you track down a company to do your pressure washing is to read online reviews. There are now reviews for many different companies posted on sites that are designed to allow previous customers a place to sound off about their experience. Go to these sites and see if any of the companies that perform pressure washing in your area have been reviewed. Read as many of these reviews as you have time for.

Many companies will offer free information that may seem detrimental to business profits. For example, organizations such as Palmco will provide ways to save energy in the home when the company’s primary source of income is that energy used. It’s not to purposely lose money, but it’s a way to enhance the business overall. It’s the same reason why many businesses will hand out free promotional items to people at trade shows. It’s all about the marketing of a brand.

Builds a Reputation

A company that provides this kind of free information to its customers looks more like they are trying to help rather than collect every penny possible. This, in turn, helps develop a better interaction and a reputation as a company that cares about its customers. The company is no longer viewed as a faceless corporation and seems more personable. Over time, this type of marketing has potential to increase sales and productivity as the organization is more trusted by the consumers.

Regularly Engages the Customers

Some products may not require a constant relationship with customers. However, those that base their practices on subscriptions or other re-occurring services have a better chance of enhancing the customer relationship by providing helpful information and tips. This engagement helps solidify business leads and future sales as the company tries to remain as relevant as possible to the individual. It’s a constant reminder that the business is there to help the person in future needs.

Demonstrates Honest Practices

When businesses are not forthcoming with simple information that could help consumers, it may be seen as dishonest. By delivering information or other promotional products, the company has more of an air of trustworthiness to the general populace. This can increase future sales and consumer interest. People are more likely to purchase goods from a company that is trusted rather than one that hides facts or doesn’t assist in basic needs.

Empowers the Populace

The more information people accumulate, the less likely problems will occur in any given situation. Free information and products gives people the sense of empowerment and the ability to control the circumstance. For example, energy-saving tips can make people feel like they have control over their bills and budgets. It’s a boost of self-confidence to succeed in various aspects of life.

Companies that offer free information or advice are doing so to help consumers. While this information or promotional product could be sold, the aspect of free gives it power to be a valuable marketing tool. Enhance your company’s reputation by empowering your customers.