For one day every April, we celebrate Earth Day. Taking care of the environment, however, is something we need to do every day to have an impact. How can plumbers, electricians, HVAC, and other home service contractors help their customers “go green,” as well as save money?
Your customers are motivated to make changes. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, “U.S. Public View on Climate and Energy,” 79% of Americans believe that human activity contributes to climate change and a majority of U.S. adults say that they take some specific action in their daily lives to protect the environment.
And while most Americans can easily reduce their use of plastics, turn off lights when not in use, and recycle, there are many systems in their homes that adversely affect the environment that require a licensed professional such as you to diagnose and service.
Below are some ways home care contractors can provide preventive maintenance and other home care services and install new equipment to help homeowners save on energy costs while making a positive impact on the environment. By helping your customers “go green,” you can also grow your business and increase revenues.
Plumbers
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry. Regular maintenance of water lines can keep the pipes both within and outside the home working properly. In addition, leak detection devices are a great solution to find vulnerabilities in the system before any serious damage occurs.
WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a label for water-efficient products. Its vision, as stated on the epa.gov website, is that “all Americans will understand the importance of water efficiency and take positive actions to reduce their water use – in their homes, outdoors, and at work.”
Installing WaterSense fixtures such toilets, faucets, and showerheads will help consumers save money over time. Also, rebates may be available for these products, so that homeowners could also save on the upfront investment.
Electricians
Many homeowners have good intentions for maintenance and upgrades involving their electrical system. However, they need the know-how of a professional electrician to diagnose and perform the services needed. Here are some examples:
- Switching to a “smart thermostat”
- Installing celling fans to help reduce the burden on their heating and cooling systems
- Upgrading their electrical panels
Electricians can also help with recommending and installing ENERGY STAR rated lighting products. According to energy.gov, these fixtures “use at least 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.”
HVAC Contractors
All HVAC contractors can attest to the fact many homeowners, who wonder why air isn’t flowing from the vents in their homes, do not change or clean their air filters on a regular basis. These clogs are causing their systems to run inefficiently. According to the Department of Energy, performing this routine maintenance can save consumers 5-15% on their energy bills.
Several states are offering incentives to consumers to upgrade their old, inefficient gas furnaces to new, high efficiency heat pumps. According to the National Resources Defense Council, “moving heat with electricity is several times more efficient (2-5x or better depending on the conditions) than ‘making’ it by burning fuel.”
Other Home Service Contractors
From replacing old appliances to quickly repairing outside water and sewer lines, home service contractors in all service categories can help homeowners “go green” and reduce energy costs.
As an expert in your field, make sure your team is trained on all the new energy saving technologies and ways you can help customers “go green,” while growing your business at the same time.
Do you want to service more customers who already have a protection plan that covers plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and other services, equipment, and appliances in the home?
