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Keeping Cool and Cutting Costs- Energy Efficient Home Services Franchises are a Hot Business Sector

Guest post by: Jocelyn Chavez

Article Overview: As homeowners embrace a more cost-conscious, sustainable and environmentally-friendly approach to heating and cooling their homes, franchises that provide everything from energy auditing, and air duct cleaning services, to insulation and window coverings are experiencing an uptick in demand.

Keeping Cool and Cutting Costs- Energy Efficient Home Services Franchises are a Hot Business Sector

Just as extreme cold weather and the threatening chill of a cold draft during the winter months serves as a reminder for homeowners to look for ways to prevent heat from escaping, summer's soaring temperatures also prompt people to reexamine their home's air conditioning system and energy efficiency. Rising energy costs, combined with the growing interest in sustainable solutions, have led people to take a closer look at their heating and cooling systems and household utility expenses. As homeowners embrace a more cost-conscious, sustainable and environmentally-friendly approach to heating and cooling their homes, franchises that provide everything from energy auditing, and air duct cleaning services, to insulation and window coverings are experiencing an uptick in demand.

Now is an Ideal Time to Own an Energy Auditing Franchise

With the typical U.S. family spending approximately $1,900 annually on utility bills according to the U.S. Department of Energy, many homeowners are interested in lowering their utility costs and energy consumption. However, many consumers lack the knowledge and skills necessary to significantly improve their homes energy efficiency, so they are increasingly relying on the services that trusted energy auditing franchises provide. By identifying energy-guzzling appliances and systems, as well as areas where air is escaping, air flow is being blocked, or insulation is lacking, professional energy audits provide homeowners with an assessment of their homes energy consumption and strategies for improving their homes energy efficiency.

Now is an ideal time to own an energy auditing franchise that helps people make their homes more energy efficient. No previous experience is typically necessary to qualify. And the widespread interest in lowering utility bills, preserving the environment and taking advantage of tax credits that help consumers purchase energy-efficient products are fueling the growth of the energy auditing industry.

Franchises that Improve the Efficiency of Heating and Cooling Systems Flourish

Heating and cooling account for approximately half of the energy used in the average U.S. home, and are the largest portion of a typical utility bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's, Buildings Energy Data Book. So taking steps to improve a home's Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can have a significant impact on homeowners' energy consumption and utility costs. The forced-air heating and cooling systems, found in many homes, rely on ducts that distribute air throughout the home. However, dust and dirt build-up can interfere with an HVAC system's ability to function at peak capacity. Air duct cleaning franchises provide services that can help remove dust and dirt from the ducts and boost energy efficiency. It's estimated that HVAC cleaning can increase a building's energy efficiency up to 30 percent.

Sealing and insulating air ducts properly can improve the efficiency of a home's heating and cooling system by as much as 20%, according to estimates by ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Window Coverings Businesses- Boosting Appearances, Functionality and Energy Efficiency

High-quality window coverings not only enhance the appearance of a room and offer privacy, but they also optimize heating and cooling efforts by taking advantage of the sun's rays in the winter and blocking out the sun's heat during the summer. In addition to helping minimize heating and cooling expenses, window coverings also protect investments made in furniture, by safeguarding rugs, upholstered furnishings, artwork and other items from fading. The fashion and functionality that window coverings offer has helped propel the blind and shade manufacturing industry into a multi-billion dollar business, with an estimated $2.5 billion in revenue in 2009, according the research firm, IBISWorld. Regardless of whether you possess previous interior decorating experience, window coverings franchises offer you the opportunity to join this lucrative sector.

Whether you're interested in owning an energy auditing franchise, an insulation business, or a window coverings concept, a wide-range of home services franchises provide you with the chance to become part of the growing energy efficient home services industry.

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Article Tags: energy auditing franchises, energy efficiency franchises, energy efficient home, franchises, green franchises, HVAC businesses air duct cleaning services, insulation franchises, window coverings franchises



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