October 2019, Middlebury, CT

As 2019 is coming to an end, Starion Energy Inc. is excited to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Over the years, Starion Energy has worked hard to serve the greater good of the community by giving back, helping families reduce their carbon footprint, and allowing customers options & price protection when choosing their gas and electricity provider. Partnering over the years with local and national charities like Toys for Tots, Yale Pediatric Oncology, Soldiers’ Angels, local youth team organizations, schools, and the Connecticut Cancer Foundation has allowed Starion to truly energize the lives of others who need it most.  Starion employees donate countless hours and resources to the special non-profit organizations that mean so much to their customers and employees.  Starion Energy has put their heart and expertise to work every day for the last ten years. 

Starion Energy has been providing customizable utility packages, and a dedication to excellent customer service; they empower and protects the unique dreams, and goals that face consumers across the country.

“Our mission is to convert our positive energy and use our knowledge to power the lives of people, communities, and businesses.”           -Starion Energy Mission Statement

Starion Energy is about energizing your life your way. They strengthen and empower customers and the communities they provide energy for. Starion Energy looks to be a life partner, an option to traditional retail suppliers where they created their business model understanding challenges customers face in this industry, and with challenges and goals in homes and businesses. They go the extra mile, because what matters most is powering your home & business and empowering you.

Duane Gereski, Marketing Director at Starion Energy says, “Starion Energy is more than a company that simply offers energy…the mission for each of us, through our jobs and daily responsibilities, is to convert our positive energy and use our knowledge to power the lives of people, communities, and businesses.  We all help impact our customers’ lives and make Starion Energy the go-to long-term energy partner.”    

Starion Energy is 10 years old but they are still constantly growing and evolving as customer needs and the market shifts; they plan to spend the next 10 years plus spreading freedom, choice, and customizable offers to homes and businesses while energizing the lives of everyone of their customers! 

Starion Energy is an independent US retail supplier, based in Middlebury CT, with operations in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, loyal to everyday hard-working families, local businesses, and the small communities which they strengthen and empower. Starion secures the path towards smarter, cleaner energy choices. Their agile working style, resources, and seasoned energy leaders is how they can match people’s changing lives with easy plans that yield results. It is their honest top performing personal service and the genuine positivity of their people that impact customer’s lives and make them the go-to long-term energy partner.

The Different Ways in Which You Can Save Energy at Home

The Different Ways in Which You Can Save Energy at Home

Whether you own a small residential property or a large commercial building, it is likely that you are not doing everything possible to conserve energy. Thankfully, many of the most important energy-saving techniques are easy to get started on. The good news about saving energy is that it also ends up saving you money. If you are looking to tick both of these boxes in your day to day life, then follow some of these simple tips below.

Simple household changes you can make today

It may come as quite a relief to realize that a lot of the most beneficial energy-saving tips are easy to get started in your home. First and foremost, you should replace your bulbs with new LED models. Old light bulbs are notorious offenders when it comes to energy consumption. They also give off excess heat which is horrible for those who live in warmer climates.

You should assess your home for areas where air pockets allow for the passage of air either into or out of your home. The most common areas to check are windows, the spaces around doors, and floorboards. Finding even just a few gaps and covering them effectively can have enormous returns on your energy usage. The sooner you address these problematic spots, the sooner you will notice a difference in your monthly energy bill.

Something that most people are not aware of is that many devices are using power when they are plugged in, even if the device is not on. This comes as a surprise to those who tend to leave everything plugged in even when they are not using a certain device or appliance. While the power that is used by devices when they are not turned on is minimal, it can build up to quite a significant figure over time. Keep this in mind next time you are tempted to leave the house without making sure that everything is unplugged.

Consider working with different energy companies

Many energy companies are progressive and knowledgeable when it comes to investing in green energy solutions. If you are interested in renewable energy systems for your home, then it helps to establish a relationship with energy companies who understand the many benefits of renewable energy options. In fact, a lot of energy companies even offer incredible credits and incentives for customers who choose to make the change to more renewable energy. Even if you are not totally sure about switching energy companies, it is well worth your time to at least explore the different options that are available to you as a property owner in today's market.

Making changes to your yard and outdoor area

While conserving energy inside your home is important, many people are unaware that there are steps you can take to reduce energy use outside your home. Your yard is an excellent place to reduce energy use. For example, the quality and location of trees around your home can make an enormous difference. First and foremost, each tree directly absorbs about 25 pounds of CO2 from the air every single year. That alone is quite astounding, but trees also provide shade that can lower your energy use in hotter months. Reductions in energy use resulting from shade trees and appropriate painting can save up to 2.4 tons of CO2 emissions per year. Keep these figures in mind the next time you are thinking of making any alterations to your yard or the area surrounding your property.

As you can see there are many ways to save energy in your home. With the right approach to your energy usage and consumption, you will soon see the benefits in both your environmental impact and your lower monthly utility bill. If you are trying to change to a green energy supplier, then do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team today. Unlike other energy companies, we have the industry know-how and experience to ensure that your sustainable energy system is installed in the right way, that you can save the most energy possible each and every day.

How to Save Energy and Money: 6 Expert Tips

We all know that there are many hidden costs to owning a home. Property maintenance can put a dent in our budget. One area that can be particularly expensive is energy use. Here are six great tips on how to save energy and potentially save money on your energy bill.

1. Maintain Your HVAC System

Make sure that you have regular maintenance on your heating and air-conditioning system. During routine maintenance, Freon levels are checked. Freon is the coolant that helps run your HVAC system and if the level is too low the system will have to run harder. This will increase your energy bill. That is what is important to make sure the Freon level is correct. The other thing you need to do is change the filters in your system. Old filters block the flow of air, which causes the system to work harder. This will also increase your energy bill.

2. Check Your Freezer

A good approach on how to save energy is to check your freezer and refrigerator. Sometimes we tend to have our freezer temperature and our refrigerator temperature cooler than necessary. A safe rule of thumb is to set your freezer at 5 degrees Fahrenheit and set your refrigerator at 38 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep all your food fresh and all your frozen items nice and solid. However, these temperatures will not make your refrigerator run harder than necessary to arrive at temperatures that are cooler than you actually need.

3. Avoid Peak Hours

If you are going to be involved in a household project that will use a lot of energy, try to schedule it so that you are not doing it in peak hours. Utility companies may charge higher rates during regular daytime hours. For example, these times would exclude the hours between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., weekends, and holidays. It has been shown that some rates are 40% higher during peak periods, so adjusting your laundry schedule, for example, to work around these times may save you money.

4. Invest in a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats really are smart! They actually are programmed to work according to your habits, they can show you the amount of energy that you're using in real-time, and can also be self-adjusting. For instance, if the humidity in your home rises, a smart thermostat will adjust automatically. If you have left the house for work and you forgot to turn your air conditioner off, you can use your smart thermostat to lower the temperature. This will definitely save you money and save energy as well.

5. Switch to LED Light Bulbs

As a consumer in today's market, we all have several choices in the types of light bulbs that we select. In prior years, the only option available was an incandescent light bulb. But now technology has addressed the matter of how to save energy by creating energy-saving LED and CFL light bulbs. Switching to these models can add up to savings on your energy bill.

6. Seal Cracks Around Doors and Windows

It's a fact that up to 20% of your energy bill, whether it is heating or cooling related, can be saved by having the proper type of insulation around your doors and windows. This kind of proactive approach will make sure that leaks are eliminated, which will prevent cool or warm air to just drift out into your yard. You will also have the additional benefit of a more comfortable house. If that's not enough, you may even save money, too.

These tips on how to save energy can help with your energy expenses, potentially reduce your electricity costs, and make you part of the population that is involved in energy conservation. They really are easy ways to save energy in your home; plus, your budget can even see the rewards for using less energy!

Energy Efficiency Day is October 2nd

Happy Energy Efficiency Day!  At Starion Energy every day can be Energy Efficiency Day.  We give our customers the flexibility and freedom to enhance their life and those around them by providing all natural green energy options as well as providing customers the rewards that matter most to them.  Starion customers can receive over 500,000 ways to save on shopping, dining, groceries, travel or entertainment needs. 

Today is a great day to make a commitment to the environment and to energy efficiency at your home or workplace.  Sign up with Starion Energy and choose a renewable energy plan; plus, Starion customers can go to starionrewards.com 24/7 and save on energy efficient appliances, air filters, light bulbs, all natural green products, and much much more.  We partner to REWARD you.

How to Save Energy and Money: 6 Expert Tips

We all know that there are many hidden costs to owning a home. Property maintenance can put a dent in our budget. One area that can be particularly expensive is energy use. Here are six great tips on how to save energy and potentially save money on your energy bill.

1. Maintain Your HVAC System

Make sure that you have regular maintenance on your heating and air-conditioning system. During routine maintenance, Freon levels are checked. Freon is the coolant that helps run your HVAC system and if the level is too low the system will have to run harder. This will increase your energy bill. That is what is important to make sure the Freon level is correct. The other thing you need to do is change the filters in your system. Old filters block the flow of air, which causes the system to work harder. This will also increase your energy bill.

2. Check Your Freezer

A good approach on how to save energy is to check your freezer and refrigerator. Sometimes we tend to have our freezer temperature and our refrigerator temperature cooler than necessary. A safe rule of thumb is to set your freezer at 5 degrees Fahrenheit and set your refrigerator at 38 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep all your food fresh and all your frozen items nice and solid. However, these temperatures will not make your refrigerator run harder than necessary to arrive at temperatures that are cooler than you actually need.

3. Avoid Peak Hours

If you are going to be involved in a household project that will use a lot of energy, try to schedule it so that you are not doing it in peak hours. Utility companies may charge higher rates during regular daytime hours. For example, these times would exclude the hours between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., weekends, and holidays. It has been shown that some rates are 40% higher during peak periods, so adjusting your laundry schedule, for example, to work around these times may save you money.

4. Invest in a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats really are smart! They actually are programmed to work according to your habits, they can show you the amount of energy that you're using in real time, and can also be self-adjusting. For instance, if the humidity in your home rises, a smart thermostat will adjust automatically. If you have left the house for work and you forgot to turn your air conditioner off, you can use your smart thermostat to lower the temperature. This will definitely save you money and save energy as well.

5. Switch to LED Light Bulbs

As a consumer in today's market, we all have several choices in the types of light bulbs that we select. In prior years, the only option available was an incandescent light bulb. But now technology has addressed the matter of how to save energy by creating energy saving LED and CFL light bulbs. Switching to these models can add up to savings on your energy bill.

6. Seal Cracks Around Doors and Windows

It's a fact that up to 20% of your energy bill, whether it is heating or cooling related, can be saved by having the proper type of insulation around your doors and windows. This kind of proactive approach will make sure that leaks are eliminated, which will prevent cool or warm air to just drift out into your yard. You will also have the additional benefit of a more comfortable house. If that's not enough, you may even save money, too.

These tips on how to save energy can help with your energy expenses, potentially reduce your electricity costs, and make you part of the population that is involved in energy conservation. They really are easy ways to save energy in your home; plus, your budget can even see the rewards for using less energy!

Cutting Carbon Emissions

The conundrum lies with the need to use energy for such reasons as heating and cooling homes, but this contributes to the carbon problem. There are many personal rewards for energy use such as staying warm during winter blizzards, keeping cool when the sun is sweltering, and being able to see indoors when the sun goes down. By altering a few behaviors to become more energy-efficient, people can enjoy the benefits of energy use while still being cognizant to carbon emissions.

Ways to Work Towards Energy Reduction Rewards

Energy reduction rewards can come in the form of self-satisfaction knowing you're helping the environment or in physical rewards such as reduced energy bills or benefits with energy suppliers for being more green with energy use. Below are a few things to consider that will help work towards whatever energy reduction rewards are best suited for you.

Check for Home Leaks

Check for any leaks in seals that could be allowing air to seep in and out. A house is supposed to be a contained unit where air temperature can be controlled. If there are multiple leaks, this makes it harder on the thermostat to regulate the temperature causing the heater or air conditioner to work more than it should. Be sure to check for leaks around doors and windows as well as any place that additions to a home have been added and the original foundation or framing was dismantled. Cracks and breaks in seals are likely to appear first in such locations. Ensuring the house is properly sealed and insulated could reduce heating and cooling bills by 20%.

Check the Thermostat

Break out the blankets instead of dialing up the heat. Turn the thermostat down a few notches in the winter to reduce carbon emissions from heat. A two-degree drop can reduce emissions by 6%, which is roughly 420 pounds of carbon per home. A minute drop can contribute to great rewards for energy use.

Check Insulation

In addition to turning down the thermostat, invest in proper insulation for walls and ceilings. If all cracks are sealed, insulation can cut down on the need to heat the house reducing energy bills by 20-30%. Insulation helps contain the heat that is produced, cutting carbon emissions by 140 to 2100 pounds per year.

Check Home Décor

Two things can help contribute to managing house temperature: foliage and paint color. Foliage such as shade trees can help shade the house from the sun's rays in times of warm weather, reducing how much the air conditioner might have to work. The same goes for paint. Depending on the climate, lighter pastels are better at deflecting the sun's rays and keeping the house cooler, while darker colors are more useful in absorbing the sun's rays to keep a house warmer. Either way, the strategic use of foliage and paint in climates can save 2.4 tons of carbon emissions per year. The trees also help take some of the carbon out of the air.

No matter what rewards for energy use you are looking for, personal or environmental, careful attention to how energy is used and managed in the home can result in maximum energy reduction rewards for all involved. Check for leaks, monitor the thermostat, install insulation, and use appropriate décor to curb unnecessary carbon emissions.

Types Of Renewable Energy Available Today

Renewable energy refers to energy sources that naturally replenish. This energy is flow-limited. However, it can potentially reduce your household or commercial building energy use by 33% to 80% if you use energy-efficient halogen incandescent, LEDs, and CFLs. There are seven types of renewable energy you can invest in. These include:

1. Bioenergy: This type of energy is derived from biomass, which is used to create heat and electricity. It is also used to produce liquid fuel that is used in transportation (ethanol and biodiesel). Biomass is any organic matter that comes from living plants or animals. This type of power generation process produces the same amount of carbon dioxide as fossil fuels. The replacement plants are grown as biomass work to reduce carbon dioxide. This cycle keeps the environment relatively neutral.
   
2. Geothermal: These renewable energy options are derived directly from the earth's heat. It is sourced close to the surface or from heated rocks. It is also derived from reservoirs of hot water beneath the earth's surface. In mass production, a geothermal plant is used to harness these renewable energy sources and to generate electricity. In smaller scales, the pump is installed by a local energy company about 10 feet under the ground. The electricity produced is used to supply heat to a nearby building.
   
3. Hydroelectric energy: Hydroelectric energy is one of the most familiar types of renewable energy. Power is generated by installing a system near dams that have water reservoirs. The water is released to flow through turbines and electricity is produced in the process. The water cycles between lower and upper reservoirs, controlling generation between high and low pick demand. This process is called pumped-storage hydropower. Run-of-river hydropower, however, channels a portion of the river through funnels to produce electricity. This type does not require a dam.
   
4. Hydrogen: Hydrogen is the simplest and the most abundant element in the universe. However, it does not occur naturally on earth but resides in organic compounds such as gasoline, natural gases, propane, and methanol as well as water. Some algae and bacteria can also be used to produce hydrogen through solar energy. If you are thinking of saving energy through a high power renewable energy source, this is your option. Best of all, though it's high in energy, it produces little to no pollution when burned. The cells are used to convert the potential chemical energy into electricity. Water and heat are the only byproducts in the process. The cost of production is, however, relatively high, which has made its commercialization decrease, at least until the price decreases.
   
5. Solar energy: When you hear of the different types of renewable energy, the first thing that comes to mind is probably solar. This is the most commercial renewable energy source. Heat and electricity are generated by capturing the sun's rays directly on panels. The electricity produced is then channeled to be used as electricity for heating and cooling systems, lights, and general residential or commercial use. This type of renewable energy source is the most versatile and has made its way to over 9.1 million homes and businesses across the country. All other types of renewable energy used the sun except hydrogen and geothermal.
   
6. Ocean: The motions and tides of the waves can be used to produce heat and mechanical energy. Also, thermal energy can be generated from the ocean. This energy is converted into electricity by different systems that make use of the warm surface water temperature of the sea. This energy can be used to reduce electricity cost of a building near the ocean current.
   
7. Wind energy: Wind energy is captured by turbines and converted into electricity, which is then channeled into your home or commercial building. Wind power is used to pump water on farms, but it is making its way to homes through commercial-grade wind generating systems. Wind flow is typically captured by turbines and converted into electricity.

When your business wants to go green, or you want to save on power bills, you are likely to choose from one of these renewable energy options. Installation is typically costly, but the long-term savings you make, not just in money but also in the environment make it worth it.