Energy and the Election Year: Will Dependency on Foreign Energy Prevail?

It’s election time again and like the previous election, there is no shortage of mudslinging, debates and promises. Regardless of your political beliefs, one thing that most consumers and business would agree on is the need to reduce the cost of energy–from gasoline to home energy to commercial buildings. Energy costs continue to rise and with the potential for a new president, it’s important to understand the issues with energy and energy policies.

According to USA Today, only 51 percent on oil in the U.S. comes from the United States–almost half of the 19.1 million barrels a day we consume comes from foreign countries. The U.S. has the capability to produce and refine much of the oil it consumes but restrictions on the Keystone Pipeline have prevented oil companies from getting crude oil to the Gulf.

Opening up this pipeline could be the key to millions of new jobs, lower fuel prices and a decrease in dependency on foreign oil. Critics of this plan cite environmental concerns (that certainly have merit) as well as the possibility that oil companies will sell the oil to other countries once given the opportunity to drill, transport and refine it.

While this controversy looms over the energy debate, companies that produce alternative energies continue to look for new ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels. But, with any new technology is cost to develop and implement the technology.

Why aren’t we looking for new ways to improve what we already have? There are simple ways to work with existing infrastructures to improve energy efficient and reduce cost and environmental damage. Instead of replacing old, inefficient windows, buildings are utilizing supplemental window system by Thermolite. It installs inside the existing windows and provides a 25-35 percent savings on energy costs. Thermolite’s thermal imaging and energy modeling services can be used to develop an understanding of your building and where energy loss occurs, as well as predict energy savings.

Contact Thermolite today to discuss understanding energy efficiency and a positive ROI on projects that reduce energy demand.