March 8, 2024 by Eco Three

Eco Three Selected as Insulation Trade Partner for Minto Communities’ Latitude Margaritaville Watersound Development

Panama City Beach, Florida – Eco Three is pleased to announce its association with Minto Communities as the insulation trade partner for the highly anticipated Latitude Margaritaville Watersound development. The association marks a significant milestone in both companies’ commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency in residential construction.

Eco Three, a leading provider of energy efficiency services, brings its expertise in insulation solutions to enhance the comfort and energy efficiency of homes within the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound development. This collaboration reflects Minto Communities’ dedication to building homes that not only provide exceptional living experiences but also prioritize environmental sustainability. As part of the association, Eco Three has already expanded its team, employing eight skilled professionals to work exclusively on the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound project. With a vision of further growth and impact, Eco Three aims to create a total of 12-15 new job opportunities in the coming months, contributing to the local economy.

“We are thrilled to join with Minto Communities on the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound development,” said Jonathan Handey, Founder and President of Eco Three. “Our team is committed to delivering top-notch insulation solutions that align with Minto’s standards of excellence and environmental responsibility. Together, we are shaping communities that prioritize both comfort and energy efficiency.”

The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound development, nestled in the heart of Panama City Beach, embodies the laid-back lifestyle inspired by the legendary Jimmy Buffett. With a focus on active living and natural beauty, the 55+ active adult community offers residents a vibrant coastal experience while prioritizing energy-efficiency conscious construction practices.

As construction progresses, Eco Three remains dedicated to providing cutting-edge insulation solutions that enhance the sustainability and energy efficiency of homes within the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound community.

Contact Eco Three today to learn more about spray foam insulation and how we can help you save money on your energy bills.

Birmingham Area Office: (205) 314-3500
Gulf Coast Area Office: (251) 615-1330
Emerald Coast Area Office: (850) 389-5681

November 30, 2023 by Eco Three

Six Cost & Energy Saving Heating Tips

As winter’s harsh winds blow and temperatures plummet, both homeowners and businesses face the challenge of maintaining a comfortable indoor environment while keeping energy consumption in check. While it may seem like a daunting task, there are several simple yet effective strategies you can implement to improve heating efficiency and reduce your energy bills, both at home and in your commercial space.

Harness the Power of Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are often associated with summer cooling, but their benefits extend to the winter months as well. During the winter, set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise. This simple adjustment creates an updraft that circulates warm air from the ceiling back down into the room, providing a more even distribution of heat and reducing the reliance on your heating system.

Seal Up Air Leaks

cold window — Photo by Ozgu Ozden on Unsplash

Drafty doors, windows, and other openings can act as gateways for heat to escape and cold air to enter, significantly impacting your home’s or business’s energy efficiency. To combat this, conduct a thorough inspection of your building’s exterior and interior, identifying any cracks, gaps, or openings around windows, doors, and vents. Seal these openings using weatherstripping, caulk, or other appropriate materials to create a tight barrier and prevent heat loss.

Embrace the Sun’s Natural Heat

sunlight onto table — Photo by Maurice DT on Unsplash

Maximize the sun’s free and renewable energy by strategically positioning your windows. On the south, east, and west sides of your building, open curtains and blinds during daylight hours to allow sunlight to stream in and warm up your workspace or living areas. At night, close curtains and blinds to trap the heat inside and prevent it from escaping.

Smart Power Strips for Energy Conservation

Light Streaks Timelapse — Photo by Federico Beccari on Unsplash

Phantom energy consumption, also known as standby power, refers to the electricity used by electronic devices even when they are turned off or in standby mode. Smart power strips can help you eliminate this unnecessary energy drain by automatically cutting off power to devices when not in use. Look for smart power strips with features like individually controlled outlets and energy monitoring capabilities to further optimize your energy savings.

Filter Replacement for Optimal Efficiency

screwdriver on metal box — Photo by Tekton on Unsplash

Regular filter replacement is crucial for maintaining your HVAC system’s optimal performance and overall energy efficiency. Choose high-efficiency filters with a MERV rating suitable for your system. These filters effectively trap dust, pollen, and other airborne pollutants, improving indoor air quality and allowing your system to operate more efficiently. Replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer to maintain peak performance.

Schedule Regular Maintenance for HVAC Systems

maintenance worker — Photo by Emmanuel Ikwuegbu on Unsplash

Just like any important machine, your HVAC system requires regular maintenance to ensure its longevity and peak efficiency. Schedule semi-annual service calls with a qualified technician to inspect and clean key components such as coils, fans, and ducts. This preventive maintenance can help prevent breakdowns, extend the system’s lifespan, and optimize energy efficiency, saving you money in the long run.

By implementing these simple yet effective tips, you can significantly improve your home’s or business’s heating efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower your winter energy bills. Enjoy a comfortable and warm environment while also saving money and contributing to environmental sustainability. Remember, a little effort can go a long way in keeping your heating costs down and your environment healthier.

Contact Eco Three today to learn more about spray foam insulation and how we can help you save money on your energy bills.

Birmingham Area Office: 205-314-3500
Gulf Coast Area Office: 251-615-1330
Emerald Coast Area Office: 850-389-5681

November 10, 2023 by Eco Three

Energy Upgrades That Make Sense

Attic Dust — Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

A Couple of Energy Upgrades That Make Sense

According to Energy Star, the average US household spends over $2,000 per year on energy. That’s about $170 per month, but HVAC, lighting, and home performance issues can push that figure upward. As your energy efficiency experts, Eco Three is ready to assist with helping you navigate how to reduce your home or businesses energy costs.

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Leaky ductwork can easily drive up your energy bills if you neglect maintenance and upgrades. That’s because when ducts are leaking they are seeping heated and cooled air into your attic or crawlspace, conditioning areas of the home that do not necessarily need to be conditioned.

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Also, don’t assume that newer homes are completely up-to-date with tighter ductwork systems. We have seen systems in brand new homes that leak as if they have been there for 20 years. The Department of Energy says that the average ductwork system has 30% leakage.

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‍Properly air sealing a home is considered more effective than intelligent thermostats, the most outstanding HVAC systems, and the most efficient appliances. Air sealing is something that not only improves efficiency, but also can significantly increase overall comfort. Also, it is estimated that a properly air sealed attic will recover around 20%-30% of the investment each year.

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‍Nothing beats being comfortable in your home. If your attic leaks air, you’ll be uncomfortable this winter. In the summer, a permeable attic will let in more heat. When the attic is not air sealed properly, heated air may enter the living room (heat gain) and exit the living space (heat loss) during the warm and cold months. If you have a well-sealed attic, you won’t have to turn up your heating and cooling systems as much.

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‍Keep in mind that you may also qualify for a tax credit should you choose to improve your energy efficiency.

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February 2, 2023 by Eco Three

Winter Bill Blues?

Winter technically started on December 21st, but we are always distracted around the holidays. Now it’s January and the short, cold, dark days are at their peak. In fact, January 15 is known as Blue Monday because of the combination of short days, bad weather, and the arrival of holiday-related bills. After the extreme cold temperatures in late December you are probably feeling the brunt of your winter heating bills as well.

Fortunately, you can make your home comfortable and efficient, no matter what the weather is outside. How? By calling Eco Three to tighten up that drafty home.

Benefit from using Eco Three

A more comfortable and energy efficient home for years to come. Who doesn’t want that?

Furnace will run less

Less of your conditioned air will escape the home, so your furnace will not need to work as hard or as often to keep your home at the temperature you desire.

Lower energy bills

Since you’ll be using your furnace less often, your heating bill will be lower. At this time of year, everyone wants to save money!

No fuss, easy installation process

Our insulation and weatherization professionals are trained and ready to help you meet your efficiency goals.

New Tax Credits to help with costs

We will be happy to educate you on the tax credits you could be eligible for when using Eco Three.

Don’t let the winter blues get you down! You can keep your home warm and cozy throughout the winter by calling Eco Three today.

May 5, 2022 by Eco Three

Summer’s Coming… Is your HVAC prepared?

summer home — Photo by todd kent on Unsplash

Ahhhh, late spring in Alabama—the days are getting longer, the grass is greening up, and the familiar hum of air conditioners running almost drowns out the sounds of birds chirping. You may have already noticed your home getting a littler warmer or your air conditioning working a little harder to keep your home comfortable these last few days, even after a spring HVAC tune-up. As the sun warms up our roofs during the day, attic temperatures can easily get into triple digits, even on a mild day. And as I’m sure we all remember from physics class, air likes to move from hot to cold. That means the 120-degree-plus air in your attic wants creep into your house and keep that lovely hum of your AC going well into the night.

Having an attic that is well insulated AND properly air sealed is a cost-effective and minimally-invasive way to protect your home from the dog days of summer that are right around the corner. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to have your duct systems checked for leakage, too. Even if your HVAC system is running at peak performance, leakage in your duct system could mean that cold, conditioned air is being lost to your hot attic (or basement, garage, or crawlspace) and not it into your home. It would be like getting your vehicle’s oil changed, only to discover a flat tire shortly thereafter.

We want to make sure that the “vehicle” delivering that nice, cool air into your home (the ductwork) is perfectly sealed. We also want to make sure that the pathways between the hottest part of your home (the attic) and the conditioned space are properly sealed so that we keep that nice AC in, and the hot attic air out. Then, making sure your attic is well insulated means that your home will hold the desired temperature for longer periods of time. And all these things together make for a more comfortable and efiicient home.

Whether you have a one-level rancher, a muti-story craftsman, or a split-level bungalow, your home most likely has an attic space. And as a resident of Alabama, that attic is going to get hot. Call Eco Three today to find out how we keep that heat out of your house and make your home cool and cozy for the summer.