Savings are the new green.
No, there will be no eco-fatigue in 2009 mainly because it’s hard to ignore or dismiss the mind-boggling fortunes (and the accompanying power shifts and reduction in pollution) which are in store for those who figure out how to get the world off its addiction to oil and coal. Which means a steady stream of eco subtrends. Here’s one more to start the new year with fresh, green brainstorming inspiration:
ECONCIERGE
New shift: Next year, expect pockets of consumers to switch to lower consumption models with surprising ease and to look for different and less costly sources of happiness and thus, ultimately, status.
Econcierges are firms and services dedicated to helping households go green in any possible way. And while any advice that reduces a household’s (harmful) consumption is beneficial enough, the fact that such advice leads to savings makes this a very 2009 development. In the next 12 months, count on cash-strapped consumers to embrace sustainability with a vengeance, but first and foremost, for monetary reasons. Next? How about helping consumers make money by being green, by for example, letting them generate and sell excess power to the grid? Anyway, some examples:
• For £199 (Rs14,527), inspectors from London-based Green Homes Concierge, or GHC, will come to a customer’s home, toting heat-detecting cameras and other devices to help them evaluate energy leaks, wall insulation and appliances. Afterwards, inspectors recommend ways by which homeowners can reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and hopefully, save some money in the process.
Significantly, GHC’s services don’t end there. For a full year, the firm will act as a helpful concierge. Should customers wish to make the inspection’s recommended improvements, GHC will help them locate contractors and suppliers able to do the work or tell them where to buy low-energy light bulbs and other environment-friendly items.
Also Read What’s going to click in 2009?
Sure, in the US and elsewhere, energy companies have long encouraged homeowners to reduce utility bills by offering counselling and rebates on fuel-efficient appliances. But sorting through the paperwork to qualify for rebates and tax breaks can be a major chore for homeowners. While start-ups modelled on GHC’s services might not benefit from the municipal subsidies available in London, the companies’ real income could come from commissions earned through contractor referrals as well as project management fees.
• Eco:Drive is a new Fiat-branded widget which aims to improve driving efficiency by up to 15%. This means a smaller carbon footprint at the same time as saving on fuel.
The widget can be transferred onto a USB stick and plugged into Fiat’s Blue&Me technology (which features a USB port on the car’s dashboard). The software then evaluates driving and gives marks out of 100. Tutorials subsequently encourage drivers to improve their driving, their score and, ultimately, reduce their carbon emissions.