Service overview

Next Step Living, Inc. is a home based service that provides a simple, cost effective way for homeowners to save 15-35% on their energy bills and contribute to the reduction of pollution, greenhouse gases, and dependence on foreign oil.

Next Step Living serves the customer in three steps:

  1. A trained auditor and an experienced contractor analyzes the home using infrared and blower door analysis, determines the highest return energy efficiency investments for each home and installs those changes plus a real time energy meter in one simple visit for a flat fee.

  2. Next Step Living then tracks their energy usage and provides periodic information based on the individual house about how customers can save more money and reduce carbon output with both established and cutting edge technologies.

  3. Next Step Living serves as an aggregator for its customer base to:

    • Purchase new technologies and clean energy at bulk rates
    • Evaluate and track the community’s entire savings over time
    • Obtain favorable financing rates for home efficiency improvements

How the visit works

  1. Diagnose

    • Review with customer a survey completed prior to visit that outlines current energy usage behavior and needs

    • Calculate total current carbon footprint based on utility bills, survey, and consumer input

    • Analyze home for savings opportunities

  2. Create customized plan

    • Develop menu options of actionable recommendations include:

      • Immediate efficiency upgrades (eg: compact fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, outlet seals, weather stripping

      • Longer payback efficiency options (eg: insulation upgrades, air circulation fan installation, appliance upgrades, automobile upgrades)

      • Behavior changes (eg: turn off lights when not in a room; automatic sleep mode for computers; reduce weekly automobile mileage)

      • Integrate tax incentives

  3. Execute upgrades

    • Execute on immediate efficiency upgrades agreed upon by customer

  4. Follow-up

    • Calculate carbon savings based on measurable energy efficiency improvements

    • Track ongoing energy usage

    • Provide customer updates about new upgrades applicable to their home

    • Provide referral/contractor revenues for larger jobs