At J2 Innovations, we are passionate about utilizing software technology to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings worldwide. But our sustainability efforts don't stop there. In light of Earth Day celebrations this week, we asked some team members what they do to benefit the planet in their daily lives.
Reflecting on the past two decades, I was an early adopter of photovoltaic solar technology, initially investing in 14 panels when each panel's capacity was just 220 watts (compared to over 400 watts today). About five years ago, I upgraded the system with the latest panels and inverter technology, doubling the original output at half the cost.
Annually, we benefit from a net metering program in Richmond, Virginia, which tracks both consumption and production, allowing us to earn credits for excess production for up to 13 months. This means that in spring and fall, I typically generate more energy than I use, which can then be utilized during the hotter and colder months.
I was also an early adopter of electric vehicles, starting with a Tesla Model 3 and now owning a Model Y. When not driving, I enjoy riding an electric bike, the e-charger, originally made in California by combining lead-acid batteries with a mountain bike. I plan to upgrade it with LiPO batteries to reduce weight and increase range. Recently, I committed to replacing all my gas-powered tools (weed wackers, leaf blowers, and lawn mowers) with ones that share a common battery platform.
Ultimately, my yard tools and personal transportation can all be powered by harnessing solar energy from my array.
Everyone can make a difference. On our family walks, we always bring a bag, a pair of gloves and a litter grabber, pausing now and then to collect litter scattered along footpaths. It’s become our family's small act to care for our local environment, and also a moment to teach my children the value of stewardship and the importance of small, consistent actions. Autumn and spring weekends are often spent helping organise and participate in local tree-planting events. On a daily basis, our family makes a conscious effort to repair items rather than replace them, especially electronic equipment, and repurpose household goods to avoid waste wherever we can. We made the switch to electric vehicles back in 2012, long before they became popular. Since then, we have helped many people transition (often their mindset) to EVs, reducing carcinogens and pollution from the roads.
In my professional life as a marketer, I’ve chosen to work with businesses and technologies that are not only innovative but also have a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility. I focus on supporting individuals and organizations working to reduce their carbon footprint and accelerate progress toward net zero.
At home, I've been focusing on the small daily habits that collectively make a significant impact. I'm mindful about turning off lights when they're not in use and adapting the heating to suit the season. I ensure that I have a full load before doing laundry and diligently sort my garbage. Additionally, when grocery shopping, I opt for fruits in reusable containers to minimize single-use plastics.
Traveling offers unique challenges, but I've taken steps to neutralize my carbon footprint by paying surcharges on flights. I am conscious about towel usage in hotels, and I ensure that air conditioning is only running when truly needed.
Additionally, I have started thinking twice before ordering anything online. If I'm uncertain about my size, I prefer visiting a shop instead of ordering multiple pieces that might need to be returned.
These actions are small steps towards creating a more sustainable world, and I look forward to hearing the practices and stories from others within our community. Let's continue to make a positive difference together.
At home, I’m currently renovating with sustainability as my top priority. I’m going fully electric—installing a high-efficiency heat pump system, solar panels, and energy storage batteries to maximize production and reduce grid dependence. It’s been a great opportunity to rethink how I live and make sure my home reflects the same energy-saving and eco-conscious values we promote in our work at J2. Every step counts toward a greener future!
This is just a small subset of team members who take steps beyond their work at J2 Innovations to reduce their carbon footprint. We hope these ideas inspire others to consider small changes they can make in their personal lives as well.
Using FIN to automate my house allowed me to minimize my energy consumption, automate my garden, increase security, and easily detect wasteful behavior. I am using FIN to monitor real time energy consumption, control my irrigation controller, lighting controls, temperature controls, and I've integrated it into my security system. FIN gives me a central place to coordinate the behavior of all systems and use them collectively to minimize wasting resources.
Do you have a sustainable story to tell? Share it in the comments on our social media post.