Suzanne Henderson Emerson, the proprietor of Emerson Environmental, has long been interested in energy efficiency and water conservation issues.  After 13 years as an environmental lawyer, Suzanne left her big-firm legal practice to assist homeowners in energy efficiency and water conservation maintenance and upgrades.

Suzanne knows first-hand what it is like to have a long list of home improvement projects that a homeowner hopes to get around to implementing – and that progress is often slow.  Going through the steps of “greening” her own 70-year-old home, Suzanne learned about which fluorescent bulbs work well and which are to be avoided, where to obtain dimmable and 3-way fluorescent bulbs, the advantages and disadvantages of different types of insulation, which energy-saving improvements are most cost-effective, strategies for reducing water use, how to utilize timers and switches to reduce passive energy use, and how to properly seal the building envelope before installing insulation.  After many conversations with friends about similar topics, and an inspirational experience training for the Acterra Green@Home pilot program in 2007, Suzanne eventually founded Emerson Environmental to assist homeowners in making progress on their own “to-do lists” of energy and water conservation upgrades. 

Suzanne Emerson has completed the California Building Performance Contractors Association (CBPCA) training program, is a Certified Building Analyst and Envelope Professional through the Building Performance Institute, GreenPoint Rater, a HERS Rater, and a Certified Green Building Professional.  Suzanne volunteers with San Carlos Green, represented the environmental community on the San Carlos General Plan Advisory Committee, and chaired the San Carlos Climate Action Plan sub-committee.

Commitment to Sustainable Business Practices

Emerson Environmental is committed to utilizing sustainable practices in its business operations.  This commitment is put into effect in all decision-making processes.  For example, all printer paper is 100% recycled content, and envelopes are unbleached, 100% recycled content; office supplies are consistently reused and recycled; and environmental impacts of products are evaluated in purchasing decisions. 

Emerson Environmental is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business, is a Certified Green Business, supports the ENERGY STAR program, and is a member of Build It Green.