Scary Energy Bills? Rid yourself of vampire power in 2009

Is your energy bill scary? Slaying energy vampires during your remodel can help you and Americans save millions.

In the spirit of Halloween, the EPA today warns us all to be on the watch for lurking energy vampires - or vampire power. These are the electronics and adapters that consume electricity when they are not being used. Power adapters and phone chargers are easy vampires power suckers to spot, and also easy to slay. Every energy vampire you vanquish saves you money, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and helps in the fight against climate change.

“EPA encourages everyone to look for vampires in their home and get rid of this energy waste,” said Brian McLean, director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Protection. “Using less energy means Read more

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Greening Your Mortgage: Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs)

With all of the recent gloom and doom mortgage news in America, I was surprised to hear soft murmurs about a dim light on the horizon.  Green mortgages, or energy efficient mortgages.

My journey to find the mythical green mortgage was not an easy one.  My fingers ached from repeated online searches and from dialing far too many phone numbers.  Truthfully, today it is tough to know which banks are in business, which banks have merged with each other and which banks have decided to suspend their mortgage programs.  My personal mortgage has been sold countless times over the past three years and even paying the bill can be tricky because it is tough to know just what company I should be writing the check out to each month.

First, I began my journey by contacting mortgage brokerage firms.  Larger banking corporations filter their products down through brokers, so generally mortgage brokers are the last to receive a new product.  Still, they are able to provide competitive products from a number of banks.  The mortgage brokers I spoke with had heard of green and energy efficient mortgages, but had yet to Read more

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GetWithGreen Tops with Green Eco Services

Tickle us green when we discovered that Green Eco Services listed GetWithGreen in their Top 10 Recommended Green Building Blogs.  Number two to be exact.

Green Eco Services is a comprehensive website complete with a green services blog and green services listings by state and category.  They bill themselves as “your one click source for all things green.”

Thank you to Green Eco Services for recognizing us as an exemplary resource for homeowners and builders alike who are interested in using more earth-friendly and sustainable materials for their projects.  All of us here are happy to be recognized by others like us who are happily promoting sustainable practices.  Aw shucks.

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‘Elements’, new from California Paints: eco-friendly, zero VOC finish

California Paints is now offering Elements, a new line of paints that are zero VOC, GreenWise Certified, and follow LEED guidelines.

Considered to last longer than ordinary zero VOC paints, Elements paint, is made with Microban Technology.  California Paints explains that this eco-friendly technology “contains a unique anti-bacterial additive that creates an internal germ-proof barrier within the paint formulation.”  Other anti-bacterial additives release harmful gasses or odors.  Microban protects gasses or odors from leaching into the paint over time.  Several of California Paint Products have Microban technology.  Click here to read more about these products.

California Paints is part of the California Products Corporation, committed to preserving the environment through waste management.  Products are created on site and evaluated by employees that have been trained in environmental issues.  California Paints is conscious of Read more

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Government tax credits and rebates coming for green improvements?

Reuters reports this week that the U.S. Senate will be voting as early as Tuesday on new energy tax credits for homeowners who are remodeling.  The voting on legislation would extend tax breaks and incentives for renewable energy production and energy-efficiency measures taken by homeowners.

Negotiators hammered out the extensive tax rebate package to continue investment credits for solar, wind, and geothermal energy. It also creates a new tax credit for purchasers of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Homeowners could get a 30 percent tax credit for eight additional years for the cost of installing solar equipment at residences.

Homeowners could claim a tax credit of up to 10 percent of the costs of all qualified energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation, replacement windows, water heaters and heating and cooling equipment.

“This compromise will enable us to become a more energy efficient nation and wean us off our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Democrat Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

For detailed information on the legislation see the United States Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources

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GREEN CONTRACTORS: A list to help you with your remodel

Last week the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced that more than 1,000 builders, remodelers and other members of the home building industry have earned the Certified Green Professional (CGP) educational designation since it was introduced early this year.

Home owners and home buyers can visit the NAHB Web site state-by-state list at www.nahb.org/builderremodelerdirectory and click on CGP to find a professional with that designation.
 
Certified Green Professionals must complete 24 hours of classroom training including 16 hours of green building instruction; must have two years? industry experience, must sign a code of ethics and must commit to fulfilling continuing education requirements to qualify for the designation.
 
Most classes are available through state and local home building industry associations, NAHB conferences and other events. In fact, 53 ?Green Building for Read more

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News: Raintube Achieves Rare Eco-Manufacturing Milestone

GetwithGreen.com would like to congratulate RainTube who recently achieved the Gold Level Cradle-To-Cradle Certification from MBDC. RainTube is one of only eleven in world to reach this environmental milestone.

MBDC was founded in 1995 to promote the “Next Industrial Revolution” through the new paradigm called Cradle-to-Cradle Design implementing eco-effective principles. Instead of designing products based on the ?take-make-waste? model of the last century (’cradle-to-grave’), Cradle-to-Cradle Design helps to eliminate waste entirely.

For more information on MBDC, visit their website at: http://www.mbdc.com/

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News: Agents Say Home Buyers Looking for Green Homes

Not sure if you’ll recover your green remodeling costs when you sell? According to the folks that sell most of the homes in the US, the demand for environmentally friendly homes is high and growing.

A recent NAR survey of Realtors(R) who practice residential real estate showed there is high demand among potential home buyers for green features. Nearly nine out of 10 Realtors(R) said their clients are most interested in the energy efficient features of green homes and their potential cost savings. Nearly half of those surveyed said they frequently discuss green building practices with their clients and nearly 90 percent agreed there will be even more interest in green building a year from now.  (Link to Press Release)
 

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Announcement: Discovery’s Eco-Friendly ‘Renovation Nation’ Starts June 4

Discovery is launching Planet Green, the first 24-hour green living network, with the premiere of ‘Renovation Nation’, hosted by Steve Thomas, the Emmy(R) Award-winning host and handyman recognized by many viewers as the host of ‘This Old House’. Thomas shares the secrets of making environmentally responsible transformations by teaching homeowners and viewers alike which materials and designs encourage energy efficiency, while also providing tips on making the process as affordable and simple as possible. We had a chance to preview an episode and definitely believe that the GetWithGreen readers will find it right up your alley. Thomas starts with the question, “How do we renovate our homes in a way that’s in synch with the environment?” Exactly the type of information that we aim to bring you as well.

In the episode that we saw, the Renovation Nation team visits Philidelphia, Manhattan and Seattle and looks at the many benefits and sources of salvaged materials as well as some green home improvement options that our regular readers will certainly recognize - the Manhattan countertop that has everyone drooling.  

Set your Tivos. A sneak preview of Renovation Nation airs Wednesday, June 4, at 9:30 PM ET, when Discovery Home Channel becomes Planet Green. Renovation Nation officially premieres Friday, June 6, at 8:00 PM ET and can also be seen Mondays through Thursdays at 6:00 PM ET beginning June 5.

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News / Announcement: SolarCity Launches Solar Seminar Series

SolarCity today announced a series of summer seminars to help inform California residents about affordable new ways to switch to clean, solar power. Each session will highlight recent developments in solar technology and explain federal and state tax incentives that reduce the cost of solar power. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions about local permit processes, local solar programs, roofing and electrical requirements and other information specific to their communities.

The seminars will begin June 7 and extend into the summer in communities across California. To find a seminar in your area or to RSVP online visit http://www.solarcity.com/events.

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