Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs). Are they right for you?

Can you receive more from your home loan if you are making energy efficient improvements?  The answer is yes with an EEM.  But is an Energy Efficient Mortgage right for you?  Watch this video from Local12.com, and learn a bit more about Energy Efficient Mortages or EEMs!

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Buzz, buzz, buzz, 2008 Energy Star Partners Awards are out today!

Today was the first day of “Tell The World You Received an ENERGY STAR Award Week”.  Newswires were buzzing with press releases from the big guns about the recognition they received from Department of Energy for their energy saving efforts in 2007.  Let’s break this down, and offer up an opinion on what it all really means… 

Each year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. Award winners will be recognized at the ENERGY STAR Awards Ceremony on April 1, 2008 in Washington, DC.  

Winners are picked for categories such as New Homes, Energy Management, Service and Product Provider, Energy Efficiency Program Delivery, ENERGY STAR PROMOTION,  Efficient Affordable Housing, Excellence in Home Improvement, Retailer, and Product Manufacturer.   And No, you’re not the only one who doesn’t understand the categories.    Also, there are so many winners.  If you look at the 2007 ENERGY STAR winners there is hardly a category with only one winner.

This year it looks like there will be multiple winners per category again.  Announcements in the press today included:

• Pella - we covered their story in a separate article.
• Whirlpool- received a 3rd consecutive Sustained Excellence award for helping consumers reduce their utility bills and greehouse gas emissions.  Read the full Whirlpool news release.
• Lowes- was recognized in the Retail category.  (GetWithGreen would like to see Lowes make an effort to bring their eco-friendly story more visible.  The only fast way to find their story, is to look at the company site map!  How about it Lowes?   Will it be you, or Home Depot, that brings the green story out of the Footer of your site first?)
• GE Consumer & Industrial - also recognized for the 3rd year in a row, receiving a Sustained Excellence award.    Read the full GE new release.

How does all this help you during your remodel?  Digging deep for an answer on that, we do believe it gives the above companies a podium to highlight their most efficient products during the time of buzz.  For example, check out the Whirlpool release, or the GE news release link above and you will see mention of their greener appliances — all consolidated one page.  Very easy to find them in one shot!  

We’ll keep you posted on other announcements, and update this article as the week progresses!  Further, we will let you know what the EPA tells us about their process for selecting winners (we have a note out to them now!).

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The Robb Report talks extravagent Green Living in March

In case you didn’t catch it on the newstand, The Robb Report Collection issued a new March Green Living edition. This is the first “green” living edition from The Robb Report since November 2006, and there will be a 2nd part later this year. We thought it would be fun to bring you the home improvement/remodel items they discussed. Some may fit into your remodel budget, and some may not…here we go…

From the wallcovering department, using non-solvent inks, we have the Tyntesfield Collection wallpaper from Anna French ($82 per roll).

Also mentioned were Blonder Home Accents Wallpaper ($42 per roll) which have no VOCs, but we couldn’t find the product on the Blonder Home website so we can’t offer you an image at this time. As soon as they send it to us we will bring it to you!

As far as decorative lighting, The RRC highlighted Cascade decorative pendant lighting from the Lisa Fonanarosa Collection by artist Michelle Brand. Made from recycled plastic this elegant lighting retails for $7,600 for 14 feet. British artist Michelle Brand takes the concept of sustainable design to heart by turning the plastic pop bottle into light catching 3-D fabric. Her fanciful flowers define “green” with a fresh clear beauty. Her product range includes pendant lights, window screens and room dividers. “Once a plastic drinks bottle is empty it is perceived as redundant and then thrown away. I wanted to challenge this wasteful paradigm.” Michelle Brand.

Also in the lighting department there are suspended bamboo lights from leo scarff design out of Dublin. These suspended bamboo lights are available from Clodagh Design for $825.

As far as finishes go, Green Living edition highlighted wall surfaces and plaster by LEED Accredited Orit Yanai. Orit Yani works with a “green” material called American Clay Earth Plaster for her finishes.

Moving on to the bathroom, the RRC showed off this this Moso bamboo sink from Stone Forest ($700). This is one of few wood pieces from Stone Forest out of New Mexico.

The Energy Star Asko D3152XL Dishwasher ($950-1,050) was featured as the single appliance in the mix. Specially designed by Swedish manufacturer to use less water and less energy.

Finally to round things out, The Robb Report Collection Green Living edition highlighted Jaclo showerheads. At $630, this “Kimberly” showerhead is more effiecient when purchased “with a flow regulator”. (sneaky!!!)

Well that rounds it out. If you get a chance (and your budget permits), pick up the latest edition of The Robb Report Collection. There are several homes from renowned architects profiled in addition to the products we’ve highlighted above.  Pricey, but nice…