Join the world energy conservation effort by turning off lights for 1 hour, Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm local time...

Earth Hour is an annual international event created by the World Wide Fund asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour.

In 2008, 35 cities around the world participated including landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Sears Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, Sydney Opera House, and the Colosseum. For Earth Hour 2009, over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support and participation.

Visit www.earthhour.org on March 28th to watch cities around the world go dark in support of our energy conservation.

New Energy Efficiency Tax Credits for 2009 Next year be sure to inform your clients, friends and family about the new consumer tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements in 2009 – yet another reason for them to invest in energy efficient improvements in their homes! In October, President Bush signed into law new consumer tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 provides up to $500 in tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements, largely the same – but not identical – to those that expired at the end of 2007. The tax credits apply for improvements “placed in service” from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009. Selected Tax Credits: -Central air conditioner, heat pump, water heater, bio gas stove Qualify for a $300* tax credit (Only some Energy Star products qualify) -Furnace or boiler Qualify for a $150* tax credit (Only some Energy Star products qualify) -Windows Qualify for up to $200* tax credit (All Energy Star windows qualify) -Insulation and sealing Qualify for up to $500* tax credit (Must meet model building code as installed) -Ground-source heat pump Qualify for up to $2,000 tax credit (Only Energy Star products qualify) * Maximum of $500 total for home improvements. See this IRS fact sheet for more information: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=153397,00.html What do customers need to do to get the tax credit? They will need to file IRS Form 5695 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf) with their taxes, and keep all receipts. For more information, see the Alliance to Save Energy website: (http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/2654#taxcredit_intro) Until next time… Sustainably yours, Scott Medlin

We all know the compact florescent (CFL) replacement bulbs have become a popular energy saving alternative to the older, conventional incandescent bulbs.  They last longer, deliver equal brightness and consume much less energy.  Sounds perfect right?  Well, almost.  There is one important draw-back to CFL's and other florescent bulbs.  They have been proven to release toxic levels of mercury into the air if they are broken.  With this post I wanted to provide some tips on how to safely clean up and dispose of broken florescent bulbs.  Follow these safety tips anytime you find yourself dealing with broken florescents. 

1.  Ventilate the room, open windows and let the room air out.  Avoid breathing in the air after the bulb breaks.

2.  Don't re-enter for 30 minutes if possible.  Let the room completely air out before re-entering.

3.  Pick up the large pieces of broken glass first.  The smaller pieces can be lifted with tape later.

4.  Place glass in a sealable container before throwing away.

5.  Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner as this worsens the problem by blowing the toxins back into the air

6.  Do NOT use a broom and dustpan.  As with the vacuum cleaner this also exacerbates the issue by putting the toxins back in the air.

I hope everyone finds this information to be helpful.  Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas if you have any other tips that aren't listed above.

Until next time.

Sustainably yours,

Scott Medlin

 

    For those who did not get a chance to read the article on the front page of the business section of the August 6, 2008 Dallas Mornig News here  is a summery of the highlights:

 

AT A GLANCE Ideas to cut usage

1. Clean or replace air conditioner filters monthly.
2. Use drapes, blinds and shutters to slow energy loss.
3. Don't block vents with drapes or other obstacles.
4. Seal windows with caulk and use weatherstripping on doors to keep cool air in.
5. Replace incandescent lights with florescent bulbs, which are often subsidized.  They use substantially less power than traditional bulbs.
6. Unplug cellphone charging cables when not in use.  They draw power even when they're not charging.
7. Set thermostats to 78 degrees. 
   
8. Use ceiling fans to push cool air down.
9. Turn off computers and electronics when not using them - try their "sleep" mode to save energy.
10. Fill dishwashers, cloths washers and dryers to capacity.
11. Use your microwave to cook food.
12. Make sure your refrigerator has at least 1 inch of space around it for proper ventilation; it will use 10 percent more energy if it has poor ventilation.

SOURCES: Oncor; TXU Energy

I hope everyone finds these tips to be helpful.  Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas if you have any other energy saving tips that aren't listed above.

Until next time.

Sustainably yours,

Scott Medlin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a home inspector specializing in energy audits I have taken a special interest in energy efficient and eco-friendly building practices.  Measures taken to increase energy efficiency in the home result in lower utility bills and a reduced impact on our environment.

If you or someone you know is building or renovating and planning on installing new floors I strongly encourage considering the use of sustainable materials.  Using sustainable materials is a great alternative to traditional flooring.  I've compiled a list of what flooring types are eco-friendly and sustainable.  First let me share with you some facts on why flooring isn't good for the environment: 

Traditional flooring negatively impacts the environment because it uses valuable natural resources and harmful chemicals.  Its production can use wood and water at an extremely fast pace that often leaves the resources unsustainable.  The production can give off dangerous petroleum byproducts and the treatments and finishes for the wood can give off many volatile organic compounds that include carcinogens such as formaldehyde.

The alternatives and why they're better:

CONCRETE

Many homes have concrete foundations underneath their floors.  One new eco-friendly flooring trend is to leave the concrete exposed, stain it, seal it, and leave that as the floor.  It never needs waxing, is easy to clean and removes the need for carpeting.  It can also be energy friendly: during the day, concrete absorbs heat from direct sunlight, conserves it, and releases it through the night.  Despite what many may think, concrete can be quite attractive when expertly finished.

BAMBOO

Bamboo's vitality makes it a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional flooring.  The plant is fully grown within three to five years whereas a hardwood tree can take 40 or 50 years to mature.  If the plant is cut correctly and responsibly in a manner that leaves enough of the stalk and roots intact, the plant can regenerate.  Also, the plant doesn't need lots of chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides to grow.  An important aspect of bamboo, however is that is grows in warm wet climates in Asia which means it has to be transported all the way from Asia which has a significant ecological foot print.  Nothing is perfect, but these are some better options to consider.

CORK

Cork can be a renewable and recycled alternative to traditional flooring.  It is either harvested from a tree as bark and the tree re-grows the bark for the next harvest or it is made from the waste from wine cork factories.  Cork is an excellent insulator so it conserves heat and has exceptional memory, meaning it retains minimal marks when dented.  Air pockets in cork make the product soft to walk on and reduce the wear and tear on the floor since the cushioning prevents shoes from grinding on the flooring.  A unique advantage is its noise-canceling. which is great for music studios.

RECLAIMED WOOD

Reclaimed wood is wood that has been taken form existing buildings, which is then refinished and recut.  It can come from old barns, factories, warehouses, boxcars, wine barrels, and from the bottom of riverbeds.  Reclaimed wood is great for several things that range from making furniture to installing new floors.  At the same time reclaimed wood can be regarded as reliable because it has already weathered the elements, so one can be sure of its stability

RUBBER FLOORING

It is important to note that there are two types of rubber, one is synthetic made with petroleum, and the other is natural rubber, which is removed from the sap of the rubber plant.  These rubber plants are found in sub-tropical climates like Brazil.  The rubber is compressed then sold.  It is important to know what part of the world the rubber comes from and its manufacturing process because some rubber flooring may contain PVC, plasticizers, or halogens.  Rubber flooring is ideal for high traffic areas, although not so much for kitchens where grease and water become slippery.

I hope this information is helpful.  Remember, the world we leave behind is the world our grandchildren and great-grandchildren inherit.

Sustainably yours,

Scott Medlin