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going green: Help Cut Cost at Home with Energy-Efficient Shades - 02/06/09 08:53 AM
OK, so maybe with the stock market in the toilet and your 401k plan not looking so hot as of late, it might not be the best time to take on challenging remodeling projects for your home. But even as you tighten your wallet, sometimes you just gotta get your decorating fix on. And the best fix is something that actually fixes something, like a sky-high heating bill.
Cellular shades feature soft light diffusion, while providing privacy and increased insulation.
If you're looking to help make your home more energy-efficient and cut down on that dreaded heating bill, you should think … (6 comments)
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going green: Homeowners Want More Energy and Water-Efficient Products - 01/27/09 09:08 AM
As the earth's natural resources continue to be depleted and energy costs across the globe continue to rise, more and more consumers are seeking green home products, especially those that focus on energy and water efficiency. And there is every indication that trend will only get stronger, according to home building industry product suppliers who spoke at a press conference last week during the International Builders' Show.
High-efficiency toilets, such as Kohler's San Raphael Pressure Lite model, use only one gallon of water per flush (1.0 gpf). This can save a family of four up to 20,000 gallons of water annually, … (3 comments)
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going green: Retrofitting Older Homes to be More Green - 01/22/09 09:38 AM
Photovoltaic roof panels that harness solar energy create electricity for the home, heat water, and improve indoor lighting.
As the nation's home builders embrace green building in growing numbers, industry research indicates that even the most aggressive efficiency goals for new homes won't make a dent in overall energy consumption. Instead, remodeling and retrofitting the nation's older homes is by far the more efficient solution, industry experts said on Tuesday during a press conference at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas.
The panelists spoke as the National Association of Home Builders commemorated Green Day, drawing attention to the green education … (6 comments)
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going green: Homescape’s Green Initiative - 11/07/08 09:21 AM
Going green at home used to just mean separating the plastic and paper from the rest of the garbage. But in most households today, consumers believe that energy conservation is essential and the cost of green improvements is a significant factor in their home-buying decisions. For consumers looking for a home that promotes green living, Homescape now identifies homes for sale that include eco-friendly and energy-efficient features. This new feature on our site is part of Homescape's green initiative, which also includes a comprehensive, consumer-focused Green Buying Guide.
Homescape flags listings as having green features, with a green home icon, making … (2 comments)
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going green: The Myths Behind CFL Bulbs - 11/06/08 08:47 AM
The other day my coworker and I got into a discussion about compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). I'm a big fan of these energy-efficient bulbs, but she isn't. My coworker said she had all her CFL bulbs replaced after her electrician told her they were hazardous and more susceptible to short circuiting and causing a house fire. The electrician's advice seemed a bit farfetched to me and sounded more like a green myth.
CFLs aren't fire bombs Over the past few years, [CFLs have been all the rage since eco-friendly living became mainstream. But these ice cream swirl-shaped bulbs … (10 comments)
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going green: Home Furnishings for the Eco-savvy Homeowner - 10/15/08 09:23 AM
I'm a bit of a shopaholic, but a reasonable shopaholic. I have my price limits, and I have my niche of things I enjoy buying. So whenever I come across some fun accessories, I like to share my findings with my readers. But I can't take credit for this week's fabulous find. Mark Tepper, Homescape's vice president of business development, and Frank Breithaupt, vice president of marketing, both sent me some links to some eco-friendly furnishings that are must-haves for your home this fall.
Greenington
Bamboo is not just for pandas. Check out Greenington's large collection of bamboo-manufactured furniture. Since bamboo … (9 comments)
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going green: WeeHouse Exhibition Stops in City of Brotherly Love - 09/30/08 09:04 AM
Once a year or so, the weeHouse hits the road to show off its unique features and educate the public on its innovative eco-friendly design. Last year, the weeHouse made its way to San Francisco. This year, with the support of General Motors and its Saturn division, the microhouse will travel to the A Clean Break outdoor exhibition located at 313 S. Broad Street at Spruce Street in Philadelphia.
The Saturn weeHouse is a unit that represents the building block of Alchemy Architect's modular program. Photo Courtesy of Alchemy Architects
The public will have an opportunity on Oct. 17-30 to view … (4 comments)
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going green: Eco-chic Bathroom Furnishings - 08/26/08 09:27 AM
After attending numerous home building and design shows this year, it's safe to say that eco-friendly appliances and green home products are more than just a passing trend. If you're thinking about sprucing up your bathroom and want to trade in your conventional home furnishings for something a little more earth-friendly, I'd recommend checking out kitchen and bath manufacturer, Native Trails' fall inventory.
Tatra sink When it comes to creating an eco-chic bathroom, there's more to greening than water conservation. California-based, Native Trails' handmade sinks, tubs and home accents are all crafted from recycled cooper. Their new Tatra sinks are an … (7 comments)
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going green: Denver's Public Transportation System Boosts Real Estate Appeal - 08/25/08 08:59 AM
Denver, CO, will be under the media spot light this week for the Democratic National Convention. So I thought I'd take this chance to highlight some of the best attributes in this Rocky Mountain metropolis. Denver has become a fast growing city, leading the charge in sustainable urban development.
Population growth, congested freeways and out-of-control sprawl, provided Denver's political leaders the impetus for the city's new growth strategy - investing billions in its modern FasTracks public transit system. With gasoline prices reaching over $4 a gallon this summer, Denver's decision to funnel millions into a new transit system … (4 comments)
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going green: What's an Eco-broker? - 08/05/08 09:08 AM
Like many new home buyers, I'm still trying to get up to speed with the ever-evolving trend of "green," eco-friendly homes. About a month ago I attended a seminar in my neighborhood on how to make your home more energy-efficient. While I was there, I met Kirk Fox, a certified eco-broker, who was giving a presentation on searching for green homes and ways to upgrade your existing home with energy-efficient appliances and insulations.
Kirk Fox is a certified eco-broker in Chicago with Helios Sustainable Development.
Over the last five years or so, there's been an emerging niche of Realtors called eco-brokers. … (0 comments)
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going green: Tax Credits for Going Green - 08/04/08 10:08 AM
About a few months ago, I attended a seminar at a local park in my neighborhood on how to make your home more energy-efficient. While many people at the meeting were grumbling over the price tags on some of the latest energy-efficient appliances, they were happy to learn that they could save money through federal tax credits introduced in 2006.
In 2006 the Treasury Department and the IRS issued guidance (Notice 2006-26), which allowed consumers buying energy-saving appliances to be eligible for tax benefits. While you won't get all your money back, the government will issue you a … (4 comments)
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going green: Eco-Friendly Bath Designs Get Recognition - 06/20/08 10:16 AM
Do you live in an eco-friendly designed home and want to give props to the designer behind your masterpiece? The National Kitchen & Bath Association will be recognizing innovative approaches to water and energy savings in the bath with a new Best Sustainable Bath Award category in the 2009 NKBA competition.
Formerly named the Smartest Hot Water Award for its 2008 competition debut, organizers have decided to go beyond hot water delivery to recognize the expanding array of sustainable solutions being applied in today's new and remodeled bathrooms. Designers entering any of the competition's bathroom design categories will be invited to … (1 comments)
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going green: Metro Areas with the Smallest Carbon Footprint - 06/04/08 09:56 AM
Residents living in Boise, ID; Honolulu; Portland; New York and Los Angeles (and yes, even in Los Angeles) can breathe a little bit easier, according to a recent report from the Brookings Institution. People living in cities with dense development and rail transit systems generally put out lower amounts of carbon emissions than citizens of sprawling, auto-centric bad-weather metropolises that use coal-fired electricity, according to the new research.
The report, entitled "Shrinking the Carbon Footprint of Metropolitan America," was part of the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program, "Blueprint for American Prosperity," a multiyear initiative to promote an economic agenda … (3 comments)
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going green: Educating Yourself on Green Housing - 05/20/08 09:52 AM
This past weekend I flew out to Newport Beach, CA, to meet up with some old friends from high school. One of my friends is now an energy consultant and runs his own company, Azlan Energy Solutions, which provides existing businesses and homes with energy-efficient technology to cut down utility costs and reduce carbon use. As we sat out on the deck of our beach house overlooking the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, RJ and I got into a discussion about the environment. The conversation eventually got us talking about home buyers "going green," and the struggles that come … (2 comments)
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going green: Gussy Up Your Lawn to Fatten Your Wallet - 04/29/08 09:40 AM
After a marathon of a winter, I can't begin to tell you how ecstatic I am to finally hear birds chirping outside my window and not to see snow barricading my sidewalk. With the first balmy weekend, I noticed my neighbor out in his yard replanting the grass that had wilted away during the winter months. Sprucing up the yard may be a basic cosmetic upgrade to a home, but its value stretches beyond the lawn.
Show me the green The Turf Resource Center reports that a study conducted by Michigan State University and funded by the Horticultural Research Institute … (9 comments)
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going green: Getting Rid of Home Odors: Don't Get Snuffed Out of a Sale - 03/24/08 11:37 AM
When a seller is preparing her home for an open house, she usually packs away the clutter, scrubs away stains on the walls and adds some fresh flowers to liven up the ambience. But sometimes not even fresh flowers can help a home when it comes to getting rid of stinky odors. From the pungent stench of tobacco to the nose-pinching reek of an unkempt kitty litter, no one wants to be "snuffed out" of a sale. While some homeowners like adding scented candles or spraying air fresheners to mask the smells, even the rich aromas extracted from these products can sometimes … (4 comments)
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going green: Houseware Show Green with Eco-chic Products - 03/19/08 09:52 AM
On my lunch break yesterday, I stopped in at the 2008 International Home & Housewares Show to see if there were any new gadgets or home accessories worth writing home about. One booth that caught my attention was green-friendly home and garden design company Ecosource. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based company first left their imprint on the houseware scene two years ago when they debuted their biodegradable garden pots. At this year's show in Chicago, the environmentally innovative company is moving the industry forward in the "green" revolution with the launch of their new Grēnware table-top line.
When I first noticed … (5 comments)
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