Green Focus - The real estate blog for changes that just make sense.

Turn those trans fats into oil for you car! Green Motor Oil coming at the end of the month!

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:35:31 -0600

Green Earth Technologies has announced the arrival of their Green Motor Oil on store shelves this month!

This motor oil has been developed by using nano technology to transform those trans fats, now illegal in many places, from fryers to your cars engine. So that 200 pounds of waste tallow from every cow is now going to keep your engine running smooth.

On top of the obvious benefits here their used oil products can ultimately be turned into soil! The bottles are recyclable as well! This is one of those products that really excites me.

"A new petroleum-free, bio-based, 2-cycle engine oil from Green Earth Technologies [Pink Sheets:GETG] has equaled or surpassed the standards for similar petroleum-based oils as set forth by the American Petroleum Institute (API) TC compliance test for all 2-cycle engines other than outboard. Free samples of G-OIL(TM) 2-Cycle Green Engine Oil are now available for the first 1,000 visitors to www.getg.com. The 2.6 oz sample can be used for a 50:1 gasoline to oil mix ratio for no smoke operation of 2-cycle engines used in weed whackers, lawn mowers, tillers, trimmers, chain saws, dirt bikes and more. (Photo: Business Wire)"

Check out more about their complete line of automotive and household products at the website for Green Earth Technologies! www.getg.com

Source: Green Earth Technologies

A taste of why we need clean energy in Utah.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:05:11 -0600

I stumbled upon this blog today when doing a search for photos of the dreaded inversion here in Salt Lake City and think it is very worthwhile to post a link on my blog.

If you want to understand my passion for environmental change take a look at this blog. You will see exactly what we are breathing here for most of the winter.

Have you ever seen a wind turbine fail?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:49:20 -0600

All I can so to the video below is wow! Turbines have a governor to keep them revolving at a slow pace during high winds. This one obviously failed. I can only imagine the damage something like this could cause in a large scale wind farm. By the way I am not posting this to in anyway devalue wind power. I feel it is a very important part of our sustainable future. It is just an interesting video.

Now this is promising! The world's largest (today) solar plant is coming to Arizona in 2011.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:45:35 -0600

If, and only if, congress renews the clean energy tax credit this year, they will be building the worlds largest solar plant in the Arizona desert. Thanks to a partnership between Arizona Public Service and Abengoa Solar the state of Arizona will be able to provide solar powererd electricty to about 70,000 homes.

In a quote from the Abogena Solar site: "The solar plant has been named Solana, meaning "a sunny place" in Spanish. The Solana Generating Station will have a total capacity of 280 megawatts, enough to power 70,000 homes while avoiding over 400,000 tons of greenhouse gases that would otherwise contribute to global warming and climate change. The plant will employ a proprietary Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) trough technology developed by Abengoa Solar, and will cover a surface of around 1,900 acres. The construction of the Solana Generating Station will create about 1,500 construction jobs and employ 85 skilled full-time workers once completed. "

They go on to say: "Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar, said, "This project not only shows leadership in Arizona and the southwest, but for America. This project will help usher in a new era of large clean and efficient solar power plants. Our commitment to solar energy is global and we will work with utilities, regulators and companies worldwide to make plants like this happen by leveraging the technologies we have been developing over two decades. We continue to advance these technologies in our research and development centers in Europe and the United States."

If you want to see this and projects like it happening in our future please let your voice be heard by letting your Congressmen know that you want the tax credit extended! I for one still believe that the wasteland salt flat deserts of utah would also be an excellent location for a solar plant on this or a larger scale.

via: inhabitat, treehugger,

I have seen the future and the possibilities are endless with renewable power!

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:01:47 -0600

I came upon this video today over at treehugger. Scientists are now working to make Germany fully reliant on Renewable energy sources. Generating enough power through the use of wind, water and biogas to keep all of Germany electrified. I do hope that we see these things in our country someday and built for the entire country, not just for certain cities or states.

Via: Treehugger and YouTube

The air car is coming!!!

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 08:54:25 -0600

Now this is exciting news! According to this Cnet article the 106 MPG air car will be arriving in the US in late 2009 or early 2010.

From the article: "According to its initial, estimated, specifications the Air Car will go 848 miles on an 8 gallon tank of gas. The size of the compressed air tank isn't included in the specifications. Further, the car has a top speed of 96 mph, with its power plant putting out 75 horsepower. When traveling at low speeds, the car has zero emissions, while in high speed mode it has some emissions because of its use of gasoline. "

I would love to have one of these and the more I learn I would be happy to use this for more than tooling around town. The idea of going from SLC to Vegas and Back on one tank is very appealing!

Directly from the Air Car website on price: "We estimate the cost of purchasing a six-seater, 75hp Air Car will be approximately $17,800, proving that buying "green" doesn't have to cost more. Not only is the price amazingly affordable, but it will cost you up to five times less in fuel consumption than an equivalent gasoline powered car. The Air Car is a totally new breed of cars entirely conceived to achieve low prices:" At that price it is only $600 more than my Scion Xb.

via: Cnet and Zero Pollution Motors

Would you live in dirt? How would you run the comps on that??? Rammed earth homes.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:42:15 -0600

It has been a long time since I posted a would you live story! This one is great. As the world move more and more to alternative and sustainable means of construction things that were laughed at as hippie ideas just 30-40 years ago are proving to be beautiful and doable alternatives.

Enter the rammed earth building.

Linda Kiisk, associate director of facilities planning at the University of Wyoming describes it this way: "Rammed earth basically works like the formwork of pouring a concrete wall. But instead of concrete, you are using soil from the site. The material is tamped down. This can be done with sledge hammers by hand or with a pneumatic device. Then you pull the forms off, and you have a stable wall.

Left Photo:Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre by Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden Architects.

Follow this link to read the full article over at New West Magazine.

This is definately a form of construction I could see myself living in. It is beautiful, well insulated and has a lot of potential. I had a very good friend who lived in a 100 year old adobe home that looked good as new. Naysayers I know will talk of Radon, well don't build it air tight and make sure you ventialte it. I think your problem won't be any bigger than living in a modern well sealed home.

Photo: Red Hill Residence

Story via New West and TreeHugger

Tankless Water Heaters - Does it Take Longer To Get Hot Water?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:14:50 -0600

Over on the LA Times Blog called Pardon Our Dust, they have posted an entry on how long it takes to get hot water to your faucet with a tankless heater vs. a conventional heater.

The basis of the story is that tankless owners, myself included, are always asked (told) that we are waiting longer for our hot water. The author of this blog goes on to prove that the the difference is indeed negligible. It is nice to see this sentiment in writing after he did some informal testing and I can say from my own experience that he is right. The difference in negligible.

In my home we do notice that the faucets furthest from the heater do take longer to get a hot flow, but it isn't that much longer than it was prior to the tankless system. Another problem is that our plumbing is over 60 years old and because of mineral build up we have low pressure trough the hot water pipes anyway. I think we would have almost no problem if we had new pipes.

So check out the story here. It's a good quick read.

I was on TV thanks to AR! Going Green: Cash-Saving Tips That Help Environment

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:39:46 -0600

As I posted last week I was contacted by ABC 4 our local affiliate here in Salt Lake City about doing a news story. They came upon my Active Rain Blog through a Google search and called me based on what they saw. Soon after they were at my house filming the story! So I have anxiously been waiting for the air date so I could share the video!

So without further ado, here it is! Enjoy!

Click the photo of the Compact Fluorescent Bulb to see the clip.

They say you need thick insulation. Do you? Listen and see.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:06:47 -0600

Here in Utah there is a local podcast production that does casts that debunk a lot of what the "experts" say. Sure the "experts" that are debunking it may be a litle biased, but I think you can learn great things as well.

Last week a local builder and friend of mine, Danny Small with Integrated Energy Systems, did a podcast on insulation and he debunks the myth of thickness being better. It is about 30 minutes long, but it is absolutely worth a listen. So CLICK HERE and listen. You won't be disapointed and you won't feel that you wasted 30 minutes of life for listening to it.

If you would like to contact Danny Small you can reach him at dsmall @ build-ies.com

New Listing-Enjoy Life from High Above The City and Only 10 Minutes From Downtown!

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:56:03 -0600

Andrew Stone | Windermere Real Estate | andrew.stone@windermere.com | 801.201.8681

875 Donner Way, Salt Lake City, UT

Incredible 8th floor views of the entire Salt Lake Valley!

2 Bdrm Condo

offered at $249,900

Year Built	1962
Sq Footage	1,300
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	Unspecified
Parking	1 Car garage
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$423 per month

DESCRIPTION

What did you see when you looked out your window this morning? A brick wall? Now you could own a view at the top of the city with this Canyon Crest Condominium.

Located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon this 8th floor condominium has unobstructed views of the entire Salt Lake Valley and offers a beautiful opportunity to enjoy these views while still being less than 10 minutes from downtown and everything else that the city offers. Head east up the canyon and you're just minutes away from all the skiing that Park City Offers.

If you like to entertain, you will impress your friends with the floor to ceiling; wall to wall living room windows that open to views of the valley below. After they watch the sunset, you may have trouble getting them to leave while the city lights glimmer below.

This condominium has been updated in all the right spots with slate tile floors, gorgeous wood floors, new carpet and paint. Amenities include a secured entrance, seasonal pool, covered garage, fitness center and even a car wash.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Living room	Dining room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Refrigerator
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Balcony, Deck, or Patio
Swimming pool

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Garage parking

Guest parking

Laundry on-site

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Car Wash on-site

Secured entrance with video

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Andrew Stone

Windermere Real Estate

andrew.stone@windermere.com

801.201.8681

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 14, 2008, 3:40pm PST

Tidal and Wave Power: Amazing new technologies for our future.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:06:37 -0600

I have covered a lot of alternative sources of energy with Wind Power and Solar Energy, but nothing is more captivating to me than what has been coming along for several years now as a potential power source for millions of people everywhere. Completely clean energy that creates no greehouse emissions in it's production. Energy that is created through the power of waves at the surface of the ocean and currents in the mouths of rivers and bays.

The NBC clip below says it all.

This will be come even more important as potential for electricty generation from our nations dams becomes more and more scarce as is published in this recent study.

What are you going to do with your tax credit? How can you help the recession get better?

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:27:45 -0600

According to the latest reports we are in a recession, we are going to be in a recession or we are now exiting the recession. Who knows?!? I certainly don't. What I do know is that recessions seem to be a mindset. They always have been. At least in my 39 years. The government tells you are poor and you believe it and stop spending. Then the government waits a few years and then tells you that you have all this money (and if you don't they will make it easy for you to get some) so start spending it again. Then the recession is over. (please don't flame me with I don't know what I am talking about comments, I do know that it isn't quite that easy)

Well, whether we are in a recession or not, the government is going to give us all some money with the express instructions to go out and spend it fast to save the economy. WOO HOO!!!! So if you plan on spending it, how do you plan on spending it?

Today over at Inhabitat they posted a quick blurb on a couple of posts over at planet green and I think they are worth a look by all of us. The first is called get recession ready and they give you five easy ways to make some quick changes in your life that will save you money and reduce your impact on the environment.

The Second is about How to spend your tax credit wisely. This one is even more important than the first in my book. You again get five easy ways to spend your tax credit money in a way that will provide the greatest positive impact on your local community. Don't feed that CEO at the top of the Big Box Store empire and feed your neighbor who runs the local corner hardware shop.

This is one of those duh, why didn't I think of that moments.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 19:11:05 -0600

Forget generating electricity in ways we typically think of it. You know, solar, wind, etc. Think about revolving doors all over the world. Spinning away and doing nothing. Now think about attaching a generator to them and then you have the latest way to generate electricity.

The technology that is growing around us is truly amazing.

Beautiful Prefab Shipping Container home

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:57:52 -0600

To see this post and many others like it, visit my other blog at www.ecozebra.com

I have posted a lot on shipping container homes and this week I found yet another beautiful example of this architecure that has been built. I really do hope to have a home made from shipping containers some day!

So I don't get sent a take down notice i am sending you to the link at inhabitat. Go ahead click!

I promise you will be glad that you did. To see the Architects site, follow this link as This home is amazing.

Yes, the home in the picture below was made from shipping containers.

Weekend Update: Green in the news.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:51:07 -0600

Two weekends ago I promised to start doing this every weekend. Then I missed last weekend. So should we call it Every Other Weekend Update? Nah, I'm committed now.

This week there was a lot out there in the way of green news.

From the New York Times we learn that it isn't easy going green in many neighborhoods and then we also learn that some are starting to see the light.

High Speed Passenger Rail is coming to the America's. Just not the America you may be thinking of.

Los Angeles will be getting 1/5th of their electricity from wind power by 2010. Maybe someday we will be able to drain Lake Powell.

Biofuels are not so green afterall. I knew that. Did you? Now I am talking growing corn for fuel, not take used fryer grease to power your diesel engine.

The Bush Administration is cutting the budgets of environmental initiativesto fund nuclear power and warheads. In addition radioactive tailings pouring into Colorado River and eventually into the drinking water of 30 million people will not be cleaned up in the near future.

Gosh, there is so much news this list could go on forever.

Working out for the greater good. Or at least for to watch DVD's and keep the lights on.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:56:52 -0600

I picked up on this over at Inhabitat today. It seems a personal trainer has built the first green micro gym. While working out you are generating electricity to power DVD players and even help with the light bill. What a concept and why did it take someone so long to think of it? It seems to me that the big corporate giants like Bally's and Gold's would be all over this to increase shareholder profits.

It is a great idea and I hope this guy can franchise all over the world. I'd buy one!

Masdar Initiative - A bit cool, A bit creepy, A bit Star Treky - 100% Carbon Neutral City.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:41:30 -0600

The concept is cool, the beauty is amazing, the whole thing is such a great idea, but I find the video a bit creepy. The definition of Utopia. So what am I talking about? I am talking about a city outside of Abu Dhabi that will be 100% carbon Neutral, Car Free and Zero Waste. It will be completely self contained.

This city is planned by Foster and Partners and you can find more information on this specific project here. Work will begin next month and the city will be ready for inhabitants in 2009.

It is a bold and amazing plan!

Solar is going to get cheaper and more efficient everyday!

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:41:27 -0600

The amount of information that is changing and updating everyday is staggering to me! We live in a wonderful time full of incredible innovation.

According to this article from the Idaho National Laboratories, they are using a special technique to stand millions of tiny antennas on to a thin film of plastic and these antennas will absorb infrared energy waves both day and night. This technology has the potential to be up to 80% efficient. Each square to the left contains roughly 260 million antennas.

This printing technology isn't so new, but the manufacturing process is. In this case it has been discussed that these sheets can be printed and placed between panes of glass. Using different colors you could create a stained glass effect and use it to collect energy. Imagine if every window in your house was making electricity!!!

From the Idaho National Laboratory aritcle:"One day, Novack says, these nanoantenna collectors might charge portable battery packs, coat the roofs of homes and, perhaps, even be integrated into polyester fabric. Double-sided panels could absorb a broad spectrum of energy from the sun during the day, while the other side might be designed to take in the narrow frequency of energy produced from the earth's radiated heat. "

Solar Tracking Skylights. A Big Energy Saver.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:16:37 -0600

I came upon this at another blog today and I am very impressed. The product is a Solar Tracking Skylight and the the company is Solar Tracking Skylights, Inc.

Basically what this product does is function as a skylight that tracks the sun throughout the day and it provides full daylighting through all of the suns levels. According to the video on the site Patagonia was able to reduce the use of artificial light by 2/3 for their wharehouse. On potential drawback I see for the home user is that it would work and look ok on a flat roof application, but would be quite unsightly on the typical sloped roof home.

Take a look here for more information and links to a video.

Crimereports.com, something you should check out.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:48:09 -0600

If you subscribe to the Salt Lake Tribune, then you saw this in today's paper. If you do not subscribe, it is worth while for you to check out this site as it either applies to you or will probably apply to you in the near future.

So what is crimereports.com? It is a crime reporting and mapping service that provides near real time crime statisticson neighborhoods in your area. It is a valuable tool for home buyers, sellers and agents. It is a valuable tool for anyone doing due diligence on an area. Another great thing about this site is that it can also send text messages when new incidents have occurred. How is this helpful? Well, if two home just got broken into a block from you, it might be a good week to lunch at home, or leave some extra lights on.

Check it out and if it isn't covering your area yet, send a message directly from the site to your local police that requests implementation.

The Secret Life of Cell Phones

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:39:03 -0600

Very interesting video and a great follow up to this post on the 50 ways to recycle your cell phone. Please recycle your old cell phone and any of your electronics responsibly. If you want to know where to recycle electronics in your area please visit this website, it is a fabulouse resource of informaiton on where you can e-cycle.

Green goods or greenwash? Ecolabelling.org can help you answer that question.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:24:18 -0600

Perhaps you have been following Jonelle Simmons Blog and you make your own green cleaners. However, if you don't there is a very handy new resource out there for you. It is called ecolabelling.org. Ok, it doesn't have a lot to do with cleaners, but Jonelle's posts are a wonderful resource, so you should read them.

According to the press release they are the worlds largest database on green label information.

"Canadian start up Big Room Inc. today launched the world's biggest independent directory of ecolabels. Available through an easy to use online database at ecolabelling.org, Big Room provides information for consumers, producers and procurers, on 285 global ecolabels for everything from organic food (Soil Association) to wood products (FSC) to carbon offsets (EcoLogo)."

"We realized that it's hard to find out who's deciding what's ‘green', so we set out to make it easier for everyone to look behind the label. Knowing who's behind it and what it means can help people to separate the green from the greenwash," says Malthouse.

So pay them a visit and learn just exactly what Green Seal is or learn about Home Depot Eco Options, they are just two of your choices.

Weekly update: Financing Home 2.0, Green Roofs, LED Cities, fast payback wind turbine.

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:14:58 -0600

Over at WorldChanging they posted an article on the 26th called financing home 2.0. In the article they discuss various opportunities in Green Mortgages. There is a some good information over there, so check it out.

In another post this week over at Facility Blog they have posted a great Q&A on Green Roofs. They answer many questions, such as will it leak? How often do you weed and water, etc...

On cnet.com there is an article on the new Marquis Wind Turbine that could present a payback in 2-7 years with it's amazing new technology.

Lastly for today, check out the article on how Ann Arbor Michigan is going 100% LED for all lighting. Very cool!

SO much wonderful Green News! How do we keep up with it all? Well, on Sunday's I will post a weekly update of the many things I cannot keep up on a daily basis.

Last Chance to Register for a great program, that I can't attend......

Andrew Stone - EcoBroker® (Windermere Real Estate) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:47:40 -0600

Well, here it is Friday the 25th and this is the last day to register for this program, but if you are in Utah and your schedule is open on the 29th, you should attend this program. Lunch is provided and you will learn a lot about Energy Rating.

DON'T MISS THIS EXCELLENT PROGRAM! LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER (To see and download the flyer: http://www.aiautah.org/files/housingprogram1_08.pdf)

Get Residential Green Projects Humming: Tools for Designers Energy efficient and healthy spaces are in demand in the residential market. Yet there isn't a clear path for architects to guide homeowners in making choices for the for their green homes. Should you use a rating system as a basis for design? When should the contractor be engaged? How important is HERS testing? What tax credits are available? How should the process be managed so that the client's goals are met cost-effectively? By attending the program, you'll learn:

Resources for green home renovation
Homeowner financial incentives
How to make energy efficiency healthy
How to use LEED for homes
Concepts and tools energy raters use to inspect and test homes
RemRate Analysis software, HERS Index, and Energy Star Guidelines
Build Green Utah Guidelines
Role of the energy rater as a third party certifier

Date: Tuesday, January 29 Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: SLC Main Public Library, 210 E. 400 South

RSVP: by Friday, January 25, at 532-1727 or via e-mail or by faxing the form to 532-4576

Registration fee: $35 for members, $45 for non-members. Includes lunch 1.75 continuing education credits / learning units in HSW

Speakers: Chamonix Larsen, Assoc. AIA, Energy Program Director, State of Utah, and USGBC-Utah Residential Green Building Advocate Bryan Taylor, Sustainable Building Solutions