energy efficiency: Daily Energy Saving Tips - Phantom Energy Loads - 05/18/09 02:02 AM
I was in the middle of putting together a Class Presentation this morning for Lone Star College and thought it could be fun to put together a list of Daily Energy Saving Tips for a Week or Two.
With Summer time coming, get ready for those Electric Bills to skyrocket!!
In your home, there are a ton of Little Things to do (besides changing your light bulbs) that can help you reduce your bill.  With this being the first day, let's start with something easy.  It shouldn't even take 10 minutes to do.
Phantom Energy Loads - We have a bunch … (15 comments)

energy efficiency: The Carriage is Before the Horse - Energy Efficiency Legislation for Residential Properties - 04/06/09 07:03 AM
Warning - Long post ahead
At a City, State and Federal level we are seeing a ton of new and proposed Legislation in regards to how we can build Residential Properties.  We are seeing stuff from Safety with Electrical, Products that can be used as well as just the Building Codes in General.
Here in Texas, we have Building Codes not only at the State level, but within every City and County as well.  What is interesting is that they are all different.
Most of the Codes when you read about them are referring to both the IRC/ICC and IECC - … (7 comments)

energy efficiency: Is Your Cream Puff A Clunker? - 09/12/07 08:12 AM
When the Market gets a little soft or the Media makes it sounds the Real Estate World is coming to an end, that seems to be when buyers and sellers alike begin to get a little more picky about the homes they buy and how their homes look when they sell.  However, it is not ALL about how the home looks to some people.
With Financing being in the news a lot and how more and more consumers are not able to afford a home that they once could, Consumers are looking at other items in the house besides Granite Counter … (28 comments)

energy efficiency: The 411 on CFL's In Your Home - 09/12/07 06:20 AM
We have all heard the buzz lately on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs, or CFL's, that are supposed to save you money utility bills.  They use less watts to put out the same amount of light.  Well, it occurred to me that not all of us know exactly how to use these, why to use these, and the real deal on the Mercury inside.  So, as you know me, I went to research.
First,  Incandescent Light Bulbs.  The "Normal" Light Bulbs that we have used for years really work off of heat instead of light.  Depending on what report you read the incandescent … (21 comments)

energy efficiency: To Clear Up Some GREEN Confusion - 07/21/07 03:53 AM
The other day I wrote The Difference Between a High Performance Home and a Green Built Home.  Honestly, I did not expect the response I got from it.  Before I go any further here, I just want to say one thing.  The point of that post was to be able to understand the difference between a home that is advertised as either a High Performance Home or Green.
You will find a wide variety of homes..with a variety of different features.. for a variety of different reasons.  The features you will find on these types of homes lies solely with the … (29 comments)

energy efficiency: Got GREEN? No, Not The Beer! - 06/14/07 06:40 AM
I recently wrote a post titled I Think I Have Just Heard Everyting and I had an overwhelming response.  I discussed alternative home insulation from Recycled Materials. 
If you have been on Active Rain for awhile you know that ECO minded Professionals have a lot to say.  There are some of us that are EcoBroker's and others that are advocates of GREEN Building and enjoy the Eco All Star Group of which the amazing JaneAnne Narrin moderates.  We have a great time in this group and have some Interesting conversations that go on over there.
Through my recent post I realized that members and consumers … (10 comments)