There are many incentives for homeowners to be more earth friendly. One of the biggest motivators is saving money. When it affects our wallets, consumers are more likey to take action. President Obama knows this and has put a program in place to help the consumer save money and conserve energy....
The Obama Administration is dolling out $3.2 billion for energy efficiency and energy conservation projects in states and cities across the U.S., moving that portion of the economic stimulus money a bit closer to your home.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program will fund new and existing programs in states to promote home energy audits, weatherization, energy efficiency upgrades, replacement of outdated appliances and other similar initiatives. The Department of Energy had previously estimated that the average qualifying home could benefit from $6,500 in improvements. Each program differs by state and city, so look to your local agencies or energy.gov/recovery for details. While home improvement initiatives are likely to help individuals most directly, the grants cover a broad array of potential initiatives:
"The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements," according to the Department of Energy. "Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling systems, and others."
- from the Daily Green
Check out some of the specifics on the Engergy Star website. A great resource that even has some of the government forms to download to submit with your taxes for credit.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Great Idea for Today!
Tonight is Earth Hour. Between 8:30 and 9:30 everyone will be turning off all lights and other electrically run devices.
How about this...those of you who haven't completely converted to CFL bulbs yet, go out today and purchase the remaining bulbs needed to make your conversion complete. Swap them for the old bulbs and when you turn your lights back on at 9:30...Voila!
This will make a huge difference in conserving energy and reduce your electric bill as well.
You’ll save $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. Replace 45 incandescent bulbs (the average per U.S. household) and you’ll save $180 per year (source energystar.gov). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if one million households replaced four traditional bulbs with four CFLs 900,000 tons of greenhouse gases would be eliminated. If every American household changed just one light bulb to a CFL, we would save enough power to light more than 2.5 million homes. This is huge!
Though they may be a bit more expensive up front, these bulbs will save you money over time.
They are more efficient than incandescents, so you can purchase lower wattage bulbs. A 22 watt CFL puts out about the same amount of light as a 100 watt incandescent and uses 50-80% less energy. CFLs last up to ten times longer so you won't have to buy them nearly as often.
One great thing I have noticed in my home is that the CFLs are not as hot as the others. My indoor flood lights for recessed fixtures used to blow frequently because they'd get too hot. This has not happened once since I made the switch to CFLs!
There are many different varieties ofCFLs available. They are made for recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures and porch lights. 3-way CFLs are also now available for lamps with 3-way settings. Dimmable CFLs are also available for lights using a dimmer switch.
SPECIAL OFFER! For those of you living in my area who need outdoor CFL flood lights...contact me and I will give you two for free while my supply lasts.
So, enjoy your peaceful hour of darkness and quiet tonight, and when you turn back on...turn on to a better world!
As always, we welcome and encourage your questions and comments
How about this...those of you who haven't completely converted to CFL bulbs yet, go out today and purchase the remaining bulbs needed to make your conversion complete. Swap them for the old bulbs and when you turn your lights back on at 9:30...Voila!
This will make a huge difference in conserving energy and reduce your electric bill as well.
You’ll save $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. Replace 45 incandescent bulbs (the average per U.S. household) and you’ll save $180 per year (source energystar.gov). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if one million households replaced four traditional bulbs with four CFLs 900,000 tons of greenhouse gases would be eliminated. If every American household changed just one light bulb to a CFL, we would save enough power to light more than 2.5 million homes. This is huge!
Though they may be a bit more expensive up front, these bulbs will save you money over time.
They are more efficient than incandescents, so you can purchase lower wattage bulbs. A 22 watt CFL puts out about the same amount of light as a 100 watt incandescent and uses 50-80% less energy. CFLs last up to ten times longer so you won't have to buy them nearly as often.
One great thing I have noticed in my home is that the CFLs are not as hot as the others. My indoor flood lights for recessed fixtures used to blow frequently because they'd get too hot. This has not happened once since I made the switch to CFLs!
There are many different varieties ofCFLs available. They are made for recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures and porch lights. 3-way CFLs are also now available for lamps with 3-way settings. Dimmable CFLs are also available for lights using a dimmer switch.
SPECIAL OFFER! For those of you living in my area who need outdoor CFL flood lights...contact me and I will give you two for free while my supply lasts.
So, enjoy your peaceful hour of darkness and quiet tonight, and when you turn back on...turn on to a better world!
As always, we welcome and encourage your questions and comments
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
You are right Ellen...Green Is Not A Gimmick!
Whether you start incorporating more green practices for economical reasons; because it is chic or trendy; for the benefit of future generations; because you have a social conscience; or whatever moves you....the important thing is to start now. Small steps can make all the difference and it is easier than you think.
Here are just a few things you can do right away:
* Use CFL lighbulbs (Compact Fluorescent Bulbs)
* Switch out your thermostats for programmable ones which automatically adjust
temperatures.
* Recycle at home and at the office.
* Bring your own bags when you go grocery shopping. Have just one or two items?
Forget the bag!
* Use environmentally friendly cleaning products.
* TAKE PART IN EARTH HOUR! *Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm* See below for more
info....
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
http://www.earthhour.org/about/
Start now!
Whether you start incorporating more green practices for economical reasons; because it is chic or trendy; for the benefit of future generations; because you have a social conscience; or whatever moves you....the important thing is to start now. Small steps can make all the difference and it is easier than you think.
Here are just a few things you can do right away:
* Use CFL lighbulbs (Compact Fluorescent Bulbs)
* Switch out your thermostats for programmable ones which automatically adjust
temperatures.
* Recycle at home and at the office.
* Bring your own bags when you go grocery shopping. Have just one or two items?
Forget the bag!
* Use environmentally friendly cleaning products.
* TAKE PART IN EARTH HOUR! *Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm* See below for more
info....
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
http://www.earthhour.org/about/
Start now!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
GREEN IS NOT A GIMMICK!
I have been interested in ecology and passionate about the earth since I was a little girl, along with Sheli and many of you, I am sure.
Slowly, too slowly, over the years people have come to realize the importance of caring for our precious planet.
Now, so many of us understand the urgency of changing our ways in hopes that we may reverse, or at least halt the destruction we have caused and the depletion of resources due to over consumption and lack of consciousness.
There are also many folks who have become aware and motivated to make changes due to financial concerns. As we move through this recession, and oil prices rise and fall, income has fallen and jobs have been lost; it has become essential for us to find ways to cut back by consuming less. This is a good thing! Not the recession of course, but the tangential environmental benefits. It matters not how we get there, only that we do.
The other current phenomenon is that being green is trendy. There is a term for this called “eco chic”. In a big way, it’s a very good thing that being green is chic and popular. We just hope that it is not just a passing fad, but a movement that gains momentum and lasts!
Keep watching our blog for tips on how to make your home and your life greener!
I have been interested in ecology and passionate about the earth since I was a little girl, along with Sheli and many of you, I am sure.
Slowly, too slowly, over the years people have come to realize the importance of caring for our precious planet.
Now, so many of us understand the urgency of changing our ways in hopes that we may reverse, or at least halt the destruction we have caused and the depletion of resources due to over consumption and lack of consciousness.
There are also many folks who have become aware and motivated to make changes due to financial concerns. As we move through this recession, and oil prices rise and fall, income has fallen and jobs have been lost; it has become essential for us to find ways to cut back by consuming less. This is a good thing! Not the recession of course, but the tangential environmental benefits. It matters not how we get there, only that we do.
The other current phenomenon is that being green is trendy. There is a term for this called “eco chic”. In a big way, it’s a very good thing that being green is chic and popular. We just hope that it is not just a passing fad, but a movement that gains momentum and lasts!
Keep watching our blog for tips on how to make your home and your life greener!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Welcome to the GHG blog!
We hope to provide you with some great ideas and information, resources and cutting edge news about green living and real estate. We also hope to inspire you, provoke some dialogue and learn some things from you too.
A little about us:
We are two CT real estate agents with a commitment to a healthier, cleaner, more sustainable world.
It was important to us to incorporate a consciousness into our business practice and when the National Association of Realtors (NAR) offered a Green designation, we immediately jumped on it. In fact, we are proud to be the first two real estate sales people in Connecticut awarded this distinction.
Maybe you are wondering exactly what this means: What is a “green” real estate agent? How does that translate to our clients and the community? The NAR’s Green designation addresses the concerns of consumers that are seeking real green expertise, not just lip service.
The Green Realtor will:
•Provide knowledge and awareness of green building principles applied in residences, commercial properties, developments, and communities so they can be listed, marketed, and managed as green properties; also guide buyer-clients in purchasing green homes and buildings
•Enable professionals to incorporate green principles into their practice
•Be an advocate in spreading green philosophy and a positive force for creating sustainable and energy efficient communities of homes and commercial buildings
•Provide on-going information, tools and support regarding green building features, enabling members to be leaders in their marketplace
For our clients, in addition to traditional real estate we offer the following Green Services:
•Consultation for green building, remodeling and retrofitting,identifying green features and evaluating properties for their green potential
•Listing and marketing green homes and buildings
•Knowledge of green financial grants and incentives that may be available
•Access to a team of local green professionals in a variety of service areas
•Unique, Green marketing strategies, resources and networks
Thank you for checking us out! We welcome your comments and look forward to continuing this important, timely and hopefully fun conversation.
Sheli and Ellen
We hope to provide you with some great ideas and information, resources and cutting edge news about green living and real estate. We also hope to inspire you, provoke some dialogue and learn some things from you too.
A little about us:
We are two CT real estate agents with a commitment to a healthier, cleaner, more sustainable world.
It was important to us to incorporate a consciousness into our business practice and when the National Association of Realtors (NAR) offered a Green designation, we immediately jumped on it. In fact, we are proud to be the first two real estate sales people in Connecticut awarded this distinction.
Maybe you are wondering exactly what this means: What is a “green” real estate agent? How does that translate to our clients and the community? The NAR’s Green designation addresses the concerns of consumers that are seeking real green expertise, not just lip service.
The Green Realtor will:
•Provide knowledge and awareness of green building principles applied in residences, commercial properties, developments, and communities so they can be listed, marketed, and managed as green properties; also guide buyer-clients in purchasing green homes and buildings
•Enable professionals to incorporate green principles into their practice
•Be an advocate in spreading green philosophy and a positive force for creating sustainable and energy efficient communities of homes and commercial buildings
•Provide on-going information, tools and support regarding green building features, enabling members to be leaders in their marketplace
For our clients, in addition to traditional real estate we offer the following Green Services:
•Consultation for green building, remodeling and retrofitting,identifying green features and evaluating properties for their green potential
•Listing and marketing green homes and buildings
•Knowledge of green financial grants and incentives that may be available
•Access to a team of local green professionals in a variety of service areas
•Unique, Green marketing strategies, resources and networks
Thank you for checking us out! We welcome your comments and look forward to continuing this important, timely and hopefully fun conversation.
Sheli and Ellen
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