A fellow EcoBroker Certified real estate agent, Simone Healey, had an exceptionally informative interview on CNBC recently. Simone is an agent with Vikki Healey Properties in Maywoood, NJ. In this interview she speaks about a rennovation of an antique home c.1767.
The home is having an addition built as well as an energy-efficiency upgrade to the older part of the home. The energy-efficieny measures include added insulation, heating and cooling equipment upgrades and solar panels to generate electricity.
The interview centers around the associated costs of the "green" upgrades. It demonstrates how quickly those upgrades can provide a return on your investment. It also talks about solar incentives from the government to make the payoff sooner and longer lasting.
The video is 3 minutes as 45 seconds.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Connecticut's First LEED Gold Home
By Rob Wotzak
An Efficient Design and a Carefully Detailed Envelope Add up to Big Energy Savings
Craftsman bungalows are celebrated for being comfortable, practical and carefully crafted from local natural materials. This LEEDGold home in South Glastonbury, Connecticut, incorporates all of these qualities and more. To meet the home owners' goal of creating an enjoyable and economical place to retire, CK Architects penned an attractive, efficient, and adaptable plan. A meticulously detailed building envelope, a discretely mounted photovoltaic array, and a geothermal HVAC system keep the home affordable.
Let nature work for you. Beneficial natural conditions paired with good design choices helped maximize the project's sustainable features. An L-shaped house plan and a central screened porch let cooling breezes pass right through the house. An existing clearing made it easy to install the geothermal loop and then cover it with a meadow of wildflowers. The landscaped portions of the site contain large beds of noninvasive, drought-tolerant plants, minimizing the need for irrigation and yard work.
Designed for easy living. Farmed white cedar shingles, fiber-cement siding, and cellular PVC trim ensure that the house is equally maintenance free. CK Architects left the core living area open with plenty of south-facing windows, creating a bright, functional, and efficient space. Less frequently used, the guest rooms are deliberately isolated from the rest of the house, allowing John and Karen to reduce their heating demands when visitors aren't around.
Early actions pay off. The build team's commitment to environmental responsibility made joining the LEED for Homes pilot program an easy decision. Doing this early in the process guided smart choices on everything from initial site preparations to interior finishes. Architect Russell Campaigne estimated that the green building methods added about a 5% premium over a comparable home built to code. With utility bills for the first year averaging less than $100 a month (pretty good considering Connecticut has some of the highest electric rates in the country), it seems that the investment is paying off.
CLICK HERE to read full article
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Awesome Solar Options in Connecticut
By Jeffrey Clonts
In an effort to reduce my electricity bills and to promote clean alternative energies, I decided to look into the Connecticut Solar Lease program. The program, one of the leading solar programs in the country, is brought to us by The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and CT Solar Leasing, LLC.
Combining the power of CCEF’s innovative Solar Rebate program with a leasing option creates an unbelievable opportunity for qualifying homeowners who are customers of CL&P and UI. If you qualify, this program helps you add solar energy to your home at the lowest possible cost. Qualification is based on where you live and your annual gross income. For Fairfield, the AGI limits are $162,000 for a family of 4. For Westport the AGI limit is $235,600 for a family of 4. Click here to see if you qualify.
Combining the power of CCEF’s innovative Solar Rebate program with a leasing option creates an unbelievable opportunity for qualifying homeowners who are customers of CL&P and UI. If you qualify, this program helps you add solar energy to your home at the lowest possible cost. Qualification is based on where you live and your annual gross income. For Fairfield, the AGI limits are $162,000 for a family of 4. For Westport the AGI limit is $235,600 for a family of 4. Click here to see if you qualify.
What the program really does is reduce your monthly utility costs. You save money and the planet at the same time. Trinity Solar, my solar installer of choice for the program, came to my house to do an evaluation. The goal was to see if my home had solar potential.
Ken Nastri took me through the evaluation process and the results were shocking to say the least. It was not shocked to hear that a few trees would have to come down around my place before solar was practical. The real slap in the face was the total cost of my electric bill over the next 20 years.
Using my current annual electric usage and the assumption that electric rates will continue to grow at the rate of 8% per year, my total electric utility costs for the 20 year period would be $157,275.00. I felt sick to my stomach once I saw that number. That is just my electric bill!!!!!!! Yikes.
The good news was that with the removal of a few trees and the CT Solar Lease program I could save $47,345.00 over that 20 year period. In addition to the dollar savings I would be reducing my CO2 consumption by 15,510 lbs. and conserving 5,598 gallons of water. All of this has the same effect on the planet as planting 776 trees. Who new?
Unfortunately the trees that need to be removed to make my home solar friendly are on my neighbor’s property. I have a good relationship with them so we’ll see how eco-neighborly they are feeling. The end result…Solar or not, I have to reduce my energy consumption. My next step is a home weatherization audit through the HES program. More to come…..
Ken Nastri took me through the evaluation process and the results were shocking to say the least. It was not shocked to hear that a few trees would have to come down around my place before solar was practical. The real slap in the face was the total cost of my electric bill over the next 20 years.
Using my current annual electric usage and the assumption that electric rates will continue to grow at the rate of 8% per year, my total electric utility costs for the 20 year period would be $157,275.00. I felt sick to my stomach once I saw that number. That is just my electric bill!!!!!!! Yikes.
The good news was that with the removal of a few trees and the CT Solar Lease program I could save $47,345.00 over that 20 year period. In addition to the dollar savings I would be reducing my CO2 consumption by 15,510 lbs. and conserving 5,598 gallons of water. All of this has the same effect on the planet as planting 776 trees. Who new?
Unfortunately the trees that need to be removed to make my home solar friendly are on my neighbor’s property. I have a good relationship with them so we’ll see how eco-neighborly they are feeling. The end result…Solar or not, I have to reduce my energy consumption. My next step is a home weatherization audit through the HES program. More to come…..
If you want to know more about the program or have me arrange for a consultation at your home by Trinity Solar (authorized provider for the CT Solar Lease progam) email me at http://www.AskJeff@prudentialct.com
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Beach Season is Coming....
Beach season is quickly approaching in Fairfield County. While we all enjoy the sun and fun of our coastal community, remember the cost of leaving garbage behind on our families and the environment. Take a couple of minutes to view this video from National Geographic to remind us of what we can do to minimize the impact of our love for the beach on the environment.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
11 Homes Made Out of the Darndest Things, from Treehouses to Missile Silos
Green buildings can come in many different shapes and sizes, including recycled shipping containers.
May 13, 2009 at 8:35PM by Brian Clark Howard
There are many ways regular folks can green up their current residences, from swapping out those light bulbs to planting shade trees, sealing leaks and so on. This article isn't about those things. It's also not about the latest green dream homes, from modular designs to LEED-certified construction. This article is more along the lines of the famous "hobbit house," which combines elements of the old-fashioned prairie sod-house with a whimsical, aspirational attitude of "why not?"
We don't expect most people will be moving into reclaimed trains, planes and automobiles anytime soon. But we do think these home designs are a lot of fun. They show what's possible if we think outside the ticky tacky box, and dream of something different. You may not be reusing an airplane wing today, but maybe you can reuse some used lumber or furniture, or perhaps switch to paints that are better for your air quality. CONTINUE READING at The Daily Green
May 13, 2009 at 8:35PM by Brian Clark Howard
Green building -- designing homes and businesses to maximize energy and water efficiency and minimize harm to the environment -- has been gathering steam across much of the world. In New York City, architects are exploring the exciting potential of growing fresh food in the urban landscape through green roofs and vertical farms. In the heartland, more folks are taking advantage of home energy tax credits to tighten up their home's seal, invest in more efficient systems and install renewable energy. In Hawaii, new single family homes built in 2010 or beyond will be required to heat their water via the sun's rays. Shoot, folks are even taking green digs on the road with them!
There are many ways regular folks can green up their current residences, from swapping out those light bulbs to planting shade trees, sealing leaks and so on. This article isn't about those things. It's also not about the latest green dream homes, from modular designs to LEED-certified construction. This article is more along the lines of the famous "hobbit house," which combines elements of the old-fashioned prairie sod-house with a whimsical, aspirational attitude of "why not?"
We don't expect most people will be moving into reclaimed trains, planes and automobiles anytime soon. But we do think these home designs are a lot of fun. They show what's possible if we think outside the ticky tacky box, and dream of something different. You may not be reusing an airplane wing today, but maybe you can reuse some used lumber or furniture, or perhaps switch to paints that are better for your air quality. CONTINUE READING at The Daily Green
Click to read more from www.thedailygreen.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
CT Schools and Green Cleaning
By Jeffrey Clonts
On Wednesday May 6, 2009 the Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill that would require state school systems to use “green” cleaning products by July 1, 2011. The legislation passed 124-19 and now moves to the Senate.
Green cleaning products are those that do not contain harsh cleaning agents like ammonia and bleach. Standard cleaning products also often have chemicals and ingredients like benzene and formaldehyde that have been suspected of causing illness, including cancer. Many chemical cleaners also contain unnecessary antibacterial compounds, which may lead to antibiotic resistance.
In fact, indoor air quality in our homes and schools is a growing health issue. The EPA studies show that levels of air pollution inside our homes and schools are two to five times greater than outdoors. Cleaning products are not the only culprit when it comes to indoor air quality. Off gassing from building materials, paint, carpet and mechanical systems all contribute to the problem.
Those who opposed the House bill were mainly concerned about the potential for expensive unintended consequences. Rep. John W. Hetherington, R-New Canaan expressed his concern over increased liability lawsuits if the green products are mandated.
There was some additional concern over cost of green cleaning products. The bills supporters noted that the cost of such products have gone down due to more demand from consumers and broader availability.
There are several green cleaning products available for your home. Check out Dr. Bronner (www.drbronner.com), Earth Friendly Products (www.ecos.com), Ecover (www.ecover.com), Method, which even has a “Detox Kit” to detox your home (www.methodhome.com), Seventh Generation (www.seventhgeneration.com), and Shaklee (www.shaklee.com) and WOW Green (www.wowgreen.net). You can also make your own with common ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice. You can find recipes at The Daily Green.
If you are interested in more information on green cleaning products for your home, check out this video from ABC News.
On Wednesday May 6, 2009 the Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill that would require state school systems to use “green” cleaning products by July 1, 2011. The legislation passed 124-19 and now moves to the Senate.
Green cleaning products are those that do not contain harsh cleaning agents like ammonia and bleach. Standard cleaning products also often have chemicals and ingredients like benzene and formaldehyde that have been suspected of causing illness, including cancer. Many chemical cleaners also contain unnecessary antibacterial compounds, which may lead to antibiotic resistance.
In fact, indoor air quality in our homes and schools is a growing health issue. The EPA studies show that levels of air pollution inside our homes and schools are two to five times greater than outdoors. Cleaning products are not the only culprit when it comes to indoor air quality. Off gassing from building materials, paint, carpet and mechanical systems all contribute to the problem.
Those who opposed the House bill were mainly concerned about the potential for expensive unintended consequences. Rep. John W. Hetherington, R-New Canaan expressed his concern over increased liability lawsuits if the green products are mandated.
There was some additional concern over cost of green cleaning products. The bills supporters noted that the cost of such products have gone down due to more demand from consumers and broader availability.
There are several green cleaning products available for your home. Check out Dr. Bronner (www.drbronner.com), Earth Friendly Products (www.ecos.com), Ecover (www.ecover.com), Method, which even has a “Detox Kit” to detox your home (www.methodhome.com), Seventh Generation (www.seventhgeneration.com), and Shaklee (www.shaklee.com) and WOW Green (www.wowgreen.net). You can also make your own with common ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice. You can find recipes at The Daily Green.
If you are interested in more information on green cleaning products for your home, check out this video from ABC News.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
No VOC's, Baby!
By Jeffrey Clonts
One of the advantages of being a real estate professional is that you get to see beautiful homes (and some not so beautiful) all the time. Some of the areas greatest interior designers are hired to make the house a home and, in some cases, a showplace. To me it is free decorating advice. I often see things I like and try them in my own home.
This months project is a repaint of my kitchen. After the torture of finding the right shade of Sea Foam, I had my local Benjamin Moore store mix up a gallon of their Natura low/no VOC paint.
Because low- or no-VOC "volatile organic compound" paints have a lower odor and less impact on air quality than higher VOC-content paints, they are excellent for use in homes to help maintain good indoor air quality. It is also great for other buildings such as hospitals, schools, and workplaces as well.
Recent EPA studies estimate indoor air quality to be 3 to 5 times more toxic than outdoor air largely caused by toxic emissions of paints and finishes. Paint manufacturers realized the need to develop paint that contains lower VOC yet maintain high levels of performance and durability. The carpet manufacturing industry has also created low VOC products for the same reasons.
I am absolutely thrilled with the Natura® paint thus far. It was great doing the work and not feeling faint from the odor. In addition, the paint was great to apply and it’s coverage as good as any I have used before.
When you are planning your next home improvement project that involves paint, I encourage you to try a no/low VOC paint. There are many brands out there. I can only attest for the two I have tried to date. Your family’s health and well being is worth exploring the options. The planet will thank you as well!
Read more about Volatile Organic Compounds and indoor air quality.
One of the advantages of being a real estate professional is that you get to see beautiful homes (and some not so beautiful) all the time. Some of the areas greatest interior designers are hired to make the house a home and, in some cases, a showplace. To me it is free decorating advice. I often see things I like and try them in my own home.
This months project is a repaint of my kitchen. After the torture of finding the right shade of Sea Foam, I had my local Benjamin Moore store mix up a gallon of their Natura low/no VOC paint.
Because low- or no-VOC "volatile organic compound" paints have a lower odor and less impact on air quality than higher VOC-content paints, they are excellent for use in homes to help maintain good indoor air quality. It is also great for other buildings such as hospitals, schools, and workplaces as well.
Recent EPA studies estimate indoor air quality to be 3 to 5 times more toxic than outdoor air largely caused by toxic emissions of paints and finishes. Paint manufacturers realized the need to develop paint that contains lower VOC yet maintain high levels of performance and durability. The carpet manufacturing industry has also created low VOC products for the same reasons.
I am absolutely thrilled with the Natura® paint thus far. It was great doing the work and not feeling faint from the odor. In addition, the paint was great to apply and it’s coverage as good as any I have used before.
When you are planning your next home improvement project that involves paint, I encourage you to try a no/low VOC paint. There are many brands out there. I can only attest for the two I have tried to date. Your family’s health and well being is worth exploring the options. The planet will thank you as well!
Read more about Volatile Organic Compounds and indoor air quality.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Go Green, Live Rich
Going green is about making common-sense, everyday choices to improve the quality of your life and the quality of the planet. Going green will save you money as well.
Reduce, reuse and recycle is not only the mantra of the eco-friendly movement but the key to putting money in your pocket. Think about it. If you're using less and reusing more you save money every day! Thinking about your daily actions like walking vs. driving (walking is cheaper, healthier and more eco-friendly) and keeping an eye on your thermostat (adding a programmable thermostat is a small investment for a big return on your $$$) or reducing your home water consumption (turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth)you can continue to add value to your bank account and add value to the planet.
Planet Green has some great tips to enRICH your life. Check them out by clicking here.
Reduce, reuse and recycle is not only the mantra of the eco-friendly movement but the key to putting money in your pocket. Think about it. If you're using less and reusing more you save money every day! Thinking about your daily actions like walking vs. driving (walking is cheaper, healthier and more eco-friendly) and keeping an eye on your thermostat (adding a programmable thermostat is a small investment for a big return on your $$$) or reducing your home water consumption (turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth)you can continue to add value to your bank account and add value to the planet.
Planet Green has some great tips to enRICH your life. Check them out by clicking here.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Water Conservation Video
Here is a 3 minute video on water conservation from National Geographic. Take a few minutes to learn and conserve one of our most precious resources.
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