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By Steve Rypka on August 12th, 2010 | Category: Events
An increasing number of homeowners in Nevada have something to smile about every month – their power bills. This is especially true during the heat of summer, when air-conditioning drives energy use sky high. The number of solar-powered homes is steadily growing, signs that the industry is heating up as the price of renewable energy continues to come down. Overall, interest in green building, energy efficiency and clean power has never been greater. The paradigm shift …(more)
Continue reading Clean, Green and Moving Forward
By Steve Rypka on June 3rd, 2010 | Category: Green Living Columns
 Energy efficiency has never been more important or more urgently needed. Our homes are taking on a new and very important role in terms of energy: they are becoming an integral and active part of the electric grid system. The existing model of electrical generation, distribution and use, one that has basically changed little for over one hundred years, is about to take a major leap forward. The change will provide benefits in the form of lower energy costs, greater comfort and control, increased reliability and security, and environmental healing.
The premise is relatively simple: greater efficiency, real-time load management (down to the micro level), distributed generation and renewable energy. Homes will generate energy, share it with others when it makes the most sense, as well as use it much more wisely. The integration of these concepts will forever transform and improve the way we use energy while providing a major part of the solution to some of society’s most pressing issues. The details are complex and will take some time, but the seeds of change have already taken root and are sprouting. It’s a paradigm shift that will transform not only our homes, but our energy utility companies as well. Continue reading Energy Evolution: Efficiency is Key.
By Steve Rypka on April 8th, 2010 | Category: Green Living Columns
Every cloud has a green lining.
They say that every cloud has a silver lining. That might be even more appropriate here in the Silver State, since the clouds caused by the housing market have caused more than a passing shadow. However, the sun is beginning to peek through, and it’s shining a bright light on some activities in the housing market that not only have a silver lining, but perhaps even gold or platinum.
I’m talking …(more)
Continue reading Housing’s Silver Lining
By Steve Rypka on December 17th, 2009 | Category: Green Living Columns
Children will benefit most from the lessons we learn now.
2009 has been a year of learning. With economic challenges at every turn, many have been forced to do more with less. People have downsized, minimized, economized and localized. In a sense it could be considered a sort of natural correction. As we move forward into the New Year we should not forget these important lessons.
For example, average home size has been growing for decades. Now …(more)
Continue reading Lessons Learned
By Steve Rypka on November 19th, 2009 | Category: Green Living Columns
Diversity helps build strength and resiliency. Nowhere was this more apparent than at last week’s Greenbuild conference in Phoenix, AZ. Over 28,000 people from around the world gathered to share, learn and plan for the continued acceleration of green building practices. The opening plenary included reports by U.S. Green Building Council leaders from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and Taiwan. Green building is driving global change.
We’re not just thinking globally …(more)
Continue reading Greenbuilding – Local & Global
By Steve Rypka on November 5th, 2009 | Category: Green Living Columns
The greening of modern society is underway and nowhere is it more important than in our homes. With over one hundred million homes in the U.S. there’s plenty of work to do, but the potential benefits are enormous. It’s a multi-faceted transition: lights and appliances are getting more efficient every year, renewable energy systems are sprouting everywhere, utilities are beginning to build smart electric grids, and building codes are improving in many jurisdictions. Perhaps most importantly, …(more)
Continue reading Greenbuild 2009
By Steve Rypka on October 8th, 2009 | Category: Green Living Columns
By now, the concept of sustainability is one that most people are familiar with. Though there are many ways to define a sustainable society, there is really only one alternative to it. Basically, you’re either on or off the bus. By definition, being unsustainable only lasts for so long. It’s the ultimate dead end.
What does that mean in the current context of our lives, our homes and communities, and life as we know it? There are …(more)
Continue reading Transition Town
By Steve Rypka on August 27th, 2009 | Category: Green Living Columns
Home has meant many things to many people over time. From natural caves to stone cottages, cliff dwellings to modern tracts, homes have provided shelter and comfort throughout the ages.
Early human dwellings were located near the natural resources necessary to sustain life, especially water. This is still true in many parts of the world, but it’s also true that many civilizations have, over time, devised ingenious ways to bring water to their dwellings. But there is …(more)
Continue reading Thoughts on Water
By Steve Rypka on August 13th, 2009 | Category: Green Living Columns
I recently attended a series of seminars designed to inform realtors, lenders, appraisers and builders about the importance of energy efficiency and green building. The program, hosted by the Green Alliance/Nevada Energy Star Partners, featured Sam Rashkin, the national director of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star for Homes program. The seminars were very informative and those in attendance definitely gained a leg up on the future of our housing market.
I’ll write more about them in …(more)
Continue reading Corn, Oil & Electric Rates
By Steve Rypka on July 30th, 2009 | Category: Green Living Columns
Perspective is an interesting thing. If you’re too far away from something, you don’t see the details. If you’re too close, you miss the big picture. In my experience, the best strategy for maintaining a healthy perspective is to keep both in mind. Look at the big picture and use it as a guide as you handle the necessary details.
With regard to Green Living, the big picture is the health of the planet and its biodiversity, …(more)
Continue reading 2009 National Clean Energy Summit
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