GreenDream - The Art of Green Living
Learning to live lighter on the planet.
As homes become more efficient, the portion of energy used for water heating is growing larger. Collectively, the amount of energy expended on this simple task is astounding and much of it is wasted. There are many options for improving the efficiency of our water heating systems, including insulating the water heater and pipes, avoiding setting the thermostat higher than necessary and using low ... Read More
There are a lot of paths to choose from when it comes to Green Living. That’s part of what I like about it. There’s sort of an ethic or mindset that guides one’s choices, but the options are almost endless. There is no single solution to creating a sustainable community and I never tire of learning about how others are approaching the issue. Alternative to Sprawl In the midst of the ... Read More
Green buildings perform well by incorporating a variety of ways to increase efficiency and enhance occupant comfort. Perhaps one of the most common strategies is daylighting, a means of utilizing natural light for interior illumination. It not only reduces energy usage, but provides natural, full-spectrum light that enhances our well-being. When an architect designs a new green building, they ... Read More
I found a great book and I’m recommending it to anyone who would like to know more about just what a high-performance home can be. It’s called “Recreating the American Home: The Passive House Approach” by Mary James. The publisher is Low Carbon Productions. Ms. James has put together an extraordinary and diverse collection of profiles describing homes built using the Passive House ... Read More
Green living happens when we apply conscious thought to everyday life; when vision coupled with planning intersect at appropriate times. Setting yourself up for success is the key. Since summer is here, let’s use an appropriate example. Most of us would not care to live in Southern Nevada without modern air-conditioning systems. We depend on them to get us comfortably through months of ... Read More
This column often explores the exciting transformation taking place in the building industry. Green building programs have grown and multiplied at an amazing rate in recent years. We’ve looked at Energy Star, LEED and even the Living Building Challenge. These programs are important because they raise the bar and provide real-world examples of what is possible, not just what is permissible. They ... Read More
I got to the gym a little late yesterday and it was already dark outside. After checking in at the desk at Sun City Anthem’s Liberty Center, I headed for the locker room. As I opened the door, the lights were out and it was pitch black inside. It wasn’t that late and the place was not closing down. The lights had been shut off automatically by a sensor that had not detected anyone in the room ... Read More
When we have a choice to make, taking the high road means choosing the honorable or ethical course over some lesser alternative. In terms of housing efficiency, Nevada has a choice to promote an ethical path toward increased home energy efficiency and savings, or to maintain the dismal and expensive status quo. I’m referring to legislation passed in 2007 to require a professional home energy ... Read More
In my previous column, I emphasized the incredible amount of energy we use in our daily lives and how it is often taken for granted. A reader subsequently expressed his willingness to conserve energy but also conveyed some trepidation about NV Energy’s new “smart meter” program that is getting underway in Nevada. It seems that many people have similar concerns. It’s a timely topic and ... Read More
October has been officially proclaimed Energy Awareness Month – again. The first proclamation was in 1991 and now for the second year in a row by President Obama. It’s good to reinforce the concept of energy awareness, and by proclaiming the same month again and again, our leaders are also setting a good example by recycling October, a valuable, limited resource. All kidding aside, energy ... Read More
Your help is needed to pass BDR 955, a bill to label genetically engineered foods in Nevada! This bill would give Nevadans the right to know if genetically modified organisms are ... Read More
There will be a showing of the award-winning documentary film Flow at UNLV's SEB Auditorium on Tuesday, March 19th at 7 PM. It will be followed by a panel discussion. I'll be ... Read More
Recycling has been in the news a lot lately. Pilot programs have run for years and finally, after overwhelmingly positive results, local governments are adopting residential ... Read More
Electric vehicles are hitting the road in ever-increasing numbers. Most are conveniently charged at home but when you're on the road and need a little juice, it's nice to know ... Read More
Some words definitely lose their meaning when used too often or too casually. The word “sustainability” comes to mind right off the bat. Even though it’s overused, many do not even agree on the ... Read More
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