GreenDream » energy star

Cool and Green

Steve — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:02:05 +0000

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 extremely hot temperatures. Like all equipment, they require regular maintenance, periodic ...(more)

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Getting a Green Workout

Steve — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:01:42 +0000

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 ...(more)

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Energy Audits are the High Road

Steve — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 07:01:08 +0000

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 audit whenever an older home is sold in Nevada. ...(more)

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Appraising Green Homes

Steve — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:08 +0000

They say the dream of the older generation was to pay off a mortgage, while the dream of today’s young families is to get one. In this economy, that’s no joke. That dream is now taking on new dimensions that include managing the ever-rising cost of energy and water.

In today’s home market, a lot of variables go into determining the price of a home, but some of the most common “features” are often ...(more)

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Lessons Learned

Steve — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:00:56 +0000

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 ...(more)

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Corn, Oil & Electric Rates

Steve — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:00:52 +0000

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 ...(more)

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