Recent Green Living Posts
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By Steve Rypka on September 22nd, 2011
 If you have been waiting for the right time to apply for a solar system rebate through NV Energy, this is your reminder. Rebate applications are only accepted during certain windows and one of them is currently open. In past years the program used a first-come, first-served application process that produced a mad rush at the very start, rewarding those with the fastest internet connection and typing skills.
This year’s process will incorporate a lottery system for the first time. The application window opened on September 16th and will end September 28th, so we are right in the middle of it. The lottery selection will occur on the 30th. This particular application window is limited to 25% of this year’s program capacity so there will be more opportunities. However, the rebate amount is not set in stone and there is no guarantee it will remain at current levels (up to $17,000 per residence).
Continue reading Rebates and Some Little Things.
By Steve Rypka on July 14th, 2011
 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 repair and eventual replacement. We know this. It’s a fact.
If your vision includes an energy-efficient, comfortable home then having an air-conditioning equipment strategy makes sense. Since these systems can be expensive, the first big hurdle is almost always money. Make regular savings a part of your plan. Living without a few frivolous do-dads or daily lattes can eventually add up to a substantial “green fund” to use when the time is right, whether for an AC upgrade or a hybrid car. I look at it like making payments in advance, avoiding interest while gaining flexibility and peace of mind.
Continue reading Cool and Green.
By Steve Rypka on January 27th, 2011
 Timing is everything, as the saying goes, and that certainly applies to act of purchasing a renewable energy system. There seems to be a constantly changing landscape of costs, rebates, incentives and supply that influence the final price of these systems. It would be great if we could gaze into a crystal ball to determine the precise moment of maximum benefit. The next best thing is to stay informed and that’s where this column can help.
The trick is to act like any self-respecting business, taking advantage of market forces, tax credits and other incentives to maximize shareholder return on investment. In this case, you and your family are the shareholders. Companies plan for the long term and that’s a strategy that certainly applies when it comes to investing in renewable energy.
Continue reading New Solar Thermal Incentives.
By Steve Rypka on October 21st, 2010
 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 since it is still Energy Awareness Month, let’s take a closer look at smart meters.
Continue reading Smart Meters.
By Steve Rypka on March 11th, 2010
 A PV array is installed on another Nevada rooftop. There is some good news on Nevada’s renewable energy scene. For those of you who have been waiting for the right opportunity to invest in a solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) system for your home or business, this might be the time to jump in. Prices are down, efficiency is up, incentives are strong and the return on investment for solar has never looked better.
Continue reading SolarGenerations Rebate Program.
By Steve Rypka on September 24th, 2009
O ctober is National Energy Awareness month and this year’s theme is “A Sustainable Energy Future; Putting All the Pieces Together.” The idea is to encourage everyone to see how they fit into the big picture. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s website, “No matter how large the problem may appear, the fact remains that each of us is a part of the solution. Every day, each of us makes decisions that can stimulate sustainability and a new energy economy.” It sounds as if they may have borrowed those lines from one of my earlier columns!
There are a lot of pieces to the energy picture. As I’ve mentioned previously, the Southern Nevada Solar Home Tour will take place on Saturday, October 3 and that’s no coincidence. It’s a part of the American Solar Energy Society’s 14th annual National Solar Tour, the world’s largest grassroots solar event. Last year’s tour was attended by over 140,000 people in over 3,000 communities across the country.
Continue reading 2009 Solar Home Tour.
By Steve Rypka on June 4th, 2009
We’ve all heard a lot about green jobs lately. But what exactly is a green job? When are they coming? Where can a person find one? A lot of people want to know how they can make a living while making a difference.
While I believe that any job in any company can be “greened” with the right attitude and attention to detail, there are some that fall squarely in the green job category. …(more)
Continue reading HomeFree Nevada
By Steve Rypka on April 9th, 2009
Back in the 60s, Bob Dylan sang “The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind.” At the time, I don’t think he had renewable energy on his mind, but wind energy is certainly a large part of the answer to today’s energy puzzle.
All across America, homeowners are working to save energy and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. There’s been a lot of talk about …(more)
Continue reading Blowing in the Wind
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