Windows, Efficiency and Techniques

Windows have been around a long time. The origin of the word is centuries old and the original “wind eye” was nothing more than an unglazed hole in the roof that provided ventilation and day lighting. Today’s windows have come a long way since then. Good windows add much to the enjoyment, comfort and value […]

How to Find a Solar-Friendly Home

Nothing beats a solar-friendly home. The explosion of interest in solar energy continues and for good reason. Harvesting clean, fresh energy from the sun provides so many benefits that it is impossible to ignore. Systems are more affordable than ever, plus they are dependable, long-lasting, help the environment and make excellent home improvement investments. While […]

Thankful Green Living

Home is especially meaningful on Thanksgiving, where we gather with family and friends to express our good fortune. Just having a home provides much to be thankful for, since far too many go without. Imagine how different it could be for the less fortunate among us if, through our actions to help ourselves, we could […]

Watch Out for Hidden Energy Waste

One nice side effect of using solar energy is a heightened awareness about energy use in general. Not everyone will have the same reaction of course, but I enjoy the process of paying attention and making adjustments here and there as needed. It also a good way to take some personal responsibility for the state […]

Greened House Effect is a Must Read for Homeowners

It has been said that the greenest building is the one that’s already built, because so much energy is embodied in the existing structure. There is some truth to that statement and greening an existing home or building can be the shortest route to energy efficiency, long-term savings, increased comfort and environmental healing. I would […]

EnergyFit Nevada Makes a Difference!

My last column about the season of giving suggested that Green Living can be a wonderful way to express our appreciation to those we care about. Just after I wrote it, a friend sent a wonderful email providing a real world example of exactly what I had in mind. I’ll refer to this couple as […]

The Next Big Thing: Energy Efficiency Remodels

Want to know what the “Next Big Thing” in home ownership will be? No one can predict the future with absolute certainty, but there are no safer predictions than these: non-renewable energy sources will become increasingly scarce; energy costs will rise over time; and people will continue to desire comfortable homes that are affordable to […]

Jane Feldman’s Green Home

Green Living is an attitude more than anything else. At its core, there is deep caring and a sense of value for things that often do not carry an obvious price tag. Sure, anyone with ample cash can go out and buy a bunch of green stuff: a hybrid car, an efficient house or a […]

Looking Back on 2010

As 2010 comes to a close, I thought it would be interesting to take a quick run back through the year’s Green Living column topics to reflect on what where we’ve been and perhaps get a glimpse of where we might be going.

Energy Audits are the High Road

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 […]