Posted by Greg Castillo on January 22, 2010
The California Public Utilities Commission
As reported in the L.A. Times today by Tiffany Hsu, the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved a much needed $350 million energy rebate program. Designed for homeowners and businesses that install solar thermal water heaters, which use the sun’s rays to heat water for the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room, the average residential rebate will start around $1,500. With your typical home solar water system costing anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000, this incredibly important program could reduce this cost by roughly 15 to 25 percent. And with the federal government currently offering their own 30 percent tax credit for solar energy systems, there’s never been a better time to purchase a solar thermal water heater.
Posted in Information, Legislation, News, Rebate, Solar Power, Tax Credit | Tagged: Energy Efficient, Green, Solar Power, Sustainable, Tax Credits | 2 Comments »
Posted by Greg Castillo on January 19, 2010
Eco-Shake – the 100% Green Roofing Shingle
Eco-Shake is a green roofing shingle that is made from 100 percent recycled material. Designed to resemble and replace wood shingles, it handles all weather conditions and will not crack, fade, or curl.
50-Year Transferrable Warranty
Eco-Shake is made from reinforced vinyl and cellulose fiber, two common construction products that would otherwise end up in landfills. With a Class A fire rating and a Class 4 impact rating, the highest ratings given by Underwriters Laboratories, these green shingles are UV protected, freeze-thaw resistant, require no maintenance, and are so durable that they’re backed by a 50-year transferrable warranty. Some insurance companies even offer discounts to homeowners if they install this type of impact resistant roofing product.
Re-New Wood
Manufactured by Re-New Wood Inc. of Oklahoma, the company was started to develop a superior roofing product that was environmentally friendly yet could also withstand the extreme weather conditions throughout the country.
To Learn More
To learn more about this unique green product and cutting-edge company, browse the Re-New Wood website.
Posted in Roof, Shingles | Tagged: Green, Recycle, Sustainable | 1 Comment »
Posted by Greg Castillo on January 15, 2010
The Panasonic Lithium-Ion Storage Cell
Though it’s primarily the cost of solar and wind power devices that keep many homeowners from installing systems, green energy doesn’t run 24 hours a day. But Panasonic may be about to solve this problem with their new lithium-ion storage cell.
Changing the Game
Designed specifically for homes, the Japanese electronics manufacturer says its cell can hold enough power to run the average house for a week. If all goes as planned, this revolutionary energy storage system has the potential to make solar and wind power a more viable and cost-effective option for the entire world.
Fumio Otsubo
With the cell set to debut in 2011, the president of Panasonic, Fumio Otsubo, says that the company’s mission is to realize CO2 emission-free daily life in the home. More details about the lithium-ion storage cell should be announced within the coming days.
Posted in Energy Storage Cell, News, Solar Power, Wood Finish | Tagged: Conservation, Electricity, Energy Efficient, Green, Solar Power, Sustainable, Technology, Wind | 4 Comments »
Posted by Greg Castillo on January 10, 2010
As written by Todd Woody in the L.A. Times on Saturday, ESolar Inc. of Pasadena just signed an agreement to build a series of solar thermal power plants in China. The deal is one of the largest of its kind, signaling China’s emergence in the renewable energy market. Moving faster than California and the rest of the United States in this aspect of the green arena, the total electrical output for the project would be 2,000 megawatts, which is equivalent to what a large nuclear power plant could produce.
Posted in News | Tagged: Green, Photovoltaic, Renewable, Solar Power, Sustainable, Technology | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Greg Castillo on January 2, 2010
A Renewable Energy Source
Ethanol is 100 percent alcohol and is mainly produced by the fermentation of sugars in potatoes, bananas, sugarcane and beetroot. Producers of ethanol, which to avoid human consumption cannot be solid in its purest form, denature ethanol with various substances. Primarily done for resale purposes, denatured ethanol is composed completely of biological products that form a neutral ecological balance that burns clean in the form of heat, steam, and carbon dioxide.
Posted in Fireplace, Glossary, Information | Tagged: Energy Efficient, Renewable, Sustainable | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Greg Castillo on December 26, 2009
Fire – the Oldest & Most Inefficient Form of Heat
Though fire is mankind’s oldest form of heat, it isn’t the most efficient and certainly not the cleanest. Your traditional masonry fireplace is actually the least effective way to heat a room. In addition, burning wood creates air pollution both inside your house and outside, and most of the heat ends up escaping straight up the chimney.
EcoSmart™ Fire at EcoGreenFire.com
The EcoSmart Fire is an environmentally friendly open fireplace. Distributed in the United States by EcoGreenFire.com, this innovative Australian creation doesn’t have a flue, requires no installation or even a utility connection for fuel supply. Ideal for any architectural environment, this stylish invention is fueled by denatured ethanol, which burns clean and is virtually maintenance free.
To Learn More
To learn more about his revolutionary product, browse the EcoGreenFire website.
Posted in Architectural Features, Fireplace | Tagged: Air Quality, Architecture, Energy Efficient, Green, Sustainable | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Greg Castillo on December 23, 2009
The Positives & Negatives of Chlorine
Chlorine is used by water treatment plants to reduce levels of microorganisms that can spread diseases to humans. But chlorine is also a strong poison that chemically bonds to the protein in our hair and skin. So depending on where you live in relation to your county’s water treatment plant (and how safe it actually operates), you may be exposed to dangerous levels of chlorine on a daily basis.
Chlorine Showerhead Filter
The best way to protect yourself is to purchase a chlorine showerhead filter. Primarily they’re available online. Home Depot has a relatively inexpensive one and it’s easy to install.
Posted in Information, Plumbing, Showerhead | Tagged: Chlorine-Free, Home Depot | 1 Comment »
Posted by Greg Castillo on December 20, 2009
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
LEED is a green building certification system. Recognized around the world, a building or community that has recieved this certification has been verified by a third party to have been designed with environmentally friendly construction practices.
USGBC
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a detailed outline of all green building practices are available for professional builders as well as the general public.
To Learn More
To learn more about the LEED certification system and how you can incorporate eco-friendly construction practices into your next project, browse the U.S. Green Building Council website.
Posted in Construction, Glossary, Information | Tagged: Conservation, Energy Efficient, Green, Sustainable | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Greg Castillo on December 17, 2009
VOCs
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are released into the air as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term health effects. From paints and lacquers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings to glues, adhesives, and even office equipment like copiers and printers, VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products that you come in contact with everyday.
To Learn More
To learn more about VOCs and how you can protect yourself and reduce exposure, read the Environmental Protection Agency’s website for more information.
Posted in Glossary, Information | Tagged: Green, Pollution | 4 Comments »
Posted by Greg Castillo on December 15, 2009
35 Years of Sustainable Manufacturing
Bonded Logic has been manufacturing green insulation for over 35 years. Having created a fine line of natural fiber thermal and acoustical products, their insulation is Class-A fire rated, safe for the environment, contains no harmful chemicals or irritants, and doesn’t emit VOCs.
UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber – a Superior & Safe Product
UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber insulation is made with a revolutionary manufacturing process that has created a superior and safe product. Its fibers contain 85 percent post-industrial recycled natural fibers, inherent qualities that provide for extremely effective sound absorption and maximum thermal performance, does not itch, and is very easy to work with and handle.
Made almost entirely of natural denim and cotton fibers that are 100 percent recyclable, UltraTouch insulation also reduces landfill waste and makes the world a cleaner place for future generations.
To Learn More
To learn more about this innovative product, browse the Bonded Logic website.
Posted in Insulation | Tagged: Conservation, Energy Efficient, Green, natural, No VOCs, Recycle | 2 Comments »
The California Public Utilities Commission
