Founder Dave Syring saw a number of problems with the existing major Multiple Listing Service platforms (those used by real estate agents to post homes for sales); Chief among them, were that only real estate agents could access the listings and none were dedicated to green homes. So last March, Syring took things into his own hands and launched ListedGreen, an MLS exclusively for Green homes and properties. This is a sustainable business from the ground up, from its solar-powered servers to its contributions to Global Green USA.

But the real key is in the site’s accessibility and quality control… (more…)

A few months ago we wrote about low-flow fixtures that save considerable amounts of water while you’re in the shower. But what about the habit that I’m betting most of you have?

Before hopping in the shower, how many of you run the water until its warm enough? Guilty. Anyone do anything else while you wait? Maybe use the toilet, brush your teeth, or even shave? By the time you’re done you’ve likely sent down the drain several gallons of the hot water for which you were waiting.

A company called ShowerStart has a solution to this habit: Its Evolve line of showerheads features the ShowerStart technology, a sensor that actually turns the shower stream to a trickle once it has warmed up to 95 degrees. When you’re ready to hop in, a simple flick of the switch resumes the full flow water. Its that simple.

For those of you unwilling to either replace your current showerhead or drop the cash for one of their premium models, they’ve thought of something for you too…its called the Ladybug. It’s a device that you affix in line between your showerhead and shower arm that easily brings the ShowerStart technology into your bathroom.

Unfortunately its low-flow offering could be improved (currently its RoadRunner model is the lone showerhead in that category). But even the devices offering the “maximum flow rate allowable by law” still save the homeowner an estimated $75 and 2,700 gallons of water while the Roadrunner saves $230 and 7665 gallons.

The company has received some criticism for offering a product that encourages people to let technology solve efficiency problems, especially when slight modifications in behavior would suffice. Point taken, BUT, for the vast majority of people who won’t change, this is a great solution.

Now, let me see if I can’t get my hands on one of these nifty devices to try out…

Thankfully, the North Carolina Solar Center and Interstate Renewable Council regularly update and maintain the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (www.dsireusa.org). With this easy to use tool, you don’t have to scour through numerous lackluster government websites full of environmental jargon.

DSIRE covers renewable energy (think solar and wind power) and energy efficiency (everything from ceiling fans to geothermal heat pumps). For both categories, there are financial incentives including rebates, property tax incentives, and grant programs offered by local, state, federal, and non-profit entities.

The easiest method of searching is to click “Search By” and select “Eligible Sector.” Select “Residential” from the drop down and, in the results, scroll to your state for a list of relevant incentives.

Now, its not QUITE as simple as point and click—you do have to read some of the details—but the DSIRE site does an adequate job of translating much of the legal language in the government legislation into plain English. It also lists contact info for each incentive should you need more information.

For all tax-related incentives, I’d recommend keeping your accountant in on the loop so they can verify your eligibility and ensure that your returns are properly prepared.

While many installers of various renewable systems usually incorporate incentives into their pricing, you should use DSIRE to educate yourself and make sure you’re pursuing all of the monies available to you.

One More Way To Make your Windows Efficient

Similar to the way you change your wardrobe each season, you can also change your windows…or, at least, you can pivot them.

As we discussed in our article ‘What’s Next in Windows?’ the low-E coating on windows allows sun to heat our homes in the winter and block heat from the sun in the summer. This, of course, requires different amounts of low-E coating.

Change of Season

In the summer, we want to block the sun out so that we don’t have to rely on the air conditioner to make our homes comfortable. This means that we want a window with a low-E coating which will reflect the sun away from our home. In the winter, however, the sun is a free source of heat so windows that allow for high solar heat gain are best.

Finding the most efficient windows has long been about accommodating all weather conditions. Transition metal switchable windows have addressed this issue as discussed in the article ‘What’s Next in Windows?,’ but what else is out there?

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Sensing Overload

Scientists from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington have found that giving the grid a breather when it starts to go into overload may decrease the chances of grid failure. Specifically, they tested appliances with computer chips that are able to sense a grid overload. The appliance will then adjust so as to reduce the risk of grid failure.

So, your dryer’s heating element might shut down, but the clothes keep tumbling or your refrigerator’s compressor may temporarily switch off, but the light will still turn on when you open the door. These minimal precautions can give the grid a much needed break and help avoid a complete failure.

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Big Consumer

Refrigerators, surprisingly, are a big chunk of our utility bills. They consume almost as much as a color TV, clothes dryer, and freezer combined! We often shut off the lights and turn down the heat to save energy, meanwhile, huge amounts of energy are escaping from the refrigerator door as we scour for a midnight snack.

But we are not the only ones to blame, our out-of-date refrigerators are just as guilty. In fact, according to Energy Star, refrigerators from before 1990 use enough extra energy in a year (over a current Energy Star models) to light a house for four months! Efficiency has been improved with better insulation, more precise temperature and defrost gauges, and more efficient compressors. And improvements have been continuous—models today realize nearly 40% savings in energy use over refrigerators in 2001.
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In 1992 federal law set new requirements stating that new toilets meet a 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) standard—a dramatic reduction from the old 5 to 7 gpf toilets. People had a hard time believing that a 1.6 gpf toilet works just as well as a 5 gpf toilet. But a lot more goes into the functioning of a toilet than the amount of water used per flush. Let’s take a look at some low-flow toilet industry standards that both meet peoples’ expectations and their water conserving benefits can be put to use! Also, it is helpful to know the terms associated with toilet performance so as to make your decision a little bit easier. Lastly, we will discover who is on top in the toilet trade.

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Skylights can provide you with some energy saving benefits, but there are many things to consider in avoiding some common skylight slip-ups.

Skylights allow sunlight into our living spaces from above without compromising privacy. In delivering abundant daylighting, skylights can reduce energy consumption used for lighting, particularly in interior rooms that do not have direct access to exterior windows.

So, which features should you look for to enjoy the benefits and minimize any negative side effects that skylights can have? Consider the following when evaluating skylights to ensure that they are a bright feature in your home.

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With so many lists claiming to have identified the “top” greenest cities in America, it is unclear which is “the” list. But each survey taken usually consists of different measures of greeness. As you might have noticed, there are various shades of green because each person places importance on different issues regarding our environment. These surveys are no different.

One poll may measure the amount of public transportation a city has and not necessarily the actual use of public transportation. So how different are the outcomes when disparate factors are used to measure a common idea? Below is a comparison of three “top” lists. Each has slightly different criteria and, in turn, slightly varying results.

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As we become more aware of how our homes affect the environment surrounding us, it may be time to take a look outside. Your driveway has a bigger impact than you think.

Rainwater that falls onto paved driveways, sidewalks, and roads has no place to go except straight to drainage systems or the nearest pond or stream. Soap from washing the car, pet waste and fertilizer can all contaminate runoff when it doesn’t go through the ground’s natural filter.

When evaluating driveway material, consider a permeable one, which will have a reduced need for drainage systems to redirect water and fewer contaminants washing into our streams. While permeable driveways may not be ideal for high-traffic areas, they are typically sufficient for residential use. We will discuss three common types of permeable driveways, one of which may suit your needs best.
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