Saving $ in a Healthy Home and Reducing Global Warming

Some quick tips to save money and Carbon Dioxide!

Windpower – Sign up for Windpower! 200 KWH of green power will save 1,200 lbs of coal, and 2,400 lbs of Carbon Dioxide.

Lighting: Replace bulbs with compact fluorescents. Not only will save 1300 lbs of carbon per bulb, but they will save you $38 - $232 over the life of just one bulb, depending on how much you use the bulb. 6 packs available at the ORE office for $10, or at the Home Depot. Quality bulbs will have Energy Star logo, instant-on (non-flickering), and a warm soft light.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: do a carbon calculation on your home and travel. Offset your carbon through my non-profit ORE – pay per ton of carbon, and ORE will offset that Carbon up to 4X the original amount through local projects such as solar panels on schools.

Solar Hot Water: Federal Tax Credit available for 30% of the system or $2,000, with a fast payback. Solar PV/electric also has tax credit, but payback is still around 40 years.

Energy Audit -Get an energy audit from E-Star or your local utility company will tell you how to save money on your heating bill with low cost good payback investments. For older windows, consider interior storm windows http://www.magnetite.com/faq.html instead of new windows or shrink to fit plastic, for a fast payback on your investment and a classy look.

How to compare labels and buy energy efficient appliances and heating systems: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/homes/applnces.html

List of most energy efficient home appliances:
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide
make sure your new appliances are Energy Star complaints, if possible in the top 1/3.

New Homes – get a blower door test from your local utility company or E-Star auditor before insulating to check for hidden airleakage. Use Building America’s Very Cold Climate Building guide to reduce your energy bills, build a home that will last longer, and be free of mold/moisture problems: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy05osti/38309.pdf . Federal tax credits available for builders.

Windows - Claim a tax credit on Energy Efficient windows: http://www.efficientwindows.org/. Check window energy efficiency by make, model and manufacturer tested independently of the manufacturer by the National Fenestration Ratings Council: http://cpd.nfrc.org/pubsearch/psMain.asp. If you do not have time to compare specifics, choose the lowest U value and infiltration rate possible and make sure they are Energy Star compliant.

Insulation: Use formaldehyde-free Johns Manville Fiberglass, or non-toxic Cotton available locally - davepenney@earthlink.net, non-toxic sprayed cellulose, or soy based lower toxicity spray foams. Strive for R26 walls and R49 roofs to save on utilities. Federal Tax Credit.

Framing/Sheathing: use non-toxic adhesives –such as - OSI brand SF550, or in stock at www.buildingforheatlth.com. Formaldehyde-free plywood available at Houston Lumber – stronger, more moisture resistant and 50 year warranty. Detail at - http://www.huberwood.com/builders/dsp_home.cfm?doc_id=210

Flooring – Avoid carpet where possible available alternatives to carpet include - dyed/stained concrete, bamboo, natural linoleum, and tiles made from recycled materials. If you must have carpet - order lower-toxicity carpet at www.planetearth.com.

Paint – use non-VOC paints. Stains – look for product without “This product known to cause cancer in the state of California” on the label.