Definitely not your uncle’s Winnebago! And being green with envy isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when talking about environmental-friendly mobile homes. Luxury or comfort aren’t the words that come to mind either, but words like cramped, or small, or automotive usually don’t instill satisfaction inside the hearts of potential residents who’re use to a home that can’t get up and drive off But “green” is exactly what Michael Berk, F.L. Crane Endowed Professor of Architecture at Mississippi State, wants mobile homes to be. Tossing traditional thinking about the structures of mobile homes, into the metaphorical “recycling bin”, is exactly what Berk plans to do.

Working in the Carl Small Town Center, which is a part of MSU’s College of Architecture, Art & Design, Berk created an award-winning, factory-built unit he calls the GreenMobile. Unlike other lower-end housing, Berk applies sound construction methods, as well as energy-saving concepts for lower utility costs. The GreenMobile design meets all International Residential codes for structurally sound foundations, insulation, promotes the use of energy-efficient appliances, and creates interior spaces that are better suited for natural-day lighting and ventilation. It also includes an option to install solar photo-voltaic systems, which convert energy from the sun into electricity.

Energy savings from the home make it a smart choice for people looking for affordable housing and lower utility costs. “It potentially could make money at the end of the month,” Berk said.

Energy isn’t the only thing that separates the GreenMobile from traditional mobile homes. Berk says that his next generation mobile home will actually appreciate in value, unlike current mobile homes that depreciate shortly after being bought. Given the potential to accrue value and the fact that they’re designed to last longer than traditional mobile homes, GreenMobiles could be financed through low-interest loans from lending institutions such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They’re expected to cost in the $50,000 range.

Mobile homes don’t have luxury?

The i-House is a next generation, green manufactured home. It’s from Clayton Homes, who have been building mobile homes for over 70 years (They were bought by Warren Buffet in 2003). It will sell for about $100,000, which puts it above trailer park homes but below regular houses. Clayton homes can be configured in seven different ways and includes eco-friendly and energy-saving features like low-e windows, dual-flash toilets, butterfly style rainwater-collecting roofs, tight insulation, zero-VOC paint, and more. Other amenities include IKEA fixtures, bamboo flooring, recycled content decking material, and Japanese-style climate control in each room. The i-house also features a large open kitchen and living room with contemporary cabinets and high efficiency appliances.

The layout of the long main “core” of the house and a separate box-shaped guestroom/office “flex room” resemble the letter “i” and it’s dot. Yet Clayton CEO and President Kevin Clayton said their “i-house” stands for more than it’s carbon footprint.

With a nod to the iPod and iPhone, Clayton said, “We love what it represents. We are fans of Apple and all that they have done. But the “i” stands for innovation, inspiration, intelligence, and integration.” And shattering those mobile home stereo-types is a good thing, he said. “I think the “i-house” is just more proof that the industry is capable of delivering homes that are highly customizable at an affordable price.”

The “i-house’s” metal, v-shaped roof, which has been inspired by a gas-station awning, combines design with function. The roof provides a rain water catchment system for recycling, supports flush-mounted solar panels and vaults interior ceilings at each end to 10 ½ feet for an added feeling of openness. The Energy Star-rated design features heavy insulation, six-inch thick exterior walls, cement board and corrugated metal siding, energy efficient appliances, and tankless water heater.

The Green RV

As more and more Americans struggle to find affordable ways to travel, the attention turned to recreational vehicles. But can eco-minded travelers reduce their carbon footprint(or tire tracks) when driving these behemoths? The good news is that the RV industry is adjusting to the demands of a more environmentally conscious public. These vehicles are offering more efficient fuel usage and improved design while providing spacious accommodations that can fit realistic budgets.

Most modern mobile RVs today use fuel-efficient diesel engines that get about 15 miles per gallon as opposed to the industry standard of 8-10 miles per gallon. Manufactures are also building RVs with lighter composites(similar to the material found in golf balls), experimenting with new design, combating wind resistance by making sleeker front ends that improve overall fuel efficiency, changing the look of trailers to a more European design, with an aerodynamic front that conserves energy.

Innovations hitting the RV world include units powered by solar and wind turbines, which generate electricity, power gourmet kitchens, full bathrooms, and home enter-tainment centers. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, a coalition of nearly 500 manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers of recreational vehicles, up to 20 percent of RVers use solar panels to power on-board systems. Meanwhile, manufacturers like Winnebago and Fleetwood are introducing newer, hybrid models that are incorporating diesel engines and batteries. Like hybrid cars, these RVs rely on battery power for city and slower driving, and both the battery and diesel engine at higher speeds(which charges the battery at the same time). This means that a hybrid vehicle can travel up to 700 miles without refueling, using approximately 12 miles per gallon.

In a recent independent study by the Department of the Environment in Britain showed that, on average, RVs released 4.58 pounds of CO2 per mile verses 1.39 pounds per mile for an average car.

RVs reduce our carbon footprint through conservation and efficiency. According to PKF Consulting, a research firm specializing in travel and tourism, families of four taking RV vacations generate less carbon dioxide than families traveling on a plane, renting a car and staying in a hotel. This study analyzed the CO2 emissions of vacations varying in length, and included car/folding camping trailer, SUV/travel trailer, Type C motor home, and Type A motor home(diesel). Using the carbon calculator methodology developed by Conservation International, an organization promoting biodiversity conservation. PKF found that in each case, RV vacations had a softer environmental impact than the typical airline/rental car/hotel vacation.

Related Reading

Triple Benefits of Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Chargers

www.rvia.org

Guide to Carbon Offsets

Fuel Cell Center

]]> http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/go-green/home-performance-contractors/sierra-club-green-mobile-home/feed/ 6 http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/co2-carbon-dioxide-center/15-ways-to-save-a-buck-and-a-watt/ http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/co2-carbon-dioxide-center/15-ways-to-save-a-buck-and-a-watt/#comments Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:07:27 +0000 Jennifer Roberts http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/?p=3402

Times are tough, there’s no doubt about it. We’re facing a convergence of multiple crises, from a warming planet to dwindling fossil fuel reserves to a stumbling economy. Reducing our energy consumption won’t make all these problems disappear overnight, but it can make a big difference.

The key is to take action now. To fire you up, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite energy-saving tips, starting with ones that won’t cost you a penny.

Free Ways to Save Energy and Money

1. Flash your negawatt smile. A negawatt is any watt of electricity you don’t use. Listen to Mother Earth and turn off lights, TVs, and other gadgets when you don’t need them.
2. When does “off” not mean “off”? When you’re talking about TVs, DVD players, cordless phones, battery chargers and dozens of other home electronics. If a product has a digital clock, electronic display, “instant-on” feature, remote control, or external power adaptor, it still draws standby power even when the device itself is turned off. This “leaking” energy, also known as “phantom load” or “vampire power,” accounts for about 25% of the total energy used by home electronics. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: unplug these devices from the wall outlet when you’re not using them (if they’re plugged into switched outlets, just turn off the switch), or plug them into power strips that you can easily switch on or off as needed. With the power strip switched off, no current flows to the electronic devices, so they don’t consume any electricity.
3. Dress for the occasion. In the winter, put on a cozy sweater and set your thermostat a notch lower—68°F is comfortable for most people, but you might feel fine with the temperature even lower. In the summer, turn on the air conditioning only when you really need it, and set it to 78°F or higher. Raising the thermostat by 1 degree in the summer can reduce your air conditioning costs by 3% to 5%. Get more hot tips and cool ideas from our “Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning” articles.
4. Be a smart cookie. When cooking smaller meals, save energy by using a microwave or toaster oven rather than heating up the full-size oven. On the stovetop, keep a lid on pots and don’t boil larger quantities of water than you need. For more energy-savvy cooking tips, check out our “Appliances” articles.
5. Let the sun shine in (or keep it out). Window coverings are more than just window dressing—they can actually help manage your heating and cooling bills. On hot summer days, close window coverings on the sunny side of your home to keep it cooler. If winters are cold where you live, thick insulating drapes or shades will help keep warmth in at night. On sunny winter days, open the window coverings so the sun’s rays can help heat your home. See our “Window Treatments” article for more ways to green up your windows.
6. Chill out. If you’ve got an extra fridge or freezer idling away in your garage or basement, it could be costing you $200 or more every year to keep it humming, depending on the model’s age and size. Spare your wallet and the planet by unplugging it. Many local utility companies will recycle your old refrigerator for free, and some will even send you a check after they take away the old watt-guzzler. Pick up more cool tips in our “Refrigerators and Freezers” article.
7. Hang up and dry. Take advantage of the sun’s free energy and dry your clothes on a line. If it’s raining or you don’t have space outside, hang clothes indoors on lines or racks. If you do use a dryer, clean out the lint trap before every load—a lint-laden trap makes the dryer work harder and can be a fire hazard. Read our “Washers and Dryers” article for more green cleaning ideas.

Spend a Little, Save a Lot

1. Time for a change. If you have a forced-air furnace (the most common heating system in the United States), inspect the filter once a month during the heating season. If it looks dark and clogged, replace it. A clogged filter means the furnace fan has to work harder, which wastes energy. You can buy a basic filter for a few dollars at home improvement stores, but for better indoor air quality, spend a bit more ($10 to $20) for a filter that’s designed to capture microscopic particles and allergens.
2. Tighten up. Unwanted air leaks in your home can add 20% to your heating and cooling bills. Many basic air tightening tasks are easy and inexpensive. These include caulking gaps around windows, putting weather stripping around windows and doors, sealing heating and cooling ducts, and installing door sweeps to keep air from sneaking in under exterior doors. Before you run out to the home improvement store, check out the article and how-to videos in our “Air Sealing and Weatherization” section for tips. Some air leaks can be tricky to spot, so you may want to hire an energy auditor who will use special devices like infrared cameras and blower doors to pinpoint energy leaks.
3. Lighten up. For nearly two decades, efficiency experts have been telling us to replace our conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) because they reduce energy use by 75% and last 8 to 10 times longer. Despite all the talk, only about 6% of American households use CFLs. Now that the price of CFLs has plunged (with good quality bulbs to be had for less than $2) there’s no excuse not to switch. Not all CFLs are created equal, so read our article on “Fluorescent Light Bulbs” before you go shopping.
4. Set it and forget it. You may have the best of intentions, but it’s easy to forget to adjust heating and air conditioning systems before you go to work or to bed. Instead of relying on your memory, automate the process by installing a programmable thermostat. It ranges in cost from $40 to $200, but may save you as much as $180 per year. Read our “Programmable Thermostats” article and watch our video on how to install one.
5. Be a control freak. Lighting accounts for about 20% of a typical American home’s energy use, and much of that goes toward lights that are left on longer than necessary. With lighting control devices, you can avoid much of that waste. A motion sensor can switch off a closet light after you’ve closed the door. A stairway light switch can be wired to a timer that automatically turns off the light a certain number of minutes after you’ve switched it on. If you want a porch light to stay on all night but not burn during the day, you can wire it to a photocell so that it automatically comes on at dusk and goes off at dawn. You can install basic lighting controls yourself, if you’re handy; more sophisticated controls may require an electrician. Get illuminated by reading our “Lighting Controls” article.

Bigger Investments

1. Insulation: Out of sight but not out of mind. Think of insulation as your silent partner in saving money and energy, reducing your carbon footprint, and keeping you comfortable all year round. If your home is more than about 10 years old, adding insulation can pay for itself in a few years through reduced heating and cooling costs. Here’s a bonus: there’s a federal income tax credit available for 30% of the insulation’s cost, up to $1500. When assessing whether your home has adequate insulation, make the attic your top priority: more heat moves up and out through the attic than through the walls or floors. Get started by reading our “Insulation” article. To evaluate insulation in walls and other hard-to-access places, consider bringing in an energy auditor who can use an infrared device to locate hot or cold spots.
2. A new kind of cool. Refrigerators and freezers chill our food but heat up the planet. And the cost of running them day to day adds up; in fact, they account for about 9% to 15% of a typical household’s energy bills. If yours is nearing the end of a refrigerator’s expected 15-year life span, now’s a good time to replace it with a high-efficiency model. Consider forgoing energy-consuming bells and whistles like side-by-side doors and through-door water and ice dispensers. Most of all, don’t supersize: in general, the larger the capacity, the more watts the fridge consumes. When shopping, don’t just look for the Energy Star. Compare the actual electricity use of various models; it’s printed on the yellow and black EnergyGuide label. Many utility companies offer rebates for purchasing the highest-efficiency refrigerators. Find out more ways to be chill in our “Refrigerators and Freezers” article.
3. Lose the heating and cooling bill blues. Home heating takes a big bite out of our wallets, accounting for nearly 30% of the average U.S. home’s energy costs. If your gas or oil furnace is more than 20 years old, it may be time to replace it. Look for a model with an efficiency rating of 90% or higher and a variable speed motor. If you have a central air conditioner that’s more than 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star model can lower your cooling costs by 30%. Choose a central air conditioning system with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of at least 15; the federal minimum requirement is now 13, but many older AC systems have a SEER of only 7 or 8. Federal tax credits of $300 or more are available when you purchase certain types of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. Read our articles on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for the scoop on improving the performance of older systems and choosing new equipment.

Attention All Pet Lovers!

Over 71 million households across America own at least one pet, and even in this economy, pet owners are still spending big bucks on them. Americans will drop an estimated $45.4 billion on their pets this year compared to the $43.2 billion spent in 2008, according to the American Pets Products Association National Pet Owners Survey. From food to toys and even clothes, owners will buy pretty much anything for their pets. And why wouldn’t they? Most pet lovers consider pets a part of their family, some even consider them children. They bring joy and unconditional love into our lives, so spending hundreds to thousands of dollars a year on our priceless friends is a sacrifice we are willing to make. Many of us aren’t afraid to point out similarities between ourselves and our pets, so as you are heading down the Green road, why don’t you take your pet along for the ride?

Green Tips for Pets

To keep your pets healthy and happy while helping the environment, follow these simple green tips:

· Dinnertime- According to the FDA,more than 100 brands of pet food were voluntarily recalled in 2007 due to reports that there were toxins in wheat gluten (an ingredient in pet food) from China. After this nationwide recall, many pet owners doubted the quality of commercial pet food and sought other options. Fortunately for pet owners, there are many pet food choices that can be found in your local pet store or in your kitchen.

1.      Buy food free from by-products, meals, and artificial preservatives. Natural and certified organic pet food are choices that more and more pet owners are moving toward. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), organic pet food, the fastest growing non-food organic category, grew almost 36.7% in recent years. Certified organic pet foods are free of pesticides, artificial ingredients,  unnecessary fillers, sewage, antibiotics, by-products and meal while helping the environment at the same time.See this chart for differences between commercial, natural, and organic pet food.

2. Make your own pet food. Homemade pet food, if done correctly, is another option to keep your pet healthy and safe. But before you begin cooking, make sure to consult your veterinarian to discuss your pet’s dietary needs. A combination of meat, vegetables, eggs, and starch (pasta, rice, oatmeal) provides dogs with a balanced diet full of the necessary vitamins and nutrients. A combination of meat, eggs, and vitamins is a balanced diet for your carnivorous cat.

3. Buy non-toxic pet bowls. Certain plastic bowls can emit toxins like BPA and phthalates into your pet’s food and water supply.  According to SCGH’s “The Rubber Ducky Chemical” article, studies in humans and rats revealed that exposure to certain phthalates can increase the risk of cancer.  Choose bowls made from ceramic, stainless steel,  porcelain, or even sugarcane that are safer than plastic.

• Playtime – It’s no surprise that pets love to play with toys. Toys spend a majority of their time in your pet’s mouth, so be careful when choosing a toy.

The FDA warns owners to beware of toys that could potentially be choking hazards. Always buy toys that are appropriately-sized and durable for your pet breed. A mini tennis ball suited for a Yorkshire Terrier is not meant for a Golden Retriever to play with.

Avoid buying colorful plastic toys. If a child’s toy is not safe from high levels of lead, why would your pet’s plastic toy be any safer? A study conducted by researchers for ConsumerAffairs.com found high levels of lead and other toxins including phthalates in some pet toys made in China.

Buy eco-friendly pet toys. Look for toys made from sustainable, recycled, organic, or natural materials that are non-toxic for your pets. The Earth will thank you for reducing your pet’s carbon “pawprint”.

· Clean up after your pet- After your pet goes to the bathroom, what do you do?

Don’t throw away your dog’s waste in plastic bags that do not biodegrade and pile up in landfills.  Be green by sending your dog’s waste down the septic system.  If you don’t want to handle the waste, buy water-soluble or biodegradable bags that are safe to flush down the toilet. Another green option when dealing with waste is to compost it with your own store-bought or homemade dog waste composter. However, if you choose this option, make sure you compost a good distance away from storm drains and plants to prevent toxins from seeping into your water supply.

Unlike dog waste, cat waste should not be flushed down the toilet. Researchers at the University of Glamorgan, located in the U.K, found cat feces to host a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that when flushed down the toilet seeps into water sources and oceans where they infect marine life such as dolphins, sea otters, and whales.  Also, when choosing kitty litter avoid clumping clay litter. Clay kitty litter is usually made from strip-mined clay which involves heavy machinery stripping away the top layer of the Earth to collect clay below. Another problem with clay litter is the presence of sodium bentonite.According to Oregon Toxics Alliance (OTA), sodium bentonite, a clay chemical known for its absorbing power,can expand in your cat’s body if ingested. Choose kitty litter made from natural ingredients like pine shavings, sawdust, plant or straw pellets, ground corn cobs, and even recycled newspaper which are reasonably priced at your local grocery or pet store. You can also compost your kitty litter with or without a biodegradable bag which will prevent harmful bacteria from seeping into water sources and landfills. Before you compost your cat’s waste, make sure you use kitty litter that is compost-friendly which can be determined by reading the label or by using natural products like pine shavings.

· Create a healthy environment for your pets- Most pets can’t tell you to vacuum everyday, to stop cooking with non-stick pans or to stop using harmful cleaning sprays in the house. Their environment is what you make for them.

In 2008, the Environmental Working Group released a study conducted by scientists that found pets to have higher levels of toxins in their bodies than humans. They found 48 different toxins in pets, including chemicals released from non-stick pans and metal, phthalates from plastic bowls and toys, and toxins from fire retardants in bedding, furniture, house dust, and food. The same study found that dogs have a higher risk of getting cancer, cats can now get thyroid disease, and behavioral and reproductive problems can occur from the increased level of toxins in their  bodies.

By green cleaning your house regularly, washing your pet’s bedding and dishes, following the advice in this article, and ultimately creating a green home environment Sierra Club Green Home would be proud of, you and your pet will be healthier and happier.

For more information:

…pet food

…indoor environment

Can you believe that every day, citizens of our planet down 2.5 billion cups of coffee?  And that in America alone, more than 450 million servings of “joe” are quaffed daily?

By any measure that’s a lot of caffeine.  And as we are prone to do at SCGH, think about the stunning amounts of waste those Herculean numbers create.  All those coffee filters and grounds, and all those paper cups, enough yearly to circle the globe 55 times when placed end to end!

Thus “Green Your Caffeine” is here, inspired by a story from our sister publication, Sierra Magazine.  Thankfully, there are several things you can do to have less impact on the ecosystem while still getting your morning fix of java.  Here they are:

• First, use a French coffee press instead of a traditional coffee pot.  The coffee press does not require a paper filter, as it has a built in metal filtration system.  It is very simple to use, you don’t need to be trying out for Iron Chef to pour in the ground coffee and hot water, then slowly squeeze the plunger and presto!  A cup of coffee that can taste even better than a filtered cup, minus the yucchy coffee grinds and stained paper filter – which usually go directly to the landfill.
• Second, buy the right kinds of coffee.  There are several labeling systems that tell you what you are buying is indeed environmentally friendly.  “USDA Organic” assures you that no pesticides or chemicals were used to grow the beans.  “Fair Trade Certified” means that the farmers and workers who grow the coffee were treated humanely and paid a fair day’s wage in safe working conditions.  “Shade Grown” means the coffee was grown according to Smithsonian Institution guidelines to protect migrating birds.  And finally, “Rainforest Alliance Certified” is yet another assurance that the beans were grown according to proper “green” standards.  Any or all of these labels are emblazoned on the packaging of the coffees you should be buying.
• Next, abandon paper cups in favor of reuseable mugs.  These insulated mugs are usually made of aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, rubber and in some cases BPA-free plastic.  They are durable, keep your drink hot, and offer spill-proof tops.  Bring your own if you are buying your morning brew from a coffee shop.  In case you think they get stained and are hard to clean, not so.  Simply soak them a bit with a little vinegar and lemon with water, they’ll be good as new with a little bit of scrubbing.  And you’ll be saving many pounds of paper per year.
• I happen to like both coffee and tea.  Nothing against the coffee industry, but tea is significantly better for our planet.  Why?  Because for every seven gallons of water needed in the manufacturing process for tea, coffee requires 36 gallons to yield the same amount of final product.  That is an enormous water savings that can be recognized by crossing over to become a tea-only person.
• Use an electric heating pot or mug to heat your water, for either coffee or tea.  This is more energy efficient than heating it on the stove.  If you don’t have one available, use the microwave it’s second best for energy efficiency.
• Finally, compost your used coffee grounds, even with the filter if you don’t have a coffee press.  In a short time, you will have high quality fertilizer that can be used in your garden.  How’s that for closing the circle on “greening your caffeine”?

So your home is a good place to start if you want to help slow global warming. It’s basically a two-step process. First, you figure out how to use less energy. That means choosing energy-saving light bulbs and appliances, insulating and air sealing, and taking other low- or no-cost steps to make your home energy efficient. The second step involves considering “renewable” energy. The Earth can provide a finite amount of fossil fuels such as oil and coal–and then they are gone. But if your home can harness the inexhaustible energy of the sun or the wind, you can help the United States transform the way it produces electricity and create a brighter future.

Solar electric systems, which are also called photovoltaic (PV) systems, convert the sun’s energy into electricity. PV systems are made up of semiconductor cells manufactured in thin layers and grouped into larger modules. They need to be installed in a south-facing location (typically on a roof) that’s not shaded by trees, buildings, or other structures.

When light hits a PV cell, it generates direct current (DC) electricity. The DC current runs through an inverter–a small box that transforms the DC current into AC current used to power your home.

Residential-scale wind turbines generate electricity from the wind’s kinetic energy–that’s the energy of motion. When wind moves the turbine’s blades, it turns a shaft connected to an electrical generator. The generator feeds electricity to your home. For a wind turbine to be cost effective, it needs to be in a location with ample, consistent wind. Most residential wind turbines don’t need a lot of space, but they are mounted on tall towers (typically 80 to 100 feet), so they’re best suited to properties of half an acre or more to avoid conflicts with neighbors.

Depending on its size, a PV system or wind turbine can provide a portion or all of your home’s electricity needs. Most installations are grid-connected, so that when they are producing more electricity than you need, you get a credit for the excess from the utility company. And when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, your home gets its power from the utility grid. Off-the-grid installations in rural areas rely on expensive banks of batteries to store electricity for use when the renewable energy system isn’t running.

Costs

The sun and wind are free, but harnessing their energy isn’t. After available state and federal incentives, the average cost of a solar electric installation is $15,000 to $30,000 for a typical 2 to 4 kilowatt system. A 3-kW wind turbine on a 60- to 80-foot tower would cost $15,000 to $21,000, including all components and installation. Unfortunately, even in areas with high electricity prices, it can take 15 years or more for a typical system to pay for itself. That’s still a 7% annual return on your investment–more than your bank pays you–but you must be willing to make the large up-front investment. As energy costs rise and the cost of renewables comes down, however, solar and wind power will become even more cost competitive. And in remote areas where it would be exorbitantly expensive to hook up to the electricity grid, a wind turbine or photovoltaic (PV) system may be the most economical choice.

Taking out a loan for a renewable energy installation often makes good sense. Depending on the situation, a homeowner’s monthly loan payments for a solar or wind system may be lower than their old monthly electric bill. After the loan is paid off, the electricity generated by the system is free.

Purchasing Green Power

If you can’t afford to generate your own solar or wind power, consider purchasing it from someone else. To do that, first check with your local electric company. They may offer a green power option from sources like solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, biogas (such as methane), or low-impact hydro. When you buy green power you’re paying a small premium to support the utility’s renewable energy generation, but you’re not actually getting “green electrons” delivered to your home. Electrons are indistinguishable; those generated by renewable energy sources go into the grid and mix with electrons from all the utility’s other sources.

If your utility company doesn’t offer green power, don’t despair. You can purchase “green tags” (they’re also called renewable energy certificates, RECs, or green energy certificates). It’s similar to buying green power from your local utility, except that when you buy a green tag, you may be supporting green power generation in other parts of the country, not necessarily in your region. When you buy a green tag, you’re rewarding power suppliers that offer green power, but you’re not necessarily funding the development of new renewable energy sources. To find out more about green power and green tags, check out the U.S. EPA’s green power website.

Other Renewable Energy Sources

Most people mean sun and wind when they talk about home-scale renewable energy sources. But two other renewables are worth mentioning:

• For home heating, wood is a renewable source of energy if it’s harvested responsibly to balance the need for wood with protection of forest health and soil and water quality. Unlike burning fossil fuels, burning wood is not a net contributor of CO2 to the atmosphere. That’s because more CO2 is absorbed by a growing tree than is emitted when the wood is burned. Wood burning creates hazardous pollutants, however, including fine particles that can harm people’s lungs and cause asthma attacks and bronchitis. To learn more about the pros and cons of heating with wood, see our hearth products page.
• Some day, hydrogen fuel cells may be used to power our homes. They work by converting the chemical energy in hydrogen into electricity, producing water and heat as the only byproducts. This technology, although limited, is already available for commercial and residence use. To learn more visit ClearEdge Power. One challenge is extracting the hydrogen for use in the fuel cell, since in nature hydrogen is almost always bound with another element, such as oxygen. If fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, are used to produce the hydrogen, then hydrogen wouldn’t be considered a form of renewable energy. But if solar or wind energy is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, then the electricity produced is renewable.

Ground-source heat pumps (also called geothermal heat pumps) are sometimes referred to as renewable energy, but they’re actually an energy-efficient way of heating and cooling with electricity.

Big Benefits

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, producing 20% of our nation’s electricity with renewable energy by 2020 is both possible and affordable. When combined with strong energy-efficiency programs, meeting such a goal would

• Spur innovation
  The United States, once a leader in renewable energy development, has fallen behind other nations in pursuing clean energy solutions. By reinvigorating our commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency, we can develop the technologies of tomorrow and find solutions for today’s most pressing problems.
• Curb global warming
  Fossil-fuel power plants are a primary source of CO2 emissions in the United States. Boosting the country’s use of renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency could eliminate the need for nearly a thousand new fossil-fuel power plants over the next 20 years.
• Improve public health
  Pollution from existing power plants contributes to over 600,000 asthma attacks each year. Increasing energy efficiency and our use of renewable energy would take dangerous pollutants out of the air and let us all breathe a little easier.
• Cut energy bills
  Although it takes a while to recoup the initial cost, eventually the electricity generated by a solar or wind energy system saves you money. In addition, renewable energy systems give you a hedge against future energy price increases. They may even increase the value of your home by as much as $10 to $20 for every dollar in saved in annual energy costs.
• Enhance energy security
  Renewable energy allows communities and homes to generate their own decentralized power, which would make it difficult for terrorists to disrupt large portions of the electrical grid.
• Generate jobs, income, and revenue
  Renewable energy development can be a powerful economic support for rural areas. Some farmers and ranchers have received $2,000 a year in lease payments for each wind turbine operating on their land. Renewable energy projects also boost local tax revenues and generate local jobs.

As we all know, windows are a fantastic source of natural light, but the same unfortunately, goes for heat. That late afternoon sun can turn an apartment into an oven and push even the most energy-conscious homeowner to crank that a/c all the way up.
You can solve this problem very easily with solar window film.
AND all the research’s been done for you… AND Sierra Club Green Home readers get a whooping 20% off their purchase of window film through www.windowfilmandmore.com (see instructions at the bottom)

Window film facts:
There are several types of window films: Decorative, Security, and Solar. Solar window film is transparent window tint installed on your existing windows. Some of the benefits include:

• Reduces your A/C costs up to 30%
• 99% UV protection
• Up to 70% heat-rejecting
• Insulates your glass in the winter
• Reduces glare
• Can be used for privacy
• Can be installed professionally or by yoursel

If you’re renting and are worried about your landlord charging you for “modifications,” read on, we have the answer to this question and more in this post!

There are 3 ways to install solar window film:

1. Go to your local hardware store and buy whatever they have
2. Shop online and buy just the film and install it yourself
3. Opt for a full service solution, pay, kick back and relax with a cold beverage while the men are working on your windows.

We tried Option 1 last summer and although we did see a dramatic reduction of the amount of heat entering the apartment, the film was completely faded when we took it off in September, so its life is only about 3-4 months. The installation was rather awkward requiring the use of a hairdryer to basically melt the film onto the window. We didn’t want to do this, so ended up affixing it to the inside of the window frame and when removed in September, the film was almost completely faded.

Needless to say, the tactic needs to change for this year. I did a bit of shopping around and found some great resources:

www.windowfilmandmore.com is a great site for a DIY installation.
They sell professional grade metallized films, made by sputtering, not the PVC or Polyesther films found in your regular home improvement shops. These films last 5-7 years, and the metallized surface rejects up to 70% of heat.
Another great thing about this film is that in the unlikely event your landlord would want you to take the film off, you can. Just pick at the corner with a razor blade and pull it off.
The installation process is very simple as well, no hairdryer required!
All you need is:

• plastic utility knife – INCLUDED IN KIT
• quality installation squeegee – INCLUDED IN KIT
• plastic razor blade for removing stuck on dirt from the glass – INCLUDED IN KIT
• 32oz spray bottle with mild detergent
• some paper towel
• tape measure and a strait edge such as a ruler
  The complete instructions are available on the website, but essentially all you have to do is cut a piece a bit bigger than your glass, pull release liner off, spray solution, put film on the window, squeegee out.

According to Tim from Window Film and More, a typical New York apartment would cost around $140 in film and will save approximately 10% on the cooling costs
SPECIAL OFFER:
Sierra Club Green Home readers get a 20% off coupon on Solar Window Film, if purchased from their site before July 1st. Simply choose the solar window film you like here and use the coupon
code “sierraclub” during checkout.

Next week we’ll go to the source in exploring Option 3 – hiring a company to do it all for you.

Kate Shifman is a New Yorker, sustainability professional, photographer, and publisher of Solar In The City, a solar and energy efficiency guide for the city dweller

1. Solar Queen - £14.99

The top spot, without a doubt, goes to the cheekiest of them all: the Solar Queenie. In addition to lending her regal aura to your humble digs, this pastel-coloured monarch will occasionally grant the plebs (who will undoubtedly come to gawk) with her famous wave, solar-powered, naturally! Purchase here

2. Solar Powered Robot kit – $14.99

This T3 Robot harnesses the power of the sun to make your day that little bit more interesting and teach your kids about solar power. Once you’ve built it you can turn it into either a tank, a scorpion or a standard robot. And if those three different guises aren’t enough for you then, well, you’re just no fun, are you? What’s not to like about a solar-powered scorpion that waddles across your desk like some mechanised arthropod? That’s right – nothing. Purchase here if you live in the U.K  or here if you are in the U.S.

3. The ‘Nomad’ Bicycle Trunk Bag – $99.95

You’ve just upped your Green Cred: not only you’re biking and therefore, doing your bit to minimize pollution, BUT you’re using green energy to power your Ipod, IPhone, or any other small device while literally, on the go! Purchase here

4. Tascam TC-1S – Solar Powered Guitar Tuner – $28 online

The world’s first solar-rechargeable tuner has arrived – the TC-1S Solar Tuner from TASCAM! The TC-1S charges its battery from a bank of solar cells on the front panel, and a USB input is also available for quick-charging when you’re completely in the dark. It’s wrapped in a shock-proof silicone cover that’s available in multiple colors and keeps the Solar Tuner protected. The TC-1S has a built-in microphone as well as a 1/4″ input for guitar and bass tuning. Its lightning-fast pitch detection is displayed on a wide bar graph display for instant feedback.

5. The Eclipse Solar Backpack – $179.99

Now you can update your status all you want, not worrying about your phone dying on you in the woods! This backpack combines the traits of a top quality bag with a new, powerful, thin-film solar module.  The backpack features multiple organizer pockets for your smart phones, iPods, and accessories. The integrated thin-film solar charging module provides up to 4 Watts of power to charge your handheld electronics quickly and efficiently. Purchase here

Energy use of a typical U.S. home. Chart Source: Energystar.gov.

Awareness and Action

In our efforts to move towards a more sustainable society, how do we affect the day-to-day habits of individuals to make a difference? Invoke the “double A” principle – increased awareness leads to increased action.

While debates rage about which energy inputs should fuel the future of our great consumption engine, we should also explore innovative ways that we can do more with less. I’m not suggesting suffering or dramatic life style changes, but shifting our focus to tighter buildings, enlightened buying decisions, and the wise use of the things we have. Where do we start?

Top Tips

• Start at the Top – Monitor the Home

Your home is an enclosure that architects and energy auditors refer to as the “building envelope.” The amount of energy required to keep your envelope comfortable is dependent on the quality of its seal. You have meters that keep track of how much energy you consume. Whether they are old analog spinners or new, real-time, smart meters, their job is the same; they measure the total energy used by your home. Knowing how much energy your residence consumes at this top-level is the first step towards formulating a plan of action.

Moving that information from a monthly bill to a more real-time interface can increase awareness and timely action from consumers. One company who helps facilitate the awareness/action model is Opower. Opower has partnered with 50 utility companies across the U.S. to provide consumers with feedback on how their total energy consumption compares with their neighbors. Google PowerMeter and Microsoft Hohm also provide consumption data in real-time to homeowners where they have partnered with utility companies to date.

Some people, however, will want to know more than “I burned 100 kWh yesterday and 120 kWh today.” Taking a whole house inventory is the next step to knowing where to make necessary adjustments.

• Bottom up – Monitor the Things in the Home

For some time now there have been plug-level energy monitors such as Watts Up?, Kill A Watt, and Belkin Conserve, that collect consumption data on the things in your home. Some monitors just have a display, some have a display and memory, and some have a cable connection (USB) to upload consumption data to your computer. There are newer products, such as the PICOwatt and Modlet, that use wireless methods to monitor consumption and optionally control connected devices. This is a dynamic area where new solutions continue to emerge.

Some of the “big things” we have, like our cars, TV’s, major appliances and comfort systems (heating and air conditioning), tend to consume relatively large amounts of energy.  Someday, all of those items are likely to have built in monitors and/or controllers. Today, many utility company web sites, and the web app MyEnergyThings.com, can help you estimate energy use of these items. Some items, like your fridge, are plugged in and running all the time. Thus, energy consumption is based mostly on the efficiency of your brand and model. On other items, like your cars, dishwashers, and clothes washers & dryers, energy consumption depends on how much you use them.

A lot of “little things” can add up as well. Your home has electrical outlets with small appliances, gadgets and chargers plugged in all the time. While any one thing might consume very little, you might be amazed at how many little things you have, and how they add up to a large chunk of energy (and large chunk of change).

• Take action.

Now that you know where your energy is going, you have the information you need to make immediate changes to the way you purchase and use the things in your home. Hiring a professional home energy auditor can also help you determine the specific steps that you can take to make the bigger changes to your home’s overall “building envelope.”

Bio: Paul W. Roberts is the founder and CEO of EnergyThings, provider of the web app MyEnergyThings.com.

Solar water-heating systems are different from the solar devices that make electricity. Collectors on your roof still grab energy from the sun, but in this case the energy is used to heat water. Of course not everyone has the right roof or enough sun to do the job. But the average U.S. household spends 11% of its energy budget heating water. So why not investigate your home’s potential to provide you with a hot shower from this abundant, free source?

Besides saving you money, solar water heaters also provide big benefits to the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and demand for fossil fuels. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing an electric water heater with a solar water heater offsets the equivalent of 40% to 100% of a typical passenger car’s CO2 output.

By the way, if you had a solar water heater in the 1970s that didn’t last, don’t hold it against today’s products. There’s been a dramatic increase in reliability and efficiency since then.

This article covers solar water heating for your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry–and even for heating your home. See our “Solar Heating for Pools and Spas” article for information about heating swimming pools and hot tubs.

Before You Go Solar

How low can you go? Using less energy is always less expensive than producing energy–even if that energy comes from the sun. So before you make a move to solar heating, look for ways to reduce your hot water use. Take shorter showers, and showers instead of baths. Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. If you’re buying a new dishwasher or clothes washer, choose an efficient model. Set your water heater temperature to 120°F, and turn it to “low” or “vacation” mode if you’re going to be out of town for more than a few days.

Blanket your tank. Cut energy use by wrapping the heater with an insulating blanket. They’re inexpensive and readily available at home improvement stores.

How They Work

Most systems have two basic parts: a collector in which water is heated by the sun, and an insulated tank where the hot water is stored. The collector sits on the roof (or in another sunny location), and the storage tank usually sits next to the home’s conventional water heater. Although most residential systems have a separate storage tank just for the solar heated water, some systems have tanks where the solar-heated and conventionally heated water mixes.

Solar water heaters provide 110°F to 180°F water when the sun is shining. To ensure plenty first thing in the morning and during cloudy stretches, however, most solar homes have a back-up fossil-fuel-fired water heater. The back-up heater can either be a conventional water heater or a tankless heater.

If your home is heated with hot water circulating in tubes under the floors, that’s another good reason to go solar. In such radiant-floor heating systems, the solar heater is backed up by a conventional one so you will always have heat when you need it.

System Types

• “Flat plate collectors” are the most common. A pump circulates liquid through the collector, which typically looks like a shallow glass-covered box. When the sun is shining, it heats up the liquid in the collector. When the liquid is hot enough, the pump comes on and moves the hot water to a storage tank. In some systems, the liquid is potable water that’s stored in a tank that feeds into the home’s hot water pipes. In other systems, the liquid is an antifreeze solution that flows through a heat exchanger to transfer heat (but not liquid) to the home’s potable water.
• An “evacuated tube collector” also uses a pump to circulate water. It’s more efficient than a flat plate collector, but a lot more expensive. Water is heated inside a vacuum, so there’s less heat loss than with flat plate collectors. Rather than looking like a glass box, the collector has rows of metal fins. As with a flat plate collector, the heated water is stored in a tank, usually next to the conventional water heater.
• “Batch collectors” are passive water heaters. They don’t use pumps, which reduces electricity use and maintenance. But they require a storage tank placed higher than the collector, so weight can be an issue if the collector and tank are on the roof. When water in the collector gets hot enough, it naturally rises and is replaced by cooler water from the storage tank. Batch collectors are best in mild climates where freezes are rare (in cold climates, they need to be drained for the winter months).

System Size and Location

• If you are adding solar water heating to an existing home, you’ll need to consider whether the roof can take the added weight, whether you have adequate unshaded south-facing space, and whether there’s room near your existing water heater for an additional storage tank and pipes. A solar designer or installer can evaluate these considerations for you.
• For ideal performance, the solar collector should be located in an unshaded area that faces south. It should be tilted at an angle close to the latitude (a 37° angle for 37° latitude). But any orientation within 45° of south and any tilt from 15° to 60° will work well enough. If you have a pitched roof, you can mount the collector flush with the roof rather than having it jut out. Most solar water heaters today are streamlined and look like skylights on the roof from the exterior.

Cost

• Solar water heaters for indoor water use save the most money if your household uses a lot of hot water-and if you use it from late morning through early afternoon when the solar collectors have maximum exposure to the sun.Smaller households that use hot water mostly early in the morning and in the evening can benefit, too, but the savings will be smaller.
• Solar water heaters are most cost effective in sunny climates. In cloudy climates, you may need a larger, more expensive system.
• Homeowners who install a solar water heater are eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $2,000 (the credit doesn’t apply to pool or hot tub heaters). Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for information about this and other incentives and rebates for solar water heating.
• Solar water heating is much less expensive than solar electric and usually pays for itself in four to nine years. Most systems cost from $2,000 to $4,500. A typical household with an existing electric water-heating system could save up to $500 a year by going solar. If you have gas water heating as opposed to electric, the savings are lower and the payback longer. But as natural gas supplies decline and prices rise, solar water heating will become a hedge against rising energy costs.

Maintenance and Warranties

Solar water heaters can last for 20 to 30 years, although they do require periodic inspection and routine maintenance. You can do this yourself, or hire a solar technician to do it for you. Maintenance tasks include making sure the collector isn’t shaded by nearby trees; hosing it down periodically to clean off dust and bird droppings; checking the condition of the collector, plumbing, wiring, roof penetrations, and support structures; replacing any antifreeze; and making sure the pump is operating properly. Check your owner’s manual for specific maintenance requirements.

Warranties on solar water heaters vary from 3 to 10 years, depending on the manufacturer and the installation contractor. Favor products with longer warranties. Make sure the bids you receive contain details about what the warranty covers; there may be different warranty periods offered for the installation and the collector itself.

Hiring a Solar Pro

Some handy people buy solar water heating components and do the installation themselves, but it’s not a project for beginning do-it-yourselfers. Most homeowners have the systems professionally installed.

Whether you install it yourself or hire a pro, make sure the system you choose is:

• Certified. Choose a solar water heater system that’s certified by Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC), an independent organization that verifies the performance of solar equipment.
• An Energy Star. The government’s labeling program for the most energy-efficient appliances and equipment, Energy Star, will begin covering solar water heaters in 2009. To earn the Energy Star label, a solar water heater must have certification from the SRCC and a “solar fraction” of at least 0.5. A solar fraction is the portion of the water-heating needs served by the solar system rather than the back-up water heater. A solar fraction of 0.5 means that 50% of the hot water is supplied by the solar heater and 50% by the back-up equipment.

Before hiring a contractor, ask the following questions:

• Does the solar professional have experience designing and installing the type of system you want? If you are in the market for a solar water heater, don’t hire a contractor who has only installed photovoltaic systems.
• How many years has the contractor has been in the solar business and how many installations have they done? Solar is booming in many parts of the country; be cautious about hiring a newbie contractor.
• Is the contractor licensed? Some states require solar contractors to have special licenses; check with the contractors’ license board in your state about requirements.
• What specific services will the solar contractor provide? Most offer a “turnkey” service: they’ll analyze your site and water heating needs, design an appropriate system, procure the equipment and materials, obtain any necessary permits, and install the system.
• Are the bids you received based on comparable information? When evaluating bids, make sure they are for the same type and size system. The bids should include all costs associated with buying and installing the system, including hardware, installation, and permits. The bids should include an estimate of how much energy will be saved in kilowatt-hours or “therms” (which each contain 100,000 Btu).
• For general advice on what questions to ask contractors and other tradespeople, see our “What to Ask Your Contractor” article.
• Check out our Green Directory of pre-vetted GreenCheck (R) Solar Providers.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Talk about a bundle deal! What if you could grow your business while saving the environment? Smart folks at Coca-Cola came up with a genius way to promote their brand, up their sustainability cred, and clean up pollution—all with one billboard.

Courtesy of Coca-Cola Company

On June 23, 2011, Coca-Cola Philippines and the World Wildlife Federation unveiled the first plant billboard in the country. The project is a part of Coca-Cola’s Live Positively sustainability campaign and encompasses two areas of the campaign’s scope, water stewardship and climate protection.

The 60-by-60-foot plant billboard, located in the country’s capital, Manila, is made up of thousands of Fukien tea plants, which absorb air pollutants. With each plant capable of absorbing up to 13 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, the entire structure is estimated to absorb a total of 46,800 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The impressive structure, made of recycled Coca-Cola bottles, is designed to contain the plants securely and let them grow sideways. These bottles were filled with a potting mixture containing a combination of industrial by-products and organic fertilizers—a formulation that is stable and lightweight.

A drip irrigation system was specifically designed for efficient water distribution. This irrigation method saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to slowly drip to the roots of plants, through valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. Water is systematically distributed with nutrients to the plants according to a schedule. The irrigation system provides the plants with what they need when they need it.

In addition to improving the air quality in Manila, the powerful visual statement of the billboard is sure to bring public awareness to the issues of air quality, pollution, and recycling. The message of this billboard will be seen and heard far beyond the Philippines, resonating throughout the media from influential sites, such as Yahoo and Huffington Post, to a myriad of blogs.

This is a great way to inspire homeowners all around the world to incorporate recycled materials and environmentally friendly irrigation techniques in their lives. This project can be replicated on a smaller or larger scale by virtually anyone, from a homeowner in California to an urban gardener in New York City to a farmer in Brazil, eager to save water.

We at Sierra Club Green Home are always on the lookout for great new ways to help our readers live greener and healthier lives. If you’re wondering how you can go about installing a drip irrigation system in your own garden, here are some great tips on YouTube:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If air quality is your main concern, follow Coca-Cola’s lead and plant some of these pollutant-absorbing plants in your home or garden. In an average home with eight- to ten-foot ceilings, the Foliage for Clean Air Council, a communications clearinghouse for information on the use of foliage to improve indoor air quality, recommends at least two plants per 100 square feet of floor space.

Common house plants such as the Boston fern, English ivy, Areca Palm, spider plant, and Striped Dracaena are inexpensive, ecologically sound, aesthetically pleasing ways to filter toxins from your home, particularly during these winter months when you are likely to spend most of your time closed up indoors with the windows shut. A single Boston fern can remove 1,800 micrograms of formaldehyde (nearly the total amount found in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study) from the air in about an hour.

There’s no word yet on whether the initiative would be replicated outside of the Philippines, but a Coca-Cola insider tells me their global business system is generally quite keen to replicate good ideas when they see them.

Kate Shifman is a New Yorker, sustainability professional, photographer, and publisher of Solar In The City, a solar and energy efficiency guide for the city dweller.