Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Free Home Audit Tool Helps Save You $$$

Lowe's is offering a free home audit tool that can help you save money on your energy bills.

After taking a short survey regarding your home and the equipment in it, you can select from a variety of measures to help you save energy. The calculator shows the cost of the measures, as well as estimated savings. You can select which ones you are interested in, get more information on them, and even shop online for the materials you will need.

Of course this is an advertising gimmick, but I ran it for my house and the recommendations made sense. I think the savings may be a bit conservative, but that is probably good, so people don't get their hopes up.

The biggest savings measure for my house? Change my incandescents to CFLs.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

"Making Green Pencil for You and Your Clients"

”Making Green Building Pencil for You and Your Clients” Seminar Announcement

July 22, 2009, 8 am to 5 pm, ORA Conference Room

You see it everywhere – TV, magazines, newspapers, blogs, the internet – Green is here and it is here to stay. More than just a fad, Green will soon be the new norm. But is it worth it to be an early adopter?

In this seminar we will look at what green building is, and what it is not. Covering all aspects of a project, from site, materials, energy use, air quality, and water, we will provide information on products and techniques that are considered green. We will also dispel some of the myths surrounding building green and the infamous “green washing.”

Then, we will examine ways to make green building attractive to your clients, and to your bottom line. You will be shown not only where to find the information on the available incentives in Oregon and Washington, but detailed examples of how to complete the paperwork and what the submission process is like.

If you would like to be a part of this exciting revolution in building, and the money that comes with it (think Stimulus Package), then you must come to this seminar. The cost for the seminar is $100. Seating is limited, so please register early. Contact the Oregon Remodelers Association office (503-788-2274) for more information and to register.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

How to Save 60 Gallons of Water a Day!!!

  • Take a 5-Minute Shower Instead of a 10-Minute Shower, Savings: 12.5 gallons a day.
  • Put a bottle filled with gravel in your toilet tank, Savings: 7.5 gallons a day.
  • Turn off the Water While Brushing Teeth and Shaving, Savings: 8 gallons a day.
  • Filling Your Dishwasher to Max Capacity, Savings: 2 gallons a day.
  • Mulching Your Garden, Savings: 25 gallons when you do this.
  • Fix that Leaky Faucet, Savings: 5 gallons a day.

Courtesy of planetgreen.discovery.com.