Cool Shops program provides energy efficiency options for small businesses

FortisBC, Terasen Gas, and the City of Kelowna, in partnership with Clean Air Foundation, are testing a program that helps small businesses conserve energy, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Small businesses in Rutland and downtown Kelowna can benefit from the free audits provided from the program. The "Cool Shops" program also provides the businesses with energy efficiency options that can help them save money on their utility bills.

Downtown Kelowna and Rutland based businesses can book an audit by contacting the Cool Shops team via email at coolshops@fortisbc.com or by phone at 250-469-8107

Source: Kelowna Capital News article titled "Cools Shops initiative to help choose energy options"

State-of-the-art green homes can be sold at market price 

Weatherford Place in Roswell Georgia is a green residential community. It's described as a "solar community of net-zero energy homes" built to the greenest building standards.

In fact, each "EcoCraft" home is at a platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) level. The highest level which includes points for such things as reuse of materials, pollution reduction, green power, rapitable renewable resources, etc. It's the first project of it's kind built using "Nature's Code".

The solar power generation in the community is what differentiates this development from the rest. One of the unique features is that each house serves as a power source for the community. The solar energy collected from the houses are put in to the power grid and used by everyone. The specifications show that each home should generate more than it uses thus making each home a net-zero energy home.

The homes also use 2/3 less energy than regular homes and use solar power to heat water, etc. Each home will have monitors and sensors to measure energy consumption and the overall eco-friendliness. The data will be used in energy-efficiency studies.

The prices of these homes are listed at $750,000 USD (for homes between 2500 to 3900 square feet), but have already appraised at $1 million. This project indicates that green homes can be built to LEED standards and can be profitable.

Source: Article in Event Magazine by Maria Saporta titled "Green Homes"

FortisBC PowerSense Rebates for energy efficient updates

FortisBC PowerSense is offering incentives to it's customers on being power smart. They are offering rebates on energy star product installation in new homes, on home improvements, with installation of heat pumps and lighting.

• New Home Program Info & Application Form

If you are building a new home you can receive immediate rebates on ENERGY STAR® windows, insulation and more through the New Home Program

• Home Improvement Program Info & Application Form

If you are thinking about upgrading your windows or insulation you can benefit from the same incentives with rebates on ENERGY STAR® windows, insulation

• Air Source Heat Pump Rebate/Loan Info & Application Form
  

• Ground Source Heat Pump Rebate/Loan Info & Application Form

If you are thinking about replacing your heating and/or cooling systems, you may benefit from the rebates offered for both Air Source and Ground Source Heat Pumps. Not to mention, they can reduce your energy costs by 40% and 65% respectively.

• Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulb Rebate Form

We have talked about the benefits of CFLs in a recent post titled: Save Money and Energy with CFLs

Source: FortisBC PowerSense Incentives 

Scotiabank is a financial institution that takes pride in its corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Scotiabank has made strides in it's commitment to its employees, the communities that they are a part of, and the world at large, to work towards positive change.

They have:

• doubled the number of paperless record-keeping
• provided financing of more than $2 billion for the renewable energy sector 
• contributed $43 million to community causes in Canada and around the world
• expanded their children's educational savings programs to 17 countries

In addition, the institution works diligently to reduce their environmental impact by making choices that leave a minimal carbon footprint.

Their efforts include:

• making use of energy-efficient photocopiers
• installing environmentally friendly carpeting
  
• buying furniture made from recycled materials
• participating in programs to recycle paper, toner cartridges, glass and office equipment
• encouraging their clients to buy into paper-less record keeping
• launching the Scotia Global Climate Change Fund to allow investors to invest in companies that are environmentally responsible

To find out more about their efforts towards their corporate social responsibility, visit their CSR page.

Environmental Transport Association looked at over 1300 car models to determine winners and losers

The ETA examined the common car models in Britain for their power, emissions, fuel efficiency and even the amount of noise they make to create a guide to buying the greenest vehicle.

The Green Car of the Year for 2008 is the Toyota Yaris and the least Green Car for 2008 is the Dodge SRT-10 Viper.

The Car Buyer’s Guide has ranked the following cars as the top 10 overall:

1. Toyota Yaris
2. Honda Civic Hybrid
3. Toyota Prius
4. Renault Modus
5. Citroën C1
6. Peugeot 107
7. Toyota Aygo
8. Renault Clio
9. Toyota Auris
10. Suzuki Swift

Toyota has 4 models in the Top 10.

The ETA has ranked the following as the worst cars to drive:

1. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
2. Lamborghini Murcielago Model Year 2007
3. Dodge SRT10
4. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
5. Bentley Motors Arnage (from 2007 model year)
6. Bentley Motors Azure (from 2007 model year)
7. Ferrari F430
8. Ferrari F430 Spider
9. Maserati Coupé
10. Maserati Coupé Gransport

Ferrari has 4 models in the worst cars list.

For more information and the Category Winners visit the Environmental Transport Association website.

We were on a mission last night to find blinds for the home and to get tips on making the windows more energy-efficient.

Our stops included Sears and Home Depot. The staff pointed us towards cellular honeycomb blinds which maximizes energy efficiency and insulates the home fairly well. They come in single, double and triple cell arrangements which provide different levels of insulation and light transmission. Chelsea at Home Depot indicated that depending on the supplier, installation times can range from 12 to 19 days. Both places offer free in-home consultation though. I think we are definately leaning towards these shades.

Other options include bamboo roll-up blinds (as a easily renewable resource) and Home Depot also has energy film that has 99% UV Rejection, 85% Light Transmission, 65% Solar Heat Rejection. It can help you save up to 12-18% of annual energy costs but they are recommended for single pane windows.

The reviews have been good: "This film keeps out drafts and conserves heat in winter, to save money and conserve energy."

Clean Green using household ingredients

 If you want to avoid using toxins and non eco-friendly cleaning products, there are green cleaning alternatives that can be formulated at home.

Kitchen Cleaning

You can use household ingredients such as baking soda, lemon juice, Borax, vinegar and salt to create your own green version of kitchen cleaners. Not only will you save a little bit of money but you will be reducing the need for toxic cleaners.

• if you combine salt with water and vinegar, you can use the solution on your kitchen counters and other surfaces such as microwaves and lino floors. Salt grains act as an abrasive and help remove dirt from hard surfaces.
• a mixture of salt, vinegar and baking soda has the effect of deodorizing while disinfecting at the same time.
• Borax is a white powder that was used in the 1950s to soften water during a load of laundry. It can be used as an all-purpose cleaner and it can act as a cockroach and ant repellent as well.

Bathroom Cleaning

You can keep your bathroom clean and free from bacteria by using baking soda and vinegar instead of bleach and other chemical based solutions.

• to clean bathroom tubs and tiles, pour vinegar over the surface then sprinkle in baking soda on top; then you can use a sponge to scrub the surfaces
• to clean the toilet bowl, pour in one cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda, let it stand for a few minutes before cleaning the bowl with a toilet brush

Window Cleaning

 Windows accumulate dustbunnies and a bit of moisture with dirt over the winter months but there isn't a need to get harmful cleaning supplies.

• an all-purpose window cleaner can be created using 3 tablespoons of vinegar and one quart of water. You can put the mixture in a spray bottle for easy application
  
• a half teaspoon of liquid soap can be used in the mixture created above for extra-soiled windows
• to get a streak-free clean window, use newspapers to wipe the windows down

Resources:

EarthEasy.com 

GreenerChoices.org 

 
Source: Article by Jennifer Preyss titled "Clean green this spring"