Programmable Thermostats

The new generation of programmable thermostats can save you upto $150 a year by regulating heat temperatures. When more heat is needed it will supply it and also maintain the temperature at the lower level when required.

A Five Plus Two Day model allows you to program for heat in the mornings, down during the day and then back up again as people start to arrive during the weekdays with the weekends being more relaxed.

There are also programmable thermostats that work like motion sensor lighting where heat is only provided when it senses people are in the home.

Insulation

One of the most efficient ways of keeping you family warm and your energy costs down is to make sure your insulation is upto par. If you can go in your crawlspace, take a wander to make sure the insulation is still in place and the plastic on the ground is still sealed. If you notice any pipes, make sure they are wrapped in insulation as well.

Inspect your windows and doors with an incense stick to check for drafts. Use caulking and weather stripping to close the gaps. If your windows and glass doors are inefficient, use shrink-film by following the proper directions. Close your drapes at night to add another layer of insulation.

Check pipes, air ducts and vents and close gaps with caulking or insulation. Install foam insulators behind outlet plates if you don't have insulated electrical plugs. Since heat rises, ensure that the attic is well covered to contain the warmth.

Source: Articles from LiveSmartBC

Building or renovating a home with green products is becoming more main stream with more options and improving costs. Consider using glass and concrete around the home.

Countertops made of recycled glass and concrete can be a thing of the future. Recycled glass is glass that is saved from the landfill and when it needs to be changed in the future, it can by recycled again.

It can be used for backsplashes, shower walls, tabletops, flooring and even outdoor pavers. You have multiple choices for finishes as well; gloss, honed or sandblasted for slip resistance.

It qualifies for a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification because it is made from recycled materials and is VOC (volatile organinc compounds) free.

If building a new home, polished concrete floors avoid trips to the landfill with old carpets and tile. Because of the thermal properties of concrete, cooling and heating energy needs are reduced. Indoor air quality becomes more improved without carpet and the need for glues and adhesives.

The need for harsh detergents and cleaning liquids is diminished with concrete floors - all you need is water and a mop. Ambient lighting is in abundance with polished concrete floors so you save more money on the electricity bill.

Source: Article by Maggie Calloway in the column "Smart Choices for our Future"

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"