For those still on the edge about switching over from standard lighting to energy efficient light bulbs, Eco-Hatchery has just released an app that can provide the final push over that edge. Their Bulb Finder app allows you to calculate an approximation of the money you would save by switching the light bulbs in your house with a variety of different energy efficient bulbs. The app is available on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android devices.

The app begins by asking you which type of fixture you want to put an energy efficient bulb in. There are a ton of different options, including lamp, torchere, ceiling, chandelier, fan, both covered and exposed outdoor fixtures, and many more. Once you have told the app which fixture, it will ask you what type of bulb is already in there, including the style, the base type, the wattage, and if there are any special features, such as if it is a dimmable bulb. It will then ask you how long, approximately, the bulb is on per day.

Last year, 80 billion square feet of commercial building space consumed roughly 20 percent of all energy in the U.S. economy.  This new energy saving, sustainable building product will debut at the 2011 AIA conference in New Orleans on May 12.

Read more at http://www.4-traders.com/ALCOA-4813/news/ALCOA-Unveils-Revolutionary-Sustainable-Solution-for-Commercial-Buildings-13621110/

The strategy has several parts:

1. US Forest Service will preferentially select wood for new building projects while also maintaining its commitment to certified green building standards.
2. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has asked US Forest Service to report to him news ways to enhance green building material research and development.
3. US Forest Service will demonstrate innovative uses of wood as a green building material for new structures of 10,000 square feet or more through using recognized green building standards such as LEED, Green Globes or the National Green Building Standard.

To carry out this initiative, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell told his workers to use more locally milled timber in all new agency buildings. Vilsack told heads of other USDA agencies to do likewise.

“Our country has the resources, the work force and the innovative spirit to reintroduce wood products into all aspects of the next generation of buildings,” Tidwell said.

Photo courtesy of American Tree Farm System 2010 photo contest winners Henry and Mary Kay Hudson.

Our well respected builder friend, Wayne Jeansonne of Solluna Builders, who helped build the house, said it is the first house in Round Rock to qualify for any kind of AEGB rating, let alone receive five stars.

Jeansonne said homes must meet 18 indicators in order to even receive a rating and must rack up 125 points to earn five stars—the highest possible rating. The Cripes’ home received 180 points.

Read the full article, with details about their energy saving, sustainable building choices at :

http://tinyurl.com/4neewje

Check this out:  Built Smart Resources in San Antonio has a resource center where you can see green building in action.  What a great way to see renewable energy choices, responsibly sourced building materials, energy saving systems…

The Resource Center has scored the highest Emerald level with the national NAHB Green Building program and achieved the Level 3 Solar Home designation with the Build San Antonio Green Program, and it is open seven days a week for your viewing pleasure! Take an educational drive to our Sister City and come back inspired!

Our water is of a quality where the biggest concern is the chlorine that is added to prevent the treated water from being contaminated as it goes through the municipal pipes.  Try filling a pitcher with water and letting it sit uncovered overnight- the chlorine will evaporate.  You can cover it and keep it in the fridge- chilled and ready to drink, and it saves energy by helping to regulate the temperature in the fridge.

Now, get yourself a great sturdy, reusable bottle or three, and you broke the habit and have great water to drink.  Did you know scientists say it could take up to 1000 years for a plastic water bottle to break down in a landfill?

Water quality… just one more reason to be grateful that you live in Austin, Texas!!

The demand for greener homes in real estate is shifting right now.  National Association of Realtors surveys show that 46% of buyers would prefer a “green” home.  According to a study by McGraw-Hill, about 2% of American homes have notable green features.  That study was done in 2007, so the numbers are certainly higher, but not by a lot.  How’s that for a disconnect that is between supply and demand?  It makes no sense to spend money building or remodeling and NOT choose greener methods and materials.

Right now, Americans are consistently responding in surveys that they will pay more for homes that have energy saving features, recycled or sustainable materials, save resources like old growth trees, and improve air quality.  Building a green home means using more environmentally friendly materials and practices, and setting higher standards for energy efficiency and indoor air quality, while reducing waste in the process.  It’s also not necessarily more expensive.

According to What’s Working (www.whatsworking.com), a 15 year old company that offers traiing on green construction, a green home can be built for less than 1% additional cost– and you’ll see the difference when you are ready to sell.  Many of our local Central Texas builders are making green and energy efficient features standard on new construction.  We can tell you which ones, and compare what they offer.  You will see a difference in your monthly energy bill, and in the value of your home when you are ready to sell.

Today’s ideal home is making way for new ideals: No or low VOC paints and materials, recycled glass tiles, recycled marble flooring and wood. Green materials are available in an array of beautiful choices, and living in a green home offers definite health benefits to you and your family’s respiratory system.

If you are planning to sell now, consider adding some green upgrades that will let your Realtor tell a “greener” story and set your home apart from the competition.  We’d love to show you how.

Edible Austin Eat Local Week will kick off on December 4 at the Austin Farmers’ Market with the City of Austin’s proclamation and with support from other Central Texas communities. Check our website to see a growing list of participating restaurants and markets, featuring locally-sourced entrees and locally-made products. A portion of these sales will go to our beneficiary, Urban Roots. Restaurants & Markets, click here to find out how to participate.

From KUT website, who offers this as a featured event.

One: Eat Green!  It’s a great time to plant some cool season veggies like spinach, kale, chard, and broccoli.  We have the luxury in Central Texas of a long growing season, and the shorter, cooler days are perfect planting weather for many vegetables.  Google your county + agricultural extension for a list of times and varieties for your area.  If you aren’t a gardener, check out your local farmers markets where you will find organic, local and seasonal choices.  Better for your health (no pesticides, processing, additives) and better for the environment (less fossil fuel used in transportation and production, less packaging waste).  Buying local offers the added benefit of keeping more money in your local economy!

Two: Protect your indoor air quality

Cooler weather may mean more time indoors, so make sure the air in your home supports your health.  Products we use are the source for a substantial portion of indoor air pollution. Because of this fact, it’s essential to know what’s in the products you buy and opt for the most natural and non-toxic choices.  Call me for a “how to” list for making your own housecleaning products- saves money, packaging, and you won’t be adding pollutants in your home when what you are trying to do is make it clean and fresh!

After doing your best to eliminate the source of the pollutants, you should ensure your home is properly ventilated.  Have your HVAC system serviced before cold weather arrives, and check to make sure the air exchange is working optimally so you have the right mix of fresh air coming in.  It’s amazing that our indoor air-where we spend some 90% of our time, is typically more contaminated than outdoor air.  I can recommend an HVAC specialist if you like.  You can also use an air purifier in bedrooms, or to address allergies.

Three:  Conserve Energy!

The cleanest energy is the energy that is never used, so get your home energy efficient and you won’t waste money heating the great outdoors. Get weatherstripping fixed around doors and seal around windows.  Put plug covers on plugs (they are basically holes in your walls!). Consider doing an energy audit.  They are inexpensive and will tell you where you need to spend money to save money. For most homes, it’s insulation that offers the most bang for the buck.  Programmable thermostats are a great way to manage the temperature in your home cost effectively, and if you are an Austin Energy customer, there is still a program where you can get one free.  PEC has an online Home Energy Center you can use to evaluate your usage and save money.

The scope of the report includes the US market for building products that meet these definitions of ‘green’:

• made from salvaged, recycled, or agricultural waste content
• manufactured with resource efficient, environmentally friendly processes (minimize waste, energy consumption, pollutants)
• benefit the built environment (conserve enegy, reduce indoor pollutants)
• are recyclable at the end of their useful life

The goal of the report is to identify and prioritize business opportunities for providers of green building materials (and investors) that will increase over the next five years as green building technologies increase their market penetration.  It also offers profiles of the top companies in those markets. 

Buy the report or read more at www.bharatbooks.com