Team NJ’s Solar Decathon’s ENJOY House. Photo by Credit: Jim Tetro/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon The ENJOY beach house built by Team New Jersey was my first stop at the 2011 Solar Decathlon. Of course, my home state’s house received priority. Their 962 square foot home was built using precast Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) with […]
Solar Decathlon 2011. Everything Green Under the Sun
Attending the 2011 collegiate Solar Decathlon in Washington DC this year was a dream come true. Nineteen domestic and international college teams competed to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that were cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The solar decathlon goal was to build a home under 1000 square feet and $350,000. At $350 a square foot, the cost to go […]
Endura Wedge Corner Door Pad. Cheap Fix For Door Air Infiltration
Over the years, I have become obsessed with stopping air infiltration. Each fall, I check my doors and windows looking for daylight peering through the sides. If you see light, you have an air leak. For years, one of my doors had me stumped. My weatherstrip was in good condition and I had a sweep on […]
Green Feng Shui: Health and Harmony for Homes and Businesses
With our troubled economy, could feng shui, a traditional time aged practice, change our home and work environments to be more profitable, harmonious and healthy? Maureen Calamia, founder of Luminous Spaces, a green Feng Shui consulting company, has in fact been helping people and companies for several years to transform their buildings into healthy positive […]
EASI Reduces Energy Costs. Decreases Electrical Waste and Inefficiency
Are you seeking to reduce energy in your company without replacing equipment? According to Energy Automation Systems, Inc. (EASI), simply installing their EasiLiner or other power quality performance technology products to your motors can save a company 10-25% in annual energy costs. The EasiLiner is used with medium size load motors. However, the Company can […]
Made with Wind Love: WindMade, the Newest Green Biz Label
The WindMade label is the newest label to enter the overcrowded green certificates and labels field. However, as the name implies, this label is geared towards acknowledging corporations that power their business with wind. In addition, the label is backed by quantifiable standards and accounting methods to insure consumer transparency. To see a brief overview […]
A.O. Smith Hot Water Heaters: Where Being in Hot Water is a Good Thing
Last month, I had the pleasure of interviewing David Chisholm of A.O. Smith about their line of efficient water heaters. What makes A.O. Smith’s water heater product line so unique is the variety they offer: ultra-efficient (gas or electric), tankless, solar or a hybrid water heater. As David explained, A.O. Smith is committed to finding […]
Solar Leasing: The Solar Affordable Option through One Block Off the Grid
I am a huge fan of One Block off the Grid which provide group discounts for solar installations. (See here if group discounts are availabe in your town.) But what if you don’t want to spend a chunk of upfront change on system but want the benefits? The Company now offers the same group savings through […]
