The FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage Program

An Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) is a mortgage that rewards you for building or renovating a home with energy efficient features. EEMs allow borrowers to finance cost-effective, energy-saving measures as part of a single mortgage and stretch debt-to-income qualifying ratios on loans. This allows them to qualify for a larger loan amount and a better, more energy-efficient home. Never heard of it? I am not surprised.

Its been a pretty well kept secret, but its not new. It started off as an FHA limited pilot program. Its success caused Congress to enact the national Energy Efficient Mortgage Program in 1995.

Participation in the program has been growing steadily as word gets out and the emphasis on energy efficiency continues to build.

The backbone of the EEM program is the idea that a reduction in a homeowner’s utility costs — by enacting changes that maximize energy efficiency — allows a homeowner to pay a higher mortgage to cover the costs of the energy improvements as well as the mortgage itself.

The FHA offers insurance for these specialized mortgages for a homeowner to buy or refinance a home and incorporate the cost of energy-efficient improvements. As the homeowner, you don’t have to qualify for the extra funds and no down payment is required.

EEMs offer homeowners who otherwise might not be able to afford it a chance to revamp their homes, save costs by adopting energy-efficient practices and help cut down on pollution. Yet, they’re still relatively foreign to most homeowners.

“Although EEMs have been available in some states since 1980, they have been little understood or marketed,” according to HUD. “With EEMs, borrowers do not need to get a separate, costly loan for energy improvements when buying an existing home.”

Here’s an overview of the requirements homeowners need to be considered eligible for an Energy Efficient Mortgage:

The borrower is eligible for maximum FHA-backed loan, using standard underwriting procedures. The borrower must make a 3-percent cash investment in the property based on the sales price. Closing costs are not included in the 3- percent calculation but may be used to satisfy the requirement. Any upfront mortgage insurance premium can be financed as part of the mortgage.

Eligible properties are one- to four-unit current and new construction.

The cost of the energy-efficient improvements that may be eligible for financing into the mortgage is the greater of 5 percent of the property’s value (not to exceed $8,000), or $4,000.

To be eligible for inclusion in this mortgage, the energy-efficient improvements must be cost effective, meaning that the total cost of the improvements is less than the total present value of the energy saved over the useful life of the energy improvement.

The cost of the energy improvements and estimate of the energy savings must be determined by a home energy rating report conducted by a home energy rating system or energy consultant. The cost of the energy rating may be financed as part of the cost-effective energy package.

The energy improvements are installed after the loan closes.

The maximum mortgage amount for a single-family unit depends on its location and it is adjusted annually.

There are three basic types of EEMs, so determining which one is best suited for your needs may require the help of an expert. Along with the FHA-backed loans for energy efficiency, the Veterans Administration also backs EEMs for qualified military personnel, reservists and veterans.

The  mortgages are becoming more known and more popular as homeowners continue to look for meaningful ways to address rising fuel and energy costs. Take some time to evaluate your budget and whether the long-term cost savings associated with energy efficiency is something that’s right for you and your family.

To take advantage of these great energy efficient mortgage programs, talk to your mortgage broker today!

Information for this post comes from The federal government’s Energy Star Program.

When Selling Your Home, Highlight What’s “Green”!

When you are selling your home, you don’t have to live like Ed Begley Jr. to trumpet the green and sustainable features of your home. In fact, it is highly beneficial to make sure your listing agent pays attention to these details. If your appliances are Energy Star rated, make sure the listing states this. How about those brand new Low-E windows? Mention them! If you have painted the walls with No or Low VOC paint, list it! If that shower head or toilet saves water, let potential buyers know.  Heck even leaving behind the CFL’s in the lighting fixtures is a plus to an eco-conscious buyer. Green is not just a passing fancy for homebuyers and the more green features you can show in your listing, the better chance you will attract the ever growing green consumer to come and take a look and potentially buy your home!

What is the LEED program?

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building lifecycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fitout, and significant retrofit. And LEED for Neighborhood Development extends the benefits of LEED beyond the building footprint into the neighborhood it serves.LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building lifecycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fitout, and significant retrofit. And LEED for Neighborhood Development extends the benefits of LEED beyond the building footprint into the neighborhood it serves.

LEED is a voluntary certification program that can be applied to any building type and any building lifecycle phase. It promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in key areas:

	Sustainable Sites Choosing a building’s site and managing that site during construction are important considerations for a project’s sustainability. The Sustainable Sites category discourages development on previously undeveloped land; minimizes a building’s impact on ecosystems and waterways; encourages regionally appropriate landscaping; rewards smart transportation choices; controls stormwater runoff; and reduces erosion, light pollution, heat island effect and construction-related pollution.
	Water Efficiency Buildings are major users of our potable water supply. The goal of the Water Efficiency credit category is to encourage smarter use of water, inside and out. Water reduction is typically achieved through more efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings inside and water-wise landscaping outside.
	Energy & Atmosphere According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings use 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced each year in the United States. The Energy & Atmosphere category encourages a wide variety of energy strategies: commissioning; energy use monitoring; efficient design and construction; efficient appliances, systems and lighting; the use of renewable and clean sources of energy, generated on-site or off-site; and other innovative strategies.
	Materials & Resources During both the construction and operations phases, buildings generate a lot of waste and use a lot of materials and resources. This credit category encourages the selection of sustainably grown, harvested, produced and transported products and materials. It promotes the reduction of waste as well as reuse and recycling, and it takes into account the reduction of waste at a product’s source.
	Indoor Environmental Quality The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend about 90% of their day indoors, where the air quality can be significantly worse than outside. The Indoor Environmental Quality credit category promotes strategies that can improve indoor air as well as providing access to natural daylight and views and improving acoustics.
	Locations & Linkages The LEED for Homes rating system recognizes that much of a home’s impact on the environment comes from where it is located and how it fits into its community. The Locations & Linkages credits encourage homes being built away from environmentally sensitive places and instead being built in infill, previously developed and other preferable sites. It rewards homes that are built near already-existing infrastructure, community resources and transit, and it encourages access to open space for walking, physical activity and time spent outdoors.
	Awareness & Education The LEED for Homes rating system acknowledges that a green home is only truly green if the people who live in it use the green features to maximum effect. The Awareness & Education credits encourage home builders and real estate professionals to provide homeowners, tenants and building managers with the education and tools they need to understand what makes their home green and how to make the most of those features.
	Innovation in Design The Innovation in Design credit category provides bonus points for projects that use new and innovative technologies and strategies to improve a building’s performance well beyond what is required by other LEED credits or in green building considerations that are not specifically addressed elsewhere in LEED. This credit category also rewards projects for including a LEED Accredited Professional on the team to ensure a holistic, integrated approach to the design and construction phase.
	Regional Priority USGBC’s regional councils, chapters and affiliates have identified the environmental concerns that are locally most important for every region of the country, and six LEED credits that address those local priorities were selected for each region. A project that earns a regional priority credit will earn one bonus point in addition to any points awarded for that credit. Up to four extra points can be earned in this way. See the Regional Priority Credits for your state »

LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally specific environmental issues. A project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points to be certified.

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) assumes administration of LEED certification for all commercial and institutional projects registered under any LEED Rating System. Learn more about the project certification process »

Think of it like the nutrition label on a box of crackers: LEED provides the same kind of important detail about the green aspects of a building that, taken together, deliver higher performance.

Information for this post comes directly from the USGBC website.

Here’s a Quick Bathroom Water Conservation Tip!

One way to conserve water usage in your toilet without having to spend money on a new dual flush or low flow model is as inexpensive as buying a bottle of soda!

Grab two empty 1 liter bottles and put an inch or two of sand inside each to weigh them down. Then fill the rest of the bottle with water, screw the lid on tight, and put the bottles in your toilet tank. Be sure they are not in a place where it can interfere with the toilet’s operating mechanisms. Test it out to make sure it flushes suitably. If you find that you need more water than is being produced, then take one of the bottle’s out and retest. This simple solutions can save you between 3000-4000 gallons of water per year! Couple that with a low flow shower head and you save enough water per year to fill a full sized in ground swimming pool. And anyone with such a pool knows how expensive it is to fill each year!

Sustainable Home Series, Part II – Kitchen Flooring

image from www.treehugger.com

Continuing our tour of the green and sustainable options for the kitchen. Part II of the Sustainable Home Series is about green kitchen flooring solutions. Each of the options discussed in this post have advantages and drawbacks, which may impact your individual living situation. I recommend you do more in-depth research on these choices to determine which one is the right one for you. But each has solid sustainability credentials and therefore make for outstanding options for anyone looking to put down an environmentally friendly kitchen floor. Bear in mind that many of these materials would work well in rooms other than the kitchen as well. Unlike Part I, I was unable to determine local distributors for each of these products, though I believe most, if not all, can be found within a reasonable radius of Western Massachusetts. If you are interested in any of these flooring options, I suggest you locate a national manufacturer of the product and inquire as to a local distributor, or do a local search on your own. I will keep looking myself and If you know of a local distributor, please let me know and I will post it here.  I hope this brief summary of some of the available green and sustainable kitchen flooring options is helpful and informative!

Image from www.furniturehomedesign.com

Cork

Cork is not just good for sealing in those bottles of chardonnay and chianti. Cork has become a very popular choice for its sustainability, durability and beauty. Many color and pattern choices are available.  Cork flooring achieves its color by being baked, the darker the color, the longer it was baked.  Cork flooring is fire and water resistant. Due to the resilient nature of cork, it is easier on the legs and feet than harder surfaces like stone and concrete. Also, cork flooring is a natural insulator. It absorbs sound and remains warmer than other surface. So bare feet will appreciate! Cork is also a relatively soft material, so there are some risks. Heavy objects left on the surface for a period of time could leave indentations in the floor. So take precautions such as under-padding when placing heavy items such as furniture on the floor. Age and direct sunlight may discolor the cork flooring over time as well. So keep this in mind.  You will want to maintain the floor by keeping it swept and mopped regularly.

Image from: http://ecofriendlynow.files.wordpress.com

Bamboo

Bamboo flooring has been gaining in popularity with homeowners due to its sustainability, its durability and its amazing aesthetics. Its a very strong, dense wood which makes it very water resistant. Bamboo grows significantly faster than hardwood and therefore its harvesting for flooring is a much more sustainable choice than hardwood. Another benefit of bamboo is its easy maintenance needs.  As well as bamboo flooring being very strong and durable, it is also easy to install. You used to be limited in your choice of colors and hues with bamboo, however manufacturers have developed ways to add additional colors to the process, so you will likely be able to find a color you like. Like hardwood, bamboo flooring is susceptible to scratching. It is recommended to use padding under furniture to prevent scratching and indentations. Most bamboo is harvested and shipped from China, so it is not a local product and must be transported by ship to the United States.

image from www.jetsongreen.com

Eucalyptus

Another more sustainable wood option that is not the typical hardwood is Eucalyptus. It is often cheaper than bamboo and comparable to standard hardwood flooring. Although not as fast as bamboo, eucalyptus is a fast growing tree. It typically grows twice as fast as species like oak, pine or cherry. A very very hard surface, eucalyptus has the same advantages of typical hardwood. Choices in color and patterns are very similar to those of hardwood as well. Eucalyptus is primarily harvested in New Zealand and Australia and has to be shipped to the United States. The same risks of scratching and indentation exist for eucalyptus as for any hard wood flooring.

image from www.restorationtimber.com

Reclaimed Wood

Bamboo and eucalyptus are sustainable because of their high rate of growth and abundance in their native lands. But is there a green option in our own country that doesn’t rely on new growth? Absolutely. Reclaimed wood is any type of wood that comes from a pre-existing structure and is being given new life. Wood that has been salvaged from old barns, mills, bridges, warehouses and other wood buildings and structures. Reclaimed wood can add wonderful character to your home. Its age and time tested durability can make it a better quality choice than new wood that is often cut from less mature trees.  Due to the fact that it was not originally meant to be your kitchen floor, reclaimed wood may require repair work such as removing nails, sanding, planing and varnishing. Because its not manufactured to specifications, It may be difficult to find the wood that works best for you and it could be more expensive than other options due to the work that will be required to customize the reclaimed wood for your purposes.

image from www.architectmagazine.com

Marmoleum

Marmoleum is linoleum, thus it has a bad reputation. It is however a surprisingly eco-friendly and attractive option. Available in just about any color, it has no off-gas (unlike its vinyl counterparts) and is considered a very safe and sustainable product.  Marloleum is very durable and easy to clean.

image from www.furniturehomedesign.com

Eco-Hardwood

Hardwood floors are very popular today and add great appeal and value to your home. It is also well known to be more expensive than most choices for flooring. But if you have the money and love hardwood, there are sustainable ways to use it. The first thing you can do is look for the FSC certification. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a nonprofit group that promotes environmentally responsible forestry practices. A wide range of flooring woods come with the FSC stamp, including oak, maple, ash, cherry, birch, Douglas fir, pine and others.

image from capefearriverwood.com

Suppressed Wood Flooring

Wood is also harvested occasionally to protect the health of the forest. If a forest becomes too dense with trees, it can become susceptible to disease and fire. Thus in some locations, a thinning out process results in the availability of wood for flooring.

image from media.merchantcircle.com

Stone Flooring

Stone flooring is another eco friendly choice, A natural product, stone is very durable, stain resistant,  has a cool surface temperature and looks fantastic.  There are many types of stone flooring. Options include quarried rock such as marble, travertine, granite, limestone, sandstone, slate, ceramic and flagstone. It tends to be expensive and can be hard on the legs and feet when standing on it for extended periods. You’d want to do further research on the particular types of stone you are interested in. They each have unique positives and negatives that you should familiarize yourself with.

image from http://img.diynetwork.com

Recycled Glass

Annie Lennox might feel at home if you opt for this amazing looking flooring alternative. Made from recycling old glass from wine, liquor and other bottles, as well as old windows, etc. Most often recycled glass is manufactured in one of two ways, glass tiles or terrazzo tiles. Glass tiles are made by melting down the glass and remolding it into tiles. These can had a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors and finishes.  Terrazzo floors are made by embedding chunks of material in concrete or resin and then sealing it, creating a smooth surface. Recycled glass is good for the environment, reusing a product which could otherwise end up in the landfill. It is extremely easy to keep clean.

Sustainable Home Series, Part 1: Kitchen Countertops

I haven’t posted in a while. I kind of lost my muse for a bit. But I have a new idea for a series of articles on some sustainable products for use in building or remodeling a home with an eye toward using green materials.

I figured I’d start in my favorite room of any house, the kitchen. So this first article is on kitchen countertops. There are a number of fantastic options that use recycled and or sustainably harvested materials that both look great, are practical as well as earth conscious. Check out these ideas:

Alkemi

These countertops are created from recycled metal shavings which are then embedded into a base of specially formulated resin.  The resin seals the metal shavings beneath a thick see through layer so that the beauty of the metal shavings is the focal point of the countertop. Available in a wide range of colors. Stain and water resistant but not heat resistant.
Closest distributor: Green Home Solutions, 167 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06851. (203) 642-4120

Bamboo

Bamboo has a beautiful grainy look to it and because it’s a renewable resource, bamboo countertops are an eco-friendly option for your kitchen. Durable material if properly maintained, Bamboo is however not heat resistance and is prone to scratches and nicks. Bamboo is also more expensive than some of the other choices.
There are several local distributors of bamboo countertops.

Butcher Block

Butcher block is a fantastic choice because it is usually made from reclaimed wood or wood that has been sustainably harvested. One of the coolest things about butcher block is that it can be sanded down and refinished as often as you’d like. Unlike many stone surfaces, it is inexpensive to sand down butcher block to restore a smooth surface. Wood is fully biodegradable when a natural finish is used so it does not contribute harmful chemicals to indoor air quality and it is strongly resistant to heat.  It does tend to be a bit pricy and does require regular oiling, is prone to staining and added maintenance that a stone surface does not often require.
There are several local distributors of butcher block countertops.

Eleek

Eleek countertops are made from recycled aluminum and feature an organic River Rock finish. With a clear powdercoat finish Eleek ensures that the aluminium is non-toxic, stain-proof and durable.
Closest distributor: EcoModern Design, 1 Design Center Place, Boston, MA 02210. (781) 270.4600

EcoTop

Durable and hard as stone, with the feel of wood, this material is made from FSC-certified fiber that is a 50/50 blend of bamboo and post-consumer recycled paper, bound with a water based resin.  EcoTop requires regular maintenance with oil finish. It is available in 8-10 different colors and has a very low water absorption rate. Will scratch like a butcher block. EcoTop is not biodegradable.
Closest distributor: The Edge Countertops, 290 Pratt Street, Meriden, CT 06450.  (203) 237.8585.

Icestone

Icestone is a gorgeous thick slab of 100% recycled glass and non-toxic pigments in a cement matrix.  Available in almost 30 colors, heat resistant, contains no petroleum based chemicals. The factory utilizes a very green manufacturing process.  The biggest trouble with Icestone is its cost. It does also tend to stain or etch and must be sealed and maintained carefully.
Closest distributor: Artistic Interiors, 384 West Ave, Ludlow, MA 01056.  (413) 583.6148.

Marmoleum

Mostly known for its use as flooring material, it can also be an inexpensive alternative for countertops. The material is a brand made from linseed oil, limestone, plant rosin, wood flour, organic pigments, and jute backing.  There is a wide variety of colors to choose from. Not particularly heat resistant, a softer material which required trim around the edges. It is most popular in Europe.
There are several local distributors of Marmoleum countertops.

Paperstone

Paperstone is made from recycled paper or cardboard in a petroleum-free, phenolic resin base.  There are two types of Paperstone, Original and Certified. The difference being the Certified is FSC certified 100% post consumer standard office paper, while the Original is 100% post consumer cardboard.  It required regular oiling and maintenance.  Its a durable material and is available in a number of colors. It feels like highly polished wood.  Is prone to scratches and some minor discoloration over time.
Closest distributor: Cowles Building Supply, 125 Sunderland Rd, Amherst, MA 01059.  (413) 549.0002

Squak Mountain Stone

This material, made in the Pacific Northwest, is recycled paper, recycled glass,  and post-industrial fly-ash in a cement base. It features a wonderfully unique textured appearance.  Available in a limited number of colors, it is difficult to install and it may stain and etch over time and requires regular sealing and maintenance.
Closest distributor: Tiger Mountain Innovations, LLC, Email: info@tmi-online.com

Stainless Steel

Many do not think of stainless steel as a environmentally friendly alternative due to the fact that in order to produce stainless steel, virgin metals must be mined, which impacts on natural resources and the environment. However, recycled metal countertops are fairly popular and cost effective.  You get all the benefits of the non-recycled counterpart like durability and easy maintenance without having to further damage our environment.
There are several local distributors of Stainless Steel countertops.

Vetrazzo

Want to know where all those glass bottles go when you recycle them? Here’s one of the coolest uses. Vetrazzo is made from 85% recycled glass from curbside bins, traffic lights, stemware, etc. in a cement base.  This durable material is heat resistant, comes in a variety of colors and is recyclable. Its expensive and requires a yearly sealing to combat staining.
Closest distributor: Interstate Custom Kitchen & Bath, Inc, 558 Chicopee St, Chicopee, MA 01013.  (413) 532.2727.
Competitive Kitchen Designs, Inc. 6 Allston Ave, West Springfield, MA 01089. (508) 997-1010.
BnC Kitchen & Bath, 199 Moody Rd, Enfield, CT 06082. (860) 749-4610.

Energy Efficiency Series Part III. Government Incentives.

Massachusetts Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency This is the third part of my series of posts on energy efficiency in your home. The Western Mass Green Consortium has put together a great list of ways homeowners can take advantage of incentive programs for renewables and efficiency.

New Construction The highest standard in energy efficiency for a newly constructed home is the ENERGY STAR® designation. An ENERGY STAR qualified home is independently verified to be at least 15% more efficient than what’s required by state energy code. Its remarkable performance features include enhanced insulation, air sealing, ventilation, and high-efficiency appliances. The primary benefits of building or buying an ENERGY STAR qualified home are: lower utility costs increased comfort and home quality reduced air pollution National Grid offers a variety of incentives and technical support to help you achieve the ENERGY STAR certification. For more information about National Grid’s new construction programs, please call 1-800-628-8413. Visit the ENERGY STAR Homes web site to learn more about this important certification. ENERGY STAR® Products National Grid works alongside the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to promote the ENERGY STAR label, the symbol for energy efficiency. Look for it whenever you purchase a new appliance. You’ll conserve energy, save money on your utilities, and help reduce air pollution. Lighting: National Grid offers instant rebate coupons for ENERGY STAR light bulbs and fixtures. For more information on ENERGY STAR lighting, participating retailers, and how to recycle, visit MyEnergyStar.com or call 1-877-378-2748. Order a variety of efficient lighting products at discounted prices via our online catalog. Central Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps: Via our COOL SMART program, a mail-in rebate of $300-$600 is available for qualifying ENERGY STAR central air conditioning systems and heat pumps. Plus, this program includes a Quality Installation Verification (QIV) service. Participating COOL SMART QIV contractors perform important energy-saving AC system tests that are usually omitted by other contractors. Find an installer near you in Massachusetts. For more information and rebate applications, visit MyCoolSmart.com or call 1-800-473-1105. Program terms apply. ENERGY STAR Qualified Refrigerators: A $50 mail-in rebate is available for purchasing an eligible ENERGY STAR refrigerator between January 23, 2009 through June 1, 2009. Please fill out this rebate form and enclose a copy of your dated sales receipt and a recent copy of your electric bill. Program terms apply. GreenUp Support the development of renewable energy by choosing to have all or part of your electricity generated from renewable resources, while keeping us as your electricity supplier. We will continue to issue your bill and provide customer service. By enrolling in GreenUp and purchasing a product from one of the participating GreenUp renewable energy companies, you are: Supporting the development and generation of renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass, and/or hydro) in your community Helping to offset the environmental impact of the production of electricity from coal, gas, and nuclear energy Taking responsibility for your environment Select a GreenUp supplier in your area of residence: Mass Energy Consumers Alliance (Marketed in western Massachusetts by the Center for Ecological Technology) Telephone: 1-800-287-3950 Web site: MassEnergy.com Disclosure Label Mass Energy Consumers Alliance Telephone: 1-800-287-3950 Web site: MassEnergy.com Disclosure Label Sterling Planet Telephone: 1-877-457-2306 Web site: SterlingPlanet.com Disclosure Label Disclosure Labels (also known as Energy Content Labels, Product Content Labels, and Power Content Labels) provide information about the supplier’s company, such as energy sources and air emissions. This information is provided to help you make a more informed choice. Contact the supplier directly to enroll. Provide your National Grid account number and the 4-letter prefix shown on your bill (beneath your account number). A small charge for your participation in GreenUp will be added as a separate line item on the supply portion of your bill. MassSAVE National Grid will fund 75% of the cost (up to $2,000) of insulation, air sealing, and other weatherization measures. Please call 1-800-632-8300 to schedule a free in-home energy audit. After viewing your home and talking with you in person, an expert will assess your current energy use, develop customized recommendations, and set up an appointment with a weatherization contractor. Appliance Management Program This program helps reduce electricity and oil costs for income eligible customers. An energy manager from your local community action agency provides an analysis, indicating how much each appliance costs to operate and how much you might be able to save. You may also qualify for other items, including: ENERGY STAR® refrigerators ENERGY STAR lighting Water saving measures Insulation and air sealing measures Heating system replacement Air conditioner and pool pump timers To find out if you are income eligible and to locate your local program, visit the Energy Bucks web site or call 1-866-537-7267. Your local program will be able to sign you up for the applicable fuel assistance services.

This Information Provided by The Western Mass Green Consortium

A Few More Tips on How to Save Energy in Your Home…

In continuing my focus on home energy efficiency, here are a few additional tips that you may not even think about when considering ways to save energy in your home:

• Turn the temperature setting of your water heater down to 120 degrees F. This is still hot, but doesn’t overwork your heater.
• Keep furniture and other obstructions away from your heating and cooling vents and radiators. Blocked access makes for inefficient heating and cooling.
• Vacuum and clean radiators, vents and filters frequently. Dust, pet hair and other debris can plug up access and effect efficiency.
• Regulate your heat and cooling smartly. Meaning, when you aren’t home, shut off the A/C in the summer or turn down the heat in the winter. Try to rely more on warm clothing, ceiling fans and cross breezes to stay warm and cool.
• Be sure your appliances have high Energy Star ratings.
• Consider using cold water when doing laundry and use a clothesline when possible.
• Keep the coils on your refrigerator and freezer clean and do not put it in front of a heating vent or next to an oven. Close proximity makes the cooling appliances work harder and thus less efficient.



For more information and a no-cost home energy assessment on your home, contact MASS SAVE.

Green, Green Grass of Home… Not So Fast!

A lush green lawn has long been prized in the American culture and routinely regarded as a selling point among real estate practitioners.

But such lawn lust is getting a second look by those committed to sustainability.

After all, that green carpet has serious environmental consequences when you consider the resources it devours and the chemical it emits in order for it to flourish. Those include water and gas and pesticides and herbicides that eventually run off and pollute waterways and disturb the aquatic ecosystem. Such chemicals also aren’t healthy for adults, kids or pets.

“Unless your shiny green lawn can thrive without supplemental irrigation, gas-powered mowing, fertilizer and without spraying, that lawn of yours is leaving a pretty dirty footprint,” comments Billy Goodnick, a Santa Barbara, Calif.-based landscape architect, educator and the writer behind Fine Gardening magazine’s Cool Green Gardens blog.

Those are among the reasons that groups like the Lawn Reform Coalition (www.lawnreform.org) and the Sustainable Sites Initiative (www.sustainablesites.org) have emerged to promote more sustainable landscapes.

The Lawn Reform Coalition, for instance, includes gardening and environmental advocates from across the country who have joined forces to promote change in the American lawn. “The Lawn Reform Coalition wants people to rethink the idea that every home needs a sprawling, unimaginative patch of green,” says Goodnick, a coalition member. “We’re working to quiet the siren song of the ‘perfect’ lawn and providing practical resources for creating beautiful, low-maintenance, environmentally-friendly landscapes.”

And the Sustainable Sites Initiative has developed a performance benchmarking system for sustainable landscapes after recognizing that green building rating systems offer excellent tools for new and existing buildings, but relatively little for things beyond a building’s skin.

The group is a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden, and its rating system applies to numerous environments, including retail centers, subdivisions, corporate campuses and single-family homes.

A question that may emerge is, “So what? What do lawns have to do with green housing.”

A lot.

“You can’t call a home ‘green’ if it’s surrounded by a sink-hole of resource-greedy, nature-fouling lawn. A truly green lawn is one that doesn’t require a lot of inputs, like potable water and fossil fuels, and doesn’t produce waste or polluted run-off,” says Goodnick.

If you or your clients are considering a lawn replacement or want to transition to a more sustainable landscape, resources and information abound.

Goodnick offers four paths to address lawn reform. They are:

1. Eliminate all turf and replace it with useful improvements, like lounging areas, paths, rain gardens or orchards.

2. Convert from resource-greedy varieties of grass to locally-adapted species, like buffalo grass or native sedges. Most use fifty percent less water and require less fertilizer and care than traditional grasses.

3. Keep lawn space just for recreation, and if you absolutely need a lawn, shrink it to save water, time and money and to reduce its environmental impacts.

4. Grow food. Although vegetables require about as much water as a typical lawn, the return on your efforts is immeasurably superior.

Additional sources of information include:

• The EPA’s GreenScapes program provides environmentally-friendly landscaping solutions to preserve natural resources and prevent pollution.
• Calculate the resources a lawn is consuming
• Safelawns.org offers a series of videos on everything from aerating the lawn to composting, mulching and weed control.

From the Green REsource Council Newsletter

The Solar Mortgage!

The largest obstacle to solar power for the average homeowner has always been the prohibitive cost of installation. According to journalist Christopher Mims in an article he wrote for Scientific American (December, 2009), entitled, “The No-Money Down Solar Plan”, installing a rooftop array of photovoltaic panels is the equivalent of prepaying your electricity bill for seven to ten years.

But thanks to the innovative financing devised by a few small start up energy companies in the northwest, there is an additional outlet for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and save on their electric bills. Why spend up to $25,000 on installing the panels, when you can lease them for very little and pay for electricity as you go?

According to Boston Globe staff writer Beth Daley, here’s how it all works: A one-time, upfront fee of about $1,000 is charged, and there is an 18-year locked-in rate for energy the panels generate. That rate will be comparable to, or less than, what utilities charge, according to the companies involved. If the homeowner uses more energy than the panels produce, they then pay the utility its rate for the electricity.

This works very much like the cable company. We rent the receiver and the wiring and pay a rate for the service.

Or as Mims puts it, it works much like a home mortgage.  Companies, banks and organizations pay for the solar panels as an investment, the homeowner buys the electricity produced by their own rooftop at a rate usually less than they would pay from the grid, investors get a safe investment and homeowners get to save money on their electricity bills. All while reducing their carbon footprint and utilizing a renewable power source.

According to a Boston Globe article in May, a company called SunRun Inc., which has done similar business in California and Arizona, is the first company to enter the Massachusetts solar lease market for homes. It owns the solar panels and partners with local solar installers – in Massachusetts, Alteris Renewables and groSolar.