SunCache Solar Water Heater

There are still many people who believe that “going green” is just too expensive, and in many cases that may be true.  Adding photovoltaics still remains out of reach for many individual homeowners and even the cost of upgrading windows and doors can be economically unfeasible especially in these trying times.  There are many products available out there that are lowering that price bar, and that trend looks like it will continue.  I just ran across an article about a relatively new Solar Water Heating system called SunCache which looks quite promising.  Listed as a 2008 Top-10 Green Building Product on www.BuildingGreen.com, the product developed by Davis Energy Group is billed as the lowest cost residential scale renewable energy system.  An extensive use of plastic materials to reduce copper and aluminum content keeps prices low.  It’s use is limited to warm climates as it could be susceptible to freeze damage.  

For more information check out the SunCache system at www.harpiris.com.  As there may be federal and state incentives to add a renewable energy source to your home, see what’s available at the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

Know about this system or have experience with it?  Please add a comment!

So let’s see…I want a home that is safe, durable, and energy efficient.  I follow the builder closely while thehouse is under construction to try to make sure it’s built well.  I do my best to conserve energy and purchase energy efficient appliances.  I even switch to low VOC paints, finishes, etc. and start using organic and natural cleaning supplies.  But then every couple of months, the pest control company comes around and sprays pesticides throughout my house and/or yard!  What’s wrong with this picture?  

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By now, who hasn’t heard of Energy Star and seen the every growing placement of the familiar logo.  Although it has taken some time, general awareness of the advantages of buying a product or even a home with the Energy Star logo is at an all time high.  What most people don’t know is that there is another program which seeks to bring the same level of awareness about products which can help protect our future water supply.  WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the EPA.  The purpose is to help consumers identify water-efficient products and programs.  Water sense labeled products will perform well, help save money, and encourage innovation in manufacturing.  

The program covers the following products and services:

• Bathroom sink faucets
• landscape irrigation services
• New Homes
• Showerheads
• Toilets
• Urinals
• Weather- or Sensor-based irrigation control technologies

When shopping for water related products or services, or just looking to upgrade fixtures in order to save money and resources, always look for the WaterSense label.  These product have been tested by an independent third party.  

For more information visit the EPA WaterSense Site.

Before I got into the home inspection business, home insulation was something that was just a part of a house.  It was installed when the home was built and that was it.  What it was made of didn’t really matter to me and the old adage of out of site, out of mind held true once again.  I have to say that as I have spent most of the past 35 years in warmer climates, it just never seemed that important.  After I started crawling around in it doing inspections I became much more aware of the materials that it was made of.  Fiberglass being the most common and the most itchy as well as some concerns about exposure to the small glass fibers.  FIberglass batts can contain adhesives that are made up of formadehyde.  The production of fiberglass is also very energy intensive.  Cellulose also very common but some of the products out there may contain harmful chemicals used to make it fire retardant.  On a couple of rare occasions I’ve even seen an insulation know as Vermiculite.  Vermiculite in some cases may be contaminated with asbestos.   Read More

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch…we constantly get bombarded with this message as being beneficial to yards andgardens in so  many ways, and it is!  It helps prevent the germination of weeds thus reducing a need for herbicides, it helps moderate the soil temperature and reduces the need for watering, and it protects the soil from washing out in the rain.  If the mulch is organic, it adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.   Read More

A green christmas

Okay, I’m sure that most of you have seen ton’s of this info before, but as I’ve already seen Christmas or Holiday items being sold, I thought I would give a recap of some of the many ways to have a more environmentally friendly Holiday Season.  Being a bit greener doesn’t mean that you have to do without family traditions, but some things do require a different way of thinking.  If you’ve got some recommendations, please add them in the comments!

1.  If you are going to have a tree for the holiday season, think hard about your choice of a tree:  

• Artificial trees require quite a bit of energy and resources to manufacture, however, if you handle it carefully and repack it well each year, it should last many years.  If you decide to use an artificial tree, be aware of the materials that it’s made of and choose one which can be recycled and maybe which uses recycled material.
• A lot has been said about buying a live tree and setting it out in the yard after the season is over.  Be careful about this one, as live trees may not do well inside a heated house.  Check closely about recommended care of the tree and will it do well in your climate after setting it outside. Read More

Title: efest – Florida’s Green Living Music and Arts Festival
Location: Sarasota
Link out: Click here
Description: Efest is a major green living music and arts festival that unites hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals that care about our environment. Highlights include the Green-N-Healthy Expo with more than 175 exhibitors, panel discussions with top experts, the dynamic Children’s Eco-Village, a special area promoting Florida-friendly landscaping, a tent displaying entries to the Efest Trash to Treasures Eco-Art Contest, live performances by top bands on the main stage, eclectic dance performances on the performing arts stage, an eco-fashion show, a food court with 25 vendors, and a beer and wine garden.
Start Date: 2008-11-15
End Date: 2008-11-16

Title: Going Green Tampa Bay Expo
Location: USF
Link out: Click here
Date: 2009-04-11