“Energy Efficient Green Homes”

The other day I was speaking to a friend about investing in a treatment for my roof that would reflect the sun’s rays, and keep both my roof and my home cooler. My friend hastily replied, “But that costs a fortune!  Besides, it takes YEARS for you to save enough money to make it worth the investment!”

This is the reply I hear from most people when discussing ways to “green” your home–that is, make it more energy efficient.  While it is true that some technologies are very expensive–let’s say completely covering your roof with photovoltaic panels, which isn’t a practical thing to do anyway– there are countless other things you can do to not only make your home more energy efficient, but truly SAVE YOU MONEY.

This is the reply I hear from most people when discussing ways to “green” your home–that is, make it more energy efficient.  While it is true that some technologies are very expensive–let’s say completely covering your roof with photovoltaic panels, which isn’t a practical thing to do anyway–  there are countless other things you can do to not only make your home more energy efficient, but truly SAVE YOU MONEY.

That is what being green, energy efficient, sustainable, and all those other adjectives come down to in the end: SAVING MONEY.  Yes, it is about saving the Earth from our harmful discharges of pollutants to the air, water and land.  And we do need to do a better job of conserving and controlling our overuse of natural resources and fossil fuels.  But, when it comes down to it, employing acts of conservation and efficiency not only benefits the environment, but saves us money as well.  So when we consume less, and when we consume in a more efficient manner, we spend less, pollute less and still get what we need (light, heat, cooling, electricity, etc.)

This week’s show, airing on January 23rd and titled “Energy Efficient Green Homes” will highlight many ways that can save money in your home.  In the meantime, here are some are helpful links:

Information on the US Green Building Council’s LEED certification for homes: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147

US Department of Energy informational website on solar heating and other efficient energies (click on the links of the left sidebar of this page for even more sources): http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12490

Information on the State of Florida’s Energy Star Appliance Rebate Program: http://www.myfloridaclimate.com/climate_quick_links/florida_energy_climate_commission/upcoming_funding_opportunities (click here to find your state if you are not in Florida)

How to get tax credits for energy efficiency in your home: http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/70010.html

Information on renewable energy and why the US Department of energy supports renewables: http://www.energysavers.gov/renewable_energy/

Calculators and software to help you figure out how much energy (and money) you can save through small changes in your home: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/calculators/homes.html

There are also other links at our Resources page.