An eco-friendly lifestyle can also be a treat for your wallet as many of the methods you can use to go green can result in substantial cost savings. Check out these ways to help the environment and save money.

Insulation

Moving into winter, gas and electricity bills are on the rise. Improving the insulation of your home means that your house will lose less heat and so you can cut down on both your heating bill and your contribution to harmful emissions. Forty percent of the heat in your home is lost through the loft and walls, so if you are choosing just one eco-friendly change then loft and wall insulation is the way to go. Government estimates put the cost of insulating a loft at around £230 (about $363.00), excluding labour, and cavity walls at £260 (about $411.00). You may even be able to get a grant from the Energy Savings trust to help with the cost. You can also insulate your hot water cylinder to gain savings of £20 (about $32.00) a year on your got water bill.

Energy-Efficient Boilers

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a new boiler can reduce energy bills by up to £240 (about $379.00) annually. They may offer you a grant to help with the cost of a new energy-efficient boiler.

Double glazing

Your windows can also be causing your house to lose heat. Double glazing throughout your home can save up to £100 (about $158.00) annually on your energy bills. Alternatively, make sure you draw your curtains behind radiators so that the windows are better insulated.

Draught-proofing

Simple draught-excluders can help to keep your home’s heat contained. This solution is low-tech and extremely cheap but can make a substantial difference to your energy costs.

Energy-Saving Electrical Goods

The more energy efficient the light bulbs, fridge and other electrical goods in your home, the less energy you use when they are running. Look for appliances that have a high rating on their European Union energy label as they will be the most energy-efficient.

Reduced Water Consumption

Installing a low-flow showerhead will reduce your water consumption and your water heating costs. Low flow showerheads can be bought for less than £20, and if you are on a metered water rate you can institute other water-saving measures such as putting a flush-saver in your toilet cistern and re-using any non-soapy washing up water in your garden.

This editorial is a guest post from the car rental comparison site vroomvroomvroom.co.uk.

SIM Publishes 2011 Winners of its Annual Contest in Green Building-

Sustainable Industries Magazine recently introduced its winners of the sixth annual Top 10 Green Building Products award. The winners were chosen by an expert panel of judges from more than 100 entries based upon design aesthetic, environmental performance, innovativeness, scalability/market impact, as well as value and compatibility using the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system. “The green building industry has seen unprecedented growth and change in the six years that Sustainable Industries has produced the Top 10 Green Building Products awards. This year’s winners reflect the diversity of exciting opportunities in the green building space,” says Brian Back, Founding Editor & Publisher of Sustainable Industries. Selected winners are as follows:

1. Adura Wireless Lighting Controls, made by Adura Technologies, slashes lighting-related energy costs by up to 70 percent using a system of sensors and controllers that creates a network to turn off unneeded lights while offering consumers complete control over their electricity through a unique web interface.

2. Breathe Living Wall, made by DIRTT Environmental Solutions, improves air quality and conserves energy by relieving the load of ventilation systems. The system fits any flat wall or vertical building surface. Plants are watered at one point at the top of the wall, and as the water moves through the trough system, wicks from other pots bring water up to the plants.

3. Greensulate, made by Ecovative Design, uses mushroom roots to make its innovative insulation and packaging material. The company doesn’t need any light to grow their fungi and only uses heat during the final drying process – making this product almost entirely sustainable.

4. HydroRight Dual Flush Converter, made by MJSI Inc., created a “drop-in” service for already existing toilets which offers water conservation up to thirty percent. To boot, it only takes about 7 minutes to install.

5. Indow Windows, made by – you guessed it! – Indow Windows, uses thermal inserts that can achieve 94 percent of the energy savings of double-pane replacements at a fraction of the cost. The inserts plus installation run about $13 per square foot, so refitting a house with 14 average-sized windows costs about $2,400.

6. Juice Bar, made by Green Garage Associates, (although not exactly a green building product) is an electric vehicle charging station that can either be bought or rented by property owners. The product is considered sustainable by the judges in that it will encourage more widespread purchases of EVs.

7. Mobile Solar Power System, made by Pure Power Distribution, designed its Mobile Solar Power System to replace dirty, noisy diesel generators, which create air pollution in the form of carbon dioxide, particulate matter and carcinogenic compounds. The company also makes a hybrid system that combines solar power with a biodiesel generator that kicks in when needed.

8. Modlet, made by ThinkEco, aims to cut power wasted by plug-in appliances when they’re not in use. For an office or building that plugs in modlets throughout its facility, that could mean a reduction in overall energy costs of about 10 percent – or a cut of up to 80 percent in the amount of power used by each plugged-in device, according to the company.

9. SageGlass, made by SAGE Electrochromics, offers a unique product using electrochromic glass that can change from clear to darkly tinted using a simple light switch. The good news? It offers a significant reduction in energy savings, lowering peak demand by as much as 24 percent.

10. SmartSlope Living Retaining Wall, made by the Furbish Company, took its inspiration from the tightly-populated central European landscape where buildings are designed vertically rather than horizontally due to the lack of space. Using concrete blocks with a cavity for plant roots, the hollow centers offer space for various plants to take root and, apparently within months, covers up the wall with natural growth. It can be built in open spaces near buildings, highways and other not-so-aesthetically-appealing areas while encouraging the growth of carbon-eating plants. And while concrete isn’t exactly environmentally-friendly, it does offer a structural soundness that other building materials don’t. Longevity is definitely sustainable.

By looking to more energy efficient methods of powering your home and by reducing the waste that your household produces you can help reduce your homes carbon footprint. Choose the appliances that have a higher energy saving rating and change some of your lifestyle habits around your home, which will affect your carbon footprint. Through having a solar panel on your roof you can capture the suns energy which can power your whole home. Installing solar panels for your home will make your household more environmentally friendly and reduce your carbon footprint.

Energy efficiency is key

Contact your energy company and find out if they offer a green choice of energy, such as electricity powered by either solar or wind energy. You can also choose a greener option where you pay slightly more for your electricity and the extra funds go towards developing environmentally friendly power making methods. Choose appliances that have a high energy efficiency rating. When shopping for appliances look for those with a higher number of stars on the ticket. These have a better energy rating and will also save you money in running costs. You can buy washing machines that only use cold water and dishwashers that will retain the water from the final rinse cycle and then use this to give your next load of dishes their first rinse. There are newer and better energy efficient appliances being developed all the time so have a look online or ask your the shop assistant what are the most energy efficient appliances.

Invest in Insulation

By reducing the amount of electricity you use within your home you will help reduce your carbon footprint. By insulating your home properly you will find that you reduce your need for switching on your heater during winter and your air conditioner in summer. Go around your home and block up any gaps or cracks so that the cold air can’t come in during winter. Check your insulation, including inside the roof. As well as having proper insulation in your walls make sure your roof is lined properly too. Use a draught excluder to stop a cool breeze from coming in under your doors and think about having double glazing on your windows.

Unearth better habits

It is easy to reduce your carbon footprint by simply having better habits when it comes to using electricity. Don’t turn on the heater if you feel cold, just put on an extra jumper. Instead of switching on an electric light open the curtains or think about installing a sky light. Rather than switching on your air conditioner try and cool your home down by opening windows and doors to create a cross breeze. Switch off your appliances at the wall when they are not in use and turn off any lights in rooms that aren’t occupied.

Ecological Footprint Quiz Will Estimate Total Environmental Impact-

Curious about the ecological “footprint” you’ll leave behind on this planet? Want to be more environmentally conscious? By answering a few simple questions, the handy Ecological Footprint Quiz will estimate the impact you will leave behind for later generations. Afterward, you can learn how to minimize your consumption by using more sustainable products, housing, foods, services, and transportation. To take the quiz, visit MyFootprint.Org and please share with your friends and family! Educate those around you, in your city and work environment, about the countless benefits of going green.

Open House Event will Showcase Sustainable Buildings & Upcoming Technologies-

Discover small steps you can take to reduce fuel costs, increase energy efficiency and altogether minimize your environmental impact at the upcoming annual Green Buildings Open House. On Saturday, Oct. 2, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Associates is welcoming the public to meet-and-greet with green building industry professionals and homeowners, and visit local sustainable buildings throughout the country. Homeowners and facility managers will be showing visitors the latest in renewable energy, energy efficient appliances and sustainable building materials. Guests in the self-guided tour can visit homes and businesses from Oregon to Maine. To view the complete list of Green Buildings Open House host sites and to sign up for the educational event, visit NESEA.org.

SPE’s Culver City Lot Project Fulfills the USGBC’s Stringent Standards-


Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) recently announced that it has been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for the studio’s Lot and Office Transformation (LOT) Project. “We are proud to receive this designation for our newest buildings on the lot,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. “It’s our belief that we have a responsibility to help create a greener world for our community and future generations, and this project is an important part of our overall sustainability efforts.” The LOT Project included two new 100,000 square foot office buildings, named after Jack Cohn and Harry Cohn, and a parking structure located at the studio’s historic lot in Culver City, California. The Jack Cohn and Harry Cohn buildings were awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council for an all-around conservational approach in design and construction.

Criteria factors in the SPE Lot Project include: the use of local, recycled building materials; avoiding over 16,128 tons of construction waste material from being thrown into landfills; the use of motion detector lights and energy efficient light bulbs; the installation of an on-site filtration system for storm water runoff as well as low-flow toilets and urinals; the use of low-emitting carpeting, paint, sealants, adhesives and wall coverings; the enforcing of “Green Housekeeping” building maintenance standards; and the availability of preferred parking for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles as well as car pools and van pools. To boot, the LOT Project incorporated a high-tech, energy efficient central cooling plant. “Naturally, a project of this size and scope was undertaken with a great deal of thought and care,” said Jeff Hargleroad, Executive Vice President, Corporate Operations. “We recognized early on this was a great opportunity to pursue design and construction practices that would map to our core values as a company; it became obvious that this was the right thing to do.” Last summer, SPE’s Culver City lot was the first and only studio to achieve ISO14001 certification, with energy and environmental initiatives that encompassed nearly all aspects of the studio’s operations. As a pioneer in the green movement, the possibilities are endless in what sustainable projects they will take on next.

Green Real Estate Education Partners to Offer Specialized Green College Programs-


Green Real Estate Education, an exclusive source of green education for the real estate industry, has joined forces with Pro Train LLC, to offer their customized online green training programs to college students. Pro Train, based in Raleigh, N.C., is a leading provider for affordable green programs in adult and continuing eduction in the United States. “Students who are introduced to our programs through Pro Train, LLC can take our online courses at lower costs. We still deliver the content but Pro Train, LLC is in essence our marketing arm, and we are excited about this affiliation,” says Kerry Mitchell, President of Green Real Estate Education. “ProTrain offers the most online Green, Renewable Energy and Sustainability courses,” says Tony Davis, Director of New Business Development & Partnerships for Pro Train, LLC. “We are pleased to offer Green Real Estate Education courses, Their fast track format is what colleges are looking for.”

“Students who take our fast track courses can advance quicker and are defying the myth that advanced degreed courses are the only way to achieve success in getting job.” Says Mitchell. “We equip our students to be leaders in the green economy.” The company has spent countless hours researching and designing programs for quick study in waste management, sustainability planning and green building basics. Their newest courses are for those in the health care and insurance industry. Green Real Estate Education is the only company offering green and sustainability guidance for those professions. “We have been approached by larger trade associations and hope to connect continuing education credits in the very near future.” Says Mitchell. For 3 years running, Green Real Estate Education has offered courses for real estate agents, loan officers and inspectors. Mitchell asserts, “the education is here, and ready, we just hope these sectors know they do not need to spend $300 or even $500 more to gain the knowledge for their specific career path.” Green Real Estate Education continues to thrive in an era of environmental consciousness and is on course to educate and train more than 10,000 “green” professionals by 2011. The company offers their certification programs online, on campus, and in webinar format. Please visit http://greenrealestateeducationonline.com for more information.

New Prefabricated Homes are Affordable and Environmentally Sustainable-

Michelle Kaufmann, a leading green architect and designer, has recently unveiled her newest line of prefab sustainable homes. The line consists of three models, the Ridge0™, the Vista0™ and the Contours0™, which range in size between 422 and 2643 square feet. The Contours0™ and the Vista0™ have interior and exterior rooms which were designed with the utmost efficiency in mind, emphasizing natural ventilation and lighting through large windows, glass doors and skylights. The Ridge0™ uses the Passivhaus basic principles of sustainable design — with good levels of insulation, an air-tight building envelope, passive preheating of fresh air to minimize need for heating and cooling, southern orientation with shading, efficient windows and frames, as well as energy star appliances and lighting. Not to mention, the homes employ energy generating solar power systems, gray water systems which recover and filter used water for use in toilets or garden irrigation, and rainwater harvesting systems. Kaufmann’s Zero Series also use green materials and products, and conform to standards of LEED certification. They can even be customized to incorporate other green home certification program standards, such as the NAHB Green Building Standard, Build it Green, or any local green rating program. The new prefab Zero Series homes are made available exclusively through Studio 101 Designs and built by Blazer Industries. Prices start at $66,500.

Environmentally-Friendly Home Debuts in Lancaster, Calif-

A house powered by batteries and solar panels, featuring a “smog-eating” roof, was unveiled earlier this month in West Lancaster, California. “This remarkable new house is truly the home of the future,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris in an announcement of the prototype built by KH Home and BYD, a manufacturer of clean energy technologies. According to USA Today, the city waived local development fees and expedited approval for its construction. This green home touts energy storage batteries, BYD’s solar panels, LED lights, an electric vehicle outlet for charging, and tiles that reduce smog-creating nitrogen oxide pollution. The roof tiles have an embedded catalyst that, when exposed to sunlight, speeds up oxidation and reduces the nitrogen oxide pollution that creates smog. Created by MonierLifetile, they are the first-ever in the United States and are said to reduce as much pollution as the average car creates while driving roughly 10,800 miles annually. This four-bedroom, two-bath, 1519 square-foot home meets the EPA’s Energy Star guidelines and is now open daily for public tours. It will eventually be offered for sale in the low $200,000 range, according to a KB Home spokesman.

Article Features 5 Green Retrofits Electricians Should be Promoting-

In a fantastic article written by Houston Neil with the Construction Blog, the importance of green retrofits in the rapidly expanding green building sector is emphasized. Neil discusses 5 green retrofits in particular which he says electricians should be promoting to stimulate business and help save consumer cash in the long haul. The first improvement mentioned is inexpensive and maintenance-free lighting retrofits. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of all electricity used in the United States, so replacing old bulbs with energy-efficient LED fixtures will help save cash and energy for years to come. The second retrofit mentioned is daylight harvesting – the practice of eliminating artificial light in a room when sunlight is readily available, which can include installing skylights, more windows, even dimmers, motion sensors and/or timers. According to a study performed by the NRC Institute for Research in Construction, applying practical use of sunlight during daytime hours can reduce energy costs by a whopping 20 to 60 percent. Third on Neil’s list highlights energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) retrofits, which offers high payback, outstanding efficacy and, to boot, can be coupled with government tax credits to help push the product to consumers. Next on the list are solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind turbine installations. Grid-tie solar systems, according to Neil, will have the most success among consumers, particularly in areas where sunlight is not ample. Moreover, building owners may be able to receive payment or energy credits from their local utility company if more electricity is generated than necessary. Likewise, wind turbines – depending on the region – can reduce electricity bills by 50 to 90 percent; although they certainly aren’t for everyone, as residential zoning laws restrict turbines in certain neighborhoods. The last green retrofit references energy management systems and monitoring devices, which supervise and control energy consumption. In fact, research proves that offering consumers detailed information regarding their home energy-efficiency can result in 5 to 15 percent savings on monthly electricity. For detailed information on these vital and cost-effective retrofits, please visit Houston Neil’s Construction Blog.

-by Houston Neal with Software Advice