Realty Reality: energy conservation

Showing posts with label energy conservation. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Top Ten Energy Efficient Remodeling Projects

PATH, a public-private partnership for advancing housing technology, last year released recommendations on the top remodeling technologies to make existing homes more durable, stronger and more resource efficient.

Each of the PATH Remodeling Top 10 technologies chosen is rated on affordability, energy efficiency, ease of installation, quality and durability, environmental performance and safety.

More information...

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and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to find the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Real Estate Cyber Tips - April 2008

CYBER MAGIC TRICKS

TRICK#1

Send an E-Mail - By Voice!
This is neat! These folks convert your telephone voice into emails, text messages, reminders, lists and appointments. You can use this service to create text-based reminder e-mails to yourself or messages to pre-set individuals or groups. In a car it’s a lot safer than thumb typing a message on a Blackberry or calling each individual person.Simply enter your phone number and e-mail address and set up a contact list – and Shazam – you’re in business. Just call the toll free number –
say the name of your e-mail recipient (or say “myself”) and record your message which gets converted to text and e-mailed to your recipient(s). There are other clever bells and whistles – and the price is right. It’s on the house!
Click Here for This Cyber Trick

TRICK#2

Keep Track of the Cussed Cap Locks Key!
Have you ever typed six lines of text before you discovered that the Caps Lock on your keyboard was on? Some folks are often tempted to cuss when this happens – and we’d bet it has happened to you. Here’s a little trick that will alert you when you have accidentally turned the Caps lock on. This works in Windows XP and a slight variation will get you set up on other operating systems.Open the Control Panel (“Start" and then "Control Panel"). Click "Accessibility Options". Click “Keyboard”. Check "Use ToggleKeys". Click "OK" and close the Control Panel. Now you have a private butler who will ring a little bell when you accidentally hit that Caps Lock key. Saves a lot of cussin’!

GREAT PLACES!

GREAT PLACE #1

Listen to The Station You Want With a Click!
Here’s a great place to easily find and play your favorite AM/FM radio stations and to browse and discover stations from around the world. You can search by location and type of programming. So far you can play US stations from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, and Washington, DC. Each city features dozens of the major broadcasting stations (and some you didn’t even know existed). Many international locations are also featured including Beijing, Hong Kong, Israel, London, Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo. Just pick your favorite news, music or talk show and these folks whisk you off to a new land with one simple click!
Click Here for This Great Place

GREAT PLACE #2

Get Insiders Travel Information!
Sure you can search the internet for your next flight by the best fares or shortest flight but until now there has been no place on the Web to determine the quality of your trip – factors that include not only price and speed, but also comfort and ease.This great place allows you to obtain a best/worst ranking for your list of possible flights. Rankings based on each of these factors helps you wade through the hundreds of flight options on the market. They analyze speed by the number of stops, travel duration, on-time stats and security wait time. Comfort factors include: leg room, aircraft type, aircraft age and historical load factor. Ease of flight factors include: connect time, routing quality, lost bags rank and gate location. Although this great place is still in Beta, it looks like the day of the automated travel advisor is close upon us.
Click Here for This Great Place

The information contained in Real Estate CyberTips is believed to be true and correct but no warranties or guarantees are provided and readers should rely solely on their own information and advisors in connection with any sites, services or products reviewed. All content Copyright 2008, RECS. All rights reserved.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Real Estate Cyber Tips - March 2008

CYBER MAGIC TRICKS

TRICK#1

People Detective Extraordinaire -- On the Deep Web
Have you ever done a people search on conventional search engines where you ended up feeling short changed? Maybe it’s because you missed the good stuff you will find with a deep or “invisible” web search.This great place searches that deep web with its huge repository of underlying content, such as documents in online databases that general-purpose web crawlers don’t reach. This invisible web content is estimated to contain 500 times that of the surface web, yet has remained mostly untapped due to the limitations of traditional search engines.
This specialized search tool is designed to reach the higher-quality information including personal profiles, public records and other people-related documents that are stored in databases that are invisible to conventional search engines.Find out what they know about you! And yes -- it’s on the house.
Click Here for This Cyber Trick

TRICK#2

Switch Tasks With Ease!
We’re sure you know the old “Alt + Tab” trick to switch between tasks while computing. It’s a handy tool but is kind of like flying blind. Here’s a mini program that gives you advanced task management functions that pick up where the Windows Alt+Tab switcher leaves off.This neat tool gives you a visual presentation of where you are while also enhancing your experience by displaying a thumbnail preview of the application that you are about to switch to. It also has a helpful management capability that allows you to quickly close or minimize applications and their groups.And to make it even better this one trick pony is yours for the asking.
Click Here for This Cyber Trick

GREAT PLACES!

GREAT PLACE #1

See The World Your Way With Virtual Earth!
Google got out in front with its stellar mapping programs but the competition is heating up with Microsoft’s Virtual Earth. In addition to traditional mapping technology, this great place offers aerials, hybrid combinations (a combination of aerial and mapping), birds eye views (in a high resolution from a low altitude and at various angles, allowing property “fly-overs”), 3-D building views and, in beta, street level videos.What’s neat about this is the promise that, with Google and Microsoft competing in the mapping world, the beneficiaries will be those of us to whom there is great value and future promise in these programs.Let the competition continue!
Click Here for This Great Place

GREAT PLACE #2

Energy Savings from Uncle Sam
Your home sits there using energy day and night. Energy keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It provides you with light, hot water, and runs all of your appliances and home electronics.Here’s a great place where you can learn how to use the energy in your home more efficiently. The savings potential is enormous and all of the tips and tricks you’ll ever need are right here in one place.Use this information wisely. You paid for this site --- complements of your tax dollars and Uncle Sam!
Click Here for This Great Place

The information contained in Real Estate CyberTips is believed to be true and correct but no warranties or guarantees are provided and readers should rely solely on their own information and advisors in connection with any sites, services or products reviewed. All content Copyright 2008, RECS. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

HUD Unveils New Concept Home Vision

Charleston home to be a model for sustainability and green building

ORLANDO, FL - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today unveiled its new vision for a sustainable, hurricane-resistant and energy-efficient home at the National Association of Home Builders' International Trade Show in Orlando. HUD's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) revealed the design plans for a Concept Home demonstration project to be built in Charleston, South Carolina.

Concept Home Charleston will serve as a model of sustainability, hurricane-resistance, efficient building practices, and floor plan flexibility. The project will incorporate the most advanced products and systems from leading manufacturers to demonstrate and educate both industry and consumers alike how design and technology innovations can create a sustainable, efficient and durable home that's also cost-effective to build and high in quality.

"The future requires that we build smarter than ever before and that future is now," said Darlene Williams, HUD Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. "This Concept Home will incorporate sustainable, flexible and durable building approaches with cost-effective and innovative solutions to create a blueprint for generations to come."

Concept Home Charleston's design and technical specifications will meet the nation's most rigorous green building certification programs including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes, ENERGY STAR™, EarthCraft House, and the new National Green Building Standard.

"Energy-efficiency is always a central theme among the homes I build," said Hank Hofford of Bennett Hofford Construction, the firm building the Charleston home. "The Concept Home Charleston with its energy target of forty percent greater than code will enable it to serve as the national example of an efficient home."

The home's design and floor plans were created by Torti Gallas and Partners after a design charrette with technology and design experts was held at the Concept Home site last October.

"Torti Gallas has taken the next step towards creating an appealing design that also integrates a systems approach to energy, water, durability, and sustainable materials in the home. We've selected innovations that complement and work well with each other to meet the project's goals", said James Lyons, Concept Home Charleston project manager and a Senior Engineer at Newport Partners, LLC.

Major manufacturer partners in the program include Whirlpool, Alside, American Clay, Aspen Aerogels, BASF, Blue Marble Project, Broan, DuPont Building Innovations, Georgia-Pacific, Honeywell, the Metal Roofing Alliance and Englert Roofing, PGT, Pulseswitch Systems, Seisco, Viega and Worthington Integrated Building Systems. The Department of Energy's Building America program will provide energy monitoring of the building once it's completed.

The Charleston home will be built at Poplar Grove, a 6,000-acre nature conservation community within Greater Charleston's historic Ashley River Preservation District and is expected to be completed by Fall 2008.

About PATH

The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing is a public-private partnership of leading-edge home builders, manufacturers, researchers, professional groups, and Federal agencies concerned with housing. By working together, PATH partners improve the quality and affordability of today's new and existing homes, and help create the next generation of housing for America's families.

For additional information on PATH, its Concept Home program, and to see the Charleston designs including floor plans and renderings and a 3-D Sketch-up model, please visit www.pathnet.org/concepthome.

###

HUD is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

Source: HUD No. 08-015

Visit my web site for additional services and support: LawrenceYerkes.com [PA]

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Hybrid Car Buying Classes

C/Net's "Tricks & Tips" help section of it's web site offers free online introductory courses covering a wide variety of topics related to photography, mobile phones, automobiles, software, networks and more.

For example, Hybrid Car Buying 101 is a group of lessons that let their experts take you “under the hood” and explain how hybrid technology works, and if your next car should be a hybrid.

Visit my web site for additional services and support: LawrenceYerkes.com

and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to find the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).

Friday, December 07, 2007

Five Ways To Capitalize On Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credit

U.S. homeowners have just one month to utilize a soon-to-expire federal tax credit aimed at encouraging home energy efficiency. According to a recent RISMedia article, there are 5 ways to take advantage of the Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credit:

1 - Add attic and/or basement insulation.

2 - Install or replace exterior windows and skylights with energy-efficient versions.

3 - Trade in older storm doors and exterior doors for newer, energy-efficient versions.

4 - Replace an old furnace.

5 - Install a solar energy system.

(Source: RISMedia.com)

See full article for more Information . . .

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Energy Efficienty Ranks #1 In Consumer Green Building Priorities

A new survey conducted for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) confirms that a desire for greater energy efficiency drives consumers to choose a green-built home. (Source: NAHB)

More Information . . .

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Using Programmable Thermostats

One of the smartest ways for homeowners to cut down on energy costs is to install a programmable electronic thermostat. While commonplace in new construction, many older homes rely on manual mercury thermostats. Programmable thermostats are:

More accurate: Energy Star thermostats have a 2 degree +/- level of accuracy.

Convenient: With automated controls, there's no need to constantly change temperature settings by hand.

Economical: When used properly, homeowners save an average of $150 a year on energy bills.

Easier on the conscience: Using less energy helps lower greenhouse gas emissions related to energy production.

Buying
Bring along the brand name and model number of your old thermostat as well as your heating and air conditioning units to make sure any new thermostat you purchase will be compatible. Look for models that have earned the Energy Star designation - these units have met strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the government.

In general, programmable thermostats fall into three categories. 7-day models allow you to customize the heating schedule for each day of the week. 5-2 day models allow you to set one heating schedule for weekdays, and another for weekends. 5-1-1 day models allow you to set a schedule for weekdays and individual schedules for both Saturday and Sunday.

Other features to consider:
Digital displays
Touch pad programming
Voice programming
Phone programming
Hold/Vacation features
Heating/cooling system monitors

Installation
While thermostats can be replaced and installed DIY-style, in most cases it's usually best to leave the job to the professionals. Many retailers will provide installation at either no cost or a nominal fee. A certified HVAC professional can also install and setup your thermostat. The thermostat should be installed on an interior wall, away from heating and cooling vents and any other sources of heat or drafts (fireplaces, doorways, skylights etc.).

Use
All thermostats with the Energy Star seal of approval allow 4 default program periods per day, allowing you to set different temperatures for morning, day, evening and night. Here are some rules of the road to help maximize energy efficiency:

1. Maintain the temperature at the energy-saving set points for long periods of time (8 hours minimum) whenever possible. For example, use the energy-saving settings for 8+ hours while you're away at work, and the night setting for 8+ hours after you go to sleep.

2. In general, your "low" settings should be around 8 degrees cooler than your comfort temperature in winter, and 4 degrees warmer in summer.

3. The current temperature may be set higher or lower using temporary "holds". These changes to the pre-programmed schedule are cancelled out at the start of the next program period. Use holds sparingly to increase energy savings.

4. Most units have 2 "hold" features: temporary and extended/vacation. The extended/vacation setting should only be used in cases where you will be away from home for an extensive period of time. Temporary holds should be used for day-to-day use.

5. Check the thermostat's batteries each year (most units have a battery power indicator).

The article is taken from one of our recent Newsletters that was e-mailed to all registered subscribers, via our RE/MAX of New Jersey web site.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Leading the Corporate Green Charge -- What Company Comes to Mind?

When you hear the words "green business," what company comes to mind? Patagonia, maybe? Whole Foods Market, Starbucks or Group Danone's Stonyfield Yogurt?

How about Shaklee Corporation? Click here for CNNmoney story about Shaklee.

For information about it's nutritional and environmentaly safe products click here.

and Click here for online product information and ordering.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

IRS: Nisson Hybrid Still Gets Tax Credit

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that purchasers of qualified Nissan North America Inc. vehicles may continue to claim the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. The announcement comes after the IRS concluded its quarterly review of the number of hybrid vehicles sold.

The allowable credit amount for the 2007 Altima Hybrid — Nissan’s only certified hybrid vehicle — is $2,350.

Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early because the full credit is only available for a limited time. Taxpayers may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th vehicle. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter.

(Source: IR-2007-97)

Visit my web site for additional services and support: LawrenceYerkes.com

and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to find the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).

Friday, April 06, 2007

Hydrogen Becoming A Viable Energy Source

According to a recent CNet article, Las Vegas' success with establishing Hydrogen as one of it
s primary sources of energy is allowing other communities to take a serious look at doing the same thing within their own areas.

Las Vegas has built a Hydrogen Generation station to run it's fleet of Hydrogen fueled vehicles. The station is completely sustainable, using solar energy as it's energy source for making hydrogen from electolysis of water. It actually collects more solar energy than it needs in 24 hours, so it sells the excess to Nevada's electrical grid.

According to Las Vegas officials, there were several benefits of using hydrogen: improved air quality, more energy independence and creating new business for the economy.

Click here for full article about a community's use of Hydrogen as an energy source

Visit my web site for additional services and support: LawrenceYerkes.com

and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to find the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).

Monday, March 19, 2007

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has acknowledged the certification by General Motors Corp. that its 2007 Saturn Aura Hybrid vehicle meets the requirements of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a qualified hybrid motor vehicle.

The credit amount for the hybrid vehicle certification of the 2007 Saturn Aura Hybrid is $1,300.
Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early since the full credit is only available for a limited time. Taxpayers may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th vehicle. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter.

Ref: IR-2007-64

Visit my web site for additional services and support: LawrenceYerkes.com

and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to find the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).

Ref: IR-2007-64

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Safe Home Heating Practices Promoted

The heat is on for home fires and c arbon monoxide poisoning risks this winter.

The nonprofit Home Safety Council is turning up the heat on home safety risks this winter, when it comes to home heating appliances. Because home heating fires and carbon monoxide poisoning spike during the winter months, the organization has teamed up with Lowes to provide critical home heating information to keep families safe in their homes. The Home Safety Council’s "State of Home Safety in America" report revealed that 67% of American households use fuel-burning appliances and equipment, such as gas, wood or kerosene, which can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide if not functioning properly. "During the months of January and February heating appliance fires overtake cooking fires as the leading cause of home fires, and carbon monoxide dangers are much more common during home heating season," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. "Families can help reduce their risk of being injured by taking simple actions in and around their homes." (Source: Home Safety Council)

Full Story about Safe Home Heating . . .

See also: Home Safety Tips For A Safety And Healty Winter

Visit my web site for additional services and support: LawrenceYerkes.com

and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to find the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Compare Local Gas Prices

Here's a link to an MSN.com resource that allows you to compare gas prices in your area by Zip Code (plus other fuel related links):

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx

Note: Prices are update daily (overnight)

Visit my web site for additional resources and services: www.LawrenceYerkes.com

and visit BestHomes-NJ.com for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land)

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Energy Saving Tips: Landscaping

Landscaping

A well-designed landscape not only can add beauty to your home but it also can reduce your heating and cooling costs. On average, landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings to return an initial investment in less than 8 years.

If you were already planning to landscape, these tips provide an ideal way to beautify your home while saving on your monthly energy bill:

Landscaping your home for energy efficiency can reduce your heating and cooling bills, the largest component of your home's energy use. Your overall landscaping strategy will depend on your regional climate.
Plant trees to shade your home, reducing your cooling costs in the summer months. Typically, newly planted trees will begin shading windows in their first year and will reach your roof in years 5-10.
Planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to your house creates dead air spaces that insulate your home in both winter and summer. Plant so there will be at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) of space between full-grown plants and your home's wall.
During winter, dense, low-lying trees and shrubbery on the north and northeast sides of your home can help protect your home against wind chill.

Source: U.S. DOE

Visit my web site for additional resources and services: http://www.LawrenceYerkes.com

or visit http://www.BestHomes-NJ.com for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (residential, commercial, multi-family, farm, land)

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Energy Conservation and 13 SEER - How It Effects You

The Department of Energy (DOE) measures efficiency in numbers called SEER ratings (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). For several years, the minimum efficiency standard for newly-manufactured HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) equipment has been 10 SEER. As of January 23, 2006, the law requires manufactures to stop producing anything less than a 13 SEER.

For consumers this means that:
* New air conditioners manufactured after that date will be more energy-efficient and save money.
* Existing air conditioners are not affected and homeowners do not have to replace them.

Full story from AHS

DOE online 13 SEER information page (Click her for DOE 13 Seer fact sheet in PDF format.)

DOE News Release with background information (12/2005)

Realty Reality