Consumer E-Newsletter - 09/29/2006 (Plain Text Version)View Graphical Version | Subscribe
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Editor... In this issue: Want to Think Green? Download This Great Guide!The National Association of Home Builders has a brand-new resource for home owners who want to learn more about building green.
“Energy Innovation: How Homes Become Green,” is full-color illustration depicting a range of innovative green building features, including products that can be included in remodeling projects to create a more energy-efficient home. “It’s exciting to see how many green products and technologies are available now for home builders and home owners,” says NAHB president David Pressly. “The green market is growing by leaps and bounds, and as the market expands, we will see prices come down, making energy-efficient choices much more accessible.” The power generated by photovoltaic roof shingles, wind turbines and geothermal heat systems is expected to grow by 13.2 percent in 2006 and by another 15.6 percent next year, according to the federal Energy Information Administration. Replacing a traditional electric water heater with a solar model can reduce utility costs by up to 80 percent a year, and over the 20-year life of the appliance, its carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 50 tons. ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances slash utility costs by 10 to 50 percent. New front-loading washers use only half the water of conventional machines. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing it, which reduces or eliminates standby losses. Meanwhile, old ideas are gaining new support — such as orienting the home to take advantage of sunlight and using xeriscaping with native drought-tolerant plants to conserve water. “Native landscaping reduces water consumption and requires less maintenance and little or no chemical treatment to stay pest-free,” Pressly says. Other new resources for homeowners include: • Foam, batting, or recycled denim? The insulation manufacturer Icylene has created a new web site for consumers at www.insulationsmart.com that includes an energy savings estimator and insulation comparison chart. • Show me the money. A program developed by North Carolina State University, the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy, features a handy table at www.dsireusa.org that includes an updated list of energy efficiency and alternative energy tax credits available to consumers. • Fix it now. The Department of Energy’s Energy Star website includes information on home improvements for energy efficiency and environmental protection. Find it here.
For more information or to contact us directly, please visit www.NAHB.org | ©2003, National Association of Home Builders |