February 6, 2012

“Over The Hills And Off The Grid…”

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Written By Ffjorren Zolfaghar | There are many reasons why people choose their home. One might look for the standard “location, location, location,” while others continue to search for the special place that just “feels” like home. But as economic strain and ecological shift become key factors in how we choose our lives, more of us are beginning to take the alternate route. This path is not new, but one that simply guides us back to our roots; to a place where alternative energy, … [Read more...]

Daylighting By Design

Health & Quality of Indoor Environments  •  Part 3 of a 6 Part Series Written by Kimberly A. Phipps-Nichol It’s New Year’s resolution time, a perfect time to set a goal of positively impacting your health by getting more access to daylight. Prior to the advent of electricity, mankind generally lived by the seasons. While oil and gas lamps have lit dark places for thousands of years, civilization ran by the sun’s clock. In modern times, electricity has given people the ability to … [Read more...]

High Prices

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Household Energy Americans spend more than $160 billion a year to heat, cool, light and live in their homes, and this energy bill continues to grow. Houses use about 21 percent of the energy used in the US each year, consume a significant amount of electricity and natural gas, and contribute to 17 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions. While our homes are more efficient today than they were 30 years ago, considerable opportunity remains for greater home energy efficiency and the … [Read more...]

Nevada Wind Energy

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By Brittany Russell According to the U.S. Department of Energy, wind energy is the fastest-growing energy source in the world. Advantages: • A clean fuel source. Wind energy does not pollute the air, and wind turbines do not produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain or greenhouse gasses. • Wind energy is a domestic source of energy. • Wind is a renewable energy resource, a form of solar energy. • Wind is one of the lowest-priced technologies, costing between 4 and 6 cents … [Read more...]

Whole House Energy Management

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By Scott Albrecht, IAQS, AOS, CMI, NTP Rising energy costs are hitting Americans hard these days. Not only do we use more electricity than we ever did before, we’re paying more per kilowatt-hour (kWh). And the cost continues to rise. On 7/01/08, Sierra Pacific Power Company was granted an increase of >10%. However, the problem with electricity isn’t just inflation; its also that the quality is getting worse because of the demand from new technologies. Think about your home or business. … [Read more...]

Buy the Best Energy-Efficient Dishwasher

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By Laurel Kallenbach New, efficient dishwashers use less hot water, have energy-efficient motors and use sensors to determine wash cycle length and water temperature. So how do you choose a new one? 1. Seek out the Energy Star logo. Dishwashers that meet the newly improved 2007 Energy Star criteria are at least 41 percent more efficient than federal energy efficiency standards. Some Energy Star dishwashers qualify for federal tax credits. 2. Think small. The bigger the dishwasher, the more … [Read more...]

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