Kids Go Green

To end Earth Day, I must say my kids finally get it. I mean UNDERSTAND! Hellelujah!!!

I have to give some show on Nickalodeon credit. They say something like, turn off the lights for 98 seconds and we'll save the planet. I'm writing and the kids run around the house like short lunatics to turn off lights and realize the only light on is the turtle's. They're bummed.

But it opened a door for them to understand why we are always fussing to turn off the lights, don't waste, hang the towels after showering, refill a water bottle, etc. etc. Yes, we are parents and it is our job to ride you obnoxiously, but we know what we're doing! And bless them, the light went on in their little heads.

We talked about the reasons we do what we do. It saves our family money and helps keep our planet a cleaner place. We don't live in a dirty house and we don't want a dirty planet. I was quizzed about what we've done to be more "Green". They eventually walked away listening to recycling water, changing the light bulbs, benefits of Energy Star appliances, manure in the garden instead of commercial fertilizers, building an arbor versus installing A/C and on and on and on.....

I feel for them. But maybe. Just maybe. I won't have to fuss as much about turning off the lights when they leave a room.

Earth Day 2009

Today is Earth day. It may not be a day to go out and celebrate for everyone, but it can be a day to look at your life and see what can be changed.




Reduce/Reuse/Recycle, time to make a plan to practice the 3 'R's?


Help the economy and shop for Energy Star appliances?


Put your home through an Energy Audit?

There are many ways to take care of the planet. With the world the way it is today, it is also a great time to exert control over our actions that will save money. There are many advantages personally and globally to making those changes now.

Freedom

What going green means in my neighborhood: FREEDOM.

Northern Nevada has an abundance of sunshine and wind. Buying land to build a dream home may not have power access. But solar and wind power are becoming more affordable every day. Bringing power out to a remote parcel of land can be very cost prohibitive. You have to have easements granted, purchase power poles, have them installed, line run etc. This process can easily begin at $20,000 if you are within a mile of a power line. Further out is obviously more expensive.

Many homes in remote areas take full advantage of the wind and sun by using both a wind turbine and solar panels. Since they are off the grid, they store power via batteries, unlike others who are able to sell their excess back to their power provider. Many homes off the grid still have a back up generator. For the more challenging environments a generator is security against all elements!

Of course, this has a downside too. Traditionally, banks like homes to be on the grid. There are many lenders who are more educated about green power than before but it still saves time and money to work with an experienced Realtor when it comes to buying properties like these.

Department of Interior on Wind Power

Today in Atlantic City, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, speaks on the value of wind power on the East Coast. “Yes, we can build a clean energy future,” Salazar told the summit, “but it will require American energy, American ingenuity and American courage to tackle our dependence on foreign oil and the growing perils of climate change.” Read more here.


We definitely need more exploration into this technology. Currently, it takes alot of windmills to provide a modest amount of power. But once upon a time, we couldn't imagine having powerful personal computers in our homes. Increases in technology happen by leaps and bounds when there is a desirability fueling it's demand. With more research into the productivity and possibilities for a low cost source of energy happening, we are definitely heading towards a Greener tomorrow.

Obviously, I'm a fan of windpower. I see it as a major competitor for energy supply in the future. Unless the world ends, we will always have wind.

So let's build it, the wind will come!

A Conversation About Wind Energy

I was part of an interesting conversation the other day about windmill farms. Our town, Virginia City, is in a raging debate about allowing a wind energy project to take place in our county. So far, I understand the majority to be against the project. Personally, I think it would be great, but a neighbor mentions 2 opposing opinions that I found to be legitimate concerns.

First, Virginia City is a historic town. The rest of the world is changing, but our local economy really depends on not seeing that change take place here. Wind projects have a large visual impact and that would be a contradiction to the ‘old West’ goal of the town. Talk about a rock and a hard place.

Second, they are an oddity. That is the exact word used and I thought it fit well. Using the example of driving to Palm Springs, you see massive wind farms that are just different from anything you see in nature. From a distance, you may compare the vast expanse of windmills to cranes that are moving their wings, but never actually taking off in flight. Up close, they are massive and intimidating. Describing them as an oddity seems to fit.

Then the conversation turns again. Why are they white? If the windmills were painted a more natural color, they would blend into the environment more, becoming a bit less of an oddity.

Today I googled this question and I haven’t found an expert answer as to why the windmills are white. I have found that others question this too when communities do not complain about noise or danger. Instead, communities complain that they are ugly.

I hope our county could find a location that will work. That will only happen if a compromise is met to enable the windmills to fade into the background and not be a contrary existence to the historic objective of our community.



*Technically, I should say wind turbine. But many people still think of them as wind mills so I share this story as it took place.

New Green Home Listing

I just put up a post over at Outdoor Living, but since it is relevant to Green Home Living, I'm going to mention it here.

Jeni just listed a very unique property. Off the grid, private and located on 40 acres with wonderful water, this home has more potential for green living than most.

Have a look at Could You Imagine This Life?

A Real Estate Agency that Understands Your Needs

To those who want to live smarter, not harder...
To those who don't like waste and inefficiency...
To those who don't know where to start buying or selling...
To those who dream of their perfect green home, but don't know where to begin...

Outdoor and Resort Properties is the Certified Eco-Broker who understands your needs and will help guide your through the changing real estate market.

More people are becoming aware of their impact on our planet. Real estate decisions have a major influence on the health of our planet. When looking for help in living an Eco Friendly Lifestyle, always choose someone who is current on the latest technologies and research. This is an excellent way to advance your desire to enjoy a clean and free life.

"Do It Yourself" Energy Audit

I found this really interesting website. It is a 'Do It Yourself' Energy Audit at The Home Energy Saver website. The site is sponsored by the US Department of Energy.

Based on the information you provide about your home, this calculates your potential energy savings by upgrading your home. This includes everything from insulation to appliances.

Unfortunately, the site can not calculate my particular zip code. So to check it out, I used a relatives address and it was really informative. You have to gather some information first, such as the price you're paying per kWh and fuel, but most information required is stuff home owners already know about their house. (square footage, windows, etc.) The more information you provide, the better feedback you will receive.

If you've thought about having an energy audit performed on your home, but cost is an issue, this is a start. I would still recommend having an official audit performed.

Protecting the Garden

this is a cross post with Outdoor and Resort Properties lifestyle blog

The wind is howling, shingles are flying off roof tops and I'm spending my time shopping for information on bamboo fencing to protect my vegetable garden this summer. Seems fitting.

In the past, I've attached plain canvass drop cloths to my fence around my raised beds. It was an affordable solution to slow the winds and provide relief from the sun for more tender plants. Over time the winds ripped the fabric from it's anchors (½ x5x8 blocks of wood, screwed to each other from both sides of the fence) This method did work for a couple of years, and it worked well but I want to try something that is less of an eye-sore, eco-friendly and sturdier.



For several years now, I've been looking at bamboo fencing. Well, looking and waiting for the price to come down. It has become more readily available, so now you can find rolls 6X15 feet long for as low as $59. These rolls are bamboo poles attached together by galvanized wire. Dealers offer various accessories but for my purpose they won't be necessary. I simply need something to attach to the existing fence, that will allow air to circulate, filter sunlight and decrease the power of the punishing winds.

This is still a lot more expensive than canvass but I think it will meet my needs. In the long run, I hope the cost of investing in bamboo fencing will justify itself!

Wind Energy is for Everyone

Mariah - Cover girl for Wind Energy

Living in a rural, mountain, WINDY area, I've often considered the benefits of wind energy. Our neighborhood often debates the pros and cons of the properties with wind mills. I never tend to see an eyesore. I do see a lot of questions. Do they have a steady wind to make this feasible? How much stress can that device handle? How much did the investment cost versus energy savings? Oh the questions never end.

I had a neighbor email me recently with information on a wind machine I'd never heard of before. Mariah Power. Maybe it is silly, but I thought it was pretty neat that this machine has a personal name. I look the company up and I'm more happy because they are local, located in Reno. Ok, so far, I'm easy to please. But the more I read, the nuts and bolts become impressive as well. To summarize their site, it is quite, attractive, simple and yet high tech.

I pick up the phone and call, because wrapping my brain around the concept of wind energy is like reading Greek.

The Run Down: $5995 MSRP, $1-2K for installation and since they are local, shipping costs. The unit is 30 feet high with a 4 foot diameter, with everything included (inverter, generator, etc.) and has a 20 year life expectancy. The next step would be to figure my tax credit and NV Power rebates. This looks like a relatively small expense.

I recommend giving them a call. They will patiently answer your questions or direct you to a dealer.

How do I know where to put it, and if it will work for my situation? The gentleman I talked to said I could invest in a good anonometer for about $500. I'm ok with this if I plan to make an energy investment like this. But I've heard about hiring an expert to come to your home and analyze your property. He says that is and option but they will likely to an intensive case study with specialized equipment and the expense can be high. I think it comes down to how complex the microclimate of the property is and your budget. My property isn't extremely large so I would go with the anonometer that I can plug into my computer to translate the data for me.
I'm excited! I can harness wind energy for my personal use at a price I can afford and a system I can manage!

Mariah Power Headquarters
5470 Louie Lane, Suite 104
Reno, Nevada 89511
Tel: (775) 857-4888
Fax: (775) 201-0467