Solar is becoming an increasingly common and affordable alternative for generating electricity. Estimates are that more 1 million homes in the U.S. now have solar panels installed. California is a leading proponent of home solar panels, and has implemented solar ready requirements for new homes. Here are five things the California Energy Commission’s Efficiency Division… Read more »
REGREEN in Four Simple Steps
It is more important now than ever to think about the effect that our homes have on the environment. Going green is the perfect way to do your part to make your home more energy efficient, and that goes for older properties as much as it does for brand-new homes. The REGREEN program is a… Read more »
Using Renewables to Boost Water Supplies?
California is now amid its fifth year of serious drought, and state and private agencies alike have been trying everything from water usage restrictions to exploring alternative sources of water as part of efforts to balance demand with availability. The problem with converting alternative water sources like recycled wastewater, brackish groundwater and seawater into potable… Read more »
Zero Net Energy: What Does it Mean for Homeowners?
New home construction is poised to transform significantly in the year 2020 in California when Zero Net Energy building solutions will be required as part of designing ZNE-compliant homes. What does this mean exactly for homeowners? Let’s take a closer look at the rules. Think of your home now – in fact, you’re probably sitting… Read more »
Zero Net Energy: What Is the Initiative?
How many times do you turn the lights on in your house? How often do you turn the heat on in your home during the winter, or crank the A/C in the summer? Every time you click that thermostat to a higher temperature or turn your light switches on, you’re using energy. We’re not saying… Read more »
Sun Beats Wind: Solar Now the Top Green Energy Supply in CA
Big news in the energy field here in California: Solar became the No. 1 source of renewable energy in the state in 2015. That’s according to data compiled by the California Independent System Operator, the primary grid manager in the state. Their numbers show that last year, utility-scale solar power plants produced 15,591,964 megawatt-hours of… Read more »
Six Steps to a Greener Home
These days it is becoming more and more important to strive for energy efficiency in your home. Saving energy is not only good for the planet, but it will save you money on your energy costs as well. If you want to go green at your home but are not sure how to do so,… Read more »
Solar Impulse 2 Resumes Its All Solar Flight
Last week, a solar-powered plane that is flying around the world without any fuel left Hawaii after being stranded there for nearly 10 months due to some technical difficulties. The plane – Solar Impulse 2 – is co-piloted by Bertrand Piccard, a Swiss explorer and psychiatrist, and Andre Borschberg, a Swiss engineer. The pair takes… Read more »
Solar is Coming: San Fran to Require Panels
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently passed a new law that will require all new buildings that are 10 stories in height or smaller to add solar panels. The new rule goes into effect January 2017, building on an existing California law that requires all new small- and mid-sized buildings to make a portion… Read more »
Homes Need To Breathe – Don’t They?
Intuitively, this makes sense, doesn’t it? We want fresh air in our homes. It’s healthier. But let’s think this through. How is air drawn into our homes and what must it pass through to get inside? Two conditions must exist: first, there must be an opening of some sort connecting the outside to the inside,… Read more »