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Stat of the month:
Our Planet is currently providing energy to a population of over 6 Billion People. By 2050 it is projected that our planet will need enough energy to sustain over 8 (to possibly 9.2) Billion People.

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Nature Corner
Photo of the month

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Red Footed Booby

Source: google/image/
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Eco Outlook for 2010 Print PDF

Written by Dennis Cheslik | 13 January 2010

One thing for certain to be taken from the Copenhagen Climate Conference is that the global community is very much interested with the future of our planet. In December '09, Copenhagen reached #1 on Google search. Getting 180 nations together to agree on an exact plan of action is no simple thing to do. How successful the Accord will be is yet to be determined. What we do know is that the trend for retrofitting America is about to begin. One of the best things to come out during 2009 was the McKinsey report that revealed that there is $1.2 Trillion dollars available to be be saved here in our country through 2020 by upgrading our existing building structures (homes and businesses) with energy efficiency enhancements and retrofitting. Now the challenge becomes convincing the American public to invest in these green upgrades during very dismal economic times. As contractors: Greening America is still in our hands.

Other encouraging developments:
+The number of USGBC certifications and registrations continue to grow. LEED projects now exist in all 50 U.S. states and 91 other countries. Green building is projected to grow by 60% in 2010.
+In Dec 09, the EPA announced that Greenhouse Gas Emissions endangers human health. Although this is bad news for our health, it is good news for increasing efforts to accelerate energy efficiency.
+Solar Expansion is expected to double within the next 2 years thanks in part to the ongoing 30% alternative energy tax credit.
+Smart Grid expansion is helping to change consumer energy behavior.
+The looming "Cash For Caulkers" program could result in $12,000 for each consumer to apply toward energy upgrades in a wide range of energy efficiency options.
 

Our green challenge ahead: retrofitting America Print PDF

Written by Dennis Cheslik | 01 December 2009

The major overtone that highlighted the recent Greenbuild Conference in Phoenix was a shift from  focusing on new "green" construction to concentrating on the need for upgrading existing structures throughout the U.S.. When you combine the downturn in new construction along with the prevalence of existing buildings(over 100 million), and the fact that 39% of our energy is consumed by existing structures, it makes total logical sense to attack the retrofit arena.

According to Ecohome, 2009, there are about 130 million houses in the U.S. and many of them are in desperate need of energy upgrades. Harvard economist Kermit Baker told conference members "If you don't deal with existing homes, you will not make a dent in energy consumption." Houses account for over 20% of our national energy use.

Homes aren't the only structures needing retrofits. There are over 4 million commercial buildings in the U.S. that consume over 15% of our national energy use. According to Paul von Paumgartteen, board member of the USGBC council (HY-bridgreen), commercial buildings cover 70 billion square feet and the majority use 30% more energy than they need to.

Retrofitting your structure for higher energy efficiency covers a whole gambit of options including solar, wind, HVAC upgrades, radiant barrier, insulation upgrades, solar screens, geothermal, water conservation, and more. For further information, use our Top 100 Green Links and contact your local USGBC chapter for local variations. In the DFW area, you can visit the North Texas Chapter of the USGBC by clicking the following link: USGBCNorthTexas

Utilizing The Energy Tax Credit

Some Americans still have a few misconceptions regarding the Energy Tax Incentive and how it works. Here's the breakdown:

About Energy Tax Credits:
Unlike tax deductions, which only remove a percentage of the tax that you owe by lowering your income amount in the tax brackets, the energy tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar credit toward the amount of total tax you owe. It is very similar to the child tax credit, which is $1,000 cash credit toward the total amount of tax you owe. Think of it as an extra amount of cash that was taken out of your check each week and applied to your Federal Withheld Tax.
Home Energy Improvement Credits:
Energy efficient windows, insulation, doors, and heating and cooling equipment all qualify as long as they were purchased and installed between January 1, 2009, through December 31st, 2010. The maximum credit for upgrading your existing home is $1,500. That means you can spend up to $5,000 and still receive the 30% credit, which is the cap of $1,500.
Residential Renewable Energy Credits:
The 30% tax credit is uncapped for purchasing a renewable energy system. Solar energy, wind, geothermal, residential fuel cell, and micro turbine systems all qualify. For automobile and further credit information go to our link under Government/ Energy/ Energy Tax Credits.

On the North Texas horizon, the smart grid Print PDF

Written by Dennis Cheslik | 03 November 2009

The "smart grid", which utilizes digital technology to meter electrical usage for both utility companies and consumers, is headed to north Texas. The real question is: how soon?  Even though, just last week the area's major utility player, Oncor, announced it was denied it's request for any smart grid stimulus funds, it is still on their drawing board. And why shouldn't it be? It's on all the utility company drawing boards around the country. The ability to utilize technology to conserve energy use is a very wise tool to have in these times of escalating oil prices.   
Utility companies aren't the only ones with plans on the drawing board. Just this week Whirlpool announced it has received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for their smart grid program. Whirlpool plans to manufacture appliances that can connect to the smart grid and deliver energy usage data. Not only will the utility company know when and how much energy your dryer is consuming, you will know as well.
The are two main concepts behind the smart grid: One is to reduce consumer usage by giving them the ability to monitor which specific appliances suck up the most juice and make modifications to either their habits or their equipment. And the second, is to allow utility companies to discourage usage during peak hours by charging an inflated rate for power and offering a discount rate during off-peak hours. 
In the meantime, while waiting for the smart grid, there are cost effective home energy usage monitors available that are highly rated, can be self installed, and can help you reduce electrical usage. The following link is to an article from treehugger that compares the top energy monitors available including Microsoft Hohm, google Power Meter, Kill a Watt, and others. Just click here:
http://bit.ly/1PTFf7

The Growing Demand for Green

Written by Dennis Cheslik

There is a growing wave of eco-friendly Americans that are joining the LOHAS movement, Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability. According to the study by Yale and George Mason Universities, 18% of Americans are in the "Alarmed" category regarding climate change and 33% are "Concerned". Other findings included: consumers are willing to pay more for green, higher prices would not deter them from buying environmentally friendly products, and it is important that companies take action to reduce environmental impacts. With 51% of Americans in the "Alarmed" or "Concerned" category, it is essential for contractors to offer the latest green alternatives available to meet the growing demands of the LOHAS movement.

Consumers are becoming more aware of the advantages of improving their energy efficiency and alternative energy options. Although our current economic environment is deterring many consumers to upgrade, the energy tax deduction incentives, and higher utility costs have persuaded many to make those home improvements this year. As our economy rebounds and more consumers become aware, the demand for energy efficiency and alternative energy will expand. Green contractors will be on the front line and in high demand.

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