Moderately Green - a moderate approach requiring a little investment and effort, but more than just recycling and turning off lights, i.e., for home remodelers or major home upgrades.

Easily Green | Moderately Green | Seriously Green

Sustainable Sites (SS)

• Install outdoor solar powered lighting
  Outdoor lighting is critical in the winter time, now that the sun sets earlier. It changes the entire appearance of your home, making it more inviting and much safer. The California Energy code requires that all outdoor lighting shall be connected to a timer and motion detector. This can be annoying when the lights only come on when someone approaches the home, or a cat scurries across the path of the detector's "eye". In addition, some outlying areas, particularly those close to wildlife habitats, are sensitive to certain light which is used to illuminate front yards and driveways.
  
  The perfect solution, and most attractive alternative is LED, solar powered lighting. Although these lights are not usually capable of lighting up an entire driveway, it can provide low level lighting along walkways and garden areas, or illuminating focal points such as planting and decorative walls. Amber Leaves has bird baths and feeders that are illuminated, offering a garden accent at night as well as a welcoming place for our flying friends during the day.(click anywhere to hide)
• Stay home from work - Telecommute
  This may be impossible for some, but for many it is a very viable option. Imagine if you commuted, like Jason from Lake Arrowhead, and he didn't have his hybrid. Let's say he drove a new Mustang and he stayed home one day a week; he might save $16/day (not to mention his eating on the run at fast food restaurants).
  
  That equates to a savings of over $800.00 a year, just in gas! Not to mention his insurance, maintenance and therapy bills would all go down. Also, based on the U.S. EPA, Jason would eliminate Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen oxide (NOx), Carbon monoxide (CO), Particulate Matter and Formaldehyde from entering into the atmosphere, and into the air his children breathe.
  
  With companies like GoToMyPC, you could easily connect to your computer at the office and your clients would never know you're gone.(click anywhere to hide)
• Properly maintain trees and vegetation

Water Efficiency (WE)

• Install instant hot water units
  Conventional storage tank water heaters are heating your stored water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and using 15-25% of the home energy toward this effort. Insulating the tank helps keep the water warm, but the heating unit is constantly working in keeping it hot. This wasted energy is referred to as "standby losses". To exacerbate the situation, this hot water sometimes must travel through a lot of cold plumbing lines before it arrives at the intended source. This is a waste of energy for sure, not to mention wasting many gallons of water. To solve these wasteful habits, a few innovative companies have developed instant hot water units, and just as the name states, provides you with hot water instantaneously. Tankless instantaneous water heaters save money and are more energy efficient than tank type water heaters. Click here to find out more. There are many that use electricity and only a few that use natural gas, or propane. Because you are provided with endless hot water and standby losses are eliminated, these units are becoming very popular.
  
  Many units now qualify for a tax credit from the U.S. Government. The energy factor of 0.80 is required in order to receive this Federal tax credit from the Internal Revenue Service. As an added incentive, Southern California Gas Company offers an instant rebate for units with an energy factor of 0.62 or greater. Check also with your accountant, but ultimately, you will be reducing demand on two of our natural resources.(click anywhere to hide)
• Landscape with low water use vegetation
• Install low flow toilets

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

• Use low volatile organic compound (VOC) adhesives
• Maintain proper air circulation
• Use carpets & rugs with the “Green Label”
• Design entryways to keep the outdoors outdoors
• Use Paints with Low or No VOC's

  VOC's are volatile organic compounds and are the results of off-gasing from products typically found in the home. These cause eye and throat irritations and can often result in trips to the hospital.

  Green Paint Benefits

  • Application is identical to conventional paints
  • Virtually odor-free
  • Release no significant pollutants
  • Spills can be cleaned up with soap and water
  • Improve overall air quality
  • Cost the same
  • Easy to find
  • Available in variety of colors

  Sherwin-Williams has a line of paints that exceeds the Green Seal's GS-11 standard. They also have a low odor paint with no VOC's that has antimicrobial properties. (click anywhere to hide)

• Use Safecoat seal products
• Eliminate urea formaldehyde

Materials and Resources (MR)

• Purchase products made of recycled materials
  It's great to recycle! We save the aluminum cans and plastic bottles and make a little pocket change, but if we don't patronize the companies who utilize these materials in their products, it doesn't complete the cycle.
  
  More and more companies are manufacturing blankets, chairs and even tire swings; many items used every day with the stuff we recycle. Novica.com gives "artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity." Neide, from Brazil, makes cosmetic and shoulder bags, backpacks and dog leashes out of recycled aluminum pop-tops. Armando and Edmundo, both from Mexico, create sculptures and very unique chess sets out of recycled automobile, bicycle and computer parts. Putu, from Bali, crafts jewelry and Dan, from Ghana, has assembled letter and candle holders, all from recycled glass. Another artisan utilizing recycled material is Jose, from Bolivar, a small town in the Andes. He has created, among other sculptures, a beautiful glass nativity scene.
  
  These are just a few examples of how people, from around the world, are creating very useful and beautiful things out of stuff we would otherwise throw away. (click anywhere to hide)
• Use building materials with recycled content
• Use standardized cabinet sizes
• Use lime based mortar
  Old buildings and chimneys made of brick, used lime-sand mortar. Restoring these historic landmarks contribute to Going Green, and using the cement-lime mortar for it's high elasticity and low compressive strengths help to retain the integrity of the brick work in these beautiful structures. Without proper application, the brick could otherwise blow apart and deteriorate faster if a more common, masonry cement mortar is used.(click anywhere to hide)
• Compost kitchen / food waste
• Install Recycled Wall Coverings
  Wall paper is available from 100% post recycled material and there is even a product that implores recycled polyester. Milliken, a company from New York, offers a collection of wall covering that is applied to the wall surface using pressure-sensitive adhesive instead of glue or water. This allows for faster installation, no volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and can be removed without damaging walls. The collection is Class A fire-rated, and is breathable - All these things add up in making a very Green way to go, thus meeting the Greenguard certification requirements.(click anywhere to hide)
• Install Stone Pavers with Recycled Content
  Manufacturing stone pavers from post-consumer content diverted from landfills makes for a very environmentally friendly product. The Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an independent certifier of environmental claims, has certified a new line of porcelain tiles manufactured by Crossville. The new EcoCycle Series has the rustic elegance of natural stone with surface color that continues through the body of the tile. And because it's Crossville Porcelain Stone®, it's slip resistant, more durable than granite, refuses to scratch, stain or fade, never needs sealing or waxing, and cleans with just hot water. Recycled and no maintenance makes these pavers very Green!(click anywhere to hide)
• Use ethanol fuel
• Use bamboo flooring
• Utilize durable products
• Utilize efficient cabinet design
• Use locally produced building materials
• Use recycled glass in countertops
• Recycle old appliances

Energy and Atmosphere (EA)

• Replace old appliances with Energy Star models
• Replace the old thermostat with a set-back or programmable model
• Properly seal ducts and openings
• Install automatic (setback) thermostat
• Participate in Utility Company Incentive Programs

  Depending on your utility provider, there may be additional grant money available; Riverside Public Utilities offers money for R&D. Loans are available; Sacramento Municipal Utility District offers financing to replace old central air-conditioning units. Rebates are available; Southern California Edison offers rebates for signing up on a program that will turn your air-conditioning system off a few hours during the hot summer months to eliminate black-outs. John & Earlene, from Alta Loma, California, actually called Edison last summer because they thought there was a mistake. After installing their new 5 ton HVAC system and signing up for the Summer Discount Plan.their electricity bill went down!

  Ask about incentives from your utility company, because we all benefit as more and more businesses and home owners install wind turbines, setup photovoltaic systems, replace those old units and appliances, and volunteer to use less energy.Less strain on the grid, Less strain our environment and most important, Less strain on our pocketbooks!(click anywhere to hide)

• Use energy saving appliances
• Properly maintain and clean fireplace
  Heating your home with wood fuel is considered green because wood is a renewable resource. The burning of wood in a clean manner supports the cycle of life naturally. While the by product of wood fire is good for the environment it is unhealthy for people. For this reason, chimneys were designed to remove the products of combustion out of the home safely. To make sure these systems are working properly and not causing harm, annual inspections are recommended. This way you can enjoy peace of mind when you fire up your fireplace on those cold nights.(click anywhere to hide)
• Plant ornamental grasses
• Install programmable lighting controls
• Use propane / natural gas
• Install Photo Voltaic (solar) panels to heat water
• Eliminate Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) use
• Water Heater Energy Factor rating
• Install window shades
  Window treatments are on every body's wish list to dress up a room and keep the heat out in the summer and the cold out in the winter. There are window shades available which are manufactured with pleats or a cellular design. This allows light to pass through, yet provides the insulation to keep the elements out. Also becoming very popular in draperies, are fabrics with anti-microbial and anti-fungal and mold resistant traits woven right in. A very green way to go!(click anywhere to hide)

Innovation and Design Process (ID)

• Purchase green compliant vehicles
• Take Advantage of Your State Energy Laws

  The State of California will allow a Property Tax Exemption for commercial, industrial and residential owners for installing certain types of solar energy systems before December 31, 2009. This exemption was extended from the previous expiration date in 2005, by AB 1099. Check with your tax consultant for details and your local County Assessor for specific solar system eligibility.

  The California Solar Initiative program, adopted by the California Public Utilities Commission, is giving away billions of dollars in incentives to commercial, industrial and residential projects; nonprofit organizations and schools; local, state government and federal government projects, and all customers of PG&E, SDG&E, SCE.(click anywhere to hide)

• Take Advantage of Federal Energy Laws

  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58) created the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, which allows a $1.80 per square foot deduction (an amount subtracted from gross taxable income - see your tax consultant for details). This tax incentive is for the installation of systems that reduce the total energy and power costs by 50% or more when compared with a reference building.

  The American Institute of Architects is supporting legislature to make this deduction permanent, or at least extend it from the current December 31, 2008 sunset date. The AIA is also supporting the Buildings for the 21st Century Act, which proposes to increase the deduction to $2.25 per square foot.

  There also additional credits up to $4000.00 (an amount subtracted from their bottom line tax obligation - see your tax consultant for details); $2000.00 for solar powered water heaters AND $2000.00 for photovoltaic panels. The credits are given to consumers and businesses for installing these solar powered systems to their homes or places of business. The systems, however, must be "placed in service" in 2006 or by the end of 2007.(click anywhere to hide)

• Apply For a Low Interest Rate Energy Loan
  The California Energy Commission will award low interest loans to schools, hospitals and local governments for implementing energy saving measures and renewable energy systems of up to $3 million!(click anywhere to hide)
• Obtain Energy Rebates

  The Emerging Renewables Program provides rebates to consumers who install small wind (50kw or less) or fuel cell electricity systems (sewer gas conversion) on their property and are connected to the electrical distribution grid. Rebates are applied to professionally installed systems and the amount is dependant on how much electricity can potentially be generated. So, with this program, a consumer has the potential to receive thousands of dollars in rebates, offsetting the initial cost of installation. More importantly, owners will recoup all monies invested, and more, with the savings enjoyed by lower utility bills!(click anywhere to hide)

• Obtain Energy Star® Tax Credits

  John, of Rancho Cucamonga, recently had a new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system installed in his home. Little did he know that it would be making himself some Green.

  Yes, he was truly enjoying the cool air, never before experienced in his 35 year old home, so he didn’t care that it was an energy-efficient, Energy Star rated unit - it was providing that cold air coveted by many Southern California home owners! His smile broadened, however, when he found a reduction in his electricity bill (see the section above, about participating in your local utility company incentive program), but there’s more…

  WJRB Consulting & Design found his particular unit listed as one of the HVAC systems under The Energy Policy Act of 2005, where many types of home improvements (adding insulation and replacing windows) are eligible for tax credits. Thanks to our services, John & Earlene has received additional monies from Uncle Sam - his tax man didn’t even know existed…His once broadening smile has turned into a giddy laugh!(click anywhere to hide)

• Insure with companies familiar with Green
• Reduce necessary maintenance
• Don’t use un-green products

Easily Green | Moderately Green | Seriously Green

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at wjrb@wedoitgreen.com