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In Real Estate--You do have a Choice!

This blog will highlight green building and how it can improve not only the environment but our lives also.
Random Notes On Green Building!

While browsing the real estate section of the local paper (Saturday edition) there was an interesting article on “Going Solar”.  The article did not just deal with solar but also talked about some other methods of saving energy and Green Building. John Friesenhahn of Imagine Homes was a contributor and explain that he builds homes that are 100% in compliance with Energy Star and Build San Antonio Green standards.  He also highlighted some of the technology that goes into the homes he builds. John is also an EcoBroker (there are now three of us in San Antonio two active).

There was also a list of rebates provided by CPS Energy for making green/energy efficient improvements to your home. You can check their website (www.cpsenergy.com) for additional information; just look under “Rebates & Programs).

Also in the same issue was a short article on the Department of Energy (DOE) challenging builders to build green homes.  The program is voluntary, but the challenge is for builders to build 220,000 energy efficient homes by 2012, in four years!  For a home to qualify as energy efficient it must use a minimum of 30% less energy than a conventionally built home. You can find out more by visiting www.doe.gov.
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2008 12:35 PM by James Smith

Comments

Russell Ford said:

Hello Mr. Smith,

We met briefly at the 2008 Parade of Homes.  I applaud you efforts to move real estate to be more energy efficient.  I read your article about solar panels and remembered seeing a Discovery Channel program about them.  It mentioned that solar panels today are about 15% to 20% efficient because they capture one or two spectrums of sun light.  The program talked about solar panels that are being developed that capture the full spectrum of light and are expected to closer to 80% efficient.  It was suggested that the home would absorb all the electricity needed from the solar panels and still be able to sell three or four times that electricity back to the power grid.  Now that is energy efficient.

http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/MSD-full-spectrum-solar-cell.html

I found this article that talks about the full spectrum solar panels being developed.  They indicate 50% efficiency with the hope of achieving 70% in the future.

I hope you find this an interesting contribution to your blog, and keep up the great work.

Russell Ford

# September 3, 2008 8:13 AM

Lance said:

 Most people immediately think about whole roof systems that can spin the meter backwards.  A charming idea, but in reality costs 80K -90K.

You can save 30% to 50% off your utility bill with a much smaller supplemental system that provides some of the power you need.  The purity of self generated "sine wave" 110 AC is excellent for electronics, extending their life and operating them with less heat.  Using solar/wind for constant draw items like computers, cel phone charges, and clocks will begin to shave the bill.

Run your TV, coffee maker, and even a late model window unit will really begin to show a savings.

The gear is moderately expensive, but the price is dropping all the time.  Even a small 4 panel system with one wind turbine and 7 gel batteries will do all this, for about $9,000.  Even trailer units are becoming available...just purchase and park.

I am relocating to the Canyon Lake area and would be happy to demonstrate renewable.

             Lance, uplink@texasdata.net

# September 13, 2008 8:26 PM
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