LA solar program facing shortfall
The city of Los Angeles’ solar power rebate program is a victim of its own success. Residents have applied for $70 million in rebates from the city utility to install rooftop photovoltaic solar panels.
Green Deal funds UK green home upgrades
Homeowners in the United Kingdom may get some help in adding green upgrades thanks to the Green Deal. The Green Deal is a proposed government program to introduce loans for energy-efficient home upgrades.
Pay for green upgrades the easy way
You’re ready to make some green improvements to your home, such as installing new windows and upgrading the insulation. But paying for it can be a challenge.
Time is running out for energy efficiency incentives
Time is running out for you to save energy and have the government share the cost. The deadline of Dec.
High-tech fireplaces cut energy costs and look great doing it
Love the flickering flames of an open hearth, but fear the warmth fleeing your chimney? New high-tech fireplaces provide energy-efficient heating that can also give you payback on your taxes. Experts say traditional woodburning fireplaces are only about 10-percent efficient,...
Cool deal for Florida homeowners
Homeowners in Florida are in for a hot deal when it comes to keeping cool. The State of Florida recently announced that $15 million had been allotted for the Energy Star Residential HVAC rebate program, providing homeowners with an incentive...
Green housing comes to southwest Native American communities
Green designers, architects, affordable housing specialists and sustainability advocates are teaming up with Native American communities in the Southwest to develop green-housing best practices for homes on tribal lands. According to a press release, the Sustainable Native Communities Collaborative was...
DOE weatherization program aims to aid 80K homes this summer
The federally-backed Weatherization Assistance Program weatherized 31,600 homes in June with Recovery Act funding, a new monthly record for the program. This summer alone, the Department of Energy predicts that more than 80,000 homes will be weatherized nationwide.
KB Home expands energy efficiency program to include water conservation
KB Home, which was recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with 10 Energy Star Leadership in Housing Awards, has announced it is moving beyond energy conservation to include the EPA's WaterSense guidelines in the homes it builds. According...
USGBC and BOA unveil affordable green housing grant program
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation are making a joint effort to remove barriers towards the pursuit of LEED for Neighborhood Development projects which include affordable green housing components in their neighborhood plans.
Green homes gain market share
Green-certified homes are accounting for an increasing share of the Portland market, while the price premium associated with energy- and water-efficient construction continues to drop. The Earth Advantage Institute reports that 403 green-certified homes sold in the year that ended April 30, or 23 percent of the new home market.
Home loan snafu halts green loans in California
Millions of dollars in green financing for California homeowners is being held up by a dispute between local government agencies and federal housing officials. According to the Sacramento Bee, a new state program allowing homeowners to pay for solar panel...
Tallahassee pays residents to go green
The city of Tallahassee has launched a residential green building program in which 51 lucky homeowners will get cold cash in return for adding green features to their home. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the cash incentives are being given to homeowners to build "green" homes or upgrade their current homes substantially.
Green Marines: Camp Lejeune buys into solar power
So many solar power panels have gone up on the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in North Carolina that the community is quickly becoming the largest in the continental U.S. to heat water with solar energy. A story in NPR says that eventually, solar panels will sit on top of 900 homes in this Camp Lejeune neighborhood.
British Gas contest will outfit homes in Wales with solar
Residents in Llangattock are going green after their Green Valleys project won the Welsh final of the British Gas Green Streets challenge. It is hoped that up to 50 homes in the village, near Crickhowell, could eventually benefit from domestic...
Non-profit group builds affordable energy-efficient home in northeastern Kentucky
Melissa Evans has purchased the first certified green home in Lewis county for $90,000. The 1,120-square-foot home was built by a non-profit organization called People's Self-Help Housing Inc.
California makes green housing affordable
Sunlight is free, but getting power from solar panels remains far from it. At least for some low-income families in California, it's now affordable for the first time.
