Tony Zimmerman

Renters can benefit from energy and water conservation.

It is a common misconception that if you rent you can not benefit from energy efficiency and green practices. The changes that anyone can make are in the areas where most energy savings are seen. Regardless of whether you rent an apartment or house you can save money. Use these 10 steps to reduce energy and water bills.

1) Lighting is the easiest place to start saving energy. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL's) provide high quality light, use 75% less energy, and last 6 to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs. Energy Star Qualified CFL's can save you as much as 65% on electric bills. Buying CFL's in multipacks will lower the cost per bulb and provide enough bulbs to replace all the bulbs in an average sized home. For added savings check your local home improvement stores for rebates on CFL's.

*Remember to always turn off your lights when not in the room or are leaving home. Turning off one 60watt incandescent light bulb that would otherwise burn for eight hours can save about $15 a year per bulb.

2) Consider purchasing an Energy Star qualified room air conditioner as they use 10% less energy than a standard model.

*In the winter be sure to insulate room air conditioners from the outside with a tight fitting a/c unit cover, available at your local home improvement or hardware store. This keeps heated air from escaping outside. Alternately you can remove the window unit in the winter to prevent energy loss. Always check that the unit fits tightly in the window so outdoor air isn't coming in.

3) If possible, install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home's temperature settings when you are away or sleeping.

*When used properly and installed according to manufacturers recommendations, you can see savings up to $150 a year. Proper use means setting the thermostat at energy-saving temperatures without overriding that setting. You should also set the hold button at a consistent energy-saving temperature during your vacation away from home.

4) Consumer electronics play an increasingly large role in your homes energy needs accounting for as much as 15% of electric use. Electronics continue to use energy even when they aren't on. Purchasing Energy Star certified electronics help save energy when turned off while maintaining features like clock displays.

Even when turned off, electronics like toasters and TV's use electricity. This stand-by power is called phantom load and can range from a few watts to as much as 20 to 60 watts of power per device. Using a CIP strip on all peripheral equipment allows you to completely disconnect the power supply eliminating phantom load.

*Unplug any battery chargers or power adapters when not in use (like your cell phone charger).

*Use a circuit interrupting power (CIP) strip as a central turn off point when you're done using equipment. Look for CIP on the packaging to ensure power interruption; serge protectors or generic power strips do not offer this protection.

5) A ten minute shower can use less water than a full bath.

*With a new low flow shower head, a 10 minute will use less than 25 gallons of water saving you as much as 5 to 20 gallons of water over a typical bath. A new showerhead will also save energy, up to $145 a year on electricity needed to heat the water.

*To avoid moisture problems, control humidity by running your ventilation fan during and fifteen minutes after showers and baths, or if possible install a humidistat controlled fan.

6) Make sure the air vents are not obstructed and have adequate clearance so they can circulate air freely. If your home has radiators, place heat-resistant reflectors between radiators and walls. In winter this will help heat the room instead of the wall.

7) During cold weather take advantage of the sun's warmth by keeping shades and window treatments open during daylight hours. At night make sure to close the shades and blinds to keep the warmth in. In the summer keep them closed to keep the sun's heat out, and open them during night to allow for natural ventilation from open windows.

8) Washing dishes in the dishwasher can save as much as 70% water use over washing the dishes by hand. Scraping food off plates and using the economy setting will also help save water and energy. To take the best advantage of a dishwasher only run it when it's loaded with enough dishes for a full load.

9) Wash your laundry with cold water when-ever possible. To save water, try to wash a full load or use appropriate water level if it is an option on your machine. Full loads can save more than 3400 gallons of water annually.

*Hot water heating accounts for about 90% of the energy your machine uses to wash clothes - only 10% of the electricity is used by the motor. Switching to cold can save the average household $40 annually when the home's hot water heater is electric and $30 annually when using a gas water heater.

10) Don't over dry your clothes. Remember to adjust the setting to match the various fabric types. Newer energy saving dryers comes with moisture or humidity sensors that shut off the heat when the clothes are dry. Try to match the cycle to the length, size and weight of the load. A dryer operating 15 minutes longer than is required to dry the clothes can cost you up to $34 annually. Cleaning the lint trap regularly will also help reduce drying time.

* To really reduce your energy cost try drying your clothes on a line outside.

** If you don't have a washer or dryer, look for a laundry mat that has energy star rated appliances.

Bonus) When ever considering buying appliances and electronics look for Energy Star Certified products. Energy Star labels will tell you how much energy each device uses so take the time to compare.

Whether you're talking dollars & cents, or environmentalism, the verdict is building green just makes sense.

Green building to many builders has been seen as an environmentalist driven fad. Recently there has been increased interest in green homes: but the surge is coming not only from environmentalist, but also from regular families trying to save money on their energy bills. It all boils down to dollars and cents. Buyers want, and in more cases than not-need, homes that save them money. For builders this surge represents an opportunity to capitalize on what is becoming more of the standard than a niche market.

The top reason builders are claiming they are adopting greener practices is because it's good for the environment, but they are quick to acknowledge they build green because buyers ask for green. They also acknowledge that using green products increases their profits by enabling them to build premium homes with a higher sales price.

Home buyers simply see green homes as a way to protect their families. They can save money helping their families live more productively; have a healthier home, reducing health care costs; live more comfortably, staving off the grumpy moods; spend more time with their families instead of on maintenance and repairs; and know they are living a sustainable lifestyle, surviving the little surprises life can through at you. Many environmentally conscience buyers are also thankful for the living education it provides to their children, showing them that everyone can do their part to protect the environment.

For green minded REALTORS(R) green homes provide multiple opportunities. They can provide their clients with resource efficient housing that consumers are demanding. Like builders they are seeing better returns on high efficient homes providing for better profits. More over they are developing a market that could best described as recession proof. While the housing market is finally leveling off, green building and renovation is still seeing a steady rise.

What reason would you give for building green?

It is no secret that the housing market is still struggling. However, the good news is you have a tool at your disposal that can be the difference in closing that deal. With so many homes on the market, building a new home just isn't where the money is at. Many builders know a secret you need to know. Renovations is the buzz word going around the builders associations. Builders can make any existing home into a dream home for your client. They can give your client the home they always wanted with out the expense of new construction. Take that home down the road from your office that has been on the market for 2 years now. Instead of just showing them the current condition of the home, work with a builder, designer or architect that will show your client what the home could be. Many lap-top programs exist that will show your client what the home can look like during the walk through.

For your clients that want a high efficient and/or healthy home, have a list of Green Consultants they can work with. A green Consultant will help them make renovation choices that will save them money while providing greater comfort, durability, and healthy home environments. Your clients will appreciate you helping them save money.

I was made aware of this bill in late March. This is the type of bill that I talk about in my Earth Day blog, where I had posted a link. I know not every one will look at a link so I thought I would put the information up on the blog so everyone can see exactly what I am talking about. If you live in Michigan and would like to support this bill follow the link to the on-line petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/MIHB4193

We can not afford to let bills like this one stall or even die. I believe this represents the best approach to creating cost effective homes that are sustainable. Any incentive that helps people not only afford to purchase a new home or renovate an existing home, and provides a healthy environment needs to be enacted.

If you aren't aware of legislation in your state that provides incentives for green and energy efficient homes, call your legislators and ask for them to introduce bills such as this one. Just as with any other part of life, Earth Day has to start with each one of us and then in our own homes. That's my 2 cents for Earth Day 2009.

Switalski Announces Plan to Create 'Green' Tax Credit for Homeowners

Plan rewards residents who buy energy efficient homes, make "green" renovations

LANSING - In order to encourage and increase energy efficiency in Michigan homes, State Representative Jon Switalski (D-Warren) on Wednesday announced a plan to create a state income tax credit for homeowners who buy "green" homes or make "green" home improvements.

"Every home uses energy, and every homeowner can improve their home's energy efficiency," Switalski said. "This piece of legislation helps residents afford energy efficient homes or make energy efficiency upgrades. It will help lessen our dependence on oil, natural gas and coal; put more money in our residents' pockets; and provide more jobs for contractors and home energy auditors."

Switalski's plan will provide tax credits for taxpayers who purchase "green" homes or make "green" renovations or additions to their residence. Taxpayers can claim $5,000 for each eligible green home, in addition to 30 percent of the cost of any eligible renovations or additions, up to $2,000. The credit can be carried forward for up to four years.

In order to qualify for the tax credit, the eligible home, renovation, or addition must be given a silver-level certification by Green Built Michigan, the National Green Building Program, or any other organization approved by the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

"Taking simple steps toward increasing energy efficiency in homes across the state is one of the best ways to reduce energy costs for all Michigan residents," Switalski said. "Tax credits such as this will help encourage more residents to convert to 'green energy' and will help save them money on their monthly energy bills. This plan is a step in the right direction toward reducing our energy costs and consumption, and providing more 21st Century jobs for Michigan."

Conventional building practices often demonstrate little regard for energy efficiency or the larger economic, environmental or social impacts of the built environment. Green Building attempts to break with these practices. Green building integrates a wide-range of building design, construction, and operation and maintenance practices to provide healthier living environments and reduced living costs while minimizing environmental impacts.

One such example is: Green building reduces waste through better product design, recycling, and re-use of materials. The results are reductions in both: raw material usage and its environmental impact, as well as the cost to the private sector and local government of disposing of these materials.

Green building is a key component to building healthy, vibrant, and economically strong communities. Leading communities throughout the world recognize that people want to live in places with a strong sense of community, attractive and comfortable homes, walkable streets, and plentiful green spaces, and proximity to transit, shop, and work.

A positive economic force behind green building is the creation of jobs. The majority of potential energy efficiency gains lie in the renovating or retrofitting of the existing building stock. If we could steadily move forward towards converting the existing housing stock, thereby putting builders back to work, and creating new green jobs that are vital to the success of our economic future, we would see a major reduction in unemployment.

Crucial to the success of green building has been the application of integrated design principles - a whole-building-systems approach from the earliest planning stages.

Green building incorporates environmental and sustainable considerations into every phase of the construction process including: Lot Design, Preparation, and Development; Resource Efficiency; Energy Efficiency; Water Efficiency; Indoor Air Quality; Homeowner Education; Global impact and Land Development. The Green Verifier provides a measure of consistency and implementation knowledge that assures the principles are implemented correctly and work together synergistically. The need for such control and support through well established guidelines will insure affordable, comfortable, and healthy homes.

Although investments and interest in green building are growing rapidly, the case for green building has not yet firmly taken hold. Financial fears in an economic down turn show consumers are reluctant to spend on major purchases. We need States to introduce Green Home tax incentives along with stimulus incentives to encourage Americans to purchase green homes that will reduce spending, and help drive the housing market while stabilizing it at the same time. The benefit for America is homes that are energy efficient and healthy will be less likely to becoming part of an already stressed housing stock.

While many in the House and Senate in general support green and energy efficient homes, just having good intentions is not enough to effect change. We need to take action to support the efforts already in place in our communities. We have the educational resources to train new green professionals and the skilled builders to implement green building in our communities. An example of these educational programs being offered in my town of Traverse City, Michigan are : through the M-TECH Center at Northwestern Michigan College, they offer a wide variety of classes on green and energy efficiency; the NAHB and Green Built^TM, they are not only educating the trade professionals, they have strong programs to reach out and create awareness in the community. In the Traverse City region, both the local NAHB Association (HBAGTA) and REALTOR® Association (TAAR) have worked together to present the first annual Green Building Expo called the GS4, to create awareness in the community of green products and services. Several Michigan REALTOR® Associations have areas on their multiple listing services that feature green homes sections.

Nationally, the REALTOR® Association is also making strides to bring awareness to the green built environment through their new Green Designation. Programs like EcoBroker has partnered with REALTORS® for several years in promoting and marketing green and energy efficient homes.

Take action this Earth Day, encourage your states law makers to adopt programs that will help support green homes like Michigan House Bill 4193 http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2009-HB-4193. Call your local State Representative and ask what they are doing to support green homes in your area.

And remember: treating the earth good isn't an option it's a requiremnt!