Over the weekend, an open house was held in the suburbs of St. Louis, Mo. OK, there were lots of open houses over the weekend in the region. But one in particular stood out, for it featured the first “active home” in North America.
solar power
Imagine No Electricity Bills: The Rise of ‘Net-Zero’ Homes
If done properly, a smartly built green home featuring solar power, energy-efficient appliances, and proper insulation can result in the owner facing monthly electricity bills amounting to $0, or thereabouts. Now, one homebuilder …
Here Come the (Sorta) Solar-Powered Cars
In terms of sustainability and environmental friendliness, hybrids and electric cars are good. But cars powered at least partly by the sun? That’s even better. Here are two steps in that direction.
10 Things That Are Actually Getting Cheaper
We live in a time when the costs of things like gas and gold have soared, just as a laundry list of everyday expenses such as coffee, rent, health care, used cars, and bacon are approaching or have already reached all-time high …
Green Living: What Home Upgrades Are Really Worth the Money?
A woman in California has spent the past two years (and a decent chunk of money) installing and testing out all sorts of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, money-saving improvements in her home. In the process, she’s discovered that some improvements are so simple and so cost-effective that it’s dumb not to make the change. Yet …
How to Get Someone Else to Pay for Installing Solar Panels on Your Home
A woman renovating a 1902 farmhouse and barn in Connecticut explains how, thanks to various government incentives, she can have solar panels installed for $0 upfront and monthly lease payments that are lower than her current electric bills.
Go Green Not Only for Cheaper Utility Bills, but Cheaper Home and Auto Insurance Premiums Too
By taking on strategic home remodeling projects and taking advantage of special insurance discounts, you can save a bundle while doing your bit to minimize your impact on Mother Nature.
Going Green Just Got More Cost-Effective
Some people will adopt environmentally friendly practices because they want to do their part to save the earth. Others—many others—will hop on board once it’s demonstrated that doing so will save them money.
Prices for Solar Panels Are No Longer Sky High
Is solar power in your future? The combo of new government tax credits and incentives and manufacturers dropping prices to entice customers in a down market means that it’s less expensive than ever to equip your home with solar panels. That doesn’t mean it’s cheap. That also doesn’t mean solar power makes sense in all homes and …
