Did you know that outdoor structures such as pergolas, awnings and even carports can do double duty?  Not only do they protect you, or your car, from the hot sun or drenching rain, but these structures can be topped with solar panels to generate clean electricity for your home, business or electric car.

Whether you purchase a pre-assembled unit, like the one pictured here, or build one yourself, you’ll enjoy a shady spot for family gatherings or to park your car under.  I love the idea of parking lots sporting solar carports to generate electricity for nearby businesses, while keeping the parked cars nice and cool.

There are numerous companies that offer pre-assembled structures that support solar panels for both residential and commercial applications.  You may even qualify for state or federal tax incentives or grants to help offset the cost!

photo courtesy of the American Solar Energy Society

Not only do metal roofs look great and last a lifetime, they reduce energy bills too.  They’re available in a wide variety of colors and styles and can be applied to residential, commercial or industrial buildings.  There are metal roofs that mimic the look of cedar shakes, slate and even curved clay tiles.  Metal roofing is also available in traditional vertical panels.

Plus, until December 31, 2011, pigmented metal roofs installed on existing homes may qualify for a federal tax credit: 10% of the installed cost for qualifying equipment, capped at $500.

BENEFITS OF METAL ROOFING:

• Longevity: lasting up to 50 years, providing a low life cycle cost (replacement is not necessary as often as asphalt roofing)
• Low maintenance
• Resistance to corrosion
• Recycled content and recyclable
  
• Quick installation directly over existing asphalt roofing, so your old roof doesn’t add to maxed-out landfills
• Reduce cooling bills up to 40% by reflecting solar energy.  In warmer climates, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof is optimal
• Impact-resistant qualities may allow you to receive discounted homeowners insurance if you live in areas prone to weather events such as hail, high winds, forest fires and earthquakes
• Add value to your home

Find qualified roof products, a dealer/store, and additional special offers on the Energy Star website (under the Roof Products Resources bar on the right hand side of page).

photo courtesy of the Metal Roofing Alliance, a resource where you may also find a contractor in your area

Now that the nights are growing longer with each passing Autumn day, we’ll be turning on the lights more often to brighten our interior spaces.  That doesn’t mean our electricity bills have to skyrocket.  One solution, for residential and commercial spaces, is to replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with LEDs, or light-emitting diodes.  LEDs use only a tiny fraction of the electricity that traditional light bulbs use, plus they last MUCH longer (about 25 times longer!).

LED makers include Philips, Panasonic, Toshiba, Lemis Lighting, Digital Lumens, TE Opto, GE and others.  In stores and online, you can find bulbs for table and desk lamps, under cabinet lighting, pendants, track fixtures, overhead lighting,  outdoor paths, and even dimmable bulbs.  The prices are definitely higher than incandescents and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), but you’ll save money in the long run and reduce your carbon footprint along the way.  The less power we use, the less pollution we generate.  See my ‘Top 5 Reasons to Conserve Energy’ here.

Pictured here is this years winner of the ALA award:  Phillips 60-w equivalent (only 12 watts!) EnduraLED A19 lamp which delivers 806 lumens (priced under $50).

Each year, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) organizes a FREE tour of homes and businesses that showcase innovative energy solutions.  Last October, over 500 sites were toured by 16,000+ people!  This is your opportunity to see first-hand the latest in energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy systems.

Learn about solar panels, geothermal systems, pellet stoves and other clean-energy solutions.  Many homes and buildings also feature non-toxic, recycled and/or local materials, water-conserving fixtures, straw-bale construction, super-insulated structures, and amazing style and architecture.  The tour takes place on Saturday, October 2nd.  Visit the NESEA’s website to see pictures and profiles of tour destinations (like the one shown here, in Franconia, NH) in your area.

As I’ve previously mentioned in Part I of this series of posts, there are many options for the environmentally-conscious shopper, even when it comes to buying interior doors.  I had focused on beautiful, reclaimed wood doors that add instant character and richness to any home.  Here, I’ll highlight residential and commercial doors made with recycled content.

• Humabilt’s high quality, sustainable interior doors, available in a variety of designs, sizes, wood species and glass panels, are composed of 85% waste wheat straw and free of synthetic [urea] formaldehyde.  Their wide selection of finely-crafted, yet affordable, styles is available in both paint- and stain-grade doors. The company is located in the quaint, picturesque town of Ashland, Oregon, with a centrally-located manufacturing facility to service the entire United States.
• TruStile offers an extensive line of MDF doors (pictured here) certified by SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) which contain 82% recycled content and are manufactured with low-emitting adhesives and primers.  There’s even an MDF option with no-added formaldehyde.
• CraftsMaster’s interior doors are SCS-certified to contain recycled content, plus no added urea formaldehyde.  Its molded door designs contain a minimum of 25% pre-consumer recycled wood content, the Hollow core Green Doors contain a minimum of 23% recycled content, and solid core Green Doors contain a minimum of 48% recycled content.
• Jeld-Wen’s molded hollow core slab interior doors are SCS certified to include at least 60 percent recycled content. The facings themselves are made from 80 percent recycled content.  The company’s molded bifold doors contain at least 25 percent recycled content.

Want to shed some light on that dark area of your home or commercial building without turning on the lights and driving up your electric bill?  A great solution is to install solar tubes, aka sun tunnels, which are easily retrofitted into existing buildings.  In fact, depending on the Energy Star rated system you choose, it may qualify for a federal tax incentive up to 30% of the cost!  Local and state incentives may also apply!

Normally with every flick of the switch, electricity is typically generated by burning fossil fuels, and pollution, as well as greenhouse gases are released.  By utilizing the power of the sun to lower electricity usage, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint and help clear the air.

Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development reports: “Like skylights, solar tubes bring natural daylight into interior rooms. Unlike skylights, solar tubes are inexpensive and unlikely to experience problems like rain leaks, heat loss, condensation or overheating, and are relatively easy to retrofit into an existing house.

A solar tube consists of a clear dome that collects sunlight into a highly polished and reflective tube that reflects the light down to a diffuser on the ceiling. The light has a natural quality and is sufficient to light a small room, hallway or staircase.”  Larger solar tubes or multiple units may be necessary for large rooms.

Solar tube options include:  diffusers, night time lighting, daylight dimmers and integrated bathroom fans.

A super energy-efficient solar tube will qualify for a federal tax credit if it has a U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient less than or equal to .30 and is installed between June 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010.

photo courtesy of Sunsational Skylights

By saving energy, we reduce the amount of dirty fossil fuels burned at power plants to generate electricity.  This reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.  Here’s a list of easy things to do:

• Change burned out, standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).  CFLs use about 75% less energy and last 10 times longer!  There’s a CFL for almost every type of light fixture.  Plus, CFLs throw off much less heat therefore reducing the need for air conditioning.
• Plug in all of your office equipment (computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, calculators, etc.) into a surge protector.  Not only will this extend the life of these devices, but it makes it quick and easy to turn off everything when the workday is over.  Don’t forget to turn off the lights too.
• A common misconception is that screen savers reduce energy use by monitors, but they do not.  Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning off monitors is always the better energy-saving strategy.
• Unplug cell phone and other chargers when not needed, as these gadgets continue to use “phantom” power even when they are not charging.
• When it’s time for a new computer, consider purchasing a laptop as they consume much less energy.  Look for the Energy Star label to save even more power (50-90% less energy than standard models!).  Energy Star rated copiers, printers, fax machines, and power adapters for small electronic devices, are now easy to find too.
• Opt to use the ceiling fan (or window fans) instead of air conditioning (central air or window units) to significantly reduce your electric bills during the summer.
• Plant trees outside your south- or west-facing office window to beautify your surroundings and provide shade in warmer months.  Another way to reduce cooling costs is to keep blinds/shades closed during the hottest part of the day to block out sunlight.

Using paper products wisely lessens the burden on our natural resources.

• Purchase office paper, filing & storage products, and even pencils, made with recycled content.
• Recycle paper.
• Don’t print documents or emails unless absolutely necessary.
• Pay bills and do your banking online to eliminate the need for paper statements and mailings.
• Print business cards and promotional materials on recycled-content paper printed with soy-based inks.

Other sustainable strategies:

• Recycle cell phones and spent rechargeable batteries.  Visit www.rbrc.org to find retail locations that accept these items.
• Refill or recycle inkjet or toner cartridges.
• If in need of a new printer, purchase one that uses individual ink cartridges so you don’t have to replace the whole thing even if just one color is used up.
• If you need to brighten up your home office, why not give it a fresh coat of paint.  Try non-toxic or low/no VOC paints to maintain good indoor air quality.
• Remember that pressed wood products (shelving, desks, etc.) typically contain urea formaldehyde and off-gas which compromises your indoor air quality.  Sustainably-harvested solid wood products are better as long as they are not sealed with harsh chemical-based finishes.

Be sure to donate unwanted office equipment and supplies to local organizations, or find out when household hazardous waste collections will be in your region so that proper recycling can be done.  Dell and Goodwill have teamed up in some areas to take and recycle unwanted household computer equipment (any brands).  You can enter your zip code at Reconnect to see drop-off locations near you.  Computers and other office equipment contain hazardous substances such as cadmium, lead and mercury, so it is important not to just throw them away.  Plus, the plastic, glass and metal parts can be recycled.

The alternative is to purchase an existing home, and if you have an appreciation of well-built homes with character and charm, there’s plenty to choose from.  Some are in need of tender loving care, while others have been restored to their original glory.  Here’s a list of a few valuable resources to help you find just the right historic home:

• OldHouses.com offers a plethora of information including homes for sale (like the 1877 Victorian in Texas, pictured above), historic preservation organizations, restoration stories, suppliers and services, and old house style guide, and even historic house museums.
• HistoricProperties.com is a great website to find both residential and commercial properties.  The site also includes many links to helpful information regarding restoration suppliers and services.
• ThisOldHouse.com showcases galleries of homes for sale, as well as articles and videos with tips for restoring a home from a by-gone era.  If you know of an old house that’s in need of being saved, send an email to savethisoldhouse@timeinc.com.
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation lists historic properties for sale across the country.  Its wealth of resources includes a Preservation Fund where you can find funding to save old structures and action alerts to save historic structures and wilderness areas.