US Real Estate Mid-Year Statistics

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5 ways to make your kitchen more green and eco-friendly (Slideshow) | ProudGreenHome.com

5 ways to make your kitchen more green and eco-friendly (Slideshow) | ProudGreenHome.com

Speaking "Green"

Speaking "Green"

As these groups and individuals seek ways to reduce the energy costs of homes, even more emphasis will be placed on eco-friendly designs and cost-savings. If you are a homeowner, there are steps—most are relatively easy—that you can take to make your home more energy-efficient; if you are a future home buyer, there are features and “green ratings and credentials” that you should look for in your future home.

Green-minded consumers seek agents who are knowledgeable about green real estate. You should not market yourself as a "green" REALTOR^® unless you have done your homework, perhaps earned a green designation or two, and can walk the walk and talk the talk. Otherwise, your lack of knowledge will reveal your insincerity. While a green-built home may look no different than a conventionally built home, these transactions have their own unique lingo and consumer motivations. For instance, ferrying a client to a LEED^® certified home in a Hummer takes us to our first word: Greenwashing--the practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology, or company practice.
Here are some essential green terms that you should familiarize yourself with:

Alternative Energy: Energy derived from nontraditional sources (e.g., compressed natural gas, solar, hydroelectric, or wind).

Carbon Footprint: Carbon footprint refers to the overall carbon emissions created by a building, including its construction and operation.

Carbon Neutral: A claim made by some companies and developers to describe a building or product whose net carbon emissions are zero. This is very difficult to achieve and truly possible only if something doesn’t emit any carbon at all or soaks up as much as it emits.

Carbon Offsets: Carbon offsets allow people to pay money to fund a forestry project, renewable energy project, or research into renewable energy technology in order to offset their carbon emissions.

Fossil Fuels: Fuels including coal, natural gas, and oil that are used to generate electricity.

Going Green: Going green can relate to numerous parts of a person’s everyday life. From transportation choices to a home’s design features, going green can mean different things to different people, but its core theme embraces the idea of taking steps to reduce one’s overall impact on the environment. This can occur through reducing energy usage, recycling, utilizing public transportation, buying products locally, or designing or remodeling a home so that it is more energy efficient.

Green Enhancements: Green enhancements are changes and improvements made to a home that make it more environmentally friendly.

Sustainability: The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainability as “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” In reference to building or business, it’s an approach that evaluates environmental, social, and financial factors equally.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): VOCs are organic chemical compounds that are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. They can have short- and long-term adverse health effects. In the home, VOCs are often found in paint, cleaning supplies, building materials, and furnishings.

Zero Energy Home: A zero energy home (ZEH) combines state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available, renewable energy systems, such as solar water heating and solar electricity. The result is a home that produces its own energy—as much as or more than it needs.

Alternate definition: Zero net energy homes use energy-efficient construction, equipment, lighting, and appliances with renewable energy systems to return or create as much energy as they take from local electric utilities on an annual basis, by using windmills, solar panels, or generators.

Need green real estate information in Marin County

please visit me at www.MarinBestHomes.com

3 Hot Trends for Kitchen Remodeling in 2012

3 Hot Trends for Kitchen Remodeling in 2012

By Permission By: Jamie Goldberg

Mulling a kitchen remodel but want to keep costs low? You’re "au courant" with today’s trends that emphasize options and high-tech wizardry at affordable prices.

Trend #1: Remodeling scales back

A new focus on moderation and value has entered the remodeling mind-set. Trends that are likely to show up in your kitchen next year include:

You’ll repair your existing appliances instead of replacing them, extending their life with good maintenance and care. If you’re replacing cabinets, you’re likely to build around your current appliances rather than choosing new models.

You’re scaling back your cabinetry purchases, with an increased emphasis on kitchen storage and functionality over elaborate decoration. For example, rather than stacked crown moldings throughout the kitchen, you’ll put your money into practical roll-out trays and drawer organizers. 

Small-scale kitchen projects are big news. Changing out cabinet hardware, replacing a faucet, and refacing your cabinets upgrades your kitchen without major expense.

Trend #2: Simpler, warmer styles dominate

Fussiness and excess have faded away in favor of pared-back looks that present a more timeless, value-conscious style.

Cabinet decoration continues to streamline. For example, massive corbels, once fashionable as undercounter supports, will give way to sleeker countertop supports and cantelivered countertop edges. Stacked moldings will pare back or disappear entirely. Elaborately glazed finishes will yield to simpler paints and stains. 

Kitchen finishes will continue to get warmer and darker, and feature natural and stained woods. Walnut especially is growing in popularity.

Laminate countertops will continue to surge in popularity, especially in contemporary design. The latest European-inspired laminates offer more textured and naturalistic finishes than ever before. While exotic wood kitchen cabinets are out of reach for most home owners, glossy, look-alike laminate versions can be had for about one-third the price.

Trend #3: Technology expands its kitchen presence

Many of the techno products and trends that relate to your smartphones and tablets have just started making their way into your local showrooms and home centers.

Appliances will be equipped with USB ports and digital screens so you can display your family photographs and kids’ artwork.

Smart, induction built-in cooktops ($500-$3,000) remember your temperature settings as you move your pans across their entire surface.

One light finger touch is all it takes to open the electronically controlled sliding doors of your kitchen cabinets — a boon to people with limited mobilities. You’ll pay 40% to 70% more for cabinets with electronically controlled doors than standard models.

You’ll be able to use your smart phones and tablets to control lights and appliance settings from anywhere you have a wi-fi connection, as well as to shop for appliances from major manufacturers.

You’ll be opting for LEDs for your recessed lights, under-cabinet task lighting and color-changing accent lighting. You’ll see more LED-powered pendants and chandeliers from major manufacturers as inefficient incandescent bulbs continue their march toward extinction.

A wide selection of affordable microwave ovens with convection and even steam features gives owners of smaller kitchen spaces more high-end cooking power.

What improvements — big or small — are you planning for your kitchen this year?

Victoria Wells ~ Bradley Real Estate

415-710-4090

vawells@comcast.net 

What About Green Roofs?

Technology Snapshot & Benefits: Green roofs are roofs on which plants are grown. The roofs are extensions of existing roofs that are suited with waterproofing systems, fiber cloth, drainage systems, irrigation systems, and soil to keep the roof safe while providing an environment where plants can grow. These roofs are beneficial in a variety of ways. The evaporative cooling of the plants and heat reduction from the added thermal resistance of the plants can help reduce monthly cooling costs. This reduction is even more significant in urban areas where the roofs can also help combat "heat island effect," which is caused by reflections off buildings and cars in urban areas and often contributes to high cooling costs. Because of this, the size of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems on the roof can also be reduced in new or remodeled homes, which can save money. For homes or businesses with solar heating systems mounted on the roof, this cooling helps increase the efficiency of the solar units. Green roofs also extend a roof's lifespan an average of 20 years by reflecting UV rays and preventing the roof from experiencing extreme temperature changes. Because the plants and soil act as insulators, homes with green roofs require less traditional insulation. Green roofs act as a fire retardant and reduce noise pollution by buffering the roof. The buffering also eliminates nearly all electromagnetic penetration, which can be important in buildings with telecommunications equipment mounted on the roof. 
Evidence has shown green roofs contribute to personal and societal well-being. Studies also show that green roofs help reduce stress, stress-related illness, and patient healing times. Food and flowers that can be sold or consumed by the homeowners can be grown on the roof. The plants on the roof help filter CO2 out of the atmosphere and other pollutants out of the rainwater. Having largely biodegradable roofs helps reduce the amount of roof waste filling landfills. They can also provide a habitat for small wildlife in urban or suburban areas. The work necessary to maintain, design, produce, and install green roofs can create much-needed jobs. Additionally, green roofs may be fashioned for specific purposes, such as playgrounds, day cares, or recreational/leisure areas that would provide additional outdoor community space. 

Estimated Cost Savings: 

Estimated cost for green roofs is $8-25 per square foot, depending on the type of roof (extensive or intensive; see "Issues" and "Installation"), soil and vegetation desired, and location of the home or business. Costs may be higher in urban areas because of traffic costs, or in areas where materials aren't readily available. Savings for the homeowner on monthly cooling costs vary depending on climate, building type, and typical building use; however, according to a 2002 Canadian Research Council study, green roofs can reduce peak energy demands up to 75%, but the average homeowner utilizing a green roof reported 20-25% reduction in heating and cooling costs. Some insurance companies, such as State Farm, are also offering a reduction in home insurance costs of up to 33% for installing green roofs. Companies installing green roofs could also potentially gain emissions trading credits or LEED points. It should be noted that the cost of replacing or fixing a green roof is usually higher than that of replacing or fixing an ordinary roof, but the savings due to the extended lifetime of green roofs will counterbalance these costs in most cases. 

Issues: 

There are several legal issues associated with green roofs. The homeowner or business owner is usually liable if there is any roof damage due to leakage or roots; therefore, it is very important that green roofs are properly installed and maintained. There is a time commitment for the homeowner or a hired caretaker of the roof, although this commitment can vary greatly. There are two types of green roofs: extensive and intensive. Intensive roofs can support a wider variety of plant life, even small trees, and are labor-intensive, requiring a lot of maintenance. Extensive roofs are much less demanding and are set up to be basically self-sustaining, needing only to be weeded once or twice a year. The time that is available for one to care for the green roof should be taken into account when deciding what type of roof to get and what time of plants to grow. 

If the roof is being used for recreation, there are obvious potential personal injury issues, so safety must be carefully considered. Another tip for those looking to install green roofs is to set up a system that can collect rainwater or runoff and use that water to irrigate the roof. This keeps water bills lower and is another easy way to recycle resources. 

Regional Issues: 

Reduction in heating and cooling costs from green roofs is dependent on original demand, which is in turn dependent on local climate. Areas with more extreme temperatures are likely to see the most benefit. 

In very dry regions, green roofs require more irrigation. Local weather, such as high winds, should be taken into account when choosing which type of plants to install and how to install them. Pollution reduction is most apparent in heavily polluted regions. 

Installation: 

Green roofs must be installed by a professional. Installation involves installing structural support, a vapor control layer, thermal insulation, a waterproof membrane, a drainage layer, a filter membrane, a growing medium (usually soil), and any desired vegetation. Installation of intensive green roofs is more expensive, typically $15-25 per square foot, than extensive green roof installation, typically $8-20 per square foot. 

Green roofs can be installed in new or old homes. It is highly recommended or necessary (depending on the roofing company's policy) to consult a structural analyst before installing a green roof to ensure that the roof is tailored to work with a specific roof. 

More Information On This Topic: 

Green Building Materials Guide http://www.ecoact.org/Programs/Green_Building/green_Materials/roofing_green.htm 

AlterNet: "Green Roofs: Building the Future" http://www.alternet.org/environment/48530 

Great Lakes Water Institute Green Roof Project: "Green Roof Installation" http://www.glwi.uwm.edu/research/genomics/ecoli/greenroof/roofinstall.php 

Green Roofs.com: "The Greenroof Industry Resource Portal" http://www.greenroofs.com 

Some residents will have to pay a bit more for Marin Clean Energy - Marin Independent Journal

Well at least some Marin residents will have a choice between PG&E monopoly and a new clean energy co. Some residents will have to pay a bit more for Marin Clean Energy - Marin Independent Journal

More Roof Ideas ~ Reflective Roof Coating

Technology Snapshot & Benefits: According to ENERGY STAR®, Americans spend about $40 billion annually to air condition buildings - one-sixth of all electricity generated in this country. In areas that are sunny and warm for most of the year, or have a very hot summer, the costs to individuals are particularly devastating. Reflective roof coating is protective coating that can be applied to roofs to keep a home cool without having to use as much air conditioning. Reflective roof coating is also called albedo coating, since the materials used have high albedo, or ability to reflect the sunlight. Reflective roof coatings have other benefits as well: they can increase efficiency in some air conditioning and ventilation units on the roof and because UV radiation expedites roof ageing, they also slow roof decay. These special coatings work by reflecting the sun's light and releasing absorbed heat. Reflective roof coating is most effective for flat roofs because flat roofs usually absorb more energy than slanted roofs. The effectiveness also varies with the thickness and color of the coating, with lighter colors and thicker coatings being significantly more effective. In fact, bright white reflective coatings can have a solar reflectance of 85 percent and cut a roof's cooling load up to 70 percent. Reflective roof coatings can be made from various materials. Paint-on coatings include acrylic paints, polyurethane, and elastomeric. These types of coatings do not require professional installation. Single-ply reflective sheets made from plastic, PVC, or rubber are effective, as are reflective roof tiles made from concrete, clay, or metal. In terms of total cost (raw price, installation fees, and maintenance fees), white titanium dioxide paint and aluminum sheets are the best choice. However, elastomeric and acrylic coatings reflect a higher fraction of solar energy. Longevity of the material used should also be considered. No matter which materials are used, most homeowners who employ reflective roof coating experience cooler indoor temperatures and lower cooling costs. Estimated Cost Savings: Reflective roof coating can cut cooling costs from 10 to 70 percent depending on the coating used, climate, and the degree of sunlight to which the roof is exposed. Hot areas that are sunny for a majority of the year benefit the most from reflective roof coatings. The decrease in monthly energy bills far outweighs the costs of installation. Coatings that are painted on typically cost $15 to $25 per gallon and can be applied by the homeowner. Professional installation of single-ply roof sheets or tiles typically costs the same as installing any other type of shingle or tile; so, if installed at the initial building of a home or rebuilding of a roof, there will be little to no extra cost for the homeowner. Cost for single-ply PVC membranes averages $3 per square foot. Issues: Reflective roof coatings are a simple way to cut costs and help the environment. Virtually all roofs can be made to absorb less heat and reflect more sunlight using some type of reflective roof product. However, if the roof membrane is decaying, the coating will not be as effective and it is recommended that the membrane be replaced before the coating is applied. It is best to consult a professional or product manufacturer about the ideal type of coating for a specific roof.

Regional Issues: Reflective roof coatings are not recommended for areas that are cool or cold for much of the year and/or experience high cloud coverage. They most benefit people in areas that are warm and sunny for most of the year. In warm and/or sunny cities, this coating can help fight the "urban heat island" effect, or increased temperatures due to greater reflectance and absorbance of sunlight by a conglomeration of dark, metal buildings. Decreased indoor temperatures in areas that can become extremely hot can increase comfort and reduce the likelihood of heat-related illness or death. Installation: Paint-on coatings are applied using a roller, a brush, or airless spray equipment, and require minimal skill to apply. The roof should be properly cleaned before applying the coating. It is important to consult with the coating manufacturer for tips and advice on how to apply a specific coating to a specific roof. Single-ply reflective shingles and roof tiles must be installed by a professional roofer.



More Information on This Topic:
Reflective Roof Coating Institute
http://www.reflectivecoatings.org/default.asp ENERGY STAR® Reflective Roof Products
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roof_prods.pr_roof_products U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Cool Roof Calculator
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/software.cfm/ID=393/pagename_submenu=/pagename_menu=materials_components/pagename=subjects