CasaSugar

Guess What Type of Lights Are on the National Christmas Tree?

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:00:08 -0800

This year, the National Christmas Tree is lit from tip to bottom with a type of energy-saving light. Can you guess what these lights are?

Do You Use Storm Windows?

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:15:20 -0800

Storm windows were once a common weatherization measure in older homes, but since new windows have super-efficient glass, it's less common. However, older homes that still use single-pane glass can benefit from the use of storm windows. Do you use them in your home?

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Coveted Crib: Neal Creek Retreat

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:00:51 -0700

Usually, when I share photos of a gorgeous modern home with you, there's little hope of actually staying at that place in real life. Not so with the Neal Creek residence. Located near Hood River, OR, this two-bedroom home is actually available for rent.

Architects Paul McKean and Amy Donohue designed this house to make a minimal impact on the environment. The house's main living space is raised one story above ground, which helps to protect it from flood and brush fire damage while providing patio and storage space below. A green roof helps the home to blend into the landscape.

To find out more about this house, and to take a full tour, read more.

The house makes use of renewable, local materials, including cedar siding and cabinetry and an FSC-certified wood floor, finished with vegetable wax. The carpet tiles are composed of natural wool and rubber, and all interior finishes are no-VOC. With Energy Star-certified appliances and highly energy-efficient windows, the home is comfortable and cozy no matter what the season. The Neal Creek Retreat was awarded the 2007 honor award from the American Institute of Architects, Portland.

View 15 Photos ›

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How-To: Save Money and Energy With Your Pool

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:30:25 -0700

Do you love your pool, but hate your water and power bills? By increasing your pool's energy efficiency, you can lower your costs, while still enjoying your pool all Summer long. A recent LA Times article offered helpful advice for Southern Californians with pools, but the advice is equally relevant to those of you living in other regions of the country and world.

Check out four tips for saving money and energy with your pool when you read more.

Resurface your pool, especially if it is an older plaster pool, which degrades over time. Try a darker finish, which will help to heat the pool faster.
Upgrade your pool lighting to LEDs. Although LEDs cost $300 to $400 more than traditional lighting, they can last up to 10,000 hours.
Change the pump on your pool to a variable speed pump. Features such as on-demand use for the pump mean you'll save lots of money and energy - up to 75 percent on power bills, according to the article.
Try a pool cover. Pool covers will reduce water loss caused by evaporation, and will also help to keep your pool warm while it's not being used.

Do You Unplug Your Appliances When They're Not in Use?

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Unplugging appliances when you're not using them can save up to 10 percent on your monthly electricity bill. Do you employ this easy energy-saving method?

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How Energy Savvy Are You?

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:00:38 -0800

By now, you're probably using some CFL bulbs in your home, and know that solar energy is a great green technology. But do you know the details about other smart ways to save energy in your home? Take my quiz to see how energy savvy you are!

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The White House: A Model of Energy Efficiency?

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:00:54 -0800

2009 will certainly be the dawning of a new age for the United States, and now that Barack Obama has been named president-elect, he should be prepared to follow through on his aforementioned goals. He needs to walk the walk. In the green building department, he proposed investing in infrastructure, advancing energy efficiency and sustainable buildings, and developing a 21st century transportation system. Sounds great. But, as we all know, no man is an island, and he'll need some help (lots) along the way. The American Institute of Architects, which led the “Greening of the White House” initiative in the '90s, has offered to help Obama with these goals. To hear about AIA's green building proposals for the White House, read more.

To start, the group has recommended that a high-level advisor on green buildings be put in place in the White House to coordinate executive branch activities and promote green building issues to the public. AIA has also offered to help develop a White House Office of Urban Policy to address national energy and infrastructure issues. One of AIA's most notable proposals (to me, at least) is to work with the Obama administration to make the White House a model of energy efficiency, and make federal buildings in general less reliant on fossil fuels. As much as I love to see high-profile Hollywood types like Leonardo DiCaprio living in eco-friendly condos, you can't get more visibility on an international level than the White House. So I hope Mr. President-elect will accept this generous offer, and I'm eager to hear more specific details of how they'd like to create the Green House. And, if the White House edible garden petition is a success, 1600 Pennsylvania will be a prime example of eco-consciousness!
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Ask an Expert: Cheap, Easy Ideas For Winterizing Homes (Part Two)

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:30:43 -0700

Recently, I asked Lou Manfredini (better known as "Ace Hardware’s Helpful Hardware Man") for some tips on keeping your homes cozy and efficient during the Winter months. You can read the first two tips here. For more advice, check out these tips.

CasaSugar: Are there any tools that homeowners should have on hand to help with home heating fixes?

Lou: Every homeowner should have a tool box full of these essentials:

Screwdrivers
Hammer
Tape measure
Sharp utility knife
Pliers

These tools will help not only with home heating fixes, but many other household projects as well.

To find out what you should do to your exterior doors, read more.

CasaSugar: What type of fixes should homeowners make on exterior doors?

Lou: First close the door and make sure that no daylight or air is coming through. If there is, you might want to consider purchasing a new door as this is an easy way to boost your energy savings. Also, apply some powdered graphite lubricant in the locks to ensure easy operation in the winter months. If your door is structurally sound, but looking a little shabby, consider sanding it down, priming it and applying a new coat of exterior acrylic paint to the door. Consider using a bright color paint to change the look.

CasaSugar: What parts of the home are most susceptible to heating losses? Is there anything relatively easy homeowners can do to prevent these heating losses?

Lou: Windows and doors, even if they are brand new, are the greatest areas of energy loss in the home. In addition to weather stripping these areas, you can let your window treatments help a bit. In the daytime, leave the drapes and window treatments open to allow the sun to help heat your home. When it gets dark, close the drapes to add a layer of protection and assist in keeping the warm air in your home longer.

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Ask an Expert: Cheap and Easy Home Winterizing (Part One)

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:45:56 -0700

Recently, I asked Lou Manfredini (better known as "Ace Hardware’s Helpful Hardware Man") for some tips on keeping your homes cozy and efficient during the Winter months. Check out his answers!

CasaSugar: If a homeowner has the money to make a major change in their home, what change would make the most sense, in an energy efficiency sense?

Lou: If you have money to invest in your home, upgrading your HVAC system to a high efficiency unit and installing a tankless water heater will give you a great bang for the buck - they can help reduce your total energy consumption by up to 30 percent combined. Purchasing and installing a new furnace will cost you between $6,000 and $8,000, while purchasing and installing a tankless unit will cost around $3,500.

To find out another of Lou's tips for heating your home, read more.

CasaSugar: By contrast, what is the cheapest, most effective change homeowners can make to cut energy costs?

Lou: The cheapest and most effective way to cut energy costs is to install weather-stripping around your doors and windows. Weather-stripping can cost as little as $25 and can boost the energy efficiency of those drafty openings by up to 70 percent. It can be completed in a short amount of time and is as easy as applying tape to the frame of the window or door.

Check back tomorrow for the rest of Lou's tips!

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Casa Verde: Fast Thermostat Facts

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:00:06 -0700

If you're concerned about keeping a green home, energy efficiency goes hand in hand with eco home products and concepts. And since it's getting chilly again, I thought I'd give you a little refresher on ways to keep your house as energy efficient as possible. It's generally recommended that, to save money on heating, try to keep your thermostat set at a reasonable 68 degrees. Every degree warmer you set your thermostat will increase your energy use by 6-8 percent, which also means a rise in your heating bill. So, instead of notching up the thermostat, take a quick tip from me and layer up instead.

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