From McKinsey.com

In this report, McKinsey & Company offers a detailed analysis of the magnitude of the efficiency potential in non-transportation uses of energy, a thorough assessment of the barriers that impede the capture of greater efficiency, and an outline of the practical solutions available to unlock the potential.

The research shows that the U.S. economy has the potential to reduce annual non-transportation energy consumption by roughly 23 percent by 2020, eliminating more than $1.2 trillion in waste – well beyond the $520 billion upfront investment (not including program costs) that would be required. The reduction in energy use would also result in the abatement of 1.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually – the equivalent of taking the entire U.S. fleet of passenger vehicles and light trucks off the roads.

Such energy savings will be possible, however, only if the United States can overcome significant sets of barriers. These barriers are widespread and persistent, and will require an integrated set of solutions to overcome them – including information and education, incentives and financing, codes and standards, and deployment resources well beyond current levels.

In addition to the above central conclusion, five observations will be relevant to a national debate about how best to pursue energy efficiency opportunities of the magnitude identified and within the timeframe considered in this report. Specifically, an overarching strategy would need to:

	Recognize energy efficiency as an important energy resource that can help meet future energy needs while the nation concurrently develops new no- and low-carbon energy sources
	Formulate and launch at both national and regional levels an integrated portfolio of proven, piloted, and emerging approaches to unlock the full potential of energy efficiency
	Identify methods to provide the significant upfront funding required by any plan to capture energy efficiency
	Forge greater alignment between utilities, regulators, government agencies, manufacturers, and energy consumers
	Foster innovation in the development and deployment of next-generation energy efficiency technologies to ensure ongoing productivity gains.

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During the Greenovation Evaluation of Dr. Anna Marie’s home, the Greenalysis Team finds virtually zero insulation, an ultra-wasteful toilet, an inefficient oil furnace, a 36 year old water tank, and more wallet busters than you can shake a Benjamin at.

About 58 million homes in the U.S. have no insulation at all.  Yet, it’s one of the easiest ways that you can save energy and lower your monthly bills. The team recommends a new castor oil based spray foam insulation in all of the walls and the attic.

Unbelievably, the original gas water heater from 1973 is still working. Lowering your water heater to 120 degrees can lower your energy use by 5 – 10%. Insulating your tank with an inexpensive tank wrap can help keep the water hot when not in use. Dr. Anna Marie has decided to install a new Rheem solar hot water heater to reduce her carbon footprint even further and ensure a comfortable flow of hot water.

Dr. Anna Marie bought the home with its original oil furnace. After recycling the old tank, she’ll be installing a state-of-the-art geothermal heat pump to heat and cool the home year round for a fraction of the energy of a traditional furnance and a/c. It’s a great choice made even more affordable by the new 30% tax credit from the federal government. The EPA calls geothermal the most efficient home comfort system available.

Anna Marie’s old-old school toilet uses about 5 gallons per flush!! She’s wasting over 8,000 gallons of water per year. She’ll be installng a new high-efficiency toilet with a dual flush sytem – half flush and full flush. The half flush will use only .8 gallons and will be almost impossible to clog. The complete list of recommended improvements for Dr. Anna Marie’s home can be found on her website www.TerraVerdeTV.com and more information can be found on how you can improve your home at www.Greenovation.TV

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DOE delivered more than $448 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to 13 states last week, allowing those states to dramatically expand their weatherization assistance programs. The programs improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families, helping the residents lower their energy bills. DOE awarded the funds to Alabama, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, and the states may spend up to 20% of the funds to hire and train new workers. The new spending will help the states achieve their collective goal of weatherizing 125,000 homes, creating new green jobs while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The new funds represent 40% of the total weatherization funds available to those states under the Recovery Act and follow the award of 10% of the funds in March to support planning and ramp-up activities. The second half of the weatherization funds will be released when the states meet the reporting, oversight, and accountability milestones required by the Recovery Act. Details on the funds awarded each states, as well as the weatherization goals set by each state, can be found in the DOE press release.

See also the Web site for DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program.

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Click here to download your FREE Federal Tax Incentive Decoder from GreenAndSave.  Also, check out the simplified Greenovation Tax Credit Guide.

The GreenAndSave team of experts read and de-coded the 400 page American Recovery and Reinvestment Act so that you wouldn’t have to. We made it simple for you to easily take advantage of these government incentives.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed into law by President Obama in February of 2009 has created some tremendous opportunities for homeowners. This Green De-Coder will help you uncover information regarding whatever energy efficiency improvement tactics you want to pursue, including:

* Reducing utility costs…
* Producing power…
* Financing options…
* Buying your first home…
* Buying a new car…
* Resources for state incentives…

Click here to download your FREE copy.

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Dr. Anna Marie does a “greenovation evaluation” of Terra Verde. She joins the Greenalysis team to find out what challenges she will face to make her home more energy efficient and have a healthy indoor environment.

She discovers more than just dirty lint in her dryer. She learns that she’s throwing money and energy out her 1970s windows and that her incandescent light bulbs are creating more heat than light.

Perhaps her biggest lesson is that moving her 19 year old washer out to the barn is a bad move. Retiring old appliances and replacing them with effiicient Energy Star models will save a ton of energy. Keeping that old washer could also waste over $145 each year.

FACTS:

Your home may lose 30% of its heating and cooling through its windows

Low-E glass keeps summer heat out and winter heat in where it belongs.

CFL bulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Keeping your furnance filter clean can make it run more efficiently.

Energy Star appliances are a must when buying new.

Dirty lint traps and vents make your dryer work harder and waste energy.

Replacing your existing faucet aerators with a new more efficient one can

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Most exterior lumber is treated with chemicals and heavy metals so nasty that lumber yards sometimes forbid their employees from from cutting them for customers.  Treated wood comes with labels warning against use around vegetable gardens or pets.

Over 60 billion (that’s with a “B”) board feet of toxic lumber has been produced over the past 40 years and it’s creating an environmental nightmare.

Finally, there is a treated lumber product that I’m wildly impressed with.  TimberSIL replaces the hazardous copper, chromium, and arsenic-based (CCA) preservatives that were used in the past.

TimberSIL calls their process “GlassWood Fusion.”   By adding a liquefied sodium silicate the wood becomes rot resistant, pest resistant, fire resistant and more durable.  But, the wood retains its natural look and feel.

The best part is that it is Cradle-to-Cradle and Green Spec certified.  The manufacturer does not have FSC (Forest Stewarship Council) certification for its wood sourcing, but it claims to use only sustainably harvested wood.  We’ll talk to the folks that make TimberSIL and get back to you.

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By Kerry Lansing / From Green Building Insider

As spring’s fluctuating temperatures give way to soaring summer digits and triple-digit energy prices, a solar attic fan can reduce the heat load in your home, business, barn, shed or other structure. Heat from the sun is absorbed into a roof and accumulates in a structure’s attic, reaching temperatures as high as 160 degrees during the summer. That heat then permeates into living spaces. Actively ventilating an attic or under roofing keeps temperatures down and reduces the amount of energy needed to cool the building.  READ MORE

Learn more about solar attic fans at the following websites:

http://www.askthebuilder.com

http://www.dsireusa.org

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf

http://www.solaratticfan.com/

http://www.roofvents.com/solar-fan.html

http://www.usgbc.org/Default.aspx

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Chris Pelitz from the Planet Green show “Greenovate” talks about how doing a green remodel and upgrading your home to be more energy efficient can make it sell fast . . . even in a depressed real estate market.

Check out the FREE Ultimate Greenovation Tax Credit and Rebate Guide

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Residential Renewable Energy 30% Tax Credits
Consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016; the previous tax credit cap no longer applies.

So, if you install a $28,000 solar system it would only cost you $19,600.  Or a $21,000 geothermal system would cost only $14,700.  Throw in some state and local tax incentives and you’d be a fool not to upgrade to one of these systems.

• Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes & new construction) for:
  • Geothermal Heat Pumps
  • Solar Panels
  • Solar Water Heaters
  • Small Wind Energy Systems
  • Fuel Cells

Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credits
Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements “placed in service” starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. See EnergyStar.gov for a complete summary of energy efficiency tax credits available to consumers.

So, $9,000 worth of windows would cost you $7,500 after the tax credit.

• Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:
  • Windows and Doors
  • Insulation
  • Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
  • HVAC
  • Water Heaters (non-solar)
  • Biomass Stoves

About Tax Credits
A tax credit is generally more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction because a tax credit reduces tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only removes a percentage of the tax that is owed. Consumers can itemize purchases on their federal income tax form, which will lower the total amount of tax they owe the government.

In addition to federal tax incentives, some consumers will also be eligible for utility or state rebates, as well as state tax incentives for energy-efficient homes, vehicles and equipment. Each state’s energy office web site may have more information on specific state tax information. Click here to check out tax incentives in your state.

Check out the ENERGY STAR® page on Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency for complete details.

Are Installation Costs Covered?

Installation costs ARE COVERED for:

* HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems
* Biomass Stoves
* Water Heaters (including solar)
* Solar Panels
* Geothermal Heat Pumps
* Wind Energy Systems
* Fuel Cells

The tax credit for HVAC, biomass stoves, and non-solar water heaters is 30% of the total cost (product + installation) up to $1,500. The law specifies installation costs include: “expenditures for labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property.”

The tax credit for solar water heaters, solar panels, geothermal heat pumps, wind energy systems, and fuel cells* is 30% of the total cost (product + installation), with no upper limit. The law specifies installation costs include: “labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property and for piping or wiring to interconnect such property to the home.” (*The tax credit for fuel cells is 30% of the cost, but limited to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity.)

Installation costs are NOT covered by the tax credit for:

* Windows
* Doors
* Insulation
* Roofs

Sources: ENERGYSTAR.gov and IRS.gov

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Anyone who’s looking to greenovate has heard it before “if you do this it will pay for itself.”  Greenovation can save you a lot of money and efficiency upgrades can pay for themselves in a short time.  The accountants call this ROI (Return on Investment).

It goes like this: if you install a 1.5 gallon per minute high-efficiency showerhead you’ll save so much hot water that you’ll make back the cost of the product in just a few months.   If the product costs $50, but it saves you $150 per year ($1,500 in 10 years!!) the showerhead “pays for itself” in just 4 months and your ROI is 3,000% over 10 years!!  Holy Crap!  It’s true.  So, remind me . . . why don’t you have a 1.5 gpm showerhead yet?

Check out GREENandSAVE.com (fantastic site) to find your ROI on dozens of items like skylights, new furnace, weather sealing, geothermal, solar and much more.

Here’s the ROI for Energy Efficient Windows:

2.3                  $700                       $300                      $3,000                      42.9%

Here’s a little story I got from Dr. Anna Marie this morning.  I couldn’t resist sharing:

“Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with that expensive double-pane energy efficient kind, and today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them.

He was complaining that the work had been completed a whole year ago and I still hadn’t paid for them.

Hellloooo,…………just because I’m blonde doesn’t mean that I am automatically stupid. So, I told him just what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year, that in ONE YEAR these windows would pay for themselves!

Helllooooo? It’s been a year! I told him. There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up.

He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot.”

I’d love to hear your ROI stories.  Send them along by clicking here.  Occasionally, contractors trying to capitalize on “going green” can puff the sales pitch a bit.  This doesn’t help the cause to green every home in America.  So, we need to be honest about our numbers.  Green in your house can definitely save you green in your wallet.  But saving resources to create an enriched and sustainable world may be an even better cause.

GREENOVATION TIPS & RESOURCES: [Matt's advice: Don't bother with any showerhead that uses more that 1.75 gallons per minute (gpm)]

High-efficiency showerheads:

Bricor: 1 gpm – 1.5 gpm showerheads – shop here

Kohler: Forte 1.75 gpm – buy here

Hansgrohe: Croma E 75 Green 1-Jet Showerhead 1.6 gpm – buy here

Shop for dozens of low-flow showerheads here:  EcoVillageGreen.com

GREENandSAVE.com great site to find ROI on items to greenovate your home

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From: Tim Carter / AskTheBuilder.com