via The White House

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Greenovation Remodel Project Lead by Dr. Anna Marie, Health Specialist for The Weather Channel, Features State-of-the-Art Solar Metal Roofing

“Besides qualifying for energy rebates, there are many benefits to using painted aluminum roofing,” said Michael Smith, vice president of sales and marketing for OneSource Coil Coaters.

Dr. Anna Marie, Health Specialist for the Weather Channel and host of the nationally syndicated better living show Your Life with Dr. Anna Marie, is transforming her energy-sucking 1970’s Florida-style ranch home into an eco-friendly, energy and water efficient, and ultimately healthy home. The Greenovation of Terra Verde is showcasing the latest technological advances in solar metal roofing with the help of OneSource Coil Coaters, ASI Building Products and Kelly Roofing and Energy Savings Solutions.

Solar metal roofing on barn at Terra Verde

OneSource Coil Coaters is providing Terra Verde with Regal White painted aluminum that is Energy Star® Rated and features a reflective rating of .68 for the barn and the house. The combination of the reflectivity number and a high emissivity rating of .88 means the Regal White paint will not heat up over 100 degrees even on those days when it is 95 degrees under a hot Florida sun. The Regal White painted aluminum roof doesn’t allow heat in the attic, thus keeping the attic and the rest of the home cool.

As a result of the Stimulus Package signed in February of 2009, homeowners who make energy efficient updates to their home – the installation of a painted or coated Energy Star® labeled metal roof included – between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 may be eligible for a tax credit worth 30 percent of the installation costs (materials only) up to $1,500 per home over the two-year period.

“Besides qualifying for energy rebates, there are many benefits to using painted aluminum roofing,” said Michael Smith, vice president of sales and marketing for OneSource Coil Coaters. “It is light weight, durable, corrosion resistant, energy efficient, aesthetically appealing, and infinitely recyclable. Nearly 75 percent of aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in use today, and 95 percent of aluminum used in buildings is recycled. An aluminum roof can easily give 50 years and even upward to 100 years, of service before replacement needs considered.”

OneSource Coil Coaters worked with ASI Building Products, both Florida-based businesses, to provide the new aluminum roofing with a thin-film PV that absorbs energy from the sun. Power generated from the thin-film PV surface goes directly to meeting the home’s energy needs.

“ASI Building Products offers an affordable standing seam roofing system that harvests clean renewable solar energy,” said Cookie Brickman, vice president of ASI Building Products. “A thin-film solar laminate is fused to the surface of the metal roofing panel, eliminating the unsightly solar panels and any penetrations into the roof, which means no leaks.”

Kelly Roofing and Energy Savings Solutions in Naples, Florida, installed the new metal roofing on Terra Verde. Ken Kelly, president of Kelly Roofing and Energy Savings Solutions, estimates that 50 percent of his business in 2009 was metal roofing, up from just 9 percent in 2008. Kelly attributes this to:

•Asphalt shingle prices, historically the least expensive roofing product available, have experienced 16 price increases in a row to the point where they are now very close to the price of metal. Since metal is a far superior system customers are replacing their roofs with metal. Metal lasts more than twice as long as shingles with a minimal difference in price. Shingles are asphaltic, an oil refinement byproduct, and as the price of oil rises so does the price of shingles.

•The $1,500 tax credit granted through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 is another motivator. Now certain metal roof systems are actually less expensive than asphalt shingles with the tax credit.

•More metal being installed makes metal more acceptable. Metal used to be viewed as an architectural or industrial system. Not anymore. With over fifty profiles to chose from and countless colors, metal is applicable to any building design.

•Storm protection. After the 2004/2005 record setting hurricane seasons Florida residents discovered what we knew all along. Metal was, by far, the best roof system for protection. With virtually zero metal roof failures across the state, insurance companies and roofing contractors started recommending the system more.

Terra Verde (Green Acres) sits on 23 beautiful acres adjacent to the Ocala National Forest. From the original single pane metal framed windows to the heating oil tank buried in the front yard, this energy inefficient home has been untouched since the first concrete block was laid almost forty years ago. For more information and to follow the progress on the Greenovation of Terra Verde can be followed on www.terraverdetv.com.

Dr. Anna Marie has been a broadcast television correspondent for over a decade. By combining her medical training, broadcast experience and interest in helping people live full and healthy lives; Dr. Anna Marie has become a popular source of medical information on television today. Since 2003, Dr. Anna Marie has partnered with The Weather Channel to provide millions of viewers with health living information to help keep the effects of weather from impacting their everyday life.

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Larry Laseter, president of Efficiency First Capitol Circle member Masco Home Services, joined Barack Obama in Savannah, Ga., on Tuesday as the President delivered a speech outlining details of the proposed HOME STAR efficiency retrofit program. Here is a video released by the White House that shows a brief behind-the-scenes conversation between Larry Laseter and President Obama:

“We’re in the business of doing this now, and just like the GOLD STAR program, we actually guarantee their first year of energy savings” Laseter told the President. “That’s the beauty of this, is we know these technologies are proven, and with this bill, it will jump-start thousands of jobs.”

via Efficiency First

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Find other homes, or monitor your own, at www.Wattvision.com

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DETROIT, March 2 /PRNewswire/ — The Michigan Public Service Commission today approved Detroit Edison’s first Engineer, Procure and Construct contract for the utility’s SolarCurrents renewable energy program.

The regulatory approval paves the way for Detroit Edison to start its own commercial solar projects at various locations throughout its Southeastern Michigan service area. [Note: Check our your solar potential and financing options at http://www.joolze.com/]

The $18-million, one-year contract was awarded to Nova Consultants Inc. of Novi. The contract directs Nova to analyze the feasibility, design, installation and start-up of up to 3 megawatts of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems to be installed on Detroit Edison-owned, as well as customer-owned facilities.

“This contract will provide a number of new energy opportunities for our larger customers, as well as economic development benefits for the region as a whole,” said Trevor Lauer, DTE Energy vice president, Retail Marketing. “We’re interested in installing solar photovoltaic systems at businesses, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.”

Nova Consultants is a full-service engineering, environmental and energy services company founded in 1992.  The minority-owned company has projects throughout North America in the automotive, utility and educational markets, among others. Nova will work with Michigan firms to complete the installation of the solar systems.

Detroit Edison is an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a subsidiary of DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE), a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Information about DTE Energy is available at www.dteenergy.com.

SOURCE Detroit Edison

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.dteenergy.com

http://www.joolze.com/

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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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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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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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It’s getting more and more affordable to power your home with solar energy.  Here’s a simple primer on how solar energy works for your home.

Learn more about solar powering your home:

Tax Credits & Rebates for Solar: Learn about 30% tax credits for installing solar.

Maine Solar House is a blog is written by a family that has eliminated the use of fossil fuels in their home.  Now if this doesn’t inspire you to go solar, I don’t know what will:  http://www.solarhouse.com/

Solar Home is a retailer of solar panels and has a ton of great information on their website: http://www.solarhome.org

Solar Buzz is for the real super geeks who want to learn everything possible about solar power: www.solarbuzz.com

Find a solar contractor near you: http://www.findsolar.com/

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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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