Temperatures are heating up for the next week. With warm days and cool nights, the end of summer in Chicago is a unique opportunity to virtually eliminate your need for air conditioning – and it is easier than you may think! I think being green is all about doing the most with the least. “Fan [...]
Great article in the Elmhurst Press today about Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition’s effort to make it easier to make older Elmhurst homes more energy efficient. Whether you live in Elmhurst or not, great background on why it makes sense to pay attention to the comfort and efficiency of your home today.
For a step-by-step overview of [...]
Accounting errors at the DuPage Water Commission means water rates could potentially go up by 30% in the short-term. Check out my post on the Mainstreet Organization of REALTOR’s blog for an update on what is happening, and smart and easy strategies to cut your water use at home!
Measuring energy usage it the 5th step in the 5×10 Challenge and the glue that holds things together. Measuring gives you a baseline to start from, inspires you to do better, helps you find room for improvment and tells the story so you can get more value out of your improvements when you sell.
Measuring your [...]
The tagline for my business is “sage living” – be smart (sage) about going green! My favorite sage way to go green is through a home energy-efficiency retrofit. It’s the best way to make an impact with fewer dollars.
I recently learned about the “Pyramid of Conservation” which ranks green projects from highest to lowest complexity. [...]
Remember, ENERGY STAR appliance rebates in the State of Illinois will be available with purchases beginning April 16th until April 25th (or sooner if the funds run out). ENERGY STAR dishwashers are eligible for a 15% rebate at the register. Some manufacturers and retailers may be offering additional rebates.
If you are planning to purchase a [...]
If you are shopping for a new washing machine to earn an ENERGY STAR appliance rebate later this month, here are some things to consider.
* First, a note on dryers. The nature of a dryer means they are not ENERGY STAR rated. However, buying a dryer with a moisture sensor does help conserve energy.
* Another [...]
It’s one thing to earn 15% off your new fridge through the State of Illinois ENERGY STAR rebate program. It’s another to get a great, quality fridge that will save you money. So how do you find a great fridge?
First, understand what features to look for. Recommendations are pretty consistent:
* Select a model with the freezer [...]
So I am declaring Friday April 16th “Triple-dip Day”. It’s the first day of rebates from the State of Illinois towards ENERGY STAR appliances. That’s the first dip. Sounds like many manufacturers and retailers will be offering additional incentives for consumers who take advantage of the program. There’s the second and third dips!
The Earth Day program [...]
The recently published Elmhurst Energy & Emissions Profile surprised me a bit. I expected Elmhurst homes to be more in line with the rest of DuPage County. Instead, it shows we use 18% more natural gas than other DuPage homes and 25% more electricity than other Chicagoland homes.
Based on the averages it looks like the [...]