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 Global goes very local here in Oakland—on this non-profit website—where homeowners can link to get the information and resources to help you start greening your home now. Learn practical approaches to small and large greening projects-and find local, state and federal programs that help pay for them!
Local green certified contractors from sustainable floorers to landscapers can be found in these pages. You’d be surprised to learn that greening can be as easy as choosing the right window treatments. And that energy efficiency goes far beyond solar.
Sometimes it just takes a little know how.
From Home Energy Audit info (did you know there’s currently a program giving $200 rebates for these high-tech individualized building performance tests?) to cost saving solutions you might not have heard of, we continue to add practical information to this site. And update it as our wealth of knowledge grows.
In fact, before you even start, you can find out what works and what doesn’t work from others who’ve successfully completed greening projects from start to finish. Check out our blog.
Let’s get going.
Green Your Home-Combat Global Warming!
 Once again, Greening Oakland Homes is partnering with Energy Upgrade California in Alameda County and the City of Oakland in a Home-Energy Forum. If you are considering retrofitting your home and are looking for ways to make it easy and affordable, this seminar is a must as your first step!
Learn about real Rebates and Incentives, and talk to the experts.
Energy Upgrade California is a one-stop-shop for home improvement projects that will save you money, lower your energy use, and make your home healthier and more comfortable. Homeowners can get up to $4,000 back in rebates when you make your home more energy efficient, and there are local contractors who are trained and ready to do the work today. You can also get a $300 rebate on a comprehensive energy assessment through February 2012.
A new program called Energize for the Prize also donates money to local schools when you get an energy upgrade! Learn how it works and get your school on the list at here.
Please join us for a homeowner information event in Oakland where you can learn about these incredible opportunities, meet Participating Contractors, and have all your questions answered. This event is free.
Tuesday, January 31, 6:30 to 8:00pm
Rockridge Library
5366 College Ave, Oakland, CA
RSVP here
Order In Advance, Pick Up at Temescal Farmer’s Market, July 31
“The Oakland Watershed & Stormwater Management Rain Barrel Program is a three-year initiative to provide rain barrels at a significantly reduced cost in an effort to reduce urban stormwater impacts. Use rain barrels to capture roof runoff so that it can be released safely and slowly into the landscape to prevent high flows and erosion on Oakland’s hill slopes and [Read more...]
Join us for a FREE seminar to learn how to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient through Energy Upgrade California:
Access new low-interest loans to help finance upgrades
Get up to $4,000 in rebates for energy efficient home improvements
Hear from a Rockridge resident who recently completed an upgrade to her vintage 1937 home
Ask a participating contractor about energy upgrade work
Learn how Home Energy Assessments evaluate individual building performance to identify [Read more...]
The CHF Residential Energy Program helps homeowners to finance home energy efficiency improvements with a 3.00% fixed interest rate 15-year loan. [Read more...]
The answer may be new window treatments — if you choose the right ones.
Let’s look at the ‘R Values’ for cellular shades vs. single, double and triple paned windows. (The R Value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the construction industry.) Most older homes in Oakland have single-paned windows that allow excessive heat loss and gain.
Comparing R Values:
 Here’s [Read more...]
 With today’s high energy costs and increased emphasis on energy conservation and environmental restrictions, more homeowners need an Energy Audit to improve energy efficiency, increase energy savings, lower heating costs and help the environment in the process.
Not only will a Home Energy Audit save you money in the future, it can help you:
Prioritize home improvement projects
Calculate your potential savings
Help with choosing the right [Read more...]
 Here are a couple of simple projects to prepare for the longer evenings in fall, and the cooler temperatures. These will help you save energy and money too.
Project 1: Install 3 CFLs
Why? CFLs are more efficient than standard bulbs and last 4-7 times longer.
What you will need: 3 CFL bulbs to replace ones which get most usage in your [Read more...]
When: Saturday, October 16, from 11 am – 3 pm
Where: Ashby Lumber, 824 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley
Drop by the Greening Oakland Homes Fair, this Saturday, at Ashby Lumber, and get INSPIRED to take action on saving energy and our earth’s resources while improving the comfort, beauty and health of your home environment. Take the first step and LEARN from local exhibitors and sit in on one of the free presentations.
Whether [Read more...]
Have you been thinking about renovating your home, but are concerned about the chemicals you frequently smell when new carpet or cabinets are installed. Do you wonder how they may be impacting your health? Or does someone in your family have respiratory problems exacerbated by VOC-emitting building materials that you would like to identify and remove?
 Creating a home environment that is [Read more...]
Did you know that California is the first state to implement a green building ordinance? On January 1st, 2011, all existing and new buildings will face stricter code requirements – whether residential, commercial or multi-family.
 These statewide requirements are part of California’s CalGreen building standards, created to ensure that residential buildings become “carbon neutral” by 2020, and commercial buildings [Read more...]
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