Greening Oakland Homes

HOME ENERGY FORUM WITH GREENING OAKLAND HOMES

Dan Thibodeau — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:25:58 +0000

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

Rain Barrel Sale-City Program Discounts Available!

Dan Thibodeau — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:46:34 +0000

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 in creeks.

The next rain barrel sales event will be held:
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Temescal Farmers Market
490 Cavour Street
Oakland, CA 94618
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

View Directions
Or you can pick up at The Urban Farmer Store:
2121 San Joaquin Street
Richmond, CA 94804″

For more information, visit oakland.net here.

New Loans and Rebates for Oakland Homeowners Make “Greening” Upgrades a No-Brainer

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:28:45 +0000

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 energy savings
Reduce your carbon footprint-Save the planet!

When: Tuesday, July 26th, 7 – 8:30 pm
Where: St. Peter’s Anglican Church
6013 Lawton Avenue (Lawton at Broadway)
Oakland

For more information call Jeffery Liang at (650) 387-5799 or email.

This free seminar is sponsored by Energy Upgrade California and Greening Oakland Homes affiliated with Volunteering For Oakland/Montclair Community Action Group.

Amazing New Grants And Low-Interest Loans In Alameda Co.

vickyfriedman — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:20:21 +0000

The CHF Residential Energy Program helps homeowners to finance home energy efficiency improvements with a 3.00% fixed interest rate 15-year loan with no limit on loan amount as long as the savings can be verified by audit.

Upon qualifying for the loan, the homeowner will also be eligible for a grant, up to $1,250 per home, to be put towards the project cost and a grant to cover the before and after inspections of the home. Qualifications include verification that the homeowner is current on the mortgage, property taxes and have a current source of income within the Program limits. There are no minimum credit score or appraisal requirements. Additional guidelines apply and are available from CHF.

The energy efficiency program is funded through a $16.5 million grant awarded to CHF by the California Energy Commission State Energy Program as part of the federal stimulus American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

An example of 100% financing of qualified retrofit projects under the CHF Residential Energy Retrofit Program is based on a 15-year, fixed-rate CHF Loan: payment on a $10,000, 15-year fixed-rate CHF Loan at 3.00% interest would be $69.06/month and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) would be 3.1083%.

New Windows vs. New Window Treatments – Which Saves More Energy (and Money!)?

Dan Thibodeau — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:19:02 +0000

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 how the R Values for windows stack up:

Window Type	R Value
Single pane window	0.09
Double pane window with ¼” air space	1.69
Triple pane with ¼” air spaces	2.56

Source: Colorado Energy.org

Here’s how a properly-installed cellular shade treatment compares when installed with single pane windows:

Window Type	R Value
Single layer shade	2.6
Double layer shade	3.8
Double layer shade with side tracks (Symphony by Comfortex-see photo)	4.3
Double layer room darkening shade	5

Source: Comfortex Shades: Testing conducted by the Tokyo Laboratory for Construction Materials.

Even the single-layer cellular shade with a single pane exceeds the R Value of the double pane window!

Symphony shade with side rails system has an R Value of 3.3!

The R Value of other window treatments varies depending on how they are fabricated and installed. But should cellular shades not suit your needs, many other types of treatments can also make a big difference in your energy bill.

According to research results posted at energysavers.gov, with the right treatments:

Up to 33% of heat gain can be prevented in warm weather
Up to 10% or 25% of heat loss can be prevented during cold spells

Source: Energy Savers.gov

Save Energy-Save Money-Save the Planet

In addition to saving money, energy efficient window treatments also help the environment. And there’s good news for those of you who are interested in the decorative aspect of window treatments — there are many more eco-friendly choices available now than were available just a year or so ago.

There are 3 factors to look at when considering which type of treatments will work best for you.

How well does the material work as a barrier to prevent hot and cold air infiltration into your home?Polyester fabric and cellular shade fabric (which is made of non-woven polyester) both insulate very well, as polyester doesn’t ‘breathe.’ Heavier cottons and linens rank next, followed by silks and then loosely woven fabrics.
Drapes, roman shades and woven woods work well if fabricated with an insulating lining.

Drape with a batting weight lining provides extra insulation

Wood or vinyl blinds and shutters also provide good insulation if ‘S’ shaped slats are used. Most roller shades and pleated shades don’t provide much insulation; nor do metal blinds.
What kind of gap exists between the window trim and/or walls and the treatment?This is a key consideration. Although one type of material may inherently provide better insulation, the energy efficiency depends on how it’s fabricated to fit and how it’s mounted.
Fabric treatments such as drapes & roman shades and cellular shades can provide more insulation than wood shutters — if you use an insulated lining and close the gaps. (For more on this, see the ‘Best’ section of chart that ranks energy efficient treatments at the end of the article.)
How well does the window treatment address aesthetic and practical needs?Not only can you increase your home’s energy efficiency by installing new window treatments instead of new windows, they also offer solutions for several other functional needs:
Providing privacy and controlling glare — while still letting light into a room or blocking light. Some designs let you enjoy a nice view while simultaneously maintaining your privacy.

Decorative value matters too. What look do you wish to achieve?

Finally, a combination of ‘layers’ of treatments on a window may ultimately provide the best solution for your home’s windows.

DeAnna D’Zamba, of Custom Creations in Oakland, has over 20 years of experience designing custom window treatments. She can be reached at: Custom Creations Interiors.

Energy Efficient Window Treatments — From Best to Least Effective:

Best:	Cellular shades — especially with a side track system
	‘Hybrid-mount’ roman shades and woven woods (if tightly woven) and fabricated with insulated linings
	Full length drapes — if a board-mounted cornice or valance is included to seal the gap at the top
	Shutters (wood or vinyl)

Better:	Roman shades and woven woods
	Full-length drapes

Good:	Blinds (wood or vinyl)

Not as effective:	‘Silhouette’ type shades
	Pleated shades
	Most roller shade fabrics (those with an insulated backing provide more insulation)
	Metal Blinds (which aren’t too much better than a bare window)

Warm Weather Only Insulation:	‘Sheerweave’ type (solar) roller and roman shades
	Pleated shades with a metallic backing

Attention Oakland Homeowners: Get Your F*REE Home Energy Audit

admin — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 03:33:57 +0000

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 contractors
Make you eligible for local, state and federal rebates and tax credits!

And now, Greening Oakland Homes is pleased to announce a new program jointly subsidized by the City of Oakland and PG&E that will reimburse $200 to any Oakland homeowner who gets a Home Energy Audit from an approved Home Performance Auditor. In most cases, this is enough to cover 100% of the cost for the Audit.

Not Just Solar
Audit analysis is not limited to just solar solutions for energy savings. They use a whole-house energy savings approach. Each on-site audit is customized to the property, and uses the latest technology and computer modeling to assess which measures will be most beneficial, both in terms of cost and actual energy savings.

This joint endeavor is administered by the COMMUNITY ENERGY SERVICES CORPORATION (CESC) SmartSolar Program. Here are the steps to apply for your $200 Home Energy Audit Reimbursement:

Step 1 - Visit their website at http://www.ebenergy.org/smartsolar-residential/
Step 2 - Click the ebenergy.org link to begin the enrollment process
Step 3 - CESC will do a free analysis of your energy usage and your home’s suitability for solar installation without obligation to initiate a project.
Step 4 - After your Home Energy Audit is completed and paid for, CESC will reimburse you $200 for the audits, which will be enough to cover the entire cost of the Audit in most cases.

Upon request, CESC offers independent consultation to help with decision-making and choosing green-certified contractors.

For more information and to apply for this Home Energy Audit reimbursement, contact CESC at 510.981.7750 or send an email to smartsolar@ebenergy.org – By Vicky Friedman

Welcome Fall with Energy-Saving projects

Dan Thibodeau — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 13:44:49 +0000

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 home.

Cost of upgrade: Low

What you save (on average) per year: Money – $12, Carbon = 182 lbs, Trees = 7

Project 2: Install gaskets on electrical outlets

Why? A simple insulation project would be to install gaskets behind outlets and light switches for those areas of the house with most exposure or draft. This conserves energy by creating an extra layer of insulation to block drafts and helps in keeping the heated air inside the house.

What you will need: Screwdriver, foam gaskets available at home improvement stores.

Cost of upgrade: Low

Things to remember: Choose the exterior walls with most exposure and draft. While unscrewing the faceplace to remove it, please take normal precautions. Position the gasket over terminal, then replace faceplate and tighten screw.

What you save (on average): Money – 20% on heating costs.

Greening Oakland Homes Fair

Dan Thibodeau — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 05:09:18 +0000

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 you like to “do it yourself” or hire a professional, Greening Oakland Homes can CONNECT you to the resources you need to get your projects done and SAVE money doing them.

Exhibitors:

Ashby Lumber • Eco Logical Builders • Ecohome Improvement • Flooring Alternatives • Greenewall • Idora Design • Innovation Construction • Lunt Marymor • Peralta Energy Group • Recurve • Save a Lot Solar • Ultimate Home Performance

Speakers:

Greenewall • Greywater Action • Peralta Energy Group • Recurve

Sponsors:

Win a free home design consultation

Dan Thibodeau — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:09:38 +0000

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 functional, beautiful, healthy and environmentally friendly can be achieved without the use of toxic building materials. Greening Oakland Homes can help to connect you to architects and contractors who have the expertise to work with you on your home renovation projects.

To help you get started, Greening Oakland Homes will be giving away two hours of professional advice from LEED-certified architect and prize-winning author Cassandra Adams at the Rockridge Out & About Street Festival on Sunday, September 26^th from 12:00 – 6:00. Look for Greening Oakland Homes with other like minded green organizations on College Avenue between Claremont Avenue and Chabot Road.

Stop by to register to win and learn more about local resources for those projects you may have been considering but haven’t quite had the time to research, or know where to go to in order to get started. We hope to see you there.

Coming soon: new green building requirements!

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:42:52 +0000

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 by 2030.

How it works

In the new year, our California state building code will require a basic level of compliance for green building. At some point of time on or after January 1st , Oakland also will ask for extra requirements based on our uniquely local conditions.

What does this mean for you, the homeowner? If you need a permit for renovating/improving/repairing an existing building, you will need to implement green building practices. And the same will be true for new homes.

How will you be evaluated? For homes, a system developed by a non-profit organization called Build It Green will be applied. Your home will be awarded a certain number of GreenPoints (GPR) for each green feature. Soon, homes will be required to have a certain number of GPRs to conform to code. Separately, commercial buildings will be evaluated by the more stringent LEEDS requirements.

Get prepared now

Want to know more about Oakland? Keep up with the latest requirements by reaching the Green Building Resource Center (GBRC), which is prepared to answer your questions about renovations, construction and other green conservation concerns. You may visit them near Oakland City Hall, at 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, or else call them at 510-238-SAVE (7283).

What’s happening next? Stay tuned for July, when the next draft of California’s Green Building Ordinance will come out. As a homeowner, don’t expect to become an instant expert – but make sure you double-check your plans with suppliers to ensure compliance. It’s a great time to be involved with green building!

Want to dive more deeply? If you’re ambitious, then you should check out the California Green Building Standards Code presentation in its entirety. For Oakland details, please keep up with the green building codes and news at our Green Building Resource Center online.