Today’s world is changing at a dramatic pace. Skyrocketing energy prices and a planet showing years of abuse have led many to consider the way they live and how to change their lifestyle. The easiest and best way to reduce our energy consumption and to help preserve the planet for our children and grandchildren is to start at home. The place where we spend the most time, where we consume the most energy and our biggest asset all in one. Our homes are responsible for huge outlays of money and responsible for preserving and creating wealth for our families. Now is the time to do you part, help the planet, take advantage of the incredible tax and utility company credits, increase the value of your home and prepare yourself for energy price increases by financing your energy saving improvements with FHA 203K> renovation financing.

FHA 203K renovation loans have been around for decades, but they have recently found a new use in helping people go green. How do they work? The process is simple really, one loan closing with money to purchase the property or to payoff current debt and an escrow account for repairs. Loans over $35,000 are facilitated with the aid of a HUD approved consultant designed to help administer contractor draws and insure repairs are done to FHA specifications. Loans under $35,000 don’t require a consultant and repairs can be done by the borrowers chosen contractor or, in some cases, the borrower themselves. FHA awards benefits in terms of higher allowable debt to income ratios along with loan amounts that can exceed FHA statutory limits. So, how can you use the FHA 203K to go green?

1.) Green Up Your Appliances — FHA 203K loans will finance new free standing appliances for your home. Why not use that opportunity to buy EPA recommended ENERGY STAR appliances? Imagine beautiful stainless appliances that save you a bundle in monthly energy costs.

2.) Save Water, Save Energy — You can finance brand new low flow toilets as well as tankless water heaters. Low flow toilets use less than half the water that older models do and tankless waters provide unlimited hot water without all the wasted energy of a constantly working water heater.

3.) Want New Hardwoods? — Opt for sustainable bamboo flooring. Bamboo reproduces itself to maturity in 5 years as opposed to the 40-100 years than normal hardwoods take. Make sure and opt for formaldehyde free glues.

4.) Environmentally Friendly Landscaping and Lawn — Making an eco-friendly outdoor area that saves water and provides shade, helping you reduce heating and cooling costs, is not as hard as you think. How do we you do it? First of all choose local plants that require less water and less pruning. Pruning creates waste and fills landfills, avoid it if possible. Choosing local plants can help you conserve water and require less work. If you have an irrigation system install a “smart” system that calibrates water needed based on local climates and plant needs.

5.) Solar Panels — Solar is one of the easiest ways to dramatically cut monthly energy bills. Installing solar panels is so encouraged by HUD that they will allow you to exceed statutory loan limits to do so. In many cases the Federal, State and Utility company tax credits will pay for a good portion of the purchase and installment of solar panels. The rest we can finance.

6.) Better Insulation — An obvious choice for a green home, insulating your home better can help you save thousands on energy bills.

7.) Choosing Green Building Materials — A key aspect of any green FHA 203K renovation is the selection of environmentally friendly building materials. To reduce transport pollution and energy costs go local first. The second thing to look for is recyclable materials such as Glass, Terrazzo, Ceramic and Porcelain.

These are just a few of the myriad of green renovation choices you can finance with an FHA 203K renovation loan. There are literally hundreds of other ways to green your home, save yourself hundreds in monthly energy costs, increase your resale value and do your part in preserving the planet. The time is now to take action and do what you can. You never know, you might just be able to dramatically cut your monthly energy bills, create a bundle in home equity and substantially improve the marketability of your home.

Jonathan Blackwell
Green Renovation Specialist
Hometown Lenders
http://www.203KLoan.net
http://www.GoGreenWithFHA.com
404-551-3845

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Go Green this week on Six Minute Style as host Susan Doherty walks you through your home, room by room, with simple steps designed to help you save the planet and your cash. Yes, green living is good for your wallet too!

Here is the video on Youtube:

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Types of sustainable energy there uses and limitations and problems with unsustainable energy types. Sustainable energy is the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. A broader interpretation may allow inclusion of fossil fuels as transitional sources while technology develops, as long as new sources are developed for future generations to use. A narrower interpretation includes only energy sources which are not expected to be depleted in a time frame relevant to the human race, which can potentially also include nuclear power if it is utilized differently from the current manner

Here is the video on Youtube:

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Living green is a way that some people have found to help save planet Earth from a fast approaching disaster. Being eco-friendly is a way of life that many people have chosen to live because it helps slow down the process of destroying the earth. It means buying “green products” that are environmentally friendly, along with other endeavors that will help save our environment.

Watch as a pair of conservation experts discusses the topic of “green” cleaning in this free online video about environmentalism.

Here is the video on Youtube:

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The GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle Awards program was created in response to the growing demand for green building solutions, products, and information.

The goal behind awarding this recognition is to locate and shine a spotlight on those companies and individuals who are enabling healthier homes and lifestyles by way of excellence in environmentally sound home building and green living products.

The GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle Awards program was founded by the non-profit organization, Green Log Awards, Inc., in cooperation with the Environment News Service (ENS).

Categories of the Awards include:
* Insulation Systems
* SIPS and Building Systems
* Interior Design
* Stains and Finishes
* Flooring- Alt. Materials
* Reclaimed Wood – Flooring
* Heating Solutions
* Hardware
* Cabinetry
* Countertops & Surfaces
* Furnishings & Materials
* Sustainable Landscaping
* Energy Solutions
* Water Conservation
* Product & Information Sites
* Blogs
* Windows & Lighting
* Roofing

One of the nominees is Sashco Sealants, a Colorado based manufacturer of coatings and sealant. Transformation Stain, Sashcos newest addition to their stain line is formulated with resins based on renewable resources, such as safflower, linseed, and Tung oil, rather than petroleum-based chemicals. The Transformation Stain VOC compliant formula utilizes a solvent that is non-photochemically reactive, so it does not generate ground level smog.

Sashco took special care when formulating Transformation Stain for long-term durability and performance to decrease the frequency and need to re-apply, or re-stain so as often as other stains on the market. Longer durability results in reduced product consumption and the resulting waste. To further reduce waste, Transformation Stain is packaged in fully recyclable metal pails.

Many of Sashcos products are all totally water based products that offer Earth, animal and human friendly water-clean up without the use of mineral spirits or other harsh chemicals that pollute the air, ground, and water and are toxic to both humans and animals.

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The Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) allows the borrowers to include the cost to upgrade the home to an energy efficient home. Thereby, the borrower lives comfortably and affordably in a home that uses less energy. And, we do our part to save our environment, natural resources, wildlife, habitat, and planet.

Recently, the cost on home utilities surges very high. The borrowers or consumers look to find a way to pay less on home utilities. The energy efficient home puts extra cash into the pocket of the borrower as the borrower pays less on home utilities.

Buyers are able to live in a better and comfortable home, while the energy efficient homes compensate the cost of high monthly mortgage payment. The potential buyers who are concern to be environment friendly are growing steadily. In the future, the energy saving components of the home will increase the resale value of the home.

For the Seller, the energy efficient home can sell quicker. Due to the spikes in home energy, the demand for energy efficient homes will continue to grow. Thus, the buyer can live more affordably.

The home owners can also remodel the home to upgrade to energy efficient home. So, the home owner starts to enjoy the benefits of paying less on home utilities. Another, the energy saving components is way to increase the resale value of the home.

The HERS report on a home tells how energy efficient is the home. The HERS report is abbreviation of Home Energy Rating Systems Report. The home gets between 1 and 100 points, or 1 and 5 stars. The highest possible score is 100 points or 5 stars. It is worth to consider in buying, selling, and remodeling the home.

Basically, the HERS report contains information on overall rating, recommendations, cost, annual cost, and savings. Also, the report includes the life of energy saving components.

Dennis Estrada is a webmaster of mortgage calculators, understanding affordability mortgage calculators, and understanding bi-weekly payment mortgage calculators websites.

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For several years there has been a strong movement that grows continuously, involving the manufacturing of modern eco homes. This movement has seen many new and existing companies, mainly located in the United States, which are successfully marketing modern prefab homes to a much wider audience than before.

But why would anyone buy modern prefab homes when so many preconceived prejudices make them unattractive? Simply because it is more profitable not just economically, but also environmentally. Modern prefab homes can reduce construction costs while lessening the environmental impact of construction projects.

These modern eco homes are designed by professional architects, many of whom previously only worked in traditional construction, but now find themselves drawn into this more eco-friendly and flexible building.

One reason these architects are turning to this construction method is the amount of control they can have over every aspect of construction. It is far easier for them to oversee every detail in a controlled environment, like a prefabricated home construction centre, than it is on a cold, wet traditional on-site building location.

Another reason is that a house may look fine on paper, but as construction continues problems may arise in terms of practical design or a feature that is unappealing to the eye, it is a much simpler and cost-effective to alter the design in this situation, than it is out on a construction site.

Modern prefab homes are also intended to be reproduced multiple times with slight variations, as opposed to a one-off construction on the site. Therefore, it is far more practical to make changes to a plan when the same design may be used multiple times, rather than it is when you are dealing with a single unit.

Eco friendly prefab homes are beautifully adapted for modern life, and it make sense from a financial point of view, because of the lower cost of construction. Also these prefabricated houses are of superior quality because it is easier to control the quality of work in a factory than on a construction site.

This modern eco homes movement was born from the needs of ordinary people for affordable housing. Typically, modern houses are too expensive to build for many peoples pockets; modern prefab homes offer an affordable, quality alternative to traditional construction methods.

One reason is the care and craftsmanship that is needed to build modern-style prefab homes compared with a traditional-style, on-site built house. For example, the architecture of the modern-style house often needs a backbone of steel or concrete, which costs far more than modern wooden frames.

The prefabricated house is an option for ordinary people to have access to modern eco homes in an architect designed style that works in harmony with nature, rather than abusing it.

Kristen Sky is founder of Modern Eco Homes dot com, which sells a wide range of environment friendly
prefab homes, certified organic pet furniture and indoor and outdoor eco-friendly furniture

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In any climate, if you’re thinking of going green, passive solar energy design is the best place to start. Affordable passive solar homes are easy to construct using the same basic materials as conventional housing. All it takes is a little thought and some clever manipulation of the sun and wind and you can save thousands of dollars on energy bills throughout the lifetime of your home.

Although many of our passive solar home design tips can be easily and inexpensively applied to an existing home the most effective passive solar power dwellings are carefully planned from the outset to take best advantage of the sun’s natural rhythm.

A long and shallow house that faces as close to true south as possible is a good start. East and west walls will have little exposure to the sun while the north should have the fewest windows.

In cooler climates most of your energy bill represents heating and cooling costs. Passive solar energy principles revolve around regulating your home’s interior temperature by inviting as much sun as possible in during the winter months while discouraging it in summer.

Here are some of our favorite tips for collecting free passive solar energy.

• 1. Insulation ~ Not the prettiest aspect but it absolutely makes the most of a passive solar design. Without adequate insulation in floors, ceilings, walls and around electrical outlets, doors, windows and dryer vents all of your other passive solar efforts will be unimpressive.
• 2. East ~ Plan a breakfast patio on the east side of your home where you can soak up the sun on summer mornings before the heat of the day sets in. Plantings, awnings and insulated window coverings will keep the sun out of the house in the summers.
• 3. West ~ The best place for a deep covered veranda. Watch the sun set from the cool shade of your covered porch. Plan a windbreak of trees to the north west to keep the winter winds at bay.
• 4. South ~ (north in the southern hemisphere) This is the side of the house that collects the most passive solar power. Orient your house and most of your windows and doorways facing in this direction. Awnings or shallow overhangs will keep the sun out in the summer while allowing it in during the winter.
• 5. North ~ (south in the southern hemisphere) There is little or no opportunity for solar gain on the shady side of your home, but a great deal of heat can be lost through these openings. Windows to the north, or the shady side of the house should be minimal, just enough for safety and escape routes. Large openings such as garden doors should be covered with insulated draperies or shutters during the winter. Evergreen trees or an earth berm on this side help to block frigid winter winds.
• 6. Plantings ~ Deciduous plantings (leaves fall off in the winter) in the form of trees, trellises, arbors, pergolas and pots, provide ample shade in the summer when placed near windows and doorways but allow winter sun lots of access to warm the home after their leaves have fallen off. Way more than shading the area, trees and other greenery actually cool the air. In much the same way as an air conditioner, greenery drinks in gallons, even dozens of gallons, of humidity from the surrounding air, making tree shade superior to awning shade.
• 7. Patios ~ Outdoor living spaces add ambience and, of course, living area for your summer activities. Plan an outdoor cooking area on your shady patio to keep the heat out of the house on sultry summer evenings.
• 8. Entryways ~ A separate entryway or mud room allows you to exit and enter the house, greet guests and cart in groceries and other needs without exposing the house to the elements. Use an energy efficient space heater to regulate the temperature of this space.
• 9. Thermal Mass ~ Thermal materials such as stone, brick or concrete floors. window ledges/seats and islands or half walls, readily absorb the sun’s thermal rays to be slowly released into the evening hours. A depth of at least 4 inches of thermal material works best.
• 10. Covered Verandas ~ The best place for a deep, covered veranda is on the west side of the house to provide a cool afternoon space. The veranda will keep the afternoon sun from intruding into your living space during the summer. Avoid covered verandas on the south side as they do not allow sufficient sunlight to enter the home for warmth in the winter.

In very cold climates, properly applied passive solar principles can provide all the summer cooling you’ll require and most of your winter heating needs as well. The addition of a wood or pellet burning stove or energy efficient space heater can provide sufficient heat throughout even very cold winters.

One size does not fit all when making passive solar plans for a home.

Properly researched passive solar design for your specific location will result in a home that operates efficiently and comfortably with minimal use of fossil energy. That’s good news for all of us.

Find lots more solar power information at http://www.solarpowerathome.com/ – Solar Power At Home

Hi, I’m Debra from Solar Power At Home. Here you’ll find information to help you decide whether solar power is right for you.

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When people first think of contemporary furniture, some tend to picture something completely out of this world, kind of like something you would see in the Museum of Modern Art or at the Met. True, some crazy looking furniture does exist, but it’s the artistic value and work that was put into it that shouldn’t be overlooked. What’s even better is that most of these artsy furniture pieces are functional, perfect for those who are looking for something unique, broken in, and recyclable.

Many artists are familiar with the concept of “found art” or “found object,” a form of art championed by 20th century artist Marcel Duchamp with his popular and humorous urinal piece titled Fountain. Presently, found art has made its way to the furniture circuit, with couches made out of recycled t-shirts, lounge chairs made from used bicycle parts, and even coffee tables made out of old recycled phone books. Art has never looked so green.

Some people may have some qualms over the functionality that these artistic furniture pieces have to offer. Contrary to belief, most of these pieces were designed to be used on a daily basis. Usually constructed with the same foundation as regular furniture and carefully measured to make sure that the piece complies with the laws of physics, you can rest assured knowing that your found art furniture piece is just as reliable (and much more eco-friendly) than the alternative.

Before you go out and buy some random piece of furniture that you find is both artsy and environmentally friendly, be sure to consider the following important factors:

First of all, will it complement your home decor? Unless you’re going for that eclectic look there’s nothing more embarrassing than leading your guests through your home and having mismatched furniture. If you’re going with a theme, whether it’s tropical, eclectic, contemporary or traditional, make sure that your artistic furniture pieces will be able to harmonize with your theme.

If you have small children or pets, be sure to investigate whether any of the byproducts used in making these unique furniture pieces are safe to have in your home. Find out if any of the pieces you’re considering come apart easily, and by easily I mean with a slight tug on the fabric, a brush of the hand, etc. Of course, you should use this rule of thumb for any furniture item you intend to buy, whether it’s a found art piece or the latter.

Lastly, think about the longevity of the item. Just because it’s a recycled, eco-friendly piece does not necessarily mean that it’ll last as long as a piece from your local furniture wholesaler. Do some research and see what kind of care is required to make your found art furniture piece last. After all things have been thoroughly considered, you’re ready to bring home a bit of art and eco-friendly furnishings into your home.

Looking for unique dining room furniture and bedroom sets? Be sure to visit Eco-Furniture.com.

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You will first need to know the type of system that you have in your home to accurately choose a thermostat. Every home is
different and in different sections of the states is it necessary to use a specific type of system to accurately heat or cool homes. We are here to help you find the correct thermostat for your needs.

There are several different types of systems: line voltage, single stage, multi stage, heat pumps, and multi stage heat pumps. Each is unique in it’s own way. Read down below to learn more about each type of system.

Step One: Determine what system you have

Single Stage: (Traditional Gas heat and Electric AC Systems)

Single-stage heating means that your furnace only has one level of heat output. An example would be if you only have a gas, forced air heater, or if you have an electric AC system with a separate heating system. This is the most common type of system all over the country. If you already have a thermostat then you will generally have 6 wires or less coming from your wall.

Multi Stage: (More than one level of heating or cooling)

Multi Stage heating means that you have two levels of heat in your home. You will perhaps have a furnace and another method of heat like a solar panel. The second level of heat is commonly referred to as an emergency heat setting. Therefore, because the low setting is adequate to meet household-cooling or heating demands 80% of the time, the multi-stage unit runs for longer periods and provides more even heat distribution.

Heat Pump: (If you have this system you will know)

A heat pump is a single system that does both your heating and cooling. When a heat pump is used you will not have a separate air conditioning system because the heat pump can do both operations. A heat pump is used as the emergency heat for multi stage units because it can produce heat faster than any other unit and heat up your home faster on very cold days; these
systems are popular all over the county but especially in the Northeast. The Heat Pump thermostat will generally have more than 5 wires and almost always with a W2 and a C or X wire.

Multi Stage Heat Pump:

(Most advanced thermostat)This system uses more than one system just like the multi stage but it uses a heat pump as the emergency heating or cooling. You will have a typical heating or cooling unit and rely on the heat pump to help your typical system heat or cool faster and more efficiently. You will have to switch the thermostat to emergency heating or emergency cooling for this to work but it is more efficient and can make your home more comfortable faster.

Line Voltage:

(Uses Direct Voltage)A line voltage system uses direct current instead of only 24 volts like the typical thermostat of today’s newer homes. This type of thermostat is used in older homes that use direct voltage. The power wires are thicker and they generally run either 120 or 240 volts on direct current. Line voltage electric heat thermostats are common in older construction especially with baseboard heaters and with electric heaters. They are NOT used with gas heating (gas heaters
are generally single stage systems). Most line voltage systems are mechanical rather than digital programmable. Depending on the voltage of the thermostat and the home the thermostat will use either 2 or 4 wires black and red wires.

Double Pole or Single Pole? A matter of personal preference!

A line voltage single pole thermostat is a system where you cannot shut off the power to your system. The thermostat connects to the electricity via 2 wires. Essentially you can turn the temperature far down to prevent the heat coming on
but if your home happens to get to that low temperature your thermostat will turn on the heat. These types of systems are good for vacation homes in cold climates to make sure that pipes don’t freeze.

A line voltage double pole thermostat is the type of system you would want if you need to entirely shut off power to your unit. This thermostat will connect to your power via 4 wires. The double pole system utilizes a circuit that can completely turn off, similar to an electrical device that has a turn dial that if turned all the way to one side will “click” and completely turn off. This type of system works perfectly for those that shut off their homes completely at night, or have summer homes that they like to power down.

Step Two: Determine the features you desire

A programmable system has different types of setting depending on the type of programmable. You can have 5-2, 2-2-1, or 7 day programming capabilities. These are the separate types of day combinations that exist for thermostats. These styles have even evolved to include touch screens.

This style is not programmable but it has a digital read out similar to your digital alarm clock.

These systems work with a mercury switch that does the job of a relay switch today. They are not able to be programmed and are the original technology of thermostats.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alicia_Delangis

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