In our household it seems we are always looking for ways to cut expenses to help make ends meet. An easy place to invest some money to get a quick payback is efficiency. Here are 5 tips to get started reducing your monthly utility bills.
1. Air seal your home – air sealing requires a low-level of skill and provides a high level of payback. Finding the gaps and cracks that leak your conditioned air to the outside is the key. Places that typically leak in a traditionally built home include light switches, electrical outlets, and around doors. Take off the covers and seal around the electrical outlets and light switches with caulk and weatherstrip the doors to stop the flow of air.
2. Insulate – It is critical to have insulation in the right amount, the right type, in the right places. However, if you are looking for the fastest payback, start in the attic. Typically attic insulation is installed to code minimum standards. Adding that second blanket of insulation in your attic, like you do on your bed in the winter, will make you more comfortable year round.
3. Adjust your thermostat – Turning your thermostat up 1 degree in the summer and down 1 degree in the winter from your typical setting will save you around 3% each month. Installing a programmable thermostat is even better.
4. Capture rainwater – Using rainwater to irrigate your lawn, garden, and flowers will cut your water usage each month. This easy strategy to cut utility bills also captures a better water for your landscape (no added chemicals) so things grow healthy and strong.
5. Install a ceiling fan to cool your home, use a clothes line to dry your clothes, open windows on cool summer nights, and close shades to block unwanted heat gain. So I could not fit it all in 5 tips – go ahead, pick one of these and get started.
Cohousing is a type of development where residents collaborate together on the design of their own neighborhood. The residents create the spaces that work best for the group.
Cohousing residents are committed to living as a community together. The physical design of the homes encourages both social contact and individual space.The homes in this type of development are traditional in features, but typically are smaller as the shared space/ community house offers needed expansion opportunities for those rare occasions it is needed for individual families. The exterior spaces of the community are frequently shared by the entire neighborhood, from playgrounds, courtyards, picnic areas to parking. For more information check out this website.
Here is another project we have under construction. It is designed for the future, can be taken off grid, is accessible, and can support a self sufficient lifestyle. Let us know what you think.
Life Cycle Analysis is a system of reviewing the entire history of a product to account for the total impact on the environment. Also known as cradle-to-grave analysis, the process includes analysis of processing of raw materials, manufacturing process, and distribution process to bring a product to market. I also should include an account of the disposal of the product.
This analysis is especially important when selecting building materials for a sustainable structure. The embedded energy it takes to build a new building is incredibly high. A true green building design will look at ways to create a structure that will last 100+ years to offset the embedded energy it takes to create the structure. For instance, using a window that is made locally and is highly durable is much better for the environment than a window that is less money up front, but will begin to fail after only a few years and need to be replaced within 15.
We have been working with a great group of volunteers to bring this conference together. Website and registration should launch soon! Here are some details.
MID-ATLANTIC SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE
“building for the future”
JMU Festival Center
Harrisonburg, VA
The Mid-Atlantic Sustainability Conference brings together thoughtful leaders in the residential and commercial building industry. This inaugural event is designed for those interested in the green-building industry, including contractors, architects, designers, vendors, consultants, engineers, realtors, government agencies, and students. The primary focus of the event is to educate the local and regional building industry on quality green-building practices, products, and projects to inspire attendees to build for the future. The event, co-sponsored by James Madison University office on sustainability, Central Virginia Construction Specifications Institute, and the Shenandoah Valley Builders Association, is a three day conference covering topics including:
Alternative Energy (solar, wind, energy management)
Energy Efficiency (sensors and measurements, energy saving controls, conservation, building science, energy code, energy modeling)
Building Science (moisture management, bulk water management, insulation, alternative building systems, indoor air quality)
The Mid-Atlantic Sustainability Conference will be held at the JMU Festival Conference and
Student Center, Harrisonburg, VA.
1301 Carrier Drive
Festival Conference & Student Center
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Va 22807
Parking
Parking is available at the JMU Convocation Center Lot R10. A JMU shuttle bus will run from this location to the festival center at 15 minute intervals during the conference. All other JMU parking spaces are reserved and parking in them will result in a fine.
Registration
Opening Soon
Early Bird Rate $225 (through June 30)
Regular Rate $275
Student Rate $50
NAHB Building Science Course (add $175)
Registration link: TBD
Sponsorship
Gold ($500) – company logo on website with live link, marketing material in attendee bag
Platinum ($1,000) – Gold level benefits + table top display space Sept 4-5 each morning at event.
