Contributed by Eric Miller, New Leaf America

New Leaf America is dedicated to helping homeowners and small businesses to evaluate and implement cost effective energy saving retrofitting options. The process starts with a home evaluation. Once completed, a retrofitting plan is presented to the home or business owner. These recommendations focus on the most affordable, high return on investment, (ROI) energy efficient retrofitting options and include a true “common sense” approach to taking the first steps toward energy saving retrofitting for a home or business.

These first retrofitting steps (before going solar) focus mainly on exterior and interior lighting through the use of state of the art lighting products, water saving devices, slaying power vampires, and weatherization.

The local contact for New Leaf America is long time Park City resident Eric Miller, a LEED Accredited Professional.  Eric Miller can be reached at (435) 640-3934 or email Eric

Tom Ward, Park City’s “Green Realtor”, launched the Environmental Issues Committee (EIC) in 2000 to serve as a resource on environmental issues related to the real estate transaction (radon, mold, soils ordinance, etc…). The committee later expanded its mission to include a focus on green built and energy efficient homes in this market. According to Tom, The Park City Board of Realtors is one of the first in the country to have added searchable fields to their MLS for green building certifications, and energy efficient features in the home.

January Committee News:
The EIC just revamped its mission statement — The Environmental Issues Committee (EIC) serves as an environmental resource center for local REALTORS and their clients by promoting education and actively supporting organization, initiatives, and local policies that advance a vision for sustainable and healthy communities.

See homes near you powered by the Sun at the Utah Solar Tour 2010 on Saturday, September 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

What:  Utah Solar Tour 2010
When: Saturday, September 25th from 10:00am to 4:00pm at sites throughout Utah
Information:  Visit http://utsolar.org/index.php/solar_tour/overview/ to learn more about the Utah Solar Tour 2010 and see maps of tour sites to find sites in your area
Cost: No cost, it’s FREE!!!

The Utah Solar Tour 2010 is a perfect opportunity to bring your family and learn about the exciting developments in renewable energy.  Come see how your neighbors, friends, and fellow Utahns are using renewable energy to cut their energy bills and become more self-reliant by producing their own power!  You will have the chance to visit homes and businesses using renewable energy and learn about how it works, how much it costs, how much money it saves, and much more.

Receive up to $2,000 with this program which has just been made available to Utah residents. If you’ve been wanting to make your home more energy efficient in order to save money heating and/or cooling your home – or if you just want your home to be more comfortable, now is the time to get the work done.

The program will cover up to 80% of the energy-efficient home improvements, according to the program manager, Jason Berry (the program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the Utah State Energy Program).

If you’re planning to stay in your home for years to come, energy-wise retrofits could save you hundreds over the years. Even if you plan to sell in the near future, making changes now could actually increase the value of your home to prospective buyers (especially if you list with an EcoBroker® Certified Realtor, who knows how to market energy efficient features).

More than 750 Utah homeowners are expected to make the recommended energy efficiency retrofits, reducing their household’s energy use by 20% or greater. The funding is limited, so interested homeowners should act quickly – and start saving money right away!

In addition to the grant money available through Utah Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, homeowners who make energy efficient upgrades to their homes may also receive federal tax credits and rebates through local utility companies.

What are you waiting for?  Contact me for more details: 435 647-3727 or UtahGreenHomes@gmail.com.

Blog post contributed by Beverly Hanson, Certified EcoBroker in Salt Lake City.  For all Real Estate needs along the Wasatch Front, Beverly can be found at slcgreenhomes.com

An effective, continuous air barrier system assists in controlling air movement into and out of your home.  The heating and air conditioning systems work more efficiently.  You save money!

The United States Department of Energy estimates “uncontrolled” air leakage can account for 30% or more of a home’s heating and cooling costs, and contribute to problems with moisture.

Air can go straight through glass fiber and cellulose, but it can’t go through COMFORT FOAM® closed-cell technology.  It is more than just insulation – it also provides an air barrier to properly seal your home.

Megan Luckan from Superior Insulation says “Closed cell foam gives high R value and air sealing and is the best bang for the buck, when it comes to thermally insulating your home”. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the featured vendors at the Swaner EcoFestival this week was DW Crosby displaying the All Season Control Cover.  According to the Department of Energy, 14% of energy loss in a typical home is through the fireplace.  The Control Cover is a chimney top fireplace damper system, perfect for new construction, or to repair or replace your current chimney caps or fireplace dampers.

Conserve energy and increase comfort.  Learn more at ControlCover.com

The FHA 203k loan is a great mortgage option that can provide clients up to $45,000 on top of their purchase loan for property upgrades. It is specifically for renovation of a purchased home (but can also be used as a refinance option for people who want to renovate their existing homes).

This loan allows buyers to add up to:
$35K for non-structural home improvements and upgrades
$8K for Energy Efficiency Upgrades (Ex. windows, furnace, insulation, energy star appliances, etc.)
$2K for Weatherization Upgrades

These loans are the perfect solution for buyers who want to buy a “fixer upper” or even those who simply want to update a home that doesn’t have the granite countertops and new appliances they want.

While these loans are perfect for the right buyer, they can be tricky to navigate. Make sure you work with a loan officer who knows the ins and outs of the 203K process and can minimize the impact on the borrower.

Carl Churchill
service-integrity-solutions
Community Banker
Mortgage and RefinanceSpecialist
mobile 801.573.8475
www.greenmortgageutah.com

The Utah State Energy Program is administering over $2.3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) rebate funds for the Cash for Appliances Utah Program. Qualified products include clothes washers, room air conditioners, gas furnaces, gas storage water heaters and gas tankless water heaters. The program aims to replace over 19,000 inefficient appliances with energy-efficient models and save customers over $469,000 in energy costs. The projected CO2 savings from this program is the equivalent of taking 657 cars off the road or planting over 88,000 trees. Rebates are available beginning May 12, 2010 and are offered for qualified products on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Rebates may be combined with existing utility, retailer or manufacturer rebates. Layering rebates is encouraged to maximize your savings.

Cash for Appliances Utah Details
•Cash for Appliances Utah is an appliance replacement program. Consumers must replace an existing appliance to qualify for Cash for Appliances Utah rebates.
•Purchase on or after May 12, 2010
•Available rebates:
•$75 rebate on clothes washers with a modified energy factor (MEF) of 2.0 or greater and a water factor (WF) of 6.0 or less
•$30 rebate on ENERGY STAR® qualified room air conditioners
•$300 rebate on ENERGY STAR® qualified gas furnaces with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of at least 90%
•$300 on ENERGY STAR® qualified gas tankless water heaters with an energy factor (EF) of at least.82
•$50 on gas storage water heaters with an energy factor (EF) of at least .67
•Recycling your old appliances is encouraged
•Rebates are in addition to available utility, retailer and/or manufacturer rebates
•Rebates are available only while funds last

Go to Cash for Appliances Utah for Rebate Form, list of Qualified Products and FAQs.

Chris Bird, speaker, author and tax expert, reviews the energy tax credits in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Credits apply to improvements to a principal residence and range from a $1500 maximum credit for improvements such as insuation, doors and windows and roofs (2009-2010 only) to 30% credit of cost for major improvements (through 2016). For more information, go to www.energystar.gov for requirements and charts.

The Utah State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP) will launch on Wednesday May 12, 2010. A summary of included products, ENERGY STAR efficiency levels and rebate amounts is as follows:

Only purchases made after the start of the program will be eligible for a rebate. Consumers will be required to certify the rebated appliance will replace an appliance being taken out of service. Applications forms will be available at the point of sale and from a dedicated web site that is under development. Consumers can use the ENERGY STAR website to search for products by efficiency rating at this website.