Build and Live in a Greener Home. Make a difference in the planet of what we all have to do everyday. Live.

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Permalink Reply by Ruth Mitchell on January 10, 2008 at 4:06pm

We did pay more to live in a green home. My husband is an architect and we invested in such things as water furnaces (we live on a lake), SIP panels, 3 ft eaves, recycling hot water pump so we have instant hot water, (you would think this would not be green but it is) and an effecient fireplace system. While the weather was mild last month, we only had a $200 electricity bill in our 4,500 sf home.

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Permalink Reply by David Syring - ListedGreen.com on January 11, 2008 at 9:30pm

Ruth,
Just imagine for a second if everyone did what you have done. What a difference it would make in a grander scale of things. Of course saving water is green. Waiting for water to get hot as it runs down the drain is a sure fire way to make a difference.

Think about. If every house in the United States used a recycling hot water pump, how many gallons would be saved from being "wasted" down the drain. It's not just water saving, but energy saving. The amount of energy generated to treat and supply water to the common household is staggering - and most folks don't know it.

Let the scientists figure out how to make hydrogen from photosynthesis - maybe one day giving us an unlimited supply of power from fuel cells. Maybe cure cancer with nano-treatments. Let them work on just those two things and boy, what a difference that would make in this world.

Meanwhile, we can all change something out there in our lives. Start a momentum. Most of us aren't scientists, but we can do something worthwhile.

Just a little something.

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Permalink Reply by LINDA SAFLEY on January 31, 2008 at 9:16pm

Your absolutely right, more cities have to go green, and they are.
Linda

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Permalink Reply by B. Marshall-Jones on January 13, 2008 at 3:06am

Howdy Ruth,

Sounds like a wonderful home. It is so nice to hear more folks designing green, I did the same. But I now have one more up grade to my home to make a substantial difference... solar electric. Imagine if most of that $200 electric bill was generated by the Sun? I am looking at an option with no investment, no cost installation and no rising fuel costs. It is a solar rental program, also with an option that could reduce my rental bill to zero. I am not only excited about this for my own home but for the entire country! For the first time in the solar industry a company has made solar energy affordable and simple... the only downside is that we have to wait a few months as they are just starting up. Please visit my website for more information: www.EnergyIndependenceToday.com. I can't wait :)
Be well,
Bruce Marshall-Jones

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Permalink Reply by Ruth Mitchell on January 13, 2008 at 1:50pm

Sounds very interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Ruth

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Permalink Reply by B. Marshall-Jones on January 13, 2008 at 1:35pm

Howdy Meredith,

A worthy cause and creative effort for the low income families... nice work. For non-profit assistance, have you applied to the http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org ? Their mission statement "Use market forces to drive positive environmental change by inspiring companies to give." For me, finding solutions and ways we can be inclusive of each other and all income levels is more important that telling people can and can not do with their home. We can all thrive together by valuing even the "least" among us for we are all equal.

The solar energy company I am representing also plans to have 5% of it's production go toward socially responsible causes both here and world wide. More importantly is that, for the first time those folks that have always wanted to go green with a solar energy system but could never afford it... now can! And, all those folks on a fixed income that are seeing their energy costs eating away at their retirement and could potentially loose their home, now have a way to secure their electric rate for 25 years. This is HUGE!

Since you are such a compassionate person with the work you do, I would encourage you to explore my website and find out how you can join another part of the solution... http:www.EnergyIndependenceToday.com

In-joy,
Bruce Marshall-Jones

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Permalink Reply by B. Marshall-Jones on January 13, 2008 at 10:47pm

Howdy Meredith,

Thanks for the kind words. The solar industry is finally maturing! I would love to work with you in some way. Please check out the "Ecopreneur" tab on my website and let me know what you think. Do you have a website for your non-profit organization?

In-joy,
Bruce Marshall-Jones

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Permalink Reply by B. Marshall-Jones on January 14, 2008 at 1:34am

I looked at your website... great job! Simple, attractive and informative... well done.
The numbers we are working with are amazing and it is a solar revolution for the masses. I would not call it a gold rush because there is a lot of hard work involved and it is not a get rich quick scenario. It is real, no hype and with a potential of a nice long term residual income. It seems to me it would support and dovetail quite well into what you are doing. Please call me or email me... contact info on the website. I have another very interesting fund raiser for non-profits that involves planting trees all over the country.

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Permalink Reply by B. Marshall-Jones on January 27, 2008 at 3:42am

Howdy David,

Did you get a chance to look over my websites? Any thoughts?

Peace,
Bruce

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Permalink Reply by B. Marshall-Jones on April 14, 2008 at 3:17am

Not sure what you mean Ruthie. Please explain.

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Permalink Reply by Aeolienne on April 22, 2008 at 8:23am

I live in a flat (it's all I could afford to buy) so my options for making it more sustainable are exceedingly limited. :-(

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