SURVEY SAYS > WE DO SOME GREEN THINGS

June 29, 2012 on 12:31 am | In Act Locally, all, Curious, Green Houses, Solutions, Statistics, Trends, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

by Jodi Summers

On the road to going green, Americans are taking basic, cost-cutting measures. When it comes to spending money on energy retrofits, the average American still has their hand in their pocket, according to a recent Harris Poll.

Most Americans are taking basic steps to go green > turning off lights, televisions or other appliances when not in use (82%), replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent ones (58%), using power strips (56%), looking for ENERGY STAR labels when replacing appliances (55%) and using low watt bulbs (54%).

When it comes to investing in energy efficiency, Americans are reticent. The poll notes that less than half of Americans have installed a programmable thermostat (37%), sealed gaps in floors or walls around pipes or electric wiring (34%), installed low-flow faucets (29%), energy efficient windows (28%) or added insulation to an attic, crawl space or accessible exterior windows (27%).

Surprisingly, despite all the marketing, just in one ten U.S. adults (11%) have conducted a home energy evaluation or audit. And there are regional differences in how homes go green.  Three in five Westerners (59%) use low wattage light bulbs compared to just 48% of Easterners. Two in five of those living in the West (40%) have installed low-flow faucets compared to just 25% of those in the East and 23% in the Midwest. In the meantime, over half of Southerners (55%) change their air filters monthly in comparison to just 27% of Easterners and 28% of Westerners.

The technology is there > green buttons, smart meters, yet one in five Americans (21%) say they have been contacted by their utility or co-op about energy efficiency tools. Nationwide, we’ve been good about it, as nearly 1/3rd of Westerners (32%) have been contacted compared to just 16% of Midwesterners.

The green technology item that Americans really want is a dashboard in their home (48%), even with the understanding that they would have to be proactive about their energy use. The dashboard is exciting because many Americans would prefer to control their energy usage – seven in ten U.S. adults (69%) would prefer to manage that energy distribution themselves while only 9% would prefer to have their utility manage their energy use.

Technology is ahead of adoption. American families are proactive about taking simple steps to be more conscientious about using and paying for energy in their own homes. As to be expected, the recession has curtailed many from making any large green improvement investments. Perhaps energy companies will need to come up with more stimulating incentives to inspire customers to adopt energy efficient solutions.

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http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/mid/1508/articleId/980/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/Default.aspx

http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00ZeCToUGHOtiq/Programmable-Thermostat-GP600-Series.jpg

http://www.socalgreenrealestateblog.com/?p=2053

http://www.livinggreenwithloghomes.com/wp-content/uploads/19_4_orig.jpg

http://asset3.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim//2010/08/05/ApplianceManager_610x366.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/10/24/article-1222534-06EFADDA000005DC-503_634x444.jpg

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  1. AB 1103 – California’s nonresidental building energy program implementation delayed 3 to 4 years

    AB 1103, signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger in September 2007, applies to certain nonresidential buildings in California and requires benchmarking of a building’s energy consumption using the EPA’s Portfolio Manager system and disclosure of the building’s energy usage to potential buyers, lessees, and lenders of the entire building. Originally, AB 1103 required implementation on January 1, 2010. Thereafter, AB 531 became law and assigned the implementation and schedule of compliance for AB 1103 to the California Energy Commission (“CEC”).

    Most observers believed the CEC would delay implementation by 12 months to January, 2011. However, the CEC pushed implementation to 2012. The commercial real estate community was bracing for AB 1103 to be implemented on July 1, 2012. However, on March 30, 2012, the CEC issued proposed regulations that sets out the following phased implementation of AB 1103 in 2013 through 2014:

    Comment by Green Building Update — July 1, 2012 #

  2. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) last week announced that its LEED for Homes program surpassed 20,000 certified homes. The national certification system, which launched in 2008, offers guidance and verification for homes aiming for energy- and resource efficiency. The certified group runs the gamut of the residential market—single-family and multifamily, affordable and market rate. More than one-half of certified homes fall into the affordable category, and the USGBC reports that an additional 79,000 units are in the pipeline.

    Comment by Hallie Busta — July 1, 2012 #

  3. The Signal Hill City Council is considering a green building policy for construction of new structures or additions of 50 percent or more to municipal buildings.

    The policy will encourage and promote green building practices and implement the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification standards, according to a council agenda staff report.

    According to the policy, construction to meet the LEED certification standards is estimated to increase costs 10-15 percent.

    In October, the Sustainable City Committee said a policy should be implemented in response to the city’s endeavor to become a “green city.”

    The city also will encourage and provide guidance for green building practices in the private sector.

    Community Development Director Scott Charney recommends the council approve the policy, according to the staff report.

    Comment by PhillipZonkel — July 1, 2012 #

  4. Loan program for energy efficiency – SB 1130 (de Leon; D-San Francisco). We have been working with the administration, treasurer, and/or controller over the past three years to design a program that uses the bonding ability of the state to provide an option for property owners to tap into low cost loans for energy efficiency. The bill is in the second house and continues to move forward.

    Comment by CBPA — July 6, 2012 #

  5. President Obama To Attend Fundraiser June 7 At Peter Chernin’s Santa Monica Home

    President Barack Obama will attend a fundraiser in Santa Monica to benefit the Democratic National Committee on Friday June 7, according to politicalpartytime.org.

    The luncheon will be held at the Santa Monica home of Peter and Megan Chernin.

    “Our Party, led by President Obama, is focused on building an economy that lasts – an economy that lifts up all Americans,” the invitation reads. “That’s why Democrats in all 50 states are working in neighborhoods and communities to advance issues like job creation, education, health care, and clean energy. But we need the resources to continue to move our country forward. Since we do not take money from special interests, corporate lobbyists, and political action committees, we must rely on dedicated Democrats like you.”

    General luncheon tickets are $10,000 per person.

    To be a luncheon VIP guest, the cost is $16,200 per person, which includes a photo with the president.

    To be a luncheon co-chair, the cost is $32,400 per person, which includes special discussion with the president and a VIP photo with him.

    Chernin is the Chairman and CEO of The Chernin Group which manages, operates and invests in businesses in the media, entertainment, and technology sectors.

    Comment by Brenton Garen — May 5, 2013 #

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