> I am somewhat a fan of the tv show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I love underdogs, houses and remodeling, but I do not care for the waste generated in their projects. This Sunday, Feb 14, though, I will be watching, because they are remodeling a house to be ‘near net zero.’ Net zero means a house generates as much or more energy than it uses. It’s hard to accomplish in remodeling, but these guys came close – ‘near net zero.’ In previous posts, I have mentioned many of the materials used to create such an energy efficient home – SIPs, solar, super insulation and energy efficient windows – but this episode will be an education for all of us!
> If I had to live in a city, it would be San Francisco. I visited family there several times when I was a kid and fell in love with it! I spent some time there 20 years ago and almost rented a studio near the ocean, the trolley and Golden Gate Park. Some days, I wish I had! Oh well, it’s on my bucket list. And here’s some impetus – Mayor Newsom just announced $19.2 million in funding for energy audits and energy efficient retrofits of businesses, multi-family dwellings and municipal buildings through SF’s Energy Watch program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
AND! I’m not done with San Francisco yet! PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a loan program that funds energy efficient improvements through property taxes. This is a wonderful program, allowing any property owner to upgrade, since money is usually the main obstacle. San Francisco is making $150 million available through the PACE program. That is the largest in the country! San Francisco, here I come!
> New Zealand has been a dream destination of mine since I was young. My older daughter made it there before me, traveling with People to People the day after she turned 12! That was my vicarious trip to NZ, and I have hot pads and currency to prove it! Whale Rider? Seen it a gazillion times. New Zealand is another one for the bucket list.
I studied Maori culture and love it. I even started to learn the language! But now they have grabbed my heart even more by designing an energy efficient child care center, which also reflects their history and culture. All buildings should have this much spiritual depth and teach so much simply through meaningful design. Wow.
> I am not a gym rat, but I can imagine the energy spent in one as pounds get whittled away. Can that energy be put to use? Yes! A company called ReRev makes elliptical cross-trainers that generate power. It reminds me of our hamsters running in their wheels endlessly through the night, or cartoon mice in a wheel to power a light bulb. Now someone has put that idea to excellent use on a large scale. Double duty workout! No energy wasted!
> Ever since entering the 21st century, my life is filled with gadgets to charge and/or plug in – cell phones, laptops, printers, iPods, DVD players, remote control tvs. My house used to be dark at night, but now there are little lights all over the place telling me I will be portable the next day. And wireless is far from wireless! What a mess hides behind the router! Someday, though, we may be able to unplug the cables and charge our toys with energy beams.
