For many families, a two-car garage, expensive automobiles, and a sizable home are signs of success; however, a new trend is emerging in many American cities including Austin. Living small is more than a housing choice, but a philosophy that embraces environmental responsibility and social change. Rather than buying a large home and [...]
For many families, a two-car garage, expensive automobiles, and a sizable home are signs of success; however, a new trend is emerging in many American cities including Austin. Living small is more than a housing choice, but a philosophy that embraces environmental responsibility and social change. Rather than buying a large home and paying to heat and cool extra space, more and more individuals and families are choosing to downsize into a more energy-efficient, smaller space. By purchasing a smaller house or condominium, home buyers can minimize their environmental footprint and reduce their expenses while maintaining comfort and privacy.
A number of companies specialize in manufacturing pre-fabricated small homes that incorporate energy-efficient features. Smaller spaces require less energy for basic climate control; by adding features like solar panels, passive solar heating solutions, greenhouse glazing, and enhanced insulation, homeowners can significantly reduce the already low heating and cooling costs for these properties and provide a comfortable environment for their families.
Green condominiums are another solid choice for smaller families, couples, and singles; small by design, these properties typically feature more amenities and greater luxury than comparably-sized single-family homes. Because most Austin condominiums are located in close proximity to shopping and entertainment opportunities as well as workplaces and schools, some condo owners may be able to minimize or eliminate the use of private transportation altogether. This represents a major savings on automobile insurance, car payments, and gasoline, making it a financially and environmentally responsible choice. Many condo owners retain the use of a car, but the reduced use of gasoline alone can make a significant difference in the cost of living and justify the price of living in a downtown condo.
Even for families considering traditional homes, the living small philosophy can be put to good use in deciding on which home to purchase. Things to consider include:
- Does the home contain a great deal of decorative but unusable space? Vaulted ceilings and sweeping staircases add visual interest, but heating and cooling that additional space can be expensive and wasteful.
- Is the home located close to shopping, schools, and other frequently-visited locations? Walking or biking rather than driving to nearby destinations can save hundreds of dollars per year and helps keep Austin air clean.
- How sustainable is the property? Can it be upgraded to energy-efficient heating and cooling through solar panels or other green technologies? Landscaping with native plants can reduce the need for watering in the summer and provides an attractive, authentically Texan environment for local wildlife while embodying the living small concept, even in a larger home.
This Thursday, April 20th, is Earth Day. While Austin is regarded as one of the nation’s leaders in green energy and environmental responsibility, there is still much to be done. Here are some hints on what you can do to conserve energy, reduce pollution and protect the environment right here in Austin.
Insulate your [...]
This Thursday, April 20th, is Earth Day. While Austin is regarded as one of the nation’s leaders in green energy and environmental responsibility, there is still much to be done. Here are some hints on what you can do to conserve energy, reduce pollution and protect the environment right here in Austin.
Insulation saves money
Insulate your home
Making sure your home is well-insulated will reduce your energy costs year-round, saving you money and reducing your home’s overall energy use. Austin Energy offers free attic insulation, weatherproofing, caulking, and solar screens to homeowners who meet certain income requirements. Your house will be more comfortable and less expensive to heat and cool, and you’ll be making a difference in the environment as well; it’s win-win!
Be a Power Partner
Homeowners who sign up for Austin Energy’s Power Partner plan can receive a free programmable thermostat in return for allowing Austin Energy to cycle their air conditioning off for brief during peak use periods. This allows Austin Energy to better control the demand for electricity during the hottest part of summer days, saving energy and providing more reliable service for everyone.
Reduce your use
Turning off lights, televisions, and appliances when they are not in use seems simple enough. In practice, however, many of us forget; making a conscious effort to reduce your use of electricity can make a big difference in your monthly energy costs and the costs to the environment.
Green lawn care
By applying only organic, environmentally-safe fertilizers and pest controllers and using native Texas plants in landscaping, you can preserve the natural environment and even reduce your water usage. Native plants require less water and stand up better to Austin summers, so incorporating them into your plantings makes good environmental sense.
Bike or hike
For short trips around town, consider biking or walking rather than driving. You’ll save wear and tear on your vehicle, lessen the amount of exhaust fumes in the air, and the exercise will even improve your health. Public transport is another less-polluting option for longer trips away from home.
Do something
Even the smallest changes in your lifestyle can add up. Make a commitment to be more environmentally responsible, and take steps to incorporate green living into your daily routine. By working together, we can create a greener Austin for all of us.
Spring cleaning is an annual ritual for most homeowners: throwing out the old, dusting and shining up the new, and generally giving the whole house a thorough scrubbing and polishing. Environmental responsibility has added a new twist to this old tradition, however; many Austin residents now choose to go green when they spring clean. [...]
Time to get to spring cleaning!
Spring cleaning is an annual ritual for most homeowners: throwing out the old, dusting and shining up the new, and generally giving the whole house a thorough scrubbing and polishing. Environmental responsibility has added a new twist to this old tradition, however; many Austin residents now choose to go green when they spring clean. Here are some ways to improve your home’s environment while preserving the earth’s environment at the same time.
Downsize and minimize
Most homeowners accumulate a surprising amount of clutter over the years, keeping a wide array of items that are never used. By reducing the amount of unused items in your home, you can more easily keep it clean and organized, allowing your spring cleaning process to go more smoothly next year. It’s important to be realistic. If you’ve only used your elaborate espresso machine twice since you bought it, chances are you don’t really need it after all. By clearing out unused items, you can save on space and minimize your cleaning time considerably.
Don’t toss it, donate it
Used items in good repair are always in demand by various charities. Thrift stores and local organizations often derive a significant portion of their income from these donations. Depending on the specific charity, you may be able to donate:
- Clothing
- Books
- Furniture
- Automobiles
- Large and small appliances
- Tableware and silverware
- Toys
- Home decor
Best of all, you can often deduct the fair market value of donated items on next year’s tax return, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Avoid harsh chemical cleaners
A number of green cleansers are available on the market; alternatively, you can make your own with borax, baking soda, vinegar, and other natural substances. These are gentler on the environment and easier on your wallet as well. To avoid pests, use natural repellents like cedar wood, garlic, and various essential oils and herbs. Mice hate the smell of peppermint oil, for instance; sprinkling a few drops on a piece of cloth will help keep them out of your closet or kitchen.
Recycle
For items that can’t be reused or donated due to damage or wear, recycling is the next best thing. Used computer equipment, appliances, cell phones, plastics, glass, and paper can all be recycled through various companies and organizations. By minimizing the amount of trash that goes to landfills, you can help to keep the environment safe and minimize your environmental footprint.
By incorporating environmentally friendly methods into your spring cleaning routine, you can ensure that your home is a healthier, safer place to live both inside and out.
You have amazing plans. They involve you buying a house that might need a little work but has a lot of potential. You’ll take that potential and use it to create a green haven. Your home will be more eco-friendly than even you had ever imagined. Everything in it will work to sustain some part [...]
You have amazing plans. They involve you buying a house that might need a little work but has a lot of potential. You’ll take that potential and use it to create a green haven. Your home will be more eco-friendly than even you had ever imagined. Everything in it will work to sustain some part of the environment, from the roof, which will hold a garden, to the cooling system, which will be energy efficient and made from recycled parts. You have grand plans, but there is one small problem: your wallet, for the money in your savings and checking accounts won’t go as far as you may think.
HyoJung Kim and husband Seth Garland of New York both thought they could easily renovate their home, making it green for as little as $70,000. What they found instead was that going green was putting them in the red. Units that were energy efficient and moderately priced were costing them thousands of extra dollars to install. Architectural designs that would save money in the future were causing complications and costing money they didn’t have in the present. And the falling real estate market was only adding to the real estate debt they had already accumulated. To make ends meet, they had to forgo many of their plans, sell their mortgaged condo and attempt to make the house, rather than a green place to live, a livable place to live.
Before you wind up in the same situation as Kim and Garland, assess your finances. Whatever you imagine it will cost to make all of the renovations you are envisioning, add a little more. And then, find ways to go green that you can afford. You don’t have to knock down walls, build roof gardens or use only plastic plumbing to help the Earth. There are other things you can do, less costly things that will keep the world and you in the green.
A Living or Planted roof is not a new concept, in fact the concept dates back to the ancient times of Babylon when they displayed hanging gardens and built terraces of stone with lush layers of reed and tar on which plants and trees grew in soil.
Today we live in a time where we must [...]
A Living or Planted roof is not a new concept, in fact the concept dates back to the ancient times of Babylon when they displayed hanging gardens and built terraces of stone with lush layers of reed and tar on which plants and trees grew in soil.
Today we live in a time where we must become more aware of the impact we make within our own lives that effect the environment and the world which belongs to our children and grandchildren.
Let’s examine what it would take to create a living or green roof system. There are four basic components: a waterproofing layer, a drainage layer, a growing medium, and vegetation. There are other elements that can be added by are not necessary are root retention and irrigation systems. We are going to stick with the basics.
Now we will list the benefits.
• Reduces heating and cooling
• Reduces heat requirements during cold months
• Reduces ambient temperature of the roofs surface
• Reduces cooling costs
• Reduce Storm water drainage
• Protects from extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions.
• Filters pollutants and carbon dioxide
• They increase insulation to the roof
• Creates a bird and wild life habitat
A green roof is not for everyone. For those who choose to explore this energy efficient option, there are many resources available. There are nurseries that specialize in growing specific plants will thrive in that environment.
Explore this option, it might be fun!
Austin’s climate is generally easy to predict and should be easier to work with when creating landscaping plan, but the soil here is often too hot or too rocky. Those hoping to make a long-lasting and environmentally friendly yard can get help and suggestions from Austin’s Green Building Program. The group has many suggestions that [...]
Austin’s climate is generally easy to predict and should be easier to work with when creating landscaping plan, but the soil here is often too hot or too rocky. Those hoping to make a long-lasting and environmentally friendly yard can get help and suggestions from Austin’s Green Building Program. The group has many suggestions that will allow the landscaping to look beautiful and grow in this tough ground.
Basically, the group suggests using native plants in a landscaping plan. Trees and plants that are made for this environment will provide long term beauty. There are numerous public parks around Austin where you can get some ideas. It is also a good idea to speak with local gardeners and landscapers. When creating your dream lawn, remember to keep watering in mind. Conservation is important, and making a lawn that needs too much water will not help the environment or your wallet. Use a catchment system that will bring rainwater to your plants. Use pervious materials like crushed granite or open blocks that allow water to move freely throughout the yard. Again, the public parks are there for ideas, as the city becomes more eco-friendly.
A beautifully landscaped yard can be quite welcoming. Working with the natural surroundings and climate of Austin will help to keep the lawn looking pristine. Using energy efficient watering options will also decrease usage and save money. Nature is meant to take care of itself; we may just need to send it flowing in the right direction.
There’s a house in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, that’s worth $3 million. It’s been empty for over two years, there’s a large hole in an exterior wall, and the interior is riddled with mold. It originally cost Roman and Jennifer Cosner $219,000 in March of 2005 and was supposed to be their dream house, built to specification [...]
There’s a house in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, that’s worth $3 million. It’s been empty for over two years, there’s a large hole in an exterior wall, and the interior is riddled with mold. It originally cost Roman and Jennifer Cosner $219,000 in March of 2005 and was supposed to be their dream house, built to specification of quality materials with a one year warranty. Instead, they got a house full of toxic mold that made them so ill they needed to move out.
The builder, Maronda Homes, promised to fix the problems and pay for their lodging costs. The Cosner’s claim repairs were never made and their lodging never paid for and, in fact, the company treated them with “hatred and ill will.”
Although Maronda ranks fairly high in customer satisfaction and construction quality, it’s been reported that the quality fluctuates from development to development. The Cosner’s house apparently did not pass muster and defects began to appear shortly after they moved in.
The main trouble showed up after a rainstorm sent a cascade of water down the inside of a garage wall and left puddles on the basement floor. Shortly after, it was discovered that one side of the house wasn’t attached properly to the foundation or the other three sides, the wrong windows were installed, and waterproofing and drainage around the foundation was inadequate. Leaks caused by the ill fitting windows coupled with the badly attached south wall encouraged the toxic mold to grow in the basement and in the heating and air-conditioning system.
The judge apparently agreed the situation was an egregious failure of Maronda to provide the promised product and awarded the Cosners $2.2 million in compensation. The jury seconded the judge’s decision by awarding an additional $1million in punitive damages.
When you are looking at a home, make sure you receive full disclosure. If you are a seller, have an inspector give you a full report on everything, even the stuff you didn’t know was in the house. By doing this, both the buyer and the seller avoid the predicament that the Cosners endured.
