Category Archives: energy retrofitting

Solar Customers Furious With Utility Over Proposed Rate Change

Posted on October 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

Homeowners who sank thousands of dollars into solar power systems are hopping mad at San Diego Gas & Electric Co.’s proposal to charge them for using the electrical grid.

On Monday, SDG&E filed a request to the California Public Utilities Commission that would allow it to separate how much it charges customers for electricity from how much it charges to transport that electricity. For traditional customers, the change would have little impact on their total bill. But solar customers would end up paying an average of $11 extra per month, according to utility spokeswoman Stephanie Donovan.

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The “Sun Inspired” Home

Posted on October 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

The “sun-inspired” home incorporates more than just the heat from the sun — it also incorporates the light from the sun.

Architect Debra Rucker Coleman reported; constructing a sun-inspired home begins with a thorough planning process, and choosing or developing a house plan is one of the first steps along that path. Solar panels are a component of the “sun-inspired” home but other energy-saving designs are also incorporated into the plans.

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Eco-friendly Roofing Options

Posted on September 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

When this standing-seam metal roof is no longer in service (after about 50 years!), the metal can be recycled.

If you’d like a roof that will outlast a conventional asphalt shingle roof and is made from environmentally friendly roofing materials, consider eco-friendly roofing options. Many of them are virtually immune to hail. Green roofing products are many and varied, ranging from recycled-plastic shingles to recycled-metal roofs to sustainably harvested or reclaimed wood roofs. The best option for your home depends on the design of your home, local building codes and price considerations.