Green Real Estate Appraiser

San Diego: County Program to help Homeowners Makeover Landscaping

Posted on May 7, 2016 | Leave a comment

drought

When newcomers to the San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart landscaping program tackle the prospect of giving their yards a water-saving makeover, their first questions aren’t about what they should tear out and what they should plant instead. It turns out their first questions are much more basic. Primal, even.

Will drought tolerant landscaping add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com

“Who can do this for me? Who can I hire? Can I really do this myself?” said Joni German, assistant water resources specialist for the San Diego County Water Authority. “I think people just don’t know where to start. They don’t know that there can be a well-defined planning process to evaluating their landscape, thinking about what they’ve got and what they want.”

While San Diego’s water-savings numbers rebounded in March after a backsliding February, the WaterSmart program is still all about getting residents started on the path to drought-friendly efficiency. And that path just got a whole lot easier to navigate.

In addition to the existing three-hour workshop and four-class series (both of which are free), the WaterSmart Landscaping Makeover menu now includes a new Video On Demand series. The 17 videos, most clocking in at 3 to 8 minutes, allow you to traverse the makeover thickets at your own speed and in your own time. They cover everything from drawing up a landscaping plan to picking plants, retooling your irrigation and dumping your turf for good.

Get this (garden) party started

You will find the video series on the water authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover page (landscapemakeover.watersmartsd.org). There are two introductory videos, followed by a six-step program that starts with “Identify Your Landscape Target” (how much water do you want to save and what types of plants and irrigation systems will get you there) and ends with “Care for Your WaterSmart Landscape.” (Hint: There will be weeding.)

The videos are short, but they are packed with information, so binge-watching is not recommended. (Although if you can keep track of the “Game of Thrones” hierarchy, you can probably handle “Toss Your Turf” and “Irrigate Like a Pro” in one sitting. Clearly, you rule.)

If you want to dip your toes in the knowledge pool, start with the two introductory videos, “WaterSmart San Diego County” and “WaterSmart Course Overview.” The former guides you through the features of a water-saving design, and the latter briefs you on what to expect from the upcoming course. There are also reassuring reminders that you don’t have to re-do your whole yard to make a difference.

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purpose only

New Adapter for rooftop solar – no electrial panel upgrades needed

Posted on May 6, 2016 | Leave a comment

Renewable Meter Adapter | San Diego Gas & Electric

SDG&E has made available a new product called the Renewable Meter Adapter (RMA). The RMA simplifies the interconnection process for renewable generating facilities, like rooftop solar.

Some residential customers will require an upgrade to their electrical service panel to support the new rooftop solar PV system. The RMA is an alternative to the panel upgrade, which may save time and money.

Benefits

Avoids expensive electrical upgrades which could help increase solar adoption.
No delays to complete upgrades, saving time and hassle
Installation can take as little as one hour
Saves space in the customer’s service panel for future needs
Contractors will not need to enter the service panel, enabling a safer interconnection
No impact to the customer’s property, like stucco repair, landscaping or painting common to service upgrades
Safer than other options as the RMA contains a main breaker for overcurrent protection
SDG&E will install, operate and maintain the RMA throughout the life of the device

Per the video on SDG&E website: $1326 installed in 30 minutes. Estimated half the price of a panel upgrade.

Read more at: http://www.sdge.com/environment/renewable-meter-adapter

disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Higher Water Rates Likely Due to Mandate

Posted on May 5, 2016 | Leave a comment

drought

This is the time of year when water utilities set their rates, which almost inevitably go up. But this year, the rate hikes are likely to be higher than usual, as water utilities cope with the unexpected impact of mandatory conservation on their budgets.

Will this effect the value of your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.

On April 12, Metropolitan’s board of directors is scheduled to vote on its prices for 2017 and 2018. These prices will be passed down to customers like the San Diego County Water Authority. In turn, the Water Authority sells to retail agencies that sell to the ultimate residential, business and agricultural customers.

The act of balancing supply, demand, expenses and revenues for this bucket brigade is complicated enough in normal times. But Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2015 order for an average 25 percent reduction in potable water user upset financial calculations.

In general, most costs of water utilities are fixed, and their revenues are tied to sales to varying degrees. Circumstances differ among agencies, but in many cases they can only make up the shortfall by dipping into reserves or raising rates even more than they otherwise would do. That doesn’t go over very well with customers, who may feel that they’re being punished for doing what they were asked to do.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

San Diego: County Program to help Homeowners Makeover Landscaping

Get this (garden) party started

New Adapter for rooftop solar – no electrial panel upgrades needed

Higher Water Rates Likely Due to Mandate

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