A recent study has shown houses with solar panels sell 20% faster and for 17% more money. An info graphic titled “Why Some Homes Sell Faster” talks about how energy efficiency matters when selling a home. They offer other tips such as good descriptions, pricing and appraisal, but it seems solar is a new, compelling element.

Do your part to save the environment, reduce the carbon footprint of your home, and get it sold!

Is solar right for you? Ask an expert! Email us today at the SouthCoast Energy Challenge:

info@southcoastenergychallenge.org

As I jogged around campus the other day I noticed these huge cylindrical objects placed in one of our fields. I got closer and realized I saw propellers. Mhhh, could it be?!  This has been an ongoing conversation, but nothing very tangible has happened since my freshman year. When I got back to my room, I pulled up local news and realized it was finally here! The UMass Dartmouth Turbine dream is finally close to being reality!

After years of “recycle this,” and “conserve energy that,” UMass Dartmouth is finally taking steps to truly walk the talk and become part of the regional sustainability effort. This turbine is projected to save the University $125,000 annually and significantly reduce UMass Dartmouth’s carbon footprint.

“The 600-kilowatt wind turbine would produce the same amount of energy per year as burning approximately 39 tons of coal; eliminate the emission of 1,161 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 489 pounds of nitrous oxide per year; and reduce emission of 295 tons of carbon dioxide annually” – UMass Dartmouth Press Release 11-14-10 .

Actions truly speak louder than words and having this turbine physically on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus, will be a symbol of the stance we are taking to help our environment.

Learn more about the Umass Dartmouth Wind Turbine Project here!

We’ve all heard  about saving energy, polluting less and being overall more environmentally friendly. It’s like having your parents tell you the same thing over and over again; nag, nag, nag. But for those of us still listening, we know the positive affect on our personal and global environment that making these changes can have. One such positive effect is SAVING MONEY, music to 99.9% of the U.S. population’s ears. For most of us, saving money means freeing up some money to pay a bill, do something special, or just generally be able to afford more things. For others it can mean something most of us take for granted– having a roof over your head. Green Houses for the poor is that place for many people.

No, I do not mean that people are being housed in greenhouses meant for plants. It means that subsidized housing is being made more energy efficient. It sounds costly, but it’s quite the contrary. No fancy or involved technologies are being built into these homes. It is as simple as implementing energy saving techniques in the first place. For example in a tough neighborhood of the South Bronx, Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (NY non-profit organization), has built a development called Interval Green Housing. Each apartment is equipped with nothing more than fluorescent light bulbs, energy efficient appliances and well insulated windows. Anyone want to take a guess on how much that saves? When I tried I said about 10%, but it turned out be 30% saved on facilities, almost a third of your utility bill gone.

So, next time someone stops you and tries to demonstrate the benefits of  saving energy:

1.) Don’t avoid eye contact to run away

2.) Listen and take note because it can actually help you and save you some money

3.) Remember that it’s not just about your personal environment, it’s about our environment as a whole and working to create positive change that helps everyone.

Halloween is like winning the jackpot for a kid with a sweet tooth. It is a special occasion, and it demands candy.  Why not consider trying something new this year…and, gulp, environmentally friendly?! Read on and discover some candies that kids will love and can work with your goal to reduce energy consumption.

Greenopia conducted a survey of 10 candy makers, and found that only 2 of the candidates qualified for their highest rating. The criteria they used to judge the candy makers were six factors:

•  Environmental Reporting – based on energy usage, emissions, and water consumption.

•  Ingredient Sourcing – does the company practice sustainability, fair trade, etc.

•  Packaging – use of recycled materials, alternative materials, lightweight packaging, etc.

•  Logistics - building design policies, ingredient sourcing etc.

•  Renewable Energy Usage

•  Credible Eco-labels

The top rated, eco-friendly candy brand is Endangered Species Chocolate. And they even have a Halloween sale featuring fun treats for kids!

The second highest rated, Theo Chocolate, also has a sale going on: 20% of for three days only! That still leaves you time to load up for Halloween!

In general, when you are out shopping for those last minute trick-or-treat giveaways, consider the following:

•  Look for the fair trade label on chocolate- and coffee-based candy. No one should suffer so we can enjoy delicious, delicious chocolate!!

•  Consider buying locally! There are some local treat-makers out there who will knock your socks off, like Dorothy Cox Chocolates in Fairhaven. Or, going a different route, you can get great local fudge & candy apples at Dartmouth Orchards on Old County Rd.

•  Make your own!! There is nothing better than fresh baked goods–unless, maybe, it is home-made candy! Try making your own candy apples or fudge!  Check here for a few ideas on that score!

Let us know if you try any of these energy saving, environmentally friendly sweet treat options. Good luck, and happy eating this Halloween!!

Every kid loves the fun of trick or treating on Halloween and seeing all the spooky decorations. Here are some ways you can show spirit in an environmentally friendly way. If you haven’t already, check out my last post about a few of my favorite things to do with pumpkins.

First up, a couple classics:
Scarecrows are basically stuffed clothes: socks, pants, a shirt, gloves and a head and hat. This article shows the basic steps of putting together a cool scarecrow (with pictures!).

Another staple of Halloween is the ‘hanging ghost‘. This is another festive addition you can make at home with materials you already have. Here are some simple ones I found for inspiration.

Last up is my personal favorite. Using cardboard boxes (or other recycled materials) and good lighting you can have one of the coolest houses with virtually no energy expenditure.

The best way to celebrate Halloween is finding fun ways to decorate your house using materials you already have AND will last for re-use or at least be recycled for another purpose.

Happy (environmentally friendly) decorating!

Autumn is here! The weather is cooling down and the leaves are changing colors, a great time to enjoy nature in New England. This is the first of a series of postings where you can find ways to enjoy Halloween in an environmental friendly way.

Pumpkin carving is a fun family activity, giving kids a chance to express their creativity, and a great way to get in the spirit of the season.  If you need inspiration there are millions of tips and ideas online whether you’re a novice or pro.

And when you scrape the goop out of the inside of the pumpkin, don’t throw away the seeds! You can toast them and make a high protein, tasty snack.

To really maximize the benefits from your pumpkin,  add the left over parts to your compost pile– which will help you create great home-made fertilizer for next year’s garden!

Finally, you can use an interactive map on SEMAP’s farmfresh.org to search for local farm stands, farmer’s markets and places you can go to pick your own pumpkins!

Hope you enjoyed my first blog post! Please send tips to be featured in upcoming posts!

Hi Everyone It’s Diane again.

For the next month I will be addressing energy topics that will help you save money. These topics will be about how to weatherize your cars/homes for the changing of the seasons so you can save money and keep it in your pocket!

Today I’m talking about: Weatherstripping!!

The idea behind weatherstripping is to make sure there are no air leaks around the windows and doors in your house. By weatherstripping your windows and doors you can keep cold winter drafts of air from coming into your house. It is very useful to do this especially when the seasons start to change because when cold air comes into your house,  your heat is also escaping to the outside. In the long run, weatherstripping will save you money that could be leaking down through tiny gaps around those movable joints.

How do I determine the amount of weatherstripping I will need?

•  Add the perimeters of all windows and doors
•  Add 5% – 10 % to contain any waste
•  Consider that there are various different depths and widths of weatherstripping

Before applying:

•  Detect air leaks (consider getting a free home energy assessment to find these nooks & crannies!)
•  Assess your ventilation needs for indoor air quality

Some Things to Keep in Mind:

•  Choose a type of weatherstripping that can withstand the friction, weather, temperature changes, and wear and tear of that particular location.
•  Weatherstripping in window sash must contain sliding panes to match your windows’ movement– either up and down, sideways, or out.
•  Choose weatherstripping that will seal well when the door or window is closed, but allows for easy opening.

Different Types of Weatherstripping:

•  Felt and open-cell foams – inexpensive, susceptible to weather, visible, and inefficient at blocking airflow; but may make them valuable in low-traffic areas
•  Vinyl – slightly more expensive, holds up well and resists moisture
•  Metals – (bronze, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum) last for years and are affordable (nice for older homes as opposed to vinyl that may look out of place)

Common Weatherstripping:

•  Tension seal                                  •  Felt
•  Reinforced foam                           •  Tape
•  Rolled or reinforced vinyl              •  Door sweep
•  Magnetic                                       •  Tubular rubber and vinyl
•  Reinforced silicone                       •  Door shoe
•  Bulb threshold                              •  Frost-brake threshold
•  Fin seal                                         •  Interlocking metal channels

A Few Helpful Links:

•  How to Weather Strip Your Door

•  How to Install Weather Stripping Around a Door

•  How to Install V-Flex Weather Stripping For Dummies

•  How to Install Window Weather Stripping

Not sure where to start saving energy? Follow our easy pathway that will put you on the road to energy efficiency. These simple steps will make a real environmental impact and will save you money too!  Check out our Easy Pathway to Energy Efficiency here.

What simple, no cost efficiency actions do you practice at home?

The most amazing thing happened this morning: I ducked outside to grab the mail before work, and there,  placed neatly atop a pile of bills, fliers, and junk mail were two completed Energy Challenge registration forms! Placed there as though by magic, by the kind hand of a volunteer or volunteers unknown, two perfect, complete SouthCoast Energy Challenge sign ups– my favorite thing! It’s wonderful, marvelous, and unexpected, it’s: MYSTERY MAIL!

I don’t know who put them there or when, but I love it. Whoever you are, wherever you be, you made my day! Thanks and keep them coming!

Great video from the Dept. of Energy about how saving energy saves you money. Watch to see these on your favorite tv station soon.