Today Joe Biden and the Obama Administration unveiled a new program with low-cost energy audits, federally-insured PowerSaver loans, and a new Home Energy Score, according to Wendy Koch of the USA Today. Details of the program are available now at HomeEnergyScore.gov, which includes an interactive graphic explaining the new score based on a 1 to 10 scale.
TerraChoice recently released a new report, The Sins of Greenwashing: Home and Family Edition, and published some interesting findings. The company found that big-box retailers stock more "green" products and products with legitimate environmental claims than smaller boutique-style stores. TerraChoice also found that over 95% of consumer products with a "green" claim are committing at least one "sin" of greenwashing.
Builder magazine recently announced plans for the 2011 Concept Home, officially called the KB Home GreenHouse: An Idea Home Created with Martha Stewart. The home has been designed for net-zero energy use, resource efficiency, and LEED Platinum certification.
Earlier this year, we took a look at four projects racing to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge. Now, the International Living Building Institute has completed third-party certification audits and announced the world’s first Living Buildings. The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (NY) and Tyson Living Learning Center (MO) both earned full certification, while Eco-Sense (BC) earned Petal Recognition for meeting four of six petals.
Just a heads up to homeowners, builders, and contractors. I received word from Atlas Media that they’re casting for a new show on the DIY Network called “Ultimate Home Builders.” Ultimate Home Builders will document the new home building process with a different home each episode and your project could be included in this new series.
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