Around the house with KPLU - Built Green Ideas from Thor

Thor Peterson is a Residential Specialist with the City of Seattle's Green Building Program. Thor's monthly articles for Around the House help homeowners and industry professionals who want to build wisely. Click on More Thor to get built green ideas from previous months.

Solar in the cloudy Pacific Northwest? It is possible! In fact, there are more reasons than ever to consider alternative energy sources such as solar electric, also known as photovoltaic systems, and solar water heating. Recent state legislation has resulted in various electric utility programs to pay you for every watt your photovoltaic system produces, even if you use the energy! On top of that, they buy it from you at a rate much higher than they would sell you the same watt. For example, Seattle City Light's Renewable Energy Production Incentive Program will pay qualifying systems a minimum of 15 cents per kilowatt hour of energy produced, up to $2,000 per year. The program is set to conclude mid-2014. In addition, the Feds are offering tax credits (yes, credits, not deductions) for installing photovoltaic systems.

While renewable energy sources are a key element of a sustainable future, green building experts recommend focusing first on energy efficiency, and then determining the size and type of renewable energy system best for your situation. A common mantra is "reduce, then produce." That�s because conservation activities are often much cheaper than energy creation. For example, upgrading from a ten-year-old standard refrigerator to a new, super-efficient model can reduce your energy use related to refrigeration by 75% or even more, and the cost of the new fridge is almost certain to be much less than the cost of the additional photovoltaic panels you�d need to power that old model. So, doing a comprehensive examination of your energy use and determining ways to minimize demand is the first logical step toward alternative energy. An excellent resource for energy efficiency is the Energy Star website. Beyond energy efficient appliances, Energy Star offers information on efficient windows and doors, furnaces, and insulation and air sealing/weatherization. And don�t forget that heating water takes energy, so water conservation measures such as low-flow showerheads and resource efficient clothes washers will save water and energy.

Once you�ve minimized your energy demand, you�re now ready to explore renewable energy options. Check out the Solar Washington website for resources, as well as links to professionals who can help install renewable energy systems. Be sure to do your homework to ensure the professional you select meets your needs both in terms of customer service and technical proficiency.

Resources: Energy Efficiency
Energy Star: www.energystar.gov (click on the Home Improvement section)
Department of Energy�s Energy Savers program:
www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/
Your local energy utility can also provide you with resources and a list of financial incentives for energy efficient products.
Water conservation: www.savingwater.org

Renewable Energy
Seattle City Light�s Customer Generation page:
www.seattle.gov/light/Conserve/cgen/
Department of Energy�s overview of photovoltaic systems:
www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/photovoltaics.html
Department of Energy�s overview of solar heating options:
www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_heating.html
Solar Washington: www.solarwashington.org

Financial incentives
Federal energy efficiency and renewable energy tax incentives:
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits
Be sure to check with your local electric utility of special rebates
and offers related to energy efficiency.

Thor Peterson is a Residential Specialist with the City of Seattle�s Green Building Program. Six years of experience in the green building realm gives him expertise in a wide variety of green design strategies and products, including water and energy conservation, healthy and eco-friendly materials, indoor environmental quality, and low impact development approaches. Thor is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and a graduate of the Sustainable Building Advisor certificate program.

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