A cool roof (or reflective roof) reflects the sun’s energy as light back to the sky instead of allowing it to enter the building as heat.  This year reflective asphalt shingle roofing was introduced.   This new roofing product reflects 75 % of solar radiation.  It does this by incorporating reflective granules in the shingle that reflect the energy back to the sky.

Here are some advantages of a Cool Roof

• A cool roof can stay 60 degrees cooler on the hottest days significantly reducing energy costs and increasing occupant comfort.
• The most important benefit of a cool roof is the curbing of global warming by decreasing cooling costs in the home. These roofs reduce air conditioning use by 10% to 30%.   Reducing energy use during peak hours reduces the need to build more power plants.
• Cool roofs reduce ‘Heat Island’ effect.  Heat Island effect is the increase in temperatures in urban areas cased by the absorption of solar radiation by absorptive materials like black top paving and dark roofs.  Heat Island effect can increase temperatures in urban areas from 2 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Though a cool shingle roof runs 80 cents more per square foot than a conventional roof it pays for its self in 5 to 7 years.  These roofs also last longer which means lower cost of ownership and less waste in landfills.
• Other inexpensive ways to cool your roof are increasing attic ventilation. This can be accomplished by increasing attic vents or adding attic fans.
• A radiant foil barrier at attic roof rafters is also very helpful at a low cost.

Talk to your local building professional about how a cool roof can benefit your home

Your heating and air conditioning system makes your home more comfortable, but are you getting the most out of your system and the highest efficiency? Many older HVAC systems are inefficient for three reasons: the age of the unit, the unit not installed or designed properly or because the Freon has leaked out. Air conditioning systems are rated by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating).  Today it is illegal to install an AC system less than 13 SEER.  Some older systems are as low as 8 SEER.  To qualify for a Federal Tax credit up to $1500.00 you must install a minimum 16 SEER air conditioner. Heating is measured in furnace efficiency.  While 80% efficiency is common you must install a minimum of 95% efficiency furnace to qualify for the Federal tax credit.
Here are some tips to optimize the efficiency and comfort of your system:

• Check duct integrity with a flow test.  Some systems can leak up to 20% of conditioned air into attic spaces, wasting you money.
• Have a licensed HVAC contractor check the Freon levels.
• Install a digital thermostat or zone dampers for occupancy designed comfort.
• Check compressor to make sure the air flow is not obstructed by lint or dust.
• Improve indoor air quality by installing high quality filters.  A high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filter can remove bacteria from your living space and is helpful in the treatment of asthma.
• Lastly change filters twice a year.  This will decrease the load on your unit, increase the unit’s lifespan and your overall comfort.

 
Talk to your building professional about optimizing your HVAC system

A house’s landscape serves many purposes.  Whether it be a place for your kids to play soccer or a place for you to sit back and read a book.  To get the most out of your landscape you need to start with a good design. You can create environmentally conscientious landscape that suits your needs by following these basic suggestions:

• Monitor and maintain irrigation systems by fixing leaks and avoiding overspray. 
• Watering at night will reduce evaporation and maximize time for absorption. 
• Use ‘Smart Control’ sprinkler timers with integral weather stations that can detect rain and outside temperature and automatically adjust system as needed.
• Use native plants that use less water and help maintain the local ecosystem.   Native plants helps supports local insects that pollinate and regulate other species. 
• Leave grass higher in summer to increase shading and add bark to planter beds to reduce evaporation.
• Minimize grass areas or substitute a traditional lawn for Meadow Grass or Deer Grasses that uses 50 % less water than traditional lawns.
• A typical lawn needs 70 inches of water per year and large amounts of fertilizer that can get into aquifers.  Los Angeles rainfall averages 14 inches per year.
• Group like species together into micro climates to fine tune watering.
• Encourage water permeable paving to promote absorption into the aquifer.
• Decomposed granite is a good replacement for previously paved parking.
• Passive heating and cooling can be accomplished by using deciduous plants that shade in summer and allow sun in winter.
• Remove invasive plants.  Invasive plants can destroy existing landscapes that act as a home to native species that regulate local environments.

Talk to your building professional about creating a functional, responsible landscape

Reducing water consumption and water heating costs are the two most important plumbing issues in your home.  Homeowners do not appreciate water as a resource because it is relatively inexpensive and always available. 
Today as the city of Los Angeles begins to restrict water usage saving water is more important than ever.  There are so many ways to save water and so many programs available that vary by city.  To see what programs apply in your area visit.
www.bewaterwise.com

Water heating technology is changing.  More efficient options are becoming available.

• Tank water heaters run at about 60% efficiency.  Tank heaters are inefficient because you keep water hot all the time. You can increase their efficiency slightly by installing a water heater blanket and setting the thermostat lower.  A replacement tank water heater runs about $1100 installed.  Many plumbing distributers believe tank water heaters will be phased out in the next ten years because of the higher air quality regulations.
• Tankless heaters run about 85% efficiency.  Tankless or ‘On demand’ heaters heat water as needed so they have no passive energy loss.  Tankless heaters also use more advanced burners.  Tankless heaters run bout $3200 installed.
• Condensing water heaters are the future of hot water.  Condensing units get their increased efficiency by reusing the exhaust from the heater.  Condensing heaters run about $4000 installed but operate at about 95 % efficiency.

     Other tips to keep hot water bills down are to insulate hot water pipes, employ solar water heating or install a hot water recirculation pump.

Ask a building professional how you can get the most out of your plumbing system

Solar power or Photovoltaic power promises to move us toward a future of clean energy for all our homes and businesses.  The photovoltaic effect refers to converting solar energy directly into electricity. 
This is accomplished when energy from the sun hits solar panels the energy knocks electrons into a higher state of energy.  That energy is then harvested as electricity.  Photovoltaic may sound complicated but the technology has been understood for over a hundred years.

• Today solar power is everywhere.
• As it becomes more affordable you will continue to see its popularity grow.
• Solar systems are measured in Kilo watts (KW).
• A typical residential system is around 4 KW.
• A typical Photovoltaic system needs about 100 sq. ft. of roof area per KW.
• The location needs to be southern facing with minimal shading during the day.
• The cost for a new system runs about $8000 per KW or $32,000.00 for a 4 KW system.
• The most important development this year for solar is the 30% federal tax credit for new systems with no cap!
• The state of California also offers from $1500 to $2000 per KW in rebates.
• This can bring a system previously priced at $32,000.00 down to near $18,000.00.
• There are more complicated systems with battery back up.  These systems store energy during the day for night time use.  These systems are significantly more complicated and expensive.
• With a photovoltaic system you can take advantage of Net Metering.  Net Metering electric can give you a near zero electric bill.

There are a number of Federal Tax incentives available from the Federal Government.  These tax rebates are available as a non refundable tax credit.  It is important that tax payers understand these tax credits are available only for the tax years of 2009 and 2010.  Limits are higher than previous years and they have removed some of the caps for certain deductions.

For residential construction there are three categories of tax deductions:

• Solar or alternative energy production: 30% of entire cost of system.  The important change from previous years is that there is no cap on this deduction. 
•  Heating and cooling improvements: 30% up to $1500 for parts and labor on qualifying building system improvements. 
• Furnace  must be minimum a 95% efficiency furnace .
• Air conditioning must be minimum 16 SEER. 
• Water heating systems must be minimum 90% efficiency.
•  Building envelope improvements: 30% up to $1500 for materials only on qualifying building envelope improvements.
• Replacing windows, skylights or exterior doors with a U value of 0.30 or less.
• Insulation or sealing ducts and cracks in building envelope.
• Window films to insulate against solar heat gain.
• Energy Star rated roofs with an minimum Solar Reflective Index of 0.29.

Talk to your building professional about how you can qualify for these tax credits

Utility companies offer extensive rebates for replacing or purchasing of Energy Star appliances

Southern California Edison

• $50 on purchase of Energy Star refrigerator.
• $50 to pick up an old functioning refrigerator or freezer.
• $50 for whole house attic fan.
• $200 to upgrade to an energy efficient pool pump.
• $50 for Energy Star room air conditioner.
• www.sce.com/residential/rebates-savings

Southern California Gas Company

• $35 on Energy Star clothes washer.
• $30 on Energy Star dishwasher.
• $200 for installing 92% efficiency natural gas furnace.
• $30 for installing a 62% efficiency tank style water heater.
• $150 for installing a82% efficiency tankless water heater.
• $200 for installing a 90% efficiency tankless water heater.
• $0.15 per square foot for installing insulation.
• www.socalgas.com/rebates

Metropolitan Water District rebates vary by city

• Check MWD’s web site for details; www.socalwatersmart.com/index.php

Ask your building professional how you can qualify for these rebates

Windows and doors in a home are the largest culprit of energy loss.  There are two problems with inefficient windows: Emissivity or energy transmission through the glass and Infiltration, leaky windows.   There are two ways to resolve these problems:

Replacement of old windows with new high performance windows

• Replacement is always the best but is more time consuming and more expensive.
• New windows can come with Low E (emissivity) glass.
• Low E glass reduces energy transmission in and out of the house.  Keeping your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
• Emissivity is measured by U factor.  Installing windows with U factor less that 0.30 qualifies toward a $1500 Federal tax credit.
• New windows are very good at dealing with outdoor air infiltration because of new architectural details, good weather stripping and gaskets at openings.
• A new high performance window costs approximately $1000 installed.

Repairing existing windows

• Old windows can be repaired but this is a less reliable way of dealing with the problems of inefficient windows.
• Low E films can be installed on the inside of the glass to reduce emissivity.
• Existing gaskets can be repaired and sealants introduced to cut down on infiltration.
• A window can be repaired or retrofitted for about $300.

The most important thing when considering replacing or repairing windows is to talk to a qualified experienced building professional