Arizona Solar Power Society conference focuses on ways to get funding for energy efficiency

The Arizona Solar Power Society is holding a conference April 16 to help businesses and individuals tap into stimulus money and other funding for energy-efficiency programs.

The conference, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix, focuses on more than $240 million available for energy-efficiency programs throughout the state.


Some of that money comes from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Roughly $63 million is available through the U.S. Department of Energy’s energy efficiency and conservation block grants, and $112 million is available from the state for weatherization.

“There has never been a better time for consumers and businesses to reduce their energy consumption via home and business energy-efficiency upgrades,” said Jeff Schlegel, Arizona representative for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, a public interest organization.

About $65 million is available through utility company programs.

“Smart choices based on overall energy efficiency and total carbon footprint will benefit all Arizonans and can make us the model for the rest of the nation,” said Don Soderberg, vice president for external affairs at Southwest Gas Corp.

Ways to Go Green in the Kitchen

1. Drink Clean
Filter contaminants such as lead and chloroform, along with the taste of chlorine, from your tap water with a water-filtering pitcher or a faucet-mounted system. You'll also save money over buying bottled water, and the energy used -- and the pollution created -- to produce, ship, and dispose of all those plastic containers. Try the Brita Deluxe Pitcher (shown; Target.com, $24.99). Other models include the PUR Ultimate and the Shaklee Perfect pitchers. Faucet-mounted filters ($20 to $60 at home centers) are easy to install; they simply screw onto the faucet, and a valve lets you choose to bypass the filter (for example, when washing dishes).


2.Slow the Flow
Attach a low-flow aerator to your kitchen faucet to mix air into the stream and cut water usage without affecting pressure. Find aerators at hardware stores and home centers for under $10. Look for one with a flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute or less, saving from 1.4 to 2.7 gallons each day.


3. Work Your Dishwasher
No need to feel guilty about running your dishwasher; it actually uses less water than doing dishes by hand. Run it only when full and use the most efficient setting -- light rather than heavy wash and air dry instead of heat. Don't bother to pre-rinse before loading. Tests by the Consumers Union show that rinsing is unnecessary and wastes up to 20 gallons of water per load

What is a Green Home?

Eco-friendly * Energy-efficicent* Sustainable * Responsible * Comfortable * Healthy * Economical * Smart


“Green Building is a whole-systems approach through design and building techniques to minimize environmental impact and reduce the energy consumption of buildings while contributing to the health of its occupants.”
-- City of Scottsdale Green Building Program

Get Ready to make the move to a green with, eco-friendly, sustainable, energy-efficient home? It makes complete sense: Green homes are built using sustainable practices that conserve not only energy, water and other natural resources, but also preserve our environment, strengthen our local economy and promote a better quality of life for those who live there.

Benefits of a Green Home

•Peace of mind - knowing you are contributing to global sustainability rather than global warming

•Healthier for the occupants, the planet and future generations

•Highly desirable from a resale value as demand -- and energy costs -- grow

•Economical because it saves energy, water and other resources – and money

•Eco-friendly and environmentally responsible thanks to use of resource-efficient and low-impact materials

•Durable, comfortable and low maintenance

Green Home Features

•Built with local or regional materials such as adobe, block, brick, straw bale or advanced energy-efficient materials (i.e. Integra block or autoclaved aerated concrete)
•Proper orientation, shaded areas and passive solar

•Protected, shaded outdoor spaces to reduce the extreme temperature range between the exterior and interior of the house

•Powered or supported by non-polluting sustainable energy sources including solar hot water, photo voltaics or wind

•Super-tight building envelopes with upgraded insulation and high-performance windows and doors

•Xeriscape (low water use) landscaping plus rainwater collection and storage systems

•Energy Star-rated or better appliances

•HVAC systems: Minimum 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating or better air conditioners utilizing efficient ductwork with adequate returns and filtration plus ceiling fans in all major rooms

•Healthy, comfortable indoor air quality and room environments

•Sustainable interior materials (flooring like bamboo, concrete or cork and low VOC paint)

•Water-efficient toilets, low-flow showerheads, graywater recovery systems, hot water recirculation system and other innovations

Find your Green Home Here

Optima Camelview Village's starting at $399,000.

Optima Camelview Village's modernist-inspired architectural mixed-use project is a myriad of interconnected buildings and lush oasis roof terraces. Over 17 acres of landscaped green roofs on each level and rooftop aid in reduction of ambient temperature and energy consumption. The overall landscaping design is based on line of sight, leaping from one unit to the next. The cascading plants on the terraces and rooftop provide screening for each patio. The entire project is watered and fertilized by a computer-generated, two-wire irrigation controller. Photovoltaic panels have been incorporated into the rooftop gardens. With over 700 urban dwelling units, the six- and seven-story structures also include retail, resort-style amenities and below-grade parking.

$1,070,000
Upgraded to the max, this contemporary urban three-bedroom luxury sixth floor condo in downtown Scottsdale offers panoramic views of Camelback Mountain to the west, McDowell Mountains to the North and Red Mountain to the East. And did we mention its green credentials? Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2
This highly upgraded three-bedroom exterior condo on the sixth floor features three terraces with jaw-dropping views, travertine flooring in all living areas, upgraded stainless appliances, natural birdseye maple cabinets and granite counters

Biltmore area -- Galleries at Turney $600,000

Last one available: Arizona's First LEED_H Certified home development -- a nationally certified green building with solar energy options! Winner of two AIA Design and Sustainability Awards
Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 2.5 Call Linda to view 602-391-8246


At The Galleries at Turney, the utility bill for a 2,000-square foot home is about $125 in the middle of summer. "That's what gets people's attention," he says. "I firmly believe that in five years everything built will have to be green, whether LEED or some other standard. What will drive it? Whether demand by consumer or required by the government, some source will have to make it."

This urban oasis of eight homes by Modus Development is the first community in Arizona to be LEED certified. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a national benchmark of standards for eco-friendly building.

One of the most striking aspects is the exterior. The houses are covered in corrugated zinc that's suspended off the walls by an inch, which lets hot air flow behind it and continuously shades the building, Gorman says, adding, "Architects come from around the world to see it."

The roof includes a reflective coating to keep it cool.

The homes were built on a plot of land that used to include two-single family houses. With desert landscaping, controlled irrigation and other water-saving features, Gorman estimates the eight homes use less water than the two houses that were there before.

Still the homes have to be appealing, so the builder included a wall of glass that treated to resist heat transfer. The homes include energy efficient Bosch appliances and are pre-wired for solar power

Sweet Tomatoes Going Green

Last Night I went to Sweet Tomatoes on Camelback and to my surprise Sweet Tomatoes is Going GREEN. Their Making a World of Difference One Bite at a Time.

From the napkins in your hand to the light above your head, Sweet Tomatoes is changing to make a difference.

*There using 100% recycled towel, tissue and napkins
*Take out containers are recyclable... NO STYROFOAM
*Replacing there hot water heater with a new TANK-LESS.

This put a BIG smile on my face, was nice to be eating at a restaurant that wants to make a Difference

Obamas to plant their organic veggie garden

After much speculation, the First Family has confirmed that they will bring an organic veggie garden on the White House grounds. First Lady Michelle Obama has committed to the idea of healthy eating, especially when it comes to her kids, and has expressed her views in a number of interviews. "My hope," the first lady said in an interview for the New York Times, "is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities."


On Friday, the First Lady was joined by children from the Bancroft Elementary School who helped her break the soil for the reported 1100 square foot plot that has been ear marked for the project. The students will also be working to cultivate the garden, and the First Family members, including the President, are expected to help weed and tend the garden, "whether they like it or not," said the First Lady.