Best Green Educational Product and Information Website

jchait — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:46:58 -0400

Recently, the Green Log Home website was voted "'Best Green Educational Product and Information' website. It hit the winner's circle when consumers voted it into the top tier as one of seven finalists in the Environment News Service (ENS) competition for best education site. Soon, experts at ENS will choose a final, single winner.

I hadn't actually heard of Green Log Home before, and that's a little surprising considering all the green and home sites I frequent. So I checked them out, to see what they offer consumers.

Basically, Green Log Home is aiming to inform consumers about how to build an affordable green home, how to green a current home, and how to be sure your home is safe and healthy. In the words of the website:

"This website has been created to educate you, the consumer, by helping you differentiate fact from fiction. Most information on the Internet isn't regulated, nor is it checked for inaccuracies. Many companies spin clever marketing campaigns to sell their products and services. There are so many 'Green-Washing' campaigns, and catchy 'Green' advertisements to draw your attention. Who are we all supposed to believe? Our website will provide you with facts based on real-life occurrences, as opposed to 'mis-information' driven by shareholder dividends and sales people looking to make commissions."

Now, here's what I found that is cool:

In their "Why change" section, they offer easy to digest bites of green know-how. Why to go green, why build green, government incentives, and a little bit about LEED (They're LEED supporters it seems). This is a great site for green building newbies.

What it looks like is a real green home is being constructed and the website is the process in motion. I like their "Considerations When Buying Land" section. It's not in-depth, but like I said this is a great site if you're new to green building. the land consideration section offers some nice ideas that you can learn quickly.

The "Well-Being in the Home" section is also good, and goes into topics that promote human health as well as home health, which I also like to see. We're all intertwined. They also offer a good starter costs checklist, and the green choices section is very nice too. Most everything offered at the site is easy to navigate.

Cons:

I don't like their products, or materials page. They note that they're trying to avoid green washing and green catchy stuff yet seem to have many sponsors, which in of itself is not bad, but each product page reads like a commercial; with no other options offered. Also, the hardware section is Home Depot; which I have mixed emotions about (long story for another time). But I will say that I think local is better than a mass produced and shipped eco-label.

So far, I'd skip the blog. There's some decent info there, but it's not as interesting as the website, or the most eye friendly blog ever, and the links are all typed, that annoys me on blogs - if it's a pet peeve of your's stay clear.

Visit Green Log Home.

Top 10 States That Offer the Biggest Solar Incentives

jchait — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:09:58 -0400

If your goal is green building or even off-grid living, you're better off living in certain states. Some offer much better grant and financial opportunities for building green, than do others.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is a North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Recently Off-Grid reported that the information offered by DSIRE shows that the 10 top states to live in - if you want solar incentives include:

California
Colorado
Connecticut
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
New Jersey
New Mexico
Oregon
Pennsylvania.

Oregon and New Mexico don't surprise me. Having lived in both, it's obvious that green building is a big deal in both places. Oddly recycling is limited in NM. (They need to focus on all green living issues, not just building). But, I digress. In any case, the DSIRE list is an amazing resource if you're considering going green. Listings include:

So, for example, if you click on Oregon, an entire list of helpful links appears such as Business Energy Tax Credit, Residential Energy Tax Credit, Ashland - Green Building Incentive, Small-Scale Energy Loan Program, and so much more it boggles the mind. This site is a green treasure. There are resources related to green building loans, auto incentives, utility loans and more. You'll love this site. Check it out.

Learn more about off-grid living:

25 Tools, Ideas, & Activities for Off-Grid-Living

The Zero Energy Home

Living Off the Grid