Read the rest of Habitat World: Seven Sustainable Habitat for Humanity Projects

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", "energy star", 90-percent-efficient furnaces, creating healthy homes, empowerhouse, Energy Star-rated appliances, habitat for humanity, House of the Immediate Future, low-flow toilets, Miller Hull Partnership, passive house, Reclaimed Materials, Shala Carlson, Solar Decathlon, Solar Power, sustainable Habitat projects, Sustainable housing Projects, tankless hot water heaters

Washington D.C. has just announced a huge step forward in its quest to become America’s “greenest” city. The District of Columbia Department of General Services (DGS) has signed a one-year contract that requires all government agencies to use 100 percent wind power for their electricity needs. The new contract with Herndon-based Washington Gas Energy Services (WGES) improves upon the District’s prior commitment of using 50 percent wind-generated electricity.

Read the rest of Washington DC Government Agencies to be 100% Powered by Wind Energy

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Post tags: "energy star", "leed", "wind power", District of Columbia, Electricity, honest buildings, renewable energy, Washington DC, WGES, wind farm

Marcia Patmos, the brains behind the much-loved M Patmos eco fashion line, applies her eco-conscious mindset to everything she does. When we saw the designer during fashion week, she mentioned her newly-upgraded Brooklyn apartment, which she sustainably revamped with the help of architect and designer Robert Farrell. She recently invited us to tour the beautiful space, which is a warm and light-filled home, outfitted with a carefully-curated selection of vintage and handmade home decor plus energy-efficient appliances. Hit the jump to see her pretty pad for yourself and learn more about her design inspiration!

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Post tags: "energy star", Brooklyn, eco design, eco-friendly, ethical design, Ethical Fashion, fashion designer, green design, green furnishings, green interiors, green living, green rennovation, interior design, M. Patmos, Marcia Patmos, Recycled Materials, Robert Farrell, sustainable design, sustainable living, upcycled furniture, vintage furnishings, vintage furniture

If you’re worried about keeping warm and cozy these next few months, look no further than our video on how to button up your home for the cold season and cut your utility bills while you’re at it! We’ve enlisted the help of green energy expert Steve Schappert to take eco-fashion blogger and author Starre Vartan through a home energy audit and winter weatherization home makeover. Watch the video above to find out where Starre’s home was lacking when it came to energy efficiency, and learn how you can pinpoint and remedy similar problems in your own home.

Read the rest of VIDEO: How to Winter-Proof Your Home, With Eco-Blogger Starre Vartan

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Post tags: "energy star", air sealing, diy home improvements, eco friendly ways to warm your house, eco friendly winter, eco options, energy audit, energy saving products, go green in your home, green home tips, green homes, green ways to warm your house, home depot, home depot environmentally friendly products, how to deal with a cold house, how to prepare your home for cold weather, how to prepare your home for the winter, How to weatherize, prepare you home for winter, products that help you save energy, products to save energy, save energy in your home, save money, save money in your home, starre vartan, tips for a cold apartment, why is my house so cold, winterize your apartment, winterize your home, winterize your house

Feeling the pinch when it comes time to pay your monthly bills? Lucky for you there are a few simple steps you can take to cut down your energy costs. With just a few simple and inexpensive products – some of which you probably even already have in your home – you can potentially to knock hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off your annual energy bill. On top of that, a home that is energy efficient can also dramatically transform how you and your family live by creating a comfortable space that promotes both health and well-being. Watch our video guide above and learn about these 6 smart, simple and affordable home products that will leave you with lower heating bills, a pocket full of cash saved, and a house full of happy inhabitants!

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Post tags: "energy star", draft guard, eco design, eco home, eco home tips, energy saving products, energy star appliances, Energy-Efficient Appliances, go green in your home, great stuff crack sealer, green design, green home tips, insulation, led light bulbs, LEDs, money saving tips, natural insulation, products that help you save energy, programmable thermostat, save energy in your home, save money, save money in your home, sustainable design, Ways to Green Your Kitchen

Read the rest of Method Homes Unveils Net-Zero Prefab Paradigm Series at Greenbuild in San Francisco

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", "energy star", adaptable furniture, bogue trondowski, Corten steel, fsc certified wood, LEED platinum, Living Building Challenge, Method Homes, mini split hvac, net zero-water, net-zero energy, open plan house, Prefab Housing, rainwater collection, resource furniture, San Francisco, Solar Power, urban gardening, us greenbuild, usgbc, water recycling

This year’s record breaking summer high temperatures and general worrisome warming trend don’t necessarily mean that the coming winter will be a walk in the park. Before the cold weather strikes, get your home buttoned up and ready for it with our expert hands-on game plan, which will not only make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, but save you some money while you’re at it. From big changes that will knock hundreds of dollars off your energy bill to smaller ones that need just a bit of elbow grease and a few materials from your local hardware store, we’ll show you what you need to get the job done! So no matter if you rent or own your house, check out these 7 handy tips that we promise will make a real difference in keeping you warm and your energy bill manageable this winter.

Read the rest of 7 Winter Home Improvement Tips to Save You Money and Energy In the Cold Season

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Post tags: "energy star", air sealing, diy home improvements, eco friendly ways to warm your house, eco friendly winter, eco options, energy audit, energy saving products, go green in your home, green home tips, green homes, green ways to warm your house, home depot, home depot environmentally friendly products, how to deal with a cold house, how to prepare your home for cold weather, how to prepare your home for the winter, How to weatherize, prepare you home for winter, products that help you save energy, products to save energy, save energy in your home, save money, save money in your home, tips for a cold apartment, why is my house so cold, winterize your apartment, winterize your home, winterize your house

If you’ve been feeling the pinch like we have, you’ve probably learned to shop smarter, pack your own lunch, and cut back on the gourmet coffee, but you might still be missing out on big savings if your home hasn’t been optimized for energy efficiency. The good news is that just a few quick and easy DIY upgrades to your home could equate to hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year in savings on your energy bill. Crafting a home energy-optimization strategy sounds more daunting than it is. We’ve rounded up 15 great inexpensive and easy-to-find green home improvement products that will set you on the path towards a lower energy bill and more moolah in the bank – read on to get the inside scoop on all of them.

Read the rest of 15 Inexpensive Green Household Products That Can Save You Money And Cut Down Your Energy Bill

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Post tags: "energy star", blow in insulation, ceiling fan, cellular shades, draft guard, eco design, eco home, energy saving products, energy star appliances, Energy-Efficient Appliances, go green in your home, great stuff crack sealer, green design, green home tips, insulation, led light bulbs, LEDs, magnetic vent covers, money saving tips, natural insulation, products that help you save energy, programmable thermostat, save energy in your home, save money, save money in your home, sustainable design, ultratouch, ultratouch insulation, vent covers, Ways to Green Your Kitchen

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With a flurry of controversial discussions surrounding the 4th installment of LEED (formally known as LEED 2012), the USGBC has found themselves on a collision course with powerful construction industry interests. The rating system has long been criticized for being too slow to adapt to pressing environmental needs, but with a much more aggressive agenda in tow this time around, they are finding resistance from entrenched special interests who are doing everything they can to stall the process.

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Post tags: "energy star", American Chemical Council, Avoidance of Chemicals of Concern, BOMA International, LEED 2012, LEED controversy, LEED EB 4.0. LEED NC 4.0

While Apple may offer some of the most popular computers around, Hewlett Packard will soon have them beat in at least one area of user-friendliness. The new HP Z1 workstation balances form, function, and user accessibility by combining incredible graphics and speed with a unique pop-out display that allows users to check under the hood to replace and repair their computer’s vitals with their very own hands.

Read the rest of HP’s New Z1 Workstation Pops Open for Easy DIY Upgrades and Repairs

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Post tags: "energy star", computer news, computers, diy computer repair, diy computer service, eco computers, eco design, eco technology, green computers, green design, green technology, hewlett packard, hp, hp z1, hp z1 workstation, inhabitat-news, sustainable computers, sustainable design, sustainable technology, z1, z1 computer, z1 workstation

The Environmental Protection Agency‘s decision to give the Energy Star program a bit of a makeover is not sitting pretty with their industry partners – the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is up in arms with the EPA’s choice to not only loosen the Energy Star certification criteria, but also introduce new third party fees. The Energy Star program sets the standards for energy-efficient products in homes, offices, and buildings all over America, however these changes could tarnish their industry-leading reputation.

Read the rest of EPA Under Fire for Considering Lowering Energy Star Criteria and Introducing New Fees

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Post tags: "energy star", CEA, consumer electronics, Consumer Electronics Association, eco news, energy star certification, energy star criteria, energy star standards, environmental protection agency, epa, EPA criteria, green news, green products, inhabitat-news, sustainable news

Today GE announced the launch of GeoSpring, its most energy-efficient hybrid-electric hot water heater. They also announced the opening of their new GeoSpring manufacturing facility in Lousiville, KY, which is part of GE’s commitment to invest $1 billion and create more than 1,300 new U.S. jobs by 2014. According to GE, The GeoSpring uses 62% less energy and will save average users $325 a year on their electric bill – imagine the savings if you have shower hogging teenagers!

Read the rest of The New GeoSpring is GE’s Most Efficient Hybrid Hot Water Heater

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Post tags: "energy star", efficient hot water heater, energy efficient appliance, Energy-Efficient Appliances, GE GeoSpring, Green Appliances, green collar economy, green collar jobs, green economy, hybrid hot water heater, smart grid

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", "energy star", "leed", Athens, Bork Architecture Design, cottage vernacular, eco design, georgia, green design, historic home, LEED platinum, Lor Newcomer, low emissions wood fire stove, passive design, solar gain, solar water heater, south, sustainable design, usgbc

Read the rest of LEED Platinum ‘Shoebox House’ Achieves Style and Sustainability on a Budget

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Post tags: "energy star", airPlus Certified, eco design, epa, Gabriel Browne, green design, leed platinum home, Marcia Meckler, Praxis Design, rainwater collection, santa fe, Scott Rothstein, Shoebox House, Sketch up, sustainable design, United States Green Building Council

Today the California Academy of Sciences achieved a groundbreaking feat of sustainable design as the U.S. Green Building Council presented it with its second LEED Platinum certification, making it America’s first double platinum museum, and the world’s largest double platinum building! The green-roofed museum designed by Renzo Piano continues to perform to the highest sustainable standards three years after it received its first LEED rating. Find out more about what makes this building so remarkably green right after the jump!

Read the rest of Green-Roofed CA Academy of Sciences Crowned the World’s Largest Double LEED Platinum Building

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Post tags: "energy star", CA Academy of Sciences, California, Double Platinum, earthquake, eco design, Green Building, green design, green roof, LEED platinum, renzo piano, San Francisco, sustainable design, U.S. Green Building Council, water consumption

Energy Star-certified buildings are on the rise in the United States! In 2010 alone, the number of Energy Star buildings in big cities has doubled in size compared to the past ten years combined. A qualified building must use on average 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon emissions to be certified by the government as an Energy Star building. We’re thrilled to see greener buildings gaining momentum across the states – read on to see which cities made the biggest gains!

Read the rest of The Top 10 US Cities With the Most Energy Star Buildings

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Post tags: "energy star", "sustainable architecture", carbon emissions, energy efficient architecture, epa, Green Building, green design, most energy star buildings, Smart Planet, sustainable design, top energy star cities, top ten cities

Read the rest of HGTV Green Home Lands LEED Platinum Certification

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Post tags: "energy star", "sustainable architecture", CO, colorado, Denver, eco design, eco home, energy efficient, giveway, green architecture, Green Building, green design, green home, green materials, hgtv, HGTV green home, LEED platinum, stapleton, sustainable design

Read the rest of 15 Green Lamps to Light up Your Life

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Post tags: "energy star", bic pen chandelier, Clothes Hanger Chandleier by Luis Teixeira, Coffee Stirrer Chandelier by Studio Verissimo, Cola Bottle Lamp, Crystal Lamp, eco lighting, en pieza, energy efficient light bulbs, energy efficient lighting, Equo Desk Lamp, green design, green lamps, green lighting, interior lighting, koncept, LED bulbs, LEDs, light-emitting diodes, low energy lighting, mauricio affonso, molo lamps, Paper Tube Light, Philips, Philips Ledino, POP pendant lamp, QisDesign, Ruth Oh, sarah turner, seagull light, sustainable design, Traffic Cone Lamp by Laura Haaker, Urchin Molo Lamp, Yves Behar Leaf Lamp

Recently the United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded Lakewood Church with the 2010 Energy Star Congregation Award for excellence in energy efficiency for implementing energy management improvements over the last two years. Through planning, education of staff, and scheduling they have reduced their energy consumption by nearly 1/3. An even bigger accomplishment is how Lakewood was converted from the former Compaq Center where the Houston Rockets played for many years – an exceptional example of repurposing an existing building rather than building anew.

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Post tags: "energy star", Energy Star Congregation Award, environmental protection agency, green architecture, green church, green design, Lakewood Church, renewable energy