PROView - June 2008 - (Page 10)

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Foiled again. In hot summer climates, attic radiant barriers can help keep homes comfortable and reduce cooling bills. Made of a re ective foil, radiant barriers block the transfer of radiant heat from a hot roof into the attic. In the Southeast, radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs by 8% to 12%, according to the Florida Solar Energy Center. $$–$$$ 37. 44. Harvest the sun. In regions with 38. When choosing abundant sunshine and high energy costs, solar systems are gaining ground. Solar electric systems can o set some or all of your home’s electricity use, while solar water heating systems can heat water for sinks, showers, laundry, home heating, pools and spas. A variety of federal, state and local incentives are making renewable-energy systems more a ordable. For a directory of incentives by state, go to dsireusa.org. $$$ appliances and equipment, remember that not all energy sources are created equal. If you’re in the market for a backup generator, natural gas and liquid propane (LP) engines burn cleaner than gasoline engines, which reduces air pollution and extends the engine’s life. $$–$$$ during winter and outside in the summer, choose double-pane windows with an appropriate low-e coating. For help choosing the right window for your climate, go to e cientwindows.org. $–$$$ Grow a green roof. Also called living roofs or vegetated roofs, green roofs are specially engineered with a waterproof membrane topped by a lightweight planting medium. Typically planted with native grasses, wild owers or other climate-appropriate groundcovers, they slow the ow of stormwater o the roof, keep surrounding outside air temperatures cooler, insulate the home from noise, heat and cold, and may even extend the roof’s life. $–$$$ 41. 39. Double up. To keep heat inside 40. Be radiant. Radiant oor heating systems are a boon to indoor air quality because unlike forced-air systems, they don’t blow dust and other allergens around. Thanks to warm water circulating in exible tubing installed under the oor, heat radiates evenly up through the oor, providing quiet, even warmth while using less energy. $$$ replaces are notorious polluters and energy wasters. Think about retro- tting yours with an energye cient, clean-burning, EPA-certi ed replace insert. The inserts include glass or metal doors, vents to provide outside air for combustion, and blowers to circulate heated air into the room. Learn more at epa.gov/woodstoves. $$$ 42. Don’t get burned. Wood-burning 45. Salvage style. Spare the precious forests by choosing salvaged wood harvested from dismantled buildings, old barrels, urban trees that would otherwise have been chipped for mulch or rewood, sinker logs from lake and river bottoms, and many other sources. $–$$$ 43. Reroo ng? Cool roof products come in a variety of colors and materials (including ceramic or concrete tiles, metal and synthetic membranes) and re ect more of the sun’s heat, lowering the roof’s temperature by up to 100 degrees F. $$$ Want more ideas on how to green your home or where to nd a brand-new green home? Check out the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide (greenhomeguide.org). And later this year, look for REGREEN, a set of residential remodeling guidelines being developed by the USGBC and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). June 2008 10 PINELLAS REALTOR® ORGANIZATION http://dsireusa.org http://efficientwindows.org http://epa.gov/woodstoves http://greenhomeguide.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PROView - June 2008

PROView - June 2008 Contents Chairman’s Notes Sustainable Lifestyles Greening the Not-So-New House Green Renovation Checklist Green Building Tips Going Green PROActive You Have 30 Seconds to Prove Your Value Marketplace Analysis Home Sales Report PRO Biz Calendar of Events & Programs New Members and Affiliates

PROView - June 2008

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