PHILLY
EVENTSHow to Go Green
13. USE A LOT LESS ENERGY. The dream: Solar panels on every roof in America, harvesting the sun’s energy to power homes, instead of coal, oil, or other resources that are disappearing faster than you can say “photovoltaic.” The problem: At upwards of $40,000 per house, not everyone can afford them, even if they eventually could lead to teeny utility bills — or none at all. Also, since the end of 2005, funding for the juicy rebates that gave Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents as much as $25,000 to $30,000 back on solar investments has dried up — at least for now. But Governor Rendell this year announced an $850 million fund for producing alternative energies in Pennsylvania, including around $200 million for solar energy, and the federal government may pass a bill this year with a 30 to 50 percent rebate on installation. “Think of it as the difference between renting and buying your home,” says Ron Celentano, of Celentano Energy Services (7821 Flourtown Avenue, Wyndmoor; 215-836-9958). “You invest in this technology, and every year you’ll save more than the year before.” Check phillysolar.org for an update on rebates and a list of qualified solar panel contractors in the area, including Mesa Energy LLC (429 East King Street, Malvern, 610-647-3809, or 5 Greentree Centre, suite 104, 877-488-1400, Marlton; mesasolar.com), and Finley Shapiro (2021 Rodman Street; 215-545-4364). Go to dsireusa.org for a state-by-state listing of other energy-related incentives, including low-interest loans for eco-friendly home improvements. In the meantime, use solar power to heat your water. In summer, the system should generate enough heat to supply all your hot water, alleviating the need for gas or electricity; in winter, you could get half of what you need. At around $8,500 to install — and with a $2,000 tax rebate from the government — you could recoup the expense within 10 years. Recommended installers, also listed at phillysolar.org, include Energy Alternatives (6342 North 6th Street, 215-224-4546; thermomax.com).
14. INSULATE, INSULATE, INSULATE. But don’t use fiberglass, which, aside from being toxic to the air and earth, gaps and sags over time, unlike greener solutions. Instead, look for recycled denim insulation, like Bonded Logic (bondedlogic.com), available at Earth Mart and Marjam Supply Company, in Northeast Philly (6951 New State Road, 215-338-9900; marjam.com), or cellulose, made from recycled paper, like Cocoon Insulation, available at area hardware stores (cocooninsulation.com).
15. BREATHE EASIER. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be five times more polluted than outside air — and that can trigger asthma or allergy attacks. Call Glenside’s Healthy Spaces for a $375 moisture assessment to determine your risk of allergy-causing mold, or ask for a complete evaluation of the chemicals in the air and on the surfaces of your house to ensure you’re not breathing in unhealthy levels of those toxic “off gases.” The full report, for around $600 plus the cost of lab results, includes suggestions for how to fix your problems, ranked by importance (215-233-1852; healthyspaces.com).
16. READ THE LABEL. If you don’t see an Energy Star logo on the fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, air conditioner or even cordless phone, don’t buy it. Period. Energy Star appliances are more efficient even than government standards. But that doesn’t mean your appliances have to be humdrum. Sub-Zero’s sleek 650G stainless-steel-and-glass-door refrigerator has an alarm that beeps when the door is open and uses less energy than a 100-watt bulb (subzero.com). It sells for around $7,000 at area Sub-Zero dealers, like Airs Appliances in Center City (1119 Chestnut Street; 215-568-1010) and Moorestown’s Cornerstone USA (123 East Main Street, 856-234-0066; cornerstoneusaltd.com). For a list of Energy Star appliances by brand and model number, go to energystar.gov.
17. FORGET GRANITE. THINK PAPER. Or, more precisely, think 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper that’s fashioned — through a low-energy process — into heat- and stain-resistant countertops by Washington-based PaperStone Products (paperstoneproducts.com), available at the Environmental Home Store. Less dramatic and gleaming than conventional high-end countertops, PaperStone counters come in earthy colors like chocolate and obsidian. At around $50 a square foot, they’re also less expensive — and keep paper out of landfills.
14. INSULATE, INSULATE, INSULATE. But don’t use fiberglass, which, aside from being toxic to the air and earth, gaps and sags over time, unlike greener solutions. Instead, look for recycled denim insulation, like Bonded Logic (bondedlogic.com), available at Earth Mart and Marjam Supply Company, in Northeast Philly (6951 New State Road, 215-338-9900; marjam.com), or cellulose, made from recycled paper, like Cocoon Insulation, available at area hardware stores (cocooninsulation.com).
15. BREATHE EASIER. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be five times more polluted than outside air — and that can trigger asthma or allergy attacks. Call Glenside’s Healthy Spaces for a $375 moisture assessment to determine your risk of allergy-causing mold, or ask for a complete evaluation of the chemicals in the air and on the surfaces of your house to ensure you’re not breathing in unhealthy levels of those toxic “off gases.” The full report, for around $600 plus the cost of lab results, includes suggestions for how to fix your problems, ranked by importance (215-233-1852; healthyspaces.com).
16. READ THE LABEL. If you don’t see an Energy Star logo on the fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, air conditioner or even cordless phone, don’t buy it. Period. Energy Star appliances are more efficient even than government standards. But that doesn’t mean your appliances have to be humdrum. Sub-Zero’s sleek 650G stainless-steel-and-glass-door refrigerator has an alarm that beeps when the door is open and uses less energy than a 100-watt bulb (subzero.com). It sells for around $7,000 at area Sub-Zero dealers, like Airs Appliances in Center City (1119 Chestnut Street; 215-568-1010) and Moorestown’s Cornerstone USA (123 East Main Street, 856-234-0066; cornerstoneusaltd.com). For a list of Energy Star appliances by brand and model number, go to energystar.gov.
17. FORGET GRANITE. THINK PAPER. Or, more precisely, think 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper that’s fashioned — through a low-energy process — into heat- and stain-resistant countertops by Washington-based PaperStone Products (paperstoneproducts.com), available at the Environmental Home Store. Less dramatic and gleaming than conventional high-end countertops, PaperStone counters come in earthy colors like chocolate and obsidian. At around $50 a square foot, they’re also less expensive — and keep paper out of landfills.
Posted by Anonymous | Jan. 2, 2008 at 1:58 PM