In the News

Follow an auditor as he looks at a home for sale
The Austin-American Statesman - December 27, 2009
 
Justin Marler kneels in the attic of a house in Northwest Austin that was built in 1973 and shines his flashlight on the crumbly, deteriorating insulation... Read More
 
Builders Zero In on New Goal of Energy-Neutral Housing
The Wall Street Journal - December 23, 2009
 
The green building movement is targeting a goal once thought virtually unattainable: zero net energy use.
While the trend is nascent, dozens of "net zero" and "near net zero" developments -- projects designed to use only about as much power from the public grid as they can save or produce on their own -- have sprung up across the U.S. over the past five years... Read More
 
Stimulus Funds Speed Transformation Toward 'Smart Grid'
The Wall Street Journal - September 28, 2009
 
After struggling to sell cutting-edge products to utilities, technology companies are sensing better times ahead with the influx of $4.5 billion in federal stimulus funds for so-called smart-grid projects... Read More
 
Going Green: America's 10 Greenest Cities
Employmentspot.com - July 29, 2009
 
If you love the outdoors and are environmentally conscious, you may consider earth-friendly living very important. The issue of global warming is on everyone's mind these days. MSN.com compiled a list of America's 10 greenest cities... 1. Austin, Texas... Read More
 
Austin Home Sale Affirms Historical, Green Advantages
PRWeb - July 29, 2009
 
With their purchase of a 1920s bungalow at 500 E. Monroe St., two new Austin homeowners are proving that buyers needn't sacrifice historical integrity to live in an energy-efficient home. "We looked at many options - old and new, remodeled and original - but couldn't turn away from 500 E. Monroe," ... Read More
 
The Benefits of Going Green: Green Remodeling
About.com - July 29, 2009
 
Overall green remodeling proves to be very beneficial for homeowners. Green Remodeling: Reduces operating costs in the home by increasing efficiency; Conserves natural resources; Increases the value of the home; Reduces waste; Reduces emissions costs... Read More
 
Living Without Air Conditioning in Texas: One family's attempt at beating the heat naturally
by Marye Audet, Planet Green - July 29, 2009
 
Most people would say it is impossible to live in Texas without using air conditioning in the summer. After all, in the Dallas area we often get 100 plus degree temperatures for days on end. It seems a given that in these conditions air conditioning would be a no brainer... Read More

 
Best Places To Live: Money's list of America's best small towns, 2009
CNN Money - July 27, 2009
 
Yes, strong local economies still exist. These small towns have 'em - plus great schools, affordable homes, low crime, and much more... Read More

 
Report: Why We Need the Climate Bill's Building Code
Reuters - July 26, 2009
 
A section spanning just 29 pages of the 1,428-page Waxman-Markey climate bill could have an outsized impact on energy use in the United States as it would require ambitious reductions in the energy use of new homes and commercial structures through a nationwide building energy code... Read More
 

Why To Go Green: By The Numbers
Planet Green - July 23, 2009
 
1 pound per hour: the amount of carbon dioxide that is saved from entering the atmosphere for every kilowatt-hour of renewable energy produced. 60 percent: the reduction in developmental problems in children in China who were born after a coal-burning power plant closed in 2006... Read More
 
Upgrade Your HVAC System for Energy Efficiency
Gulf Breeze News - July 23, 2009
 
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are often out-of-sight and out-of-mind when you're looking to buy a new home, moving into one or just making sure your current home is in good repair. However, updating your HVAC system now can increase the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, ... Read More
 
U.S. Mortgage Rate Up, but Housing Optimism Surfaces
Reuters - July 23, 2009
 
NEW YORK - Fixed U.S. mortgage rates rose after falling for three straight weeks but remain sharply lower than a year ago, improving chances of stabilization in the worst housing market since the Great Depression... "Newly released housing indicators contain positive signs that the worst may be behind us," ... Read More
 
Best Energy Savers for the Buck
Forbes - July 21, 2009
 
Ben Franklin famously said that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. If he lived today, he'd add energy costs to the list. Despite falling this year, the price of heating and cooling a home will eventually rebound as emerging economies such as China and India compete for resources... Read More
  
How to Go Green: Water
Planet Green - July 18, 2009
 
Water Conservation Facts: By the Numbers: 2.5 gallons: The amount of water per person much of the world is allocated. 400 gallons: The amount of water per person used by the average American citizen; 30 percent of this is used for outdoor purposes... Read More
 
Why is Austin the Going Green Authority?
by Joe Cline, EZine Articles - July 16, 2009
 
Year after year, the community is placing a lot of focus on Austin Texas as one of the greenest metropolitan areas in the country! It's settled along the Colorado River, this metropolitan region is not exclusively one of the quickest growing cities in the nation, but its soaring oak trees and crystal clear streams are snuggled within this buzzing metropolitan region... Read More
 
Park 10 Bustling
Real Estate Center - July 14, 2009
 
HOUSTON (Wolff Companies) - Wolff Companies' Park 10 regional business center is bustling with development, with several buildings, a hotel and a mixed-use development either underway or completed... Read More
 
Faulty Appraisals Harming Housing and the Economy
Nation's Building News - July 13, 2009
 
Twenty-six percent of builders are seeing signed sales contracts fall through the cracks because appraisals on their homes are coming in below the contract sales price, according to a nationwide survey conducted by NAHB... Read More
 
Texas Energy Projects Set to Receive $200 Million in Stimulus Money
San Antonio Business Journal - July 13, 2009
 
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved Texas' request to use more than $218 million worth of stimulus funds to help state and local governments cut their energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The funds will be administered by the State Energy Conservation Office... Read More
 
Building Five Sold at Southlake Office Park
Fort Worth Business Press - July 13, 2009
 
Building Five of The Chapel Hill Office Park in Southlake was purchased by Stephen Swann of Expedition Capital Partners. Swann purchased the 7,000-square-foot building, which is 100 percent occupied, for investment purposes. "I am excited to own a building in the city of Southlake because I believe in the long-term fundaments of its office market," ... Read More
 
Downsizing in Comfort at Tuscan Village
Austin American-Statesman - July 12, 2009
 
Active community living for people 55 and older is coming to Lakeway. Tuscan Village, a 280-home neighborhood on 42 acres, broke ground in May. Next spring, the first residents are expected to settle into the community off Lohman's Crossing... Read More
 
Texas Energy Efficiency Industry Gets Stimulated
Dallas Morning News - July 10, 2009
 
The Department of Energy announced Friday that it sent Texas $130.8 million to weatherize homes, as part of the stimulus program. According to the press release, 13 states got money today. Texas got enough cash to weatherize 38,000 low-income homes... Read More
 
Smart Spending: Make Home More Energy-Efficient
Associated Press - July 3, 2009
 
Times may be tight, but in making your home more energy-efficient it's actually true that the more you spend the more you save. Here's the scoop: This year's federal economic recovery legislation offers rebaters for some energy-efficient appliances. And the resourceful can score tax credits of up to 30 percent... Read More
 
First Austin Energy Audits Find a Lot of Leaky Ducts
Austin American-Statesman - June 10, 2009
 
The results are in from the first 310 homes that received energy audits under a new Austin ordinance. The main finding: Most of the houses had leaky air ducts, which means lots of wasted energy... Read More