The document summarizes information from various sources about green living and energy efficiency. It provides an overview of the ENERGY STAR program and top states for ENERGY STAR homes in 2007. It also lists several inexpensive green projects under $500, factors that influence awareness of green homes, features of green homes, and returns on investments for various energy efficiency upgrades for homes.

1. Support Green Living

2. ENERGY STAR The ENERGY STAR program is a joint effort by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that identifies high efficiency appliances. ENERGY STAR Products Appliances Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers, Refrigerators & Freezers, Room AC Heating and Cooling Air Conditioning (Central and Room), Boilers, Dehumidifiers, Fans (Ceiling and Ventilating), Furnaces, Heat Pumps (Air-Source and Geothermal), Programmable Thermostats Home Electronics Battery Charging Systems, Cordless Phones, Combination Units, Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes, DVD Products, External Power Adapters, Home Audio, Televisions, VCRs Lighting CFLs, Light Fixtures, Advanced Lighting Packages, Ceiling Fans, Exit Signs, Traffic Signals, Decorative Light Strings

3. Top 5 ENERGY STAR Homes from 2007 The figure shows the top 5 states have the highest concentration of new ENERGY STAR rated homes*. * Each state’s index is a measurement of ENERGY STAR’s presence in the site-built, single-family new homes market for that state. To learn more go to www.energystar.gov 1 Each State’s index is a measurement of ENERGY STAR’s presence in the site-built, single–family new homes market for that state. To learn more go to www.energystar.gov State 2007 ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes 2007 One-Unit Housing Permits 2007 ENERGY STAR Market Penetration Texas 40,447 110,874 36% California 7,685 63,897 12% Nevada 7,583 15,216 50% Arizona 7,395 35,255 21% Arkansas 7,395 35,255 21%

4. Green Projects for Under $500 McGraw Hill Construction Smart Market Report. The Green Home Consumer: Driving Demand for Green Homes. www.construction.com & The Green Guide, www.greenhomeguide.org Project Estimated Cost Install aerators on faucets Less than $50 Clean your refrigerator coils Less than $50 Replace weather stripping Less than $50 Reduce light pollution Less than $50 Clean green Less than $50 Plant deciduous trees Less than $50 Insulate hot-water pipes $60 Build a clothesline $69 Put a recirculating pump under the sink $268 Add a tube-type skylight $309

5. Knowledge and Awareness of Green The Green Home Consumer: Driving Demand for Green Homes: www.construction.com

6. Green Home Features Limited use of heavy equipment on site Amended soils depth to 8-10 inches Replanted removed vegetation on the site Installed water catchment cistern Minimized use of impervious surfaces Dual-flushed toilets in bathrooms Designed for solar heat gain Envelope upgrade resulting in super insulated walls and roof ENERGY STAR appliances throughout Blower door test to measure air leakage Used advanced framing Used remilled salvaged lumber Extensive use of recycled finish materials including glass tile, composite countertops, and recycled content drywall Cedar siding Used finger-jointed wood windows, cedar shingles, and finger-jointed trim for cabinetry No carpet used in remodel or addition Low-Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints and adhesives Formaldehyde-free cabinetry, trim, and insulation Protection of exterior building components from moisture damage Installation of rain screen system Mastic sealing of ductwork Refinished existing wood flooring Source: Built Green, www.builtgreen.com

7. Level 1: Retrofitting Source: www.GreenandSave.com Upgrade Payback Time in Years Added Costs Annual Savings 10 Year Savings 1 Year ROI Programmable thermostat 0.6 $115 $180 $1,800 156.5% Hot water heater jacket 0.8 $25 $30 $300 120% Low flow shower heads 0.9 $180 $300 $3,000 111.1% Heating system tune-up 1.1 $200 $180 $1,800 90% Duct sealing 1.5 $450 $300 $3,000 66.7% ENERGY STAR dishwasher 1.5 $20 $13 $130 65% Water filter instead of bottled water 1.9 $200 $104 $1,040 52% High efficiency toilets 2.0 $50 $25 $250 50%

8. Level 2: Remodeling Source: www.GreenandSave.com Upgrade Payback Time in Years Added Costs Annual Savings 10 Year Savings 1 Year ROI Solar-powered path & garden lights 2.1 $375 $176 $1,760 46.9% ENERGY STAR windows 2.3 $700 $300 $3,000 42.9% High performance water heater 3.1 $150 $48 $480 32% Shade trees 4 $1,200 $300 $3,000 25% ENERGY STAR clothes washer 4.3 $300 $72 $720 24% ENERGY STAR ceiling fans 5 $300 $60 $600 20% Attic and ceiling insulation 5 $600 $120 $1,200 20% Bamboo floors 5 $525 $105 $1,050 20% Window treatments, including shades and thermal curtains 5 $300 $60 $600 20%

9. Level 3: Renovating Source: www.GreenandSave.com Upgrade Payback Time in Years Added Costs Annual Savings 20 Year Savings 1 Year ROI High efficiency toilets 6.7 $150 $23 $450 15% Reflective roof 6.7 $2,000 $300 $6,000 15% Formaldehyde-free insulation 7.5 $900 $120 $2,400 13.3% Radiant floor heating 7.3 $4,000 $550 $11,000 13.8% Thermal mass 7.5 $3,000 $400 $8,000 13.3% Southern overhangs 8 $1,440 $180 $3,000 12.5% Solar water heater 8.9 $2,500 $280 $5,600 11.2% Ground-source heat pump 10 $30,000 $3,000 $60,000 10% Green roof 10 $8,000 $800 $16,000 10% Photovoltaic system 10.8 $13,000 $1,200 $60,000 9.2%

10. Homeowner Utility Rebates According to the Partnerships for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), some popular programs and incentives that local utility companies may offer include. Electricity and Gas Rebates on energy efficient products and appliances Discounted home energy audits Incentives for home weatherization Demand-side generation/management Rebates on renewable energy systems and products Time-of-use pricing Water Rebates on products and appliances Free or discounted surveys of irrigation system to determine inefficiencies Heating Oil Locking in an early rate with the supplier may result in savings if oil prices are expected to increase during the heating season

11. Total Energy Use of U.S. Home Source: Energy Efficient Economy (ACEE), www.aceee.org

12. Homeowners Incentives Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) www.dsireusa.org Provides information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency Can sort by homeowner incentive summaries EPA www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/tools/funding Provides sources of funding for green building available at the federal, state, and local levels Targeted towards homeowners, industry government organizations, and non profits Lists grants, tax credits, loans, and other programs ENERGY STAR partners www.energystar.gov Provides listing of ENERGY STAR partners that offer special sales tax exemptions, credits, or rebates to encourage the purchase of energy efficient products Can sort by ZIP code Local National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) organizations www.nahbgreen.org May have local information available National Association of REALTORS Government Affairs Smart Growth Issues Tracker www.realtor.org Provides information on the state-specific resources

13. Joyce Hazen www.HazenRealty.com www.prarizona.com [email_address] Phone: (602) 284-9822 Office: (602)258-4416 Fax: (623) 505-4346 PRINCIPAL RESIDENTIAL GROUP, LLC