Save the date for an upcoming workshop for those interested in working with neighbors and community leaders to accelerate the installation of solar energy systems in Redmond.  Northwest SEED established this training program to help spread their successful solar group purchase program—Solarize Washington. Training attendees will walk away with the skills, materials, connections, and know-how they need to launch a Solarize campaign in their community. 

Since Solarize Washington was launched in 2011, they have seen immense success with the Solarize model in Seattle and Snohomish County. To date, they have helped install 139 solar installations and supported the investment of $3.8 million in the local solar economy.  Now their work is looking at ways to expand this success to East King County.

Solarize U: Eastside
Saturday December 1st
9am to 3pm.
Registration: www.solarizewa.org
$25 per attendee, lunch included

A report by KUOW stated that electricity use in a typical household served by Puget Sound Energy pumps out about a thousand pounds of greenhouse gases every month!  With Redmond residents being served by PSE, you might think that your energy is coming from one of the many local hydro-electric dams in the eastern part of the state or in the N. Cascades. 

But the largest source of PSE’s energy is actually coming from a coal burning power plant in Eastern Montana.  Coal emissions contribute greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, a major component of climate change. 

To reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and save money on your electricity bill, there are number of ways you can reduce your impact.

Purchase Green Power

When you buy green power, electricity generated from renewable resources is put into the Northwest power-supply grid. The power that is supplied will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support other green-power projects, and help educate the community on the importance of renewable, clean energy.

To sign up for the Green Power Purchasing Program, visit PSE’s website.

Reduce Your Demand

By conserving energy, you reduce the demand on the coal fired power plants in the first place. Incorporating these simple tips for around the household will save energy and money on your utility bill.

• Turn off lights when not in use,
• Use task lighting instead of overhead lights,
• Swap out incandescent lightbulbs for compact fluorescent or LED lights,
• Turn down your water heater to 120 degrees,
• Unplug electric equipment when not in use, 
• Turn down your thermostat or program it to turn off when not at home and overnight. 

For many more tips on reducing your household energy demand, visit PSE's website here. 

Energy use in buildings is responsible for nearly 40% of all CO2 emissions in the United States. In an attempt to push back on this enormous consumption, the City of Issaquah has partnered with Ichijo USA to build a “zHome”.  zHome refers to these 10 townhomes which use zero net energy, emit net zero carbon emissions, use 60% less water, and use only low-toxicity materials in their construction.  A superhero of green buildings!

“Zero net energy” means theses homes produce as much energy on site from a renewable source as it needs to use.  In Issaquah, zero net energy is first achieved with conservation measures. By using energy efficient construction techniques, the zHome is already operating more efficiently than its more traditional counterparts.  The solar panels on the roof make up the difference in energy demand, allowing these residences to achieve net zero energy and create no CO2 emissions over the course of the year.

Water savings come from a number of places, beginning with not having a lawn.  About 1/3 of a home’s water usage comes from landscaping needs, and by the zHome using drought tolerant plants that are well composted, it’s an easy and attractive way to save. (See our earlier blog post on Greenscaping and using native plants to reduce water consumption)

Moving inside, high efficiency toilets not only use less water, but use rainwater collected on site for flushing.  Considering a third of an average home’s indoor water use comes from flushing toilets, this is a big savings! High efficiency clothes washers, showerheads, faucet aerators, and dishwashers also help zHome's reduce its demand.

Interestingly, some of their biggest savings come from things you can do in your own home! Practicing energy & water conservation techniques will go a long way in helping you create a  green home of your own! To take a look on your own, self guided tours are open to the public on Sunday afternoons.

Energy use in buildings is responsible for nearly 40% of all CO2 emissions in the United States. In an attempt to push back on this enormous consumption, the City of Issaquah has partnered with Ichijo USA to build a “zHome”.  zHome refers to these 10 townhomes which use zero net energy, emit net zero carbon emissions, use 60% less water, and use only low-toxicity materials in their construction.  A superhero of green buildings!

“Zero net energy” means theses homes produce as much energy on site from a renewable source as it needs to use.  In Issaquah, zero net energy is first achieved with conservation measures. By using energy efficient construction techniques, the zHome is already operating more efficiently than its more traditional counterparts.  The solar panels on the roof make up the difference in energy demand, allowing these residences to achieve net zero energy and create no CO2 emissions over the course of the year.

Water savings come from a number of places, beginning with not having a lawn.  About 1/3 of a home’s water usage comes from landscaping needs, and by the zHome using drought tolerant plants that are well composted, it’s an easy and attractive way to save. (See our earlier blog post on Greenscaping and using native plants to reduce water consumption)

Moving inside, high efficiency toilets not only use less water, but use rainwater collected on site for flushing.  Considering a third of an average home’s indoor water use comes from flushing toilets, this is a big savings! High efficiency clothes washers, showerheads, faucet aerators, and dishwashers also help zHome's reduce its demand.

Interestingly, some of their biggest savings come from things you can do in your own home! Practicing energy & water conservation techniques will go a long way in helping you create a  green home of your own! To take a look on your own, self guided tours are open to the public on Sunday afternoons.