Earth, wind and wire: Going beyond solar panels

By L.A. Times • Feb 6th, 2010 • Category: Real Estate News

Here's a look at three technologies that California residents are using to cut their energy bills and turn their homes into clean mini-power plants.

Not long ago, people who wanted to generate their own green energy at home had to content themselves with rooftop solar panels.


Full article: Earth, wind and wire: Going beyond solar panels ...

Tagged as:

Related posts:

    • Solar panels causing some storms
      Even as California and the federal government encourage solar power, homeowners often have to fight homeowners associations for their right to install the systems. Ready to chuck his electric bills, Camarillo resident Marc Weinberg last year asked his homeowners association for permission to put solar panels on his roof. ...
    • Weak economy makes solar panels more affordable to homeowners
      Price cuts by manufacturers, tax credits, California incentives and innovative financing ease the cost of going solar. If you're searching for a bright spot in a dismal economic climate, look no farther than your roof. The downturn is helping to make solar panels more affordable. ...
    • California seeks to lift federal block on energy-saver program
      Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown sues mortgage agencies and their regulator that shut down access to funds that allow state homeowners to pay for solar panels and other efficiency upgrades in installments. California is suing the federal government to stop it from derailing a program that allows homeowners to finance solar panels and other energy-saving improvements through their property tax bills....
    • California solar-power subsidy program approaches its limit
      A bill seeks to quadruple the amount of electricity consumers with roof panels may sell. The solar industry pushes to pass it. PG & E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric oppose Lis Sines of Hermosa Beach loves watching her electric meter run backward. ...
    • Loan program for green home upgrades stalls
      Funds dry up, and many projects are left in limbo, after regulators and lenders raise alarms over terms of the Property Assessed Clean Energy program.A popular program that allows homeowners to tap low-interest government financing to install energy-efficient solar panels, windows and insulation has stalled, leaving tens of thousands of green improvement projects across the country in limbo. ...
    • Energy efficiency incentives likely to grow
      An unprecedented push by the U.S. government to widen rewards for energy-conscious homeowners is underway. An example: FHA loans offering 5% larger mortgages to buyers who plan on making renovations. You're probably familiar with some of the federal government's incentives for home energy efficiency -- heftier tax credits for solar panels, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, heavy-duty insulation, windows,...
    • Ingo Rademacher’s Venice home for sale for $2,895,000
      'General Hospital' star's home has many green features, including solar panels, a tankless water heater and radiant heat in the floors. Ingo Rademacher , who since 1996 has been the hunkiest reason to watch "General Hospital," unfortunately doesn't come with the property in Venice he is trying to sell for $2,895,000. ...

Advertising

10
Category: Real Estate News

  • KB Home says SEC investigation over
    The home builder's stock soars 11% after an announcement that there will be no action taken as result of an investigation into the company's accounting procedures.

    Shares of Los Angeles-based KB Home soared on Wednesday after the home builder said an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the company's accounting and disclosure procedures had concluded and no enforcement action would be taken.


  • Home prices rise in June, but a drop may be looming
    The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index shows a modest 1% gain over May figures, with prices in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco increasing. However, some experts predict that the expiration of federal tax credits will have a negative effect.

    A closely watched national index showed Tuesday that home prices rose in June, the last month that a federal tax credit probably boosted sales. Many experts predict a drop in values in coming months without the popular government stimulus.


  • Foreclosures of million-dollar-plus homes on the rise
    The number of homes in the $1-million-and-up slice of the market that have become bank owned has tripled during the last three years in Los Angeles County, and the trend has shown little sign of slowing.

    Foreclosure is blind.


  • New house is straight out of the Old World
    A Santa Monica residence completed in 2008 was inspired by historic homes in Belgium. It boasts 17th century limestone floors, Belgian bluestone details, elaborate ironwork and refitted antique doors.

    This 2-year-old house inspired by the historic homes of Belgium feels as if it could be sitting in the countryside rather than in a Santa Monica neighborhood just blocks from the boutiques on Montana Avenue.


  • Beware of ‘improvements’ that reduce a home’s value
    Renovations that reduce the number of bedrooms or bathrooms and poorly planned expansions may kill a sale in the future.

    Every real estate agent has seen them: home "improvements" that turn out to be anything but, at least down the road when it comes time to sell. Instead of deal sealers, they are deal killers.


  • Moving away won’t shield ex-association board member
    Question: Is a homeowner association legally responsible for the actions of any board member who has harmed any member of the association? What if the board member has moved away from the association when a lawsuit is pending against it?