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As consumers, we sometimes display an unrealistic faith that the products we buy are safe, effective, and economical. Many of us trust that companies have our best interests at heart and that the government will protect us from harm. And it seems that the bigger the price tag, the more naive we can be. Housing is our biggest expense – whether renting or buying – and yet we drive our heads into the sand and blindly believe that it won’t hurt us physically or financially. If you’re buying a new home, don’t be tempted to purchase a home that you will later regret owning when you can find – or even demand – one with optimum energy efficiency, comfort, clean air, durability, and affordability.

They Don’t Build Them Like They Used To

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The past few decades saw huge developments in the use of solar power. These grid panels can use solar energy and turn it into electricity. Many neighborhoods have at least one house with solar panels installed on the roof.

Someone may have passed by your house offering solar panels for your home. These solar company representatives can be found just about everywhere. You may not have explored the use of solar power for your home since you are not familiar with how the whole system works. You may have also thought it is expensive.

Many people feel the same way. They are not using solar energy simply because they are not sure how much they have to spend on it. They may also be wondering when they can recover the cost.

Solar panel cost

The first thing to ...

This article was originally written by Sarah Hancock here for bestcompany.com

Are you thinking about making the switch to solar? Maybe you'd like to lower your electricity bill, or perhaps you want to reduce your carbon footprint. The good news is that, in many situations, installing solar panels on your home or business can be an extremely economically and environmentally beneficial decision. However, solar isn't the right fit for everyone, so it's important to do your research before putting up a significant investment.

In an effort to provide helpful information for home and business owners like you, as well as shed light on a somewhat confusing and ever-evolving industry, Best Company asked 11 solar experts for their input on frequently asked questions that many consumers have about solar energy, such as: ...

There’s no doubt about it, the “green economy” has gone global, as more and more sustainable-minded individuals and organizations have embraced the notion of a clean, environmentally friendly economy that promotes health, wealth, and well-being. The green economy is a thriving economy, as well—with overall global trade in environmental goods pegged at $1 trillion annually, a figure that should grow to $2-to-$3 trillion by 2020, according to United Nations Environment.

I first became interested in zero energy buildings in 2003. There were several things that pulled me into the concept, and probably the most compelling aspect was the scale of the change. At the time, I was managing a municipal green building program and we were struggling to convince developers to make relatively minor incremental changes like using Low-E windows or high-efficiency furnaces. The notion of zero energy was such a radical leap forward. The other big thing that was intriguing to me, let’s face it, was that it was cool.

Zero energy as an aspiration, on-the-ground reality, and the climate solution movement intersection is at an interesting point in its history. Zero energy is all the rage, with many more organizations an...

In today’s market, would you ever consider buying a car that gets 12 miles to the gallon? Would you even consider designing, building or selling a car that gets 12 mpg? I believe 100% of us would respond with a resounding NO. Why? Because we all know there is a great selection of stylish, comfortable, reliable, and safe cars that are reasonably priced, and get up to 30 miles to the gallon, and others like hybrids that exceed 50 miles per gallon, and electric vehicles that approach 100 miles per charge. This generation of fuel-efficient cars offers great performance and is fun to drive. Even if you do a modest amount of driving, the money will favor a very fuel-efficient car, and the payback will be even faster if you drive a lot. B...

For homeowners making a decision about how to finance a home purchase, options are relatively consistent regardless of where you live. Mortgages rates and terms are comparable across markets and more dependent on your own personal preferences than location—making a potential home buyer’s financing decision much more straightforward.

But decisions about how to finance a home energy upgrade are far more complex. Loan options vary depending on the state (and even municipality) in which you live, and financing packages come with a huge variety of different terms, rates, and origination requirements. This complexity can dissuade even the most motivated homeowners trying to make sense of the dollars and cents around an investment. I...

This article was originally published by Elizabeth Manneh in Reader's Digest.

Feeling hot, hot, hot? These cool top tips from an expert could make you feel more comfortable.

Three tips to save a ton of $$