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IRMA: LESSONS LEARNED; RESOLVE FOR A SAFER FUTURE

As we reflect on all the natural challenges we face as a Nation in 2017, especially the impact of Hurricane Irma in Florida, there are many questions we should ask ourselves at the beginning of this New Year:

1) Is my property fortify enough to face extreme weather events and ready to protect my loved ones?

2) What economic consequences will Irma bring to our 2018 budget?

3) What is the value of my property after Irma?

To answer these questions, it is important to highlight that 2017, will be remembered as the costliest and most destructive season in the history of the United States, leaving $ 368.66 billion (USD) in losses and 25.8 million people impacted and still recovering due to hurricanes Harvey, Maria and Irma. As a result of the damages caused by Irma in South Florida, homeowners will see a 10% increase in property insurance.

Fortifying your homes this year, will be your best resolution. After having inspected hundreds of houses impacted by Hurricane Irma in different counties of Florida, I was able to observed their deficiencies that compromised its integrity when facing extreme weather conditions. That is why I would like to share with you my experiences and lessons learned, with the purpose that you can identify the vulnerable areas in your properties and carry out the necessary transformations to make them stronger and safer to face future Natural disasters. These are the most important observations:

ROOF: All the roofs observed were old with missing shingles or cracked tiles, without roof straps or second water barriers. This caused structural damage, water intrusion, indoor damage, mold and mildew buildup poor indoor air quality compromising habitability conditions.

One of the best resolutions you can make in 2018 is to install a new roof. A new roof will bring you peace of mind knowing that your family will be safer and healthier. Also, you will save a lot of money in costly repairs, insurance payment and electrical bill adding value to the property,

WINDOWS: All the properties I inspected had single pane windows without any kind of protection. As consequence, some windows blew up during the hurricane exposing the property to a bigger damage. Also, I was able to see water infiltration through the windows and doors by the wind-driven rain causing a lot of water damage in the interior.

Installing high performance windows and doors would be a smart resolution for safety and also for savings. Windows and doors will protect your home during hurricane and will save you money by lowering your utility bill, and the insurance payment. Also that will improve the indoor air quality by eliminating condensation and humidity problems.

ELECTRICITY: Approximately 12 million of people in Florida were left in the dark in the aftermath of hurricane Irma. All the homes I went to, had power outages from 1 to 30 days. This interruption caused a lot of food and medicine to be damaged, air conditioning failures as well as indoor water damage in flooring and drywall as result of defrosted refrigerators.

To avoid this from happening in the future, consider buying a solar generator or even better, the installation of solar panels and a battery storage that will allow you to use power from the solar panels without being connected to the grid.

2018 will be, without a doubt, the year to build stronger properties and to fortify existing ones by implementing high-performance strategies that goes beyond the minimum codes required in construction. After all we learned from Irma, it is my hope that more people understand the importance of transforming their properties in 2018, not only to make them safer and healthier, but also to reduce the expenses associated with maintenance, insurance and electricity consumption, increasing as consequence its market value. The time to start, is now, many implementations take months to complete.

We are ready to help you from consultation to the complete transformation of your property including financing. For more information, please send me an email to info@HHDCgreen.com

By Maria Mercedes Hernandez

LEED AP ID +C / General Contractor/ Building Analyst

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WHAT IS THE APPRAISED VALUE OF TRANSFORMING YOUR HOME?

As more and more people in South Florida are using the PACE program to retrofit their property and make it more efficient and sustainable, one of the most frequent questions I get asked all the time is how do they really know if value of their property will increase with the new transformation?

That is a very important and fair question if you want to differentiate the Green value of your property from the standard competition. Unfortunately, because Green homes are relatively new to the South Florida market and comparable homes are difficult to find, energy efficiency upgrades may be overlooked in the appraisal process for a variety of reasons, including a lack of access to quality data and appraiser qualifications. Only small number of appraisers are aware of the unique features of Green building, zero energy or high-performance homes and understand the added value of energy- efficiency upgrades and “Green” implementations.

According to the Appraisal Journal, the market value of a home increases by $10.00 – $25.00 for every $1 decrease in energy bill. To ensure that the appraiser takes the home’s upgrades into account, the property owner should clearly identify the property as a special property type, which requires an appraiser qualified in the valuation of energy efficient, high-performing home. Also, The Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, require appraisers to consider the energy efficient improvements of the homes.

To standardize the communication of the high performing features of residential properties, the Appraisal Institute has developed the Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum.  The Appraisal Institute’s Green Addendum is the first residential green and energy efficient appraisal report addendum developed by appraisers, for use by appraisers.

Builders, contractors with knowledge in green building and third-party verifiers are encouraged to complete this Addendum and present to appraisers, agents, lenders, and homeowners.

The Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum also educates about what is green building and how it applies to all the phases from design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction. Also, highlight the six elements found in green building that must be considered, including (1) site, (2) water, (3) energy, (4) materials, (5) indoor environmental quality, and (6) maintenance and operation. The energy efficiency and water conservation are the most measurable elements of green or high-performance housing.

The following verified improvements are considered within the appraisal analysis of the subject property for an increase value:

  • Green Certifications: such as LEED, FGBC, EnergyStar, Zero energy homes, Indoor airPlus, WaterSense, Living Building Challenge.
  • Energy Label: from approved sources, such as Department of Energy (DOE) and Home energy score RESNET’s HERS rating.
  • Verified Improvements: specifically, those that have documented cost information available. Energy efficient improvements including: Low E windows, insulation, Day lighting, Energy Star appliances, water heater, high efficient air conditioning, programmable thermostat. Indoor environmental quality improvements like nontoxic pest control, humidity monitoring device installed and water efficiency improvements including grey-water reuse system, water saving fixtures, rain barrels.
  • Solar Photovoltaic System: including the panel specifications, inverter, battery storage capabilities, and array information.
  • Solar Thermal Water Heating System: including type of system, collector type, backup system.
  • Location –Site:additional considerations in the appraisal analysis apply to walk score, public transportation proximity and site benefits, such house orientation and water efficient landscaping.

Before you make the decision on your next retrofit project be smart and get informed about the strategies and implementations that will increase more your property value. For more information on the best retrofit and how to do it with 0 Down-payment and 100% finance, please, send us an email to: info@HHDCgreen.com

By: Maria M. Hernandez

LEED AP ID+C, Building Analyst,

CGC#1515897

Ciudad Weston Nwspaper

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ARE YOU READY? DON’T LET IT CATCH YOU OFF GUARD!

The Atlantic Hurricane season, officially begins (June 1st), and will end on November 30th, 2016. “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an above-normal 2017 Hurricane Season, with five to nine hurricanes — two to four of them Category 3 (winds at least 111 mph) or stronger. The forecast calls for 11 to 17 tropical systems (winds a least 39 mph).”

Nearly twelve years ago (2005), hurricane Wilma, was the last hurricane to strike South Florida making landfall near Naples. Wilma storm surge swept the coastal areas and high winds leashed Broward County for almost five hours leaving significant damage to residential and commercial buildings. Power outage was reported by Florida Power and Light (FPL) on more than 3,241,000 customers. Some areas in Weston were without power for 2–3 weeks after the storm hit. The damage in Florida totaled $20.6 billion. Wilma was the costliest hurricane in the state of Florida since Hurricane Andrew (1992) and is ranked as the fifth costliest storm in United States history.
Since then, more than three millions of people had moved to the Sunshine state, fortunately they had not gone troughs the experience of a major hurricane impact and its devastating consequences. But, their lack of awareness and knowledge of the risk and challenges associated to the hurricane season could represent a great burden if hurricane strikes and they don’t prepare.
Knowledge is power; by knowing your vulnerabilities, your property deficiencies, your community action plan, you can mitigate the effect of a hurricane disaster. Here, I share with you some vital information and tips on how to prepare:

COLLECT INFORMATION: Gather all the important documents store it on your computer or the clouds or thumb drive. Make sure to have original documentation stored in a waterproof container.

  • Household information: summary of personal information for your household. In the event of an emergency or if you are incapacitated, this information will help others get in touch with your family
  • Legal documents: Birth certificate, adoption papers, marriage license, divorce papers, social security, passports, green card, will, Power of attorney.
  • Property documents: Mortgage or real estate deeds of trust, property tax, Flood Insurance, Homeowners insurance, content insurance, property appraisal, pictures of your house and content.
  • Vehicle information: lease contract, car insurance, registration, ownership papers.
  • Financial information: Investment accounts, bank statements, credit card statements, retirement accounts, etc.
  • Tax statements: previous year information.
  • Medical information: health insurance, list of necessary medications, disability documentation, living will, etc.
  • Other important documents: Military ID, alimony, child support, government benefits etc.

MAKE A PLAN: Make sure your family has a plan before disaster strikes. It’s important that you write all the information on how to get in contact with each other, where will you go and what will you do in case of emergency. Include information about the different places you frequent and their emergency plans. Find out which are the emergency shelters open in your area and the evacuation routes. Contact a family or friend out of state and arrange your stay in case you have to be evacuated from the disaster zone.  Very important to include in your plan the special attention to people with disabilities, Childbirth, Infant Feeding and don’t forget your pets!

PREPARE A KIT: Prepare two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and other one small on your vehicle. Just collect the basic items your household may need in case of a disaster.

  • Documents: get all the documents previously collect, camera, local maps and cash.
  • Food and water: One gallon of water per person per day, nonperishable food, three day supply, can opener.
  • First Aid Kit: with all the basic and also include antibacterial, prescription medicine, hand wash.
  • Emergency articles: battery or solar flashlight, radio and fan, waterproof matches, dust masks, zip-lock bags, batteries, emergency whistle, instant charger for cellphones and laptops.
  • Personal articles: change of clothing, hygiene items, sleeping bags.
  • Others: activities for children, infant formula, diapers.

PREPARE YOUR HOME: You can take some precautions to mitigate the impact of hurricane forces, but keep in mind that this won’t make it hurricane-proof, nor do these measures guarantee your safety.

  • Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
  • Trim trees and shrubs around your home. I recommend doing it with a professional.
  • Clean rain gutters and downspouts.
  • Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
  • Fill the bathtub and other larger containers with water for sanitary purpose.
  • Reinforce your garage doors and roof structure.  I recommend doing it with a professional.
  • Turn off propane tanks.  Bring the furniture inside and garbage cans.
  • Install generator or consider a solar generator.
  • Retrofit your home to make it more climate change resilient.

PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT: One of the things we don’t consider before the hurricane strikes is the protection of the environment. Natural disasters generate tons of debris and produce hazard to the environment; we should not add an extra burden to these already extreme conditions. Check with your city to see if they have waste management options before the hurricane. You can implement practices to reduce the negative impact by paying attention to all the household hazardous waste in your home.

  • Keep all the chemicals like paints, cleaning products, pesticides, and drain cleaner in a proper container. Start buying green products.
  • Dispose paints, motor oil, and gasoline in a drop off locations.
  • Never throw needles, batteries, light bulbs directly into the trash.

GET INFORM: Public safety officials use reliable systems to alert you and your family in the event of natural disasters. Many communities also offer emergency alert notifications through their own systems.

  • Register on CODE RED: this Is a high speed telephone communication service for emergency notifications with instructions for action. For Weston residents go to westonfl.org
  • Consider purchasing a NOAA weather radio receiver.  Broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Go to FEMA web site: ready.gov

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BROWARD AND WESTON RESIDENTS:

We have been fortunate that no hurricanes have come our way, but as a disaster Inspector and Weston CERT, I want to I encourage you to be ready. Florida is long overdue, don’t let hurricane season catch you off guard.

Also, the time is now to start planning to retrofit your property and make it more resilient to hurricanes and climate change.  Prepare, be ready, Be safe! For information on how to retrofit your property or how to prepare for hurricane season, send an email to floridaleedap@gmail.com
THE TIME IS NOW, GET READY!

 

By: Maria M Hernandez, Disaster Inspector, CGC / LEED AP, Weston CERT

Ciudad Weston Newspaper

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OPEN LETTER FROM A FLORIDIAN TO FLORIDA MAYORS

“My concern about Climate Change and Sea level rise”

Dear Mayors:

Climate change is a pronounced environmental challenge that threatens us all equally, so I consider it of great importance, not only to read your open letter sent to Senator Marco Rubio dated January 21, 2016, but also to express my comments. In this letter, you expressed your concerned about Climate Change and Sea Level rise in South Florida and you call Senator Marco Rubio to acknowledge the problem and articulate a Climate action plan. As a Floridian, I share your concerned and I support your vision: I believe urgent actions have to be taken in order to mitigate the effects of Climate Change to protect the future of South Florida.
I agree with you, the next president of the United States must acknowledge the reality and urgency of climate change. Not only to propose solutions, but to project the US in a leading position on the new low carbon global economy of the 21st century. However, 2016 is a Presidential Election year, which means interest groups are constantly looking for and using any and all weaknesses to disqualify candidates. My concern, then, is that you are using an incredibly important issue as a political wedge – seeking to divide, rather than unite. Climate Change can’t afford to wait for a new President, the time is now; the solution is in your hands as community leaders to create awareness and also in the desire of each of his residents to provide solutions.
Combating climate change must be more than just a political buzzword; it is a global issue that requires an aggressive campaign to inform the public about the potential devastating consequences. There is no point having a Climate Action plan in our cities, or a policy of low carbon or participate in the COP21 meeting and sign a global treaty to keep global temperatures levels below 2° Celsius, if we are not first educating why such steps are necessary. The risk associated with energy waste, the terrible consequences of lack of recycling, the need to conserve water and the urgency about reducing our carbon footprint. The issue of climate change goes beyond a political issue; it is a problem that lies in the lack of awareness in our communities, schools and our own homes.
Allow me to take a moment to introduce myself, my name is Maria Mercedes Hernandez; my experience as a disaster  inspector in NJ during the aftermath of Sandy awakened in me the interest to understand and find solutions to the problems of buildings destruction caused by severe weather events. At the same time to recognized the importance of creating awareness and educating homeowners about sustainable and resilient construction to mitigate the effects of climate change. This urgency to find solutions made me get my certification as a professional in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP ID + C) which allows me to understand problems related to the standard construction and the real and hidden value of efficient buildings.
Consider the following: 72% of buildings in the United States have been built inefficiently, without taking into account the relationship between energy use and environmental impact. 40% of total energy consumption in the US is consumed by residential and commercial buildings, which produces a lot of greenhouse gases (main contributor for climate change and in turn the rise in sea levels). As certified general contractor in Florida and LEED AP I’ve found lack of information in our communities, on the importance of implementation of energy efficiency, conservation or fortification in the properties to be a direct cause to inaction. The lack of information on programs that help its implementation such as the PACE program, among others, continues to be dismissed. This issue represents many challenges, but also a great opportunity for the State of Florida in their fight to mitigate climate change.
Humbly, I asked all of you to continue to encourage Senator Rubio & others running for President of the United States about the urgency of Climate Change, but beyond that I think it is necessary and proper for all of you Mayors to push the issue at a local level. Through information we can achieve greatness. Start the conversation about a PACE program in your city; create educational forums in libraries about property retrofit and sustainable construction as a solution to climate change, also, inform about tax credit, incentives, and financing available for implementation. Encourage citizens to support Floridians for Solar Choice; demand an end to fracking in the Everglades. Become certified as a STAR community, to lead in sustainability. Let’s start from the ground up with the people.
I congratulate some cities Mayors, who have taken this challenge of Climate Change as priority, but there are still other cities that have been left behind without seeing the need for urgency. The future of our state will be at risk until all the cities in Florida, support a Climate action plan and informed its residents about it.
It is my wish to see the State of Florida leading as the first state in solar energy nationwide with more buildings and schools certified LEED, with the highest recycling rate in the nation, as a state with the lowest carbon footprint and better quality of life. A leader in sustainability is not due to government policy but by the desire and the participation of each of its inhabitants to assume the challenge implementing solutions for a better life.
Sincerely,
Maria M. Hernandez
Florida resident.
Ciudad Weston Newspaper
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CLEAN WATER FOR A HEALTHY WORLD

Pure water drop

Spring has arrived and is inviting us to connect with Mother Nature to reflect on the greatness of its creation. During this month, activists and organizations around the world have been inspired by one of the most precious vital-elements offered by Mother Nature: Water.

During this month, national and international campaigns are creating awareness of the importance of water and its impact on economic development, food and energy security, human health and the environment. Here I share some of their recommendations:

WATER PROTECTION

The National Groundwater Association estimates that 44 percent of the US population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply. The first step toward protecting groundwater is to become aware of how it can be contaminated. The second step is to do your part to keep from contaminating groundwater. Here I give you some suggestions:

  • Properly store hazardous household substances like paints, paint thinners, petroleum products, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and cleaning products.
  • Do not mix hazardous chemicals for home use on the road, where they can be absorbed on the ground.
  • Eliminate toxic substances home use in specialized collection centers.
  • Do not dump hazardous household waste down the drain or toilet.
  • Be very careful not to overuse pesticides and fertilizers.
  • Do not throw cigarette butts down the toilet.
  • Do not throw medicines or pills down the toilet.
  • Do not throw garbage into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any trash you see on the beaches or in rivers and lakes.

WATER CONSERVATION

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nearly three-quarters of water used inside our home occurs in the bathroom, with 41% used for toilet flushing and 33% for bathing. The rest of indoor water use is divided between clothes washing and kitchen use, including dish-washing. Moreover, household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water per year across the country, so it is important to immediately fix any leak you make have in your home. You can take the following actions to save water waste:

  • Retrofit household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictions
  • Install toilets with low water consumption labeled WaterSense.
  • Repair leaky faucets; one drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons per year
  • Operate the clothes washers only when full, or set the water level to match the load size.
  • Check your irrigation system, a leak in the water system can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month.
  • Use rain barrel water collected to irrigate your garden.

In this month of water awareness, I want to leave a message of reflection and an invitation to care for and preserve this valuable natural resource. Share this message with friends and family, so together we can create a sustainable future, ensuring the existence and quality of this precious liquid.

“Remember: All the water, we waste or pollute today might be need it tomorrow”

By: María M. Hernández, Líder en Energía y Diseño Ambiental (LEED AP)

Ciudad Weston Newspaper

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HEALTHY HOME, HEALTHY LIVING!

The message “danger radon” written on a yellow stripe – concept image

As we welcome 2016 with New Year resolutions for a healthier living, let’s not forget that our health could be impacted by the indoor quality of our homes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person spends 90 percent of their time indoors, so it is very important to test for pollutants that could be releasing gases or particles into the air causing indoor air quality problems and risking your health. January is also a month of action across the country to increase awareness of Radon, promoting testing and mitigation as well as the implementation of radon-resistant new construction practices to prevent thousands of lung cancer deaths caused by Radon exposure. Let’s join the effort; I invite you to add a New Year resolution to your list by testing your home for Radon, to ensure the safety and health of your loves ones.

WHAT IS RADON?

Radon is a potential health hazard, cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can’t see it, smell it or taste it; it is an invisible killer that could be present in your home. This radioactive gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation and also through the water supply.

RADON HEALTH RISK

Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 21,000 deaths every year.

RESOLVE TO TEST

Data collected by the EPA indicates that 1 in 5 Florida residences have elevated radon levels. The only way to know the levels in your home is by testing. This process is easy, inexpensive and should only take a few minutes and you can do it yourself. The Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommend

all homeowners to test their homes for radon. There are two kits available: short (2 to 90 days) and long-term (more than 90 days) available through the mail and in hardware stores. EPA recommends taking the short test first, if your result is 4 pCi/L or higher, takes the long-term test or a second short-term test. You can also hire a trained contractor to do the testing for you.

FIX AND SAVE LIFE

If you find high concentration of Radon, you should fix the problem immediately to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to their family. Radon mitigation requires technical knowledge and special skills to achieve the maximum indoor air quality and performance. Selecting the best approach depends on the design of your home and other factors. In South Florida, most of radon mitigation is performed by a fixed rate of mechanical ventilation. Some of this mitigation doesn’t address problems associated with high indoor humidity, mold, or health consequences. I highly recommend hiring a qualified Green Building Contractor to help you pick the right treatment method based on building science and moisture management technology.

SELLING OR BUYING YOUR HOME?

If you are selling a home that already has a radon reduction system installed, make sure you inform your potential buyers about the system’s operation and maintenance. If you are buying an existing house, remember to request the radon test and if you are looking to build or buy a new house, I highly recommend buying a house approved with radon- resistant features or certified under the programs: LEED, FGBC, ENERGY STAR, and Indoor airPLUS. New homes should include radon-resistant features, which are especially important in areas reporting elevated radon levels. For more information, visit: www.epa.

gov/radon or contact the Florida Department of Health Radon Hotline at 1-800-543-8279.

By Maria M. Hernandez

Ciudad Weston Newspaper

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CLIMATE CHANGE: BUILDING OPPORTUNITY

Transformation of the gray, polluted town to a green, eco-friendly city with wind turbines and trees.

We end 2015 with optimism for the future! In a historical moment, one that can define the future of the planet and humankind, the whole world witnessed the negotiations on climate change in Paris. The future looks promising and healthier, thanks to the treaty made by world leaders at the 21st conference of the United Nations, COP21, where they agreed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, thereby holding the increase in average temperature to well below 2°C which will reduce the risk and impact of climate change. The fate of our planet and humanity is already in the political framework. Now is the time to respond to the urgency to make a positive lasting impact.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE URGENCY:

To unlock the opportunities of the 21st century economy, we must understand the urgency and challenges we are facing today. All the sectors present challenges, but the construction industry is one of the sectors with the greatest negative impact on Climate Change, which in turn contributes to large economic losses due to extreme weather events.

Globally, buildings are responsible for over 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which would double by 2050, if we take no action to correct it. In the USA, more than 40% of the total consumption of energy is consumed in the residential and commercial buildings. But at the same time, these buildings have a great potential for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions which represents a great opportunity.

BUILDING’S HIDDEN VALUE:

Most buildings in the USA have been built without considering the impact of energy use on the environment. As many as  72% of the buildings constructed in the USA are completely outdated and inefficient. As a consequence, we waste billions of dollars in energy, causing a tremendous burden on the environment and climate change. By transforming these buildings into high-performance ones, their owners would benefit from the hidden value of its assets.

The Rockefeller Foundation and Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisers found that improving the efficiency of those buildings just by 30% with an initial investment of only $279 billion dollars would result in $1 trillion dollars of energy savings over 10 years, yielding a return on investment of 358% in a decade.

GREEN BUILDINGS:

After the meeting in Paris, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will commit to scaling green buildings to more than 5 billion square feet (478 million square meters) over the next five years through the LEED and EDGE green building rating systems. It is predicted that by 2018, the construction of Green Buildings will represent a positive impact.

2016 TIME TO LEAD!

With the recent international agreement on Climate Change (COP21), the timing could not be better to aspire and commit ourselves to a sustainable new year to ensure the success and well-being of humanity. Climate change is the challenge of the 21st century but also the greatest opportunity for the global low-carbon Economy that will pave the way to the renewable energies and new efficient technologies.

For consultation about building transformation, Corporate Social Responsibility, LEED Certification, please send an email to: floridaleedap@gmail.com .

By Maria M. Hernández, LEED AP ID +C

Ciudad Weston Newspaper

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WARNING: Energy Vampires lurking your home

Halloween is almost here and a band of spooky energy vampires could be lurking around your home. Ghosts and zombies will be roaming the streets, be careful, stay at home and prepare to hunt down those pesky Energy Vampires that are already sucking your power bill. Watch out, don’t let these vampires give you a scare this Halloween, keep them at bay year round by learning some tricks on how to hunt phantom loads and ward off Energy Vampires.

Energy vampires are appliances that even when turned off utilize a small amount of electricity, called phantom loads. The average home in the US spends around $150-$200 every year on vampire energy. Some estimates suggest that Americans have anywhere between 30-65 vampire devices throughout their homes. Nearly every appliance has become smart with electronic digital displays. Some of the biggest energy consumers include cable or satellite set-top TV boxes, computer modems and aquariums.

Haunted rooms found in your home:

  • Living Room: this is the scariest one, most homes have two or more TV/cable set-ups, so you could easily be losing $50-$100 a year on TV-based phantom load alone. If you leave your cable box plugged in for a year and never turned it off, it would add $17.83 to your electrical bill and If this cable box has a DVR capability, the energy waste will doubles to $43.46.
  • Office: Be aware, this could be another scary room. Just a desktop computer left running, connected to monitor in sleep mode, can cost over $87 per year, also, you have to add the computer speakers (3 watts); a wireless router (5 watts); a printer (5 watts); surge protectors (2 watts), and a cordless phone that uses 3 watts even when it’s completely off adding a waste of $25.50 a year.
  • Bathrooms: could be a cause for concern if you’re leaving devices like hair dryers, curling irons, or electric shavers plugged into the wall. Even when turned off, these devices can idly sip electricity from your outlet costing you money.

TRICK on how to slay the Energy Vampire:

Here I share with you some tricks on how to kill the Phantom load and the amount of power you waste:

  • Unplug all your appliances and device chargers when you are not in use.
  • Use a power strip with an on/off button so you can easily shut down multiple devices at once.
  • Set your computer or laptop to go to sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity or less.
  • Purchase appliances and equipment EnergyStar qualified products that use less energy and limit the amount of standby power they draw.
  • Install switches or timers that automatically stop powering devices once they go to standby mode
  • Use a “Kill a Watt” on your appliances to cut down the cost.

Unplugging energy vampires can lower your electric bill up to 10%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Now that you know the Tricks, don’t let the Vampires and Phantoms attack your power bill, treat yourself with extra cash and a better planet reducing your carbon footprint.

We can help you to find ways to fix leaks in your home with a simple home energy audit. By making upgrades following a home energy audit, you can save up to 30 percent on your energy bill.

By: Maria Mercedes Hernandez. Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP), Building Analyst, General Contractor. hernandezmaria@hhdcgreen.com

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ENJOY THIS SUMMER, SAVING THE BLUE SEA

Summer is here, a great time to go to the beach to have fun in the sun with the family and friends and the perfect time to remind you the importance of going GREEN on the blue sea.

In my recent participation with Great American Cleanup, Broward Beach Sweeps I was astonished with my findings while cleaning up the beautiful Beach of Fort Lauderdale. Eighty volunteers including myself collected 200 pounds of trash in 1 mile of beach. Accordingly with the data from the 2012 International Coastal Cleanup, 22,086 volunteers collected 428,962 pounds of trash

in 952 miles of shore in the Florida coastal and  more than half a million volunteers participated worldwide, collecting more than 10 million pounds of trash covering a distance of nearly 18,000 miles of coastline.

We have a global problem that we have to solve, a message from the ocean that we must listen. People around the globe are concerned and are looking for solutions. The use of disposable plastic in our beach represents a great threat to our shores, poison our oceans and land. We must shift our societies away from disposable habits that harm the environment by eliminating our consumption of throwaway plastics this summer and embracing a culture of sustainability

 

WHAT IS MARINE DEBRIS?

Marine debris is a major global pollution problem affecting every waterway. It is human created waste that has deliberately or accidentally been release on land, lake, sea, ocean or waterway. Researchers classify debris as either land- or ocean-based, but the 80% of the pollution is land based, the majority of this debris is plastic. This debris range from fast-food packaging; cups, plates, forks, knives, spoons, beverage containers, caps, lids, bags, syringes, condoms, balloons, six-pack rings, tampon applicators, among others.

Other types of debris come from the ocean like lost fishing line and nets, and various wastes from cruise ships.

THE GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH: A PAINFUL REALITY

I can’t talk about Marine Debris without referring to the Pacific Garbage Patch.  Also described as the Pacific trash vortex, is a gyre of marine debris floating in the central North Pacific Ocean. Studies had estimated that 80% of the garbage comes from land-based sources and 20% from ships. This Garbage Patch contains more than 100 million tons of plastic. The size of the patch is unknown. Estimates of size range from twice the size of Texas, up to twice the size of the continental United States. This is a painful reality that we must correct. The Ocean is screaming for HELP that we can’t ignore.

THE NEGATIVE IMPACT:

The Marine debris is a global threat with a wide range of negative effects like: degrading ocean habitats, endangering marine and coastal wildlife. Ocean pollution affects at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of sea turtle species, 44% of all sea bird species, and 43% of marine mammal species. Plastic is made from petroleum and toxic chemicals that are often not found on labels, but can be toxic to humans and animals. Marine Debris interferes with navigation impeding commercial and recreational fishing, affecting the aesthetic beauty and enjoyment of the coastal areas, thus negatively affecting tourism and as consequence resulting in economic losses. Also, pose a human health risk, medical wastes and drug ending up on beaches can carry diseases, and broken glass and other sharp objects can be very harmful to unsuspecting beach goers, including young children.

CONCLUSION:

Fighting against ocean pollution start with us this summer, small steps lead to big results. You can stop the waste when going to the beach; remember, what we use for a few minutes could pollute our oceans for hundreds of years. This is a problem we can solve together. Here I share some tips: REDUCE the amount of plastic you buy and the trash you produce, REUSE items instead of single-use products, RECYCLE as much of your trash as you can, proper disposal of Household Hazard Waste, join local efforts to pick up trash and  Spread the word.

Enjoy this summer, be part of the solution, not the problem!

For information about waste management, environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP), or how to join local efforts to clean up our beach, please, send me an email to: floridaleedap@gmail.com.

Ciudad Weston Newspaper

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