Sunday, April 10, 2011

Web Resources for Contractors Wanting to GO GREEN

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES

US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
The US Department of Energy (DOE) offers information to the public through the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy information Center and Web site.  The site includes information on getting a home energy audit, tips for saving energy throughout the home, guidance on using solar energy, suggestions for re-modelers and apartment dwellers, and a buying guide for purchasing energy efficient appliances.  A toll-free number puts you in contact with professional staff that can assist you with questions about home energy use, renewable energy, recycling and related issues.
Phone (877) 337-3463

US EPA
EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.WWW.epa.gov

ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
888-star-yes
www.energystar.gov

LAWRENCE BERKLY NATIONAL LABORATORY
Berkeley Lab is a member of the national laboratory system supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through its Office of Science. It is managed by the University of California (UC) and is charged with conducting unclassified research across a wide range of scientific disciplineswww.lbl.gov
LAWRENCE BERKLY NATIONAL LABORATORY HOME ENERGY SAVER
The Home Energy SaverTM calculator is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make the savings happen. The Home Energy SaverTM calculator was the first Internet-based tool for calculating energy use in residential buildings. The project has been sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as part of the national ENERGY STAR Program for improving energy efficiency in homes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's PATH program, the California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program, and Touchstone Electric Cooperatives.
hes.lbl.gov/


CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

THE ALLIANCE TO SAVE ENERGY
The Alliance to Save Energy offers consumers all the information they need to save money, increase comfort, and even reduce pollution through energy efficiency.
(202) 857-0666www.ase.org/consumer

CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN DREAM
New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice.
(877) 68-dreamwww.newdream.org

CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA/ CONSUMER RESEARCH COUNCIL
BuyEnergyEfficient.org is dedicated to education and choice.  Our goal is to give you the information and products you need to make sound lifestyle and purchasing choices that improve your energy efficiency and environmental footprint.

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC)
NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.2 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals.www.nrdc.org

ASSOCIATION OF HOME APPLIANCE MANUFACTURERS (AHAM)
AHAM is the U.S. based trade association of the home appliance manufacturing industry.  Its members include the manufacturers of “major,” “portable,” and "floor care" home appliances and the companies who supply and service these manufacturers. www.aham.org/consumer

THE CONSORTIUM FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY (CEE)
CEE is a consortium of efficiency program administrators from across the U.S. and Canada who work together on common approaches to advancing efficiency. Through joining forces, the individual efficiency programs of CEE are able to partner not only with each other, but with other industries, trade associations, and government agencies.
www.cee1.org

ENERGY FEDERATION INCORPORATED (EFI)
EFI believes it is essential to encourage environmentally benign and sustainable use of our planet's limited energy and water resources. Through the distribution of resource conserving products and the provision of objective, accurate information, they strive to assist people in their efforts to use energy and water efficiently.www.efi.org

GAIAM REAL GOODS
Real Goods is your source for simple living products to power your conscious lifestyle. Since 1978, we've been passionate about bringing people practical ways to conserve the Earth's precious resources and live more in balance with nature. Real Goods is proud to be the planet's oldest solar outfitter and the most complete, most trusted source of renewable energy products to help you reduce your energy consumption - from solar panels and wind turbines to complete solar power systems.
(800) 762-7325
www.realgoods.com

OIKOS GREEN BUILDING SOURCE
Oikos is a World Wide Web site devoted to serving professionals whose work promotes sustainable design and construction. That's a broad goal, but then environmental sustainability touches virtually every aspect of a building.
800-346-0104
www.oikos.com

HOME ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICATIONS AND NEWSLETTERS

GREENERCHOICES.ORG
GreenerChoices.org, launched on Earth Day 2005 by Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, is a Web-based initiative to inform, engage, and empower consumers about environmentally-friendly products and practices. GreenerChoices.org offers an accessible, reliable, and practical source of information on buying “greener” products that have minimal environmental impact and meet personal needs.www.greenerchoices.org

BUILDING GREEN
Building Green is an independent company committed to providing accurate, unbiased, and timely information designed to help building-industry professionals and policy makers improve the environmental performance, and reduce the adverse impacts, of buildings.
http://www.buildinggreen.com/


GREEN RESOURCES

GREEN BUILDING RESOURCE GUIDE
The Green Building Resource Guide is a database of over 600 green building materials and products selected specifically for their usefulness to the design and building professions, rather than merely their green material content

ACEEE GREEN CARS
This official website for ACEEE's Green Book is a unique consumer resource providing Green Scores rating the environmental friendliness of every vehicle on market.
http://www.greenercars.org/

THIS GREEN LIFE
NRDC’s online journal that covers tips and tricks to living ‘This Green Life.’

GRIST MAGAZINE
Grist has been dishing out environmental news and commentary with a wry twist since 1999 -- which, to be frank, was way before most people cared about such things. Now that green is in every headline and on every store shelf (bamboo hair gel, anyone?), Grist is the one site you can count on to help you make sense of it all.www.grist.org

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