Offsetting utility bills and conserving energy can lead to a significant long term savings and benefit when owning a home. With the increasing availability of incentives for including energy efficient features, it may make more sense than ever to become solar ready.

Today, it is the electric air-source heat pumps that are the elegance of efficiency running cleaner and quieter than the older gas and oil powered electric heat systems of the “fifties and sixties.”

However, as we look toward the future we find the modern heat source will be the “ground source” or geothermal heat pump.

 A ground source or geothermal heat pump exchanges heat between the soil and a heating, cooling or water heating load. The even temperature of the earth makes a ground source heat pump extremely efficient.

According to the US Department of Energy this features consumes 25 to 50 % less energy than a conventional electric central heat and air system.

The McGraw- Hill Report predicts that by 2013 the green building market (both residential and non residential) will represent 25% of all building starts.

Many builders and architects are already making the move toward designing all- electric homes to use ground source heating and cooling and for solar readiness.

For the home owner, adding a solar hot water heating system can be a cost effective way to meet the homes water heating energy needs which is now estimated to consume 20 to 40 percent of the average home’s energy requirement. Solar water heating is proven reliable in almost any climate and performs well for 20 or 30 years.

Solar Today Magazine  How to select a solar water-heating system  

See how much you can save by converting to solar on www.findsolar.com

Find solar water-heating system manufacturers:

Solar Energy Industries Association www.seig.com

There will always be gaps in home owner’s insurance coverage that you can't do anything about.  Insurers aren't going to cover you for a nuclear accident, for example, no matter how many companies you ask.

  “Exclusions” in coverage vary by the insurer, but if when something goes wrong, it may be way too late to begin learning about your policy.

If you know about some of them in advance, you may be able to switch carriers or buy extra insurance to stay protected.

Mold and water damage

When Ed Mc Mahon won a 7.5 million dollar lawsuit against his insurer over mold that he said sickened his family, a huge increase in mold-related claims occurred and which led insurers to eliminate or at least reduce their exposure.  Many insurers also limit how much they'll cover for water damage.

In some cases, you may have trouble getting coverage for a home that's had water claims in the past.

Sewer backup

Sewage backups are frequently not covered by home owner’s policies unless you purchase a special rider.

 Many homeowners who experience this particular disaster try to get their cities to pay for the damage, but governments typically aren't liable unless the homeowner can prove negligence -- and is willing to go to court over the matter.

A cheaper solution?  Buy the rider for $50 to $100 if you are not covered.

Neglect

Insurance generally covers sudden and unexpected losses such as damage from a falling tree but not losses from termites rodent infestation or a plumbing leak that never got fixed.  Insurers expect you to take care of any problems in the home and prevent any damage from getting out of control.  If it does, you may not be covered.

Bruce Johnson, author of "50 Simple Ways to Save Your House," recommends you conduct regular inspections of the exterior and look for cracks, decay or water damage.  Also check the condition of the roof,  the basement or crawl space for possible hidden problems.  Home maintenance problems left unchecked only get more expensive over time.

To learn more about other items that may be excluded from your policy, read the article, 10 Things your Insurance May Not Cover.

What makes a product Green?  Multiple criteria often apply- for example a product may be considered green for more than one reason:

The website www.buildinggreen.com publishes Environmental Building News and Green Specs Directory that lists product descriptions for over 2100 environmentally preferable products and is assembled according to the following criteria:

i.                     Products made with salvaged recycled or agricultural waste content

·         Salvaged materials

·         Post -Consumer  materials

·         Pre –Consumer materials

ii.                    Products that conserve Natural resources

·         Products that reduce materials use

·         Certified Wood Products

·         Rapidly renewable products

·         Products that have exceptional durability or low maintenance requirements

iii.                  Products that avoid toxic or other emissions

·         Natural or Minimally processed products

·         Alternatives to ozone-depleting substances

·         Alternatives to hazardous products

·         Products that reduce or eliminate pesticide  treatments

·         Products that reduce storm water pollution

·         Products that reduce impacts from construction or demolition activities

iv.                  Products that save energy or water

·         Building components that reduce heating and cooling loads

·         Equipment that conserves energy and manages loads

·         Renewable energy and fuel cell equipment

·         Fixtures and equipment that conserve water

v.                    Products that contribute to a safe, healthy built environment

·         Products that do not release significant pollutants into the building

·         Products that block the introduction, development or spread of indoor contaminants

·         Products that remove indoor pollutants

·         Products that warn occupants or health hazards in the building

·         Products that improve light quality

·         Products that help control noise

·         Products that enhance community well -being