Climate Change, how can you help?

Who me? What can I do to affect the global climate for the better? The answer is, more than you think. As we recognize the worldwide environmental impact of a changing climate, we often keep our concerns and responsive actions at a distance. Individuals have maintained a safe and comfortable remoteness to the topic. While we all want to reduce our impact on the planet, individually, we struggle with just what actions can be taken to meet our social responsibilities and not adversely affect our finances. How about solar panels on your home, sustainable products inside, energy efficient lighting, water saving fixtures and improved insulation? These are all appropriate and real actions that a homeowner can take to personally make a difference and reduce their own carbon footprint.

home solar panels 300x200 Climate Change, how can you help? Dream Design Builders, a San Diego remodeling contractor is striving to be a leading source for green building and solar energy systems in San Diego. In partnership with the US Green Building Council, (USGBC), we believe strongly in green building and the use of sustainable products. Many people are unaware that the home is the cause of the greatest ecological impact created by an individual. With the addition of Cool Green Solar, we provide the consumer an opportunity to step up the energy efficiency and long term sustainability of their home.

Solar energy is perhaps the greatest improvement that can be made to a home that has a measurable TCO, or Total Cost of Ownership. TCO is defined by the USGBC as the total cost of owning an asset over a period of time. With current federal energy tax credits at 30%, homeowners benefit now more than ever when installing solar. In addition, the state initiative in California offers an incentive of $1.55/Watt. Once installed, the advantages of solar energy are even more remarkable. Fossil fuel-fired power plants constitute the largest source of air pollution in the U.S. We continue to borrow energy from these plants, monthly, thus, supporting the toxic air that we condemn. With solar, cleaner, more efficient and less costly energy is possible. How great would it be to own your electricity rather than rent it? As you watch your meter spin backwards you can rest assured that you are not only saving money, but greatly reducing your environmental impact and investing in your future and generations to come.

Dream Design Builders utilizes many additional green building products on our remodeling and custom home projects whenever possible. These include the use of recycled and recyclable products, FSC certified materials, cabinetry with Low-VOC finishes and certified woods and surface materials that are generated from mining waste product, such as quartz, and created into usable materials for countertops. Energy and water efficiency inside the home can also be greatly reduced by LED and other Energy Star rated lighting, Water Sense rated fixtures and toilets and reflective insulation that tremendously impacts the seal of a home and blocks 97% of radiant heat from entering, in addition to increasing the R-factor of insulation which improves its overall effectiveness. These are just a sampling of the many opportunities available to consumers interested in a more environmentally friendly home.

Climate change does affect us all. There is no sense in relegating the topic to a global issue as opposed to a personal problem. Rather than asking the question, “Who me?” ask, “How can I help?” Consider it a challenge, green-up your home and reduce your ecological impact. Being Eco-friendly, is the hottest new trend! The more conscious and conscientious we become as consumers and homeowners, the more personal influence we can have on this crisis.

Call us today for a free consultation at 858-674-9818. We’ll help you create a plan to begin taking steps to green up your home with solar energy!

bad 180 150 Climate Change, how can you help? This post was written for Blog Action Day by Pamela Johnston. Pamela is a Design Coordinator at Dream Design Builders. Learn more about Blog Action Day at www.blogactionday.com