Austin Real Estate Blog

Austin residents Bruce Weatherford and Adam Toguchi have recently completed a major remodeling project to their home and have consequently received Austin’s highest possible rating for energy efficiency. After expanding the existing structure and adding a second floor, their home has gone from 850 square feet to 1850 square feet, more than doubling in size.

The pair chose to use the suggestions of Austin Energy when completing their remodel and added as many energy efficient and sustainable features as possible in both the old and new sections of the home. Though the cost of the remodel was higher, they have already seen the benefits in their utility bills, which have not changed even with more than doubling the size of their home.

Included in the upgrades that they purchased, Weatherford and Toguchi chose to use foam spray insulation, which has been a major factor in the reduced energy costs. Their designer found ways to include a large number of windows, and even a glass wall, while maintaining a high rate of efficiency. All involved in the project hope that the aesthetics of the home prove to would-be remodelers that choosing to use green resources can lead to a beautiful, as well as efficient home.

Those who are interested in finding out more about what it takes to have a home with a high energy rating can visit the Austin Energy website for more information on the project. Information on rebate plans and free materials is also available on the site.

Two Kenedy County wind plants will go on, as planned, thanks to a federal judge’s dismissal of a case against them. Judge Lee Yeakal of the U.S. District Court in Austin announced on August 4^th that he would be dismissing the case that was to be heard later in the month. It is unknown as yet what the reasoning behind the dismissal was, but there are no approvals needed to place such plants on private land, as was the situation in this case.

The Coastal Habitat Alliance had filed the suit against PPM Energy and Texas Wind, as they felt that the companies had not done enough research and investigation as to the effects of the plants on local wildlife habitats. This suit was their second attempt to halt the building of these two plants. The first was also dismissed by a judge, but will be appealed. The alliance has not yet decided as to whether they will appeal this dismissal, as well, as the judge has yet to release a statement on his reasoning.

According to the investment group responsible for the project, Australian based Babcock & Brown, their projects are intended to help the environment by providing renewable energy and to minimize damage to habitats and natural resources. The first phase of these wind farms is under construction and slated to be completed by the end of the year, while future additional turbines will be added. The companies involved feel that they have been extremely mindful of their project’s impact and have taken necessary steps to protect the local environment.

When you think of natural resources, the ones that immediately come to mind are either the ones introduced to you in elementary school or the ones constantly in the news for their depletion. You picture coal, oil, various minerals, soil and trees. You think of things that you can touch and feel, but what about a natural resource that is a little less tangible? What about gravity?

A man in Springfield, VA recently designed a lamp powered solely by gravity. The product, named Gravia, is lit by a mass that spins a rotor as it slowly falls. It turns on and off with weights that are moved from the top to the bottom of the device, and involves no cords, no noise and very little energy.  The light emitted from it is equivalent to that of a 40-watt bulb. What makes it so amazing, however, is that if used 24 hours a day, seven days a week it would last for approximately 200 years.

That definitely gives you something to think about. The one thing we’ll never run out of is gravity. It’s a constant presence on this earth, so why not use it to light up our rooms and power our gadgets?

Of course, we can’t rely on gravity to build our homes. We’ll have to look to other natural resources for that, but if we can use gravity for electricity, what can’t we use to make four walls? 

The trend is rapidly turning toward more energy efficiency, not only in public and community buildings, but homes as well. The federal government is getting into the act in a big way by providing tips and suggestions to homeowners to increase the efficiency and decrease the cost of heating, cooling and lighting their homes.

ENERGY STAR appliances are a good start. These are refrigerators, ovens, washers and dryers that, by following strict guidelines for efficiency, have earned the ENERGY STAR. And the ENERGY STAR doesn’t apply to just appliances anymore. Qualified contractors can do a top to bottom inspection and offer advice on reducing drafts, upgrading insulation, replacing exterior windows, and upgrading electrical lighting.

Tax credits are available to homeowners who make energy-related improvements to their homes as well. The IRS has more information. Improvements to existing homes such as insulation that reduces heat loss or gain, windows and skylights, exterior doors and roofing that meet ENERGY STAR requirements. The addition of solar panels can also qualify the owner for tax credits.

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site contains a comprehensive list of ideas for reducing energy waste in the home. Using structural insulated panels in new construction, replacing old light bulbs with the longer lasting bulbs, and sealing leaky duct work are just a few suggestions. Replacing your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat is one simple and inexpensive way of reducing energy use. Installing solar panels is at the high end of the initial cost spectrum, but could realize substantial savings in the long run.

A top to bottom energy audit of the house by a qualified contractor is highly recommended to assist the homeowner in cutting down on wasted energy and reap the benefits in subsequent savings.

As people become more aware of impending climate change and near-future energy crunches, land developers are finding innovative ways to create communities with more sustainability and less impact on the environment. An article in the magazine, Natural Home, highlights a new community in Austin, Texas, as one of these green-built innovations.Renovated from the old municipal airport, Mueller Airport Project mixed-use urban village utilizes the latest in environmentally friendly design. The community has its own power-generating plant, recreation, entertainment and shopping, as well as transit and employment.

Self-sustainability is just one aspect of this village. Recycling and reusing is prevalent: old runway materials are converted to street construction, old hangars are disassembled and reused in new building, historic buildings are converted into public spaces. Homes are built with non-toxic and recyclable materials, and plenty of open green spaces and waterways have been incorporated into the plan.

The residential buildings of the Mueller Project include a wide variety of living arrangements. From single-family dwellings to condominiums, the village offers an option for nearly every lifestyle. For-sale home prices range from $100K to the $600Ks for attached and detached homes. An apartment complex is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008 and will feature 10-foot ceilings, two swimming pools and a fitness center.

Catellus, the developer of the Mueller project, has 20 years of land redevelopment experience and has transformed old airports, industrial complexes, and abandoned military bases into such communities - self-contained, sustainable, and environmentally friendly villages. Termed New Urbanism, the designs are actually based on traditional old European villages, where retail, living, and recreation space was located within walking distance.

Mueller Airport Project stands as a model for the urban development of the future and points toward one solution to increasing energy crises.

The last blog post was weeks ago and now that mom’s back on her feet from hip replacement, I’ll be writing more frequently. I read this today and had to post it. I’m glad that the state where big oil has dominated for decades now is dominating with wind power. I’ve never seen a wind generation field in person and it would be cool to see it. If you’ve been to a wind farm and seen it in west Texas drop me a line and let me know where you went. In the mean time check out this excerpt from the Neal Spelce Austin Letter.

When it comes to energy generation Texas, long the US oil field leader, is now the top wind farm state. As a result, oil derricks and water-pumping wind mills are now losing their dominance on the state’s horizon to giant, propeller-driven wind energy turbines.

Out west, Texans long-ago grew accustomed to a pumping sound, as oil was pulled out of the ground, and a clacking of windmills as water was pumped out of the ground. Now a new whirring sound has joined the cacophony and all these sounds mean money. The sights of structures piercing the sky and constant sounds from these machines are re-making Texas.

While still not as pervasive as oil rigs and wind mills, these wind turbines are growing in number and their size alone is amazing. Some of these wind machines are twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty and their blades have a span as wide as the wingspan of a jumbo jet. They are huge, and larger versions are on drawing boards. By and large, landowners - especially in hardscrabble West Texas — are welcoming them with open arms.

…

Even with Texas leading the nation in wind farms, it’s still early in the development of wind energy. The City of Austin is contracting for electricity generated by wind. But it is still a small fraction of electrical usage. However, Texas is ideal for wind-power development (no, not because we’re a bunch of blowhards!) due to the availability of land for wind farms. The Gulf of Mexico may also be the site of wind power, much like the oil derricks sited offshore. So, look for more of these 20-story structures with blades longer than a football field to pop up.