Maybe you’ve heard about building green and wondered what it is.

It’s simple: Building green means using products and techniques that save energy and/or water.

The result: instead of browning the environment through loss of trees, or polluted land, water, or air, we help it stay green –and blue.

Here are three ways you can Build Green.

Look for Energy Star Compliant Appliances

1. Use building components that reduce heating and cooling loads

Examples include structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs), autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks, and high-performance windows and glazings.

For more details see

“Building Materials: What Makes a Product Green?” in Environmental Building News.

2. Install equipment that conserves energy and manages loads

With energy-consuming equipment, such as water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers, one can be guided partly by Energy Star® labeling. With lighting and lighting control equipment, certain generic products qualify, such as compact fluorescent lamps and occupancy/daylighting controls, while in other categories only a subset of products qualify.  Detailed standards and whole-house ratings can be obtained through the non-profit organization Build It Green.

3. Use renewable energy and fuel cell equipment

Equipment and products that enable us to use renewable energy instead of fossil fuels and conventional electricity are highly beneficial from an environmental standpoint. Examples include solar water heaters, photovoltaic systems, and wind turbines.

Benefits of building green:

Financial savings in electricity, other fuel and water bills.

More comfort from lack of drafts, better ventilation

Energy efficiency via passive solar, trees, better insulation, fluorescent lighting, double pane windows, fans, solar hot water, wind, tankless hot water heater and more…

Whether you’re building a new house or renovating an old one, you CAN build it green

and you will be glad you did.

For a consultation on linking your electrical needs to green building, contact Lori Katz Group.

Lutron Homeworks Certified Dealers and Installers

Let’s imagine you checked out your wind quality, identified a good wind turbine, and are ready to try one out at your house in San Francisco.  There are still some issues to resolve.

What about the building permits?

The good news is that the City of San Francisco is officially on record supporting the addition of wind power to its collection of traditional power sources and solar.

In an executive directive in August 2008, SF Mayor Gavin Newsome ordered that “the Department of Building Inspection and Planning Department shall expedite permitting and minimize costs for the installation of residential, commercial and municipal wind generation turbines in the City.”

The Planning Department issued initial guidelines for installation of Small Wind Generators (SWGs) in October 2008, indicating that the department would follow regular review procedures and “encourage placement to minimize visibility of the installation from public rights-of-way, and minimize architectural, noise, and other impacts on the surrounding structures and neighborhood character.”

The Planning Department guidelines indicate that most small wind turbines are likely to be exempt from full-scale environmental review.  However, the height will be that already mapped for the subject district with an exemption of ten feet in districts with a height limit of 65 feet and an additional 16 feet in those with a height limit of over 65 feet.

What about the noise?

While horizontal axis turbines can be noisy, especially those that one sees in large wind farms, small wind turbines –especially vertical-axis wind turbines—are quiet, both for the owner and those passing by or living next door.

What about the neighbors?

As with any renovation or construction, the best policy is to explain first what you are doing and answer questions directly. In addition, in districts where public notification is required, standard posting is required, with a 30-day notice. If requested, a hearing might be held.

For more detailed information, consult the San Francisco Urban Wind Power Task Force Report (2009) or contact the Planning Department directly.

An increasing number of specialists can help you identify and install a small residential wind turbine. Small Wind in California is an excellent website to help you learn more about wind and ways to use it.

Lori Katz Group can help you assess a range of alternative and traditional electrical options. Contact us at info@lorikatzgroup.com.

San Francisco is a breezy peninsula city on the edge of a huge ocean, and one of our local assets, the wind, is increasingly mentioned as a source of energy for our homes as well as our municipality. In this blog and the next, we consider the options for residential wind turbines in San Francisco.

How does a wind turbine work?

The technological principles of wind turbines are simple: wind turbines convert the wind’s kinetic energy into sufficient mechanical energy (shaft rotation) to run a generator. Besides the rotor (with blades/scoops), additional components for electrical production include a generator, gearbox, tower or support, electronic controls, and interconnection equipment. The energy generated can be used by the homeowner or redirected to PG&E to reduce your electric bill.

What kind of wind turbine do I need?

The two most important types of wind generators for residential use are HAWTs and VAWTs.

Horizontal-axis wind turbines

Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) utilize a horizontally mounted rotor shaft on top of a tower and have blades resembling propellers.  These are the wind turbines such as one sees in large wind farms, but which are also used in smaller versions in some cities, suburbs, on personal farms and ranches. One can see a small wind turbine on a house at the corner of Alabama and 25th Sts. in San Francisco.

Vertical-axis wind turbines

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have rotor shafts that are oriented vertically and often come in Darrieus (egg-beater) or Savonius (wind scoop) configurations. A VAWT is installed in front of the Randall Museum at 199 Museum Way.

Vertical-axis wind turbines are less likely to injure bats and birds because they are perceived as solid at both low and high speeds, while HAWTs, which resemble propellers, can be invisible at high speeds and result in injury to flying animals.  Thus, the safest wind generators are usually the VAWTs. The City of San Francisco is especially supportive of this type of wind generator.

Do I have enough wind?

Although San Francisco can seem windy, its overall potential for wind electricity is only moderate. The higher the altitude of your turbine and the fewer obstructions between it and the ocean, the better your chance of having a lot of wind. But there are enormous wind variations from neighborhood to neighborhood. In San Francisco, the SF Public Utilities Commission has begun to map the city’s wind.

You can check out the results of this project to see if the prevailing wind blows well near you. You can also find a wind turbine specialist to help you with your estimate. Whirligig is a local wind turbine company that can help with this.

Can I get a tax credit for my wind turbine?

Yes! You can receive a federal tax credit of 30% on your small wind turbine (capacity of 100 kilowatts or less). California also provides tax incentives.

Next Step: Permits and zoning requirements.

We discuss this in our next blog: So you want to have a wind turbine? Part Two.

Lori Katz Group can help you with both your alternative and traditional energy needs. Call for a consultation.

The California Solar Initiative

The California Solar Initiative offers cash back for installing solar on your home or business. Customers earn cash rebates for every watt of solar energy generated on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations.

Do I qualify?

If you buy electricity from one of California’s three investor-owned utilities (Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric), and you have roof or ground space that gets unobstructed sunlight from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. year round, you qualify for cash back incentives through the California Solar Initiative. Customers of municipal utilities also qualify for incentives through their municipal service provider.

Earning incentives for solar energy is simple. Just follow these five easy steps, outlined at The California Solar Initiative website.

Step 1: Energy Efficiency Audit

Complete an energy efficiency audit and make sure to take advantage of all the cost-effective ways to save energy and money in your home or business.

Step 2: Find a Solar Installer

Qualified contractors are your key to getting the most productive solar energy system for your home or business.

Step 3: Apply for Rebates

Qualified contractors will handle the CSI application process for your rebates in two or three steps.

Step 4: Install Your System

If you have received your reservation confirmation letter, you’re ready to install your system and interconnect to the utility’s power grid.

Step 5: Claim Your Incentive

When your project is installed and operational you may submit the Incentive Claim Form.

Federal Tax Credits

There’s no need to stop with San Francisco incentives and those from the State. You can also get federal tax credits for the renewable energy from your solar electric system.

On October 3, 2008 H.R.1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was passed. This landmark legislation extends critical Federal Investment Tax Credits for solar customers and other renewable energy projects. This law contains $18 billion in incentives for clean and renewable energy technologies, as well as for energy efficiency improvements.

As part of this legislation, the solar investment tax credit (ITC) has been extended for 8 years through December 31, 2016. Here are the two key provisions for homeowners doing renovations.

• The 30% federal investment tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations is extended for 8 years through December 31, 2016.
• Eliminates the $2,000 cap on the tax credit for the purchase and installations of solar electric on residential properties.

The Federal Investment Tax Credit for Residential Installations is 30 percent of net system cost, with no cap for any installation after January 1, 2009 It is a one-time credit, but may be carried forward (and possibly back) if not completely useable in the system installation tax year.

Now is the time to use local, state, and federal incentives to help you save money on solar!

Lori Katz Group provides estimates for solar installations of all types.  Please contact us for an appointment.

In our first report, we discuss one of the most important ways to go Green: by getting your household electricity from the sun. If you are lucky enough to live in San Francisco, you can receive rebates from both the city and the state that can save you thousands of dollars.

The San Francisco incentive program, GoSolarSF, coupled with the California Solar Initiative, a rebate program sponsored by the State of California, and federal tax credits could pay half the cost or more of a solar power system installed in your home or business.

Basically, anyone or any business that is on a meter and pays an electricity bill is eligible for an incentive payment from the City. If you qualify to receive a rebate through the California Solar Initiative you will qualify for San Francisco’s incentive payment.

GoSolarSF offers incentives ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 for residents and up to $10,000 for businesses.  Low-income residents can qualify for an additional $7,000.

Saving on Clean Solar Power is Beautiful

In San Francisco, a typical 2.5 kilowatt (kW) residential solar installation costs about $25,000.  Depending on the level of incentive, the cost of your system could be cut in half.  Low-income residents could save 60% – 70% and pay between $7,000 and $10,000 for solar power.  Businesses and non-profits could save well more than half the cost of their systems.

For more information about GoSolarSF and how you can qualify for a San Francisco solar incentive, visit GoSolarSF or email gosolarsf[at]sfwater[dot]org  or call GoSolarSF at (415) 554-3289.

To learn about the solar potential at your address, visit the SFPUC Power Enterprise’s Solar Monitoring web page.

Lori Katz Group provides estimates for solar installations of all types.  Visit us at LoriKatzGroup.com or give us a call at (415) 252-1037.

Next time:  More on the California Solar Initiative and its incentives.