May
29
Your Favorite Feature: The Solar Panels
Hey, all you solar energy fans. Today, our Super Fan is talking about the HGTV Green Home’s solar system. Take a look.
Also, hop on over to the Design Happens blog to check out our “Friday Freebies” promotion. We are giving away the coolest summer lantern. Go to the Giveaway
Hi Gail…Nice to see you again. Thanks for the information on the solar panels…it’s nice to know you can still save money and energy even on a cloudy day. I have been faithfully entering everyday for the beautiful green home…I can’t believe the end is near…I am sooo excited!
Hi Gail;
Thank you for the info on the solar panels. I love solar panel energy, and the way the 2009 Green Home will make use of them. I am sure wishing, hoping, praying, and clicking my heels to gether for this win. I love ever thing about this house.
Hi Gail,
Yesterday and this morning were foggy here, but the sun did come out later today.
Good information on the solar panels. The best part is for them to work well enough to have the energy company pay you. Now that’s a win-win situation.
Thanks for encouraging bloggers to enter the sweepstakes daily! Believe me, we won’t disappoint you.
Wow, GAIL, does that mean that if HGTV puts enough solar panels on the 2010 Dream Home in New Mexico, the house could generate enough electricity “income” that the power company would pay your property taxes for you?! That’s a ‘green’ idea that REALLY appeals to me!
Seriously, though, while I understand that upfront cost is an issue, it’s beyond my comprehension why EVERY new home, especially in the sunny Southwest, is not required to generate its own power through the use of solar panels and other energy saving methods.
We need to head in that direction, AND FAST!
In the meantime, I’ll be more than happy with the energy savings I’d enjoy in the Port St Lucie Green Home. Smart move, HGTV.
Gail,
Thanks again for the information on the solar panels…I think their great! This Green home is perfect….I truely love it & can’t stop dreaming of going green and moving in….Time is running out on this one. I enjoyed blogging….Best of luck to all & have a great week-end…:)Mimi from R.I.
Show Me, you’ve been hanging around Coop too long.
Love and agree with your “the house could generate enough electricity “income” that the power company would pay your property taxes for you?!”
Your logic is impeccable!
Gail;
Question in reference to the front entrance doors, and the sliding glass doors in the dinning room area. How hard would it be to put eco-friendly bamboo shades up, to cover the large glass area’s of the front doors, and eco-friendly curtains to cover the sliding doors
for privacy, and safety purpose at night?.
The electric company may have to pay me money? Holy Hoopskirts I just have to be the winner!!!!!!!!!!!! Ohhhhhhhhh how I love this house!
Gail, Thanks for the great info on the solar panels. My airconditioner runs constantly in the summer months in Florida because of the heat and humidity. The solar panels will sure help with the electric bills. There are so many saving factors in the Green home though. The waterless water heater, the washer and all the kitchen appliances. “Show me the green” I agree with you it is time for all homes to go green. Maybe it will become a requirement for all new buildings but I don’t know how most of us can afford to make the changes needed in our existing homes.
Hi Gail! Thanks for info. Always wondered about what kind of light solar panels are utilizing. (I thought maybe if it was ultra-violet light, they would always be working, as ultra-violet is present regardless of sun or clouds).
Hopefully we can expand on that idea here as well.
I saw a program that showed what many governments are doing in Europe with regard to solar panel technology: Farmers are using some (or all) of their land for solar panels that are partially (or completely) subsidized by the government and/or the electrical companies. The farmers basically become “harvesters” of the sun and then sell that “crop”, which the electrical company then sells to the customer. It’s a win-win-win: Farmers make a living, electric companies have a resource for us, and the earth has a eco-friendly way of generating energy!
Dreaming every day of this beautiful home!
Go Green!
oh! ….Actually, now that I think about it, I think the electrical companies rent the land from the farmer (and the farmer also gets a percentage of profits). Still a win-win situation.
Hello, Gail ! is nice to see you, and tank you for the information about solar panels I didn’t know it can work even in cloudy days that is interesting Lol
Yes, I enter every day but, yesterday
something happened to my compurer, after I
answered a random questionary that appeared
during the time I enter to the HGTV page
and after I answered the questionry from Mary
about the best feature of HGTV Green Home my compu was completely death I asked also if some body knows what is happened, because also neither my comments entered on the newest space for the comments as before,well it was very sad for me to have this, I took my computer to repair until today late it was fixed, unfortunately while I enter my information didn’t recognized me the compu , hopefuly my past entries didn’t erase, its so bad to have this.
I’m really don’t feel happy today
I hope fell well tomorrow, it is very helpfull for me and my family to play here
for the gorgeous GHTV Green and, because my
computer looks had a lot of viruses I do not
know if my entries before will be recognized.
I’ll still dreaming and entrying the rest of the days last for this gorgeous HGTV Green Home with the hope of my compu don’t death
again, and also I did not see the most part
of the bloggers that I saw before humm hope
their compurers didn’t have the same as mine.
LIVE LIFE DREAM BIG ON HGTV GREEN HOME.
Hello Gail.
That is agreat video about the solar panels.I am sure it is very worthy to invest money in solar energy.
Solar energy! Thank goodness our country is heading in the right direction. Thanks for doing your part in educating us. The more people that know the many benefits, the quicker we will get to where our country needs to be.
Cajun Lady
Solar is the way to go. I think everyone should have panels on there houses.Go Green!!
Thank you Gail & thank you bloggers for making the solar panels the most favorite feature!
I am told that in many climates, a solar heating system can provide up to 85% of domestic hot water energy. What a wonderful savings, not only in the pocket, but eco-friendly as well!! Wouldn’t it be nice if one billion people would take part in a global vote for action on climate change by turning off their lights for one hour and casting a vote for earth? I understand that question had been asked and lights went off across the world as millions of homes and businesses went dark for one hour in a symbolic gesture highlighting concerns over climate change.
Thank you HGTV for doing your part by sending the world a message that climate change is real, and we need to take action now!! The Green Home 2009 makes a beautiful statement!!
OOPS! Forgot to give you the MGTOTD:
This one may be of particular interest to Show Me:
Rescue a straw hat (this may be Coop’s straw hat that Show Me put away when we thought all the clues for the DH2010 we leaning away from New Mexico) by placing a damp cloth between the straw and a warm iron. Rest the brim underside up on the ironing board and press, rotating the hat. For flat tops, place cardboard inside and pack with crumpled newspaper before pressing. (Make sure Coop has read the paper before you crumpled the newspaper Show Me as we know he might get grummpy if he can’t read the daily news!!)
Hello again, Gail thank you again for the information about solar pannels, its great to
Thank you and have a great day.
know how the Tecnology is growing
Just I want to know how the Company will know
when the House used less than the normal use and how they adjust the bill?
How much it the Sistem Panel cost? Will be great that all people can enjoy to have a their own Solar Panel
Live life dream big on HGTV green home.
What is the address of the 2009 Green Home?
Gail sicerely I did know what happened
here I can’t see the regular group of bloggers and where they are, on the newest
comment didn’t appear my recentely comment and appear other commentes from bloggers that I didn’t see before answering past comments really Sorry but Would you please
tell me if I am in the right blog.
Thank very moch and I’m sorry for the inconvenience.
Gail thank you again for the information about solar pannels, its great to
know how the Tecnology is growing
Just I want to know how the Company will know
when the House used less than the normal use and how they adjust the bill?
How much it the Sistem Panel cost?
Will be great that all people can enjoy to have a their own Solar Panel.
Hi Solar is the way to go,the Sun is free, so make good use of it. .I live in Somerset Co. Pa. close to ski resorts. so we get cold and snowy. solar is popping up every where.we have 3 months of summer. our heating bill’s and lighting are big. so the change would be wonderfil. and such a great home too.I have been green 40 years, catching rain water,and food scraps grass clipings for garden , flower fertilizer. keep up the great work.
I think you’re right, Lessie. Coop has that effect; it’s his magnetic personality I guess that attracts people like iron filings, or his curious mind that locks onto bits of information like gravity to a celestial body, or his ability to pull words from the air at random to form the most curious patterns. It’s a strong-willed force that almost defies logic…or, no, wait…maybe it’s just because I’m a captive audience.
And speaking of magnetic personalities, hello Super Fan Gail. (and fellow bloggers too…I won’t name any names…you know who you are!)
Which, by the way, Marie, I’ve rarely seen Coop grumpy. I do remember a few times recently though, when questions were repeatedly asked about the 2009 DH downstairs powder room, and with some of the ongoing “tax nightmare” promulgations. Lucky for us all, none of those folks had to worry about taxes at all, did they! Instead, we had a wonderful, deserving couple, Joe and Cheryl Smith, who were truly delighted with their Dream Home prize, and will handle the financial details sensibly and privately. How refreshingly extraordinary!
Now, back to the Green Home sweepstakes currently in progress, but closing soon! (June 5 at 5 pm EST, as I understand)
Hi! I’d like to say that I am more than excited about this home and the possibilities that it has to offer. I actually find myself daydreaming about this home and who I would put where and what I would put where, and etc.
I am very excited to learn all there is to know about going green. (I know we already do that by recycling, whether it be at the recycling center or buying yard sale, Goodwill, finding something put out for trash. These kinds of things are actually fun!:) However I don’t know a great deal about the power-end of it, but I am very excited to learn. I LOVE the rain barrels, I’ve always wanted something like that!! I am just so excited to learn about the flooring, appliances, bedding, EVERYTHING!!:)
I have watched a lot of the videos on the making of the house and alot of the things that you’ve furnished the house with. I love the house and everything outside too!!
Thank you for even the opportunity to win something so wonderful and educational….. and profitable to going Green. Thank you,
Jackie – Indiana
Thanks Gail,
Still entering everyday. Love the info on the solar panels, that would help offset the high property tax and hoa fees a little bit for some lucky person.
Happy Weekend to all!!
WOW! That is impressive!! The house just gets better and better!! We used to have a house that had solar panels, and it was fabulous! And that was over 15 years ago, so the technology has been out there a long time. I wonder why they don’t make it more affordable for everyone to get them. They sure have come a long way! Thanks HGTV!
My husband and I built our current home, and it was our first, I never even thought about it. I sure wish we would have! Although we live in Oregon, more rain than sunshine here!
We have entered everyday, and our family has spent many hours dreaming of what it would be like to live in that Green Home in Florida. We just got back from a cruise where we sailed from Cape Canaveral, and just fell in love with Florida! What it must be like to live in 300 days of SUNSHINE! WOW! WE ARE ALL READY!!
So excited with the prospects of winning the HGTV Green Home!!!
God bless you all!
Happy Saturday to everyone!
KELLY: The house next door to me was built in the 1980′s & has a rooftop full of solar panels! I understand the house was a sensational topic for this area at the time–especially since the couple building it were in their sixties, yet so energy conscious! So, we have had the technology for a long time, just as you said. I’m really curious about the savings on utilities using the older panels as compared to what the numbers are now. It is difficult to understand why we haven’t embraced this technology long before now!
LAURA: You said “Holy hoopskirts!” I never heard that expression before, but it seems so “Gone With the Wind”–ish. I love that book, movie, era…I hope you don’t mind that I borrow your comment?
I am originally from upstate New York where the sun only shines in the summer months making for a depressing and gloomy winter.
Anyhow, we moved to Arizona a few months ago and we were surprised at how little solar panels are used – why is this? This area seems like the perfect environment for solar.
Hello all -My dear husband took me to see the Green Home today and I wanted to share a few pics that I took. A couple of them are blurry and for that I am sorry. I was thinking that if anyone out there had some better ones, then we would appreciate seeing them as well. I did manage to remember to take a couple of pics of the garage for all the curious bloggers out there. The garage was roped off, but the side door was open, so I stuck my arm in and snapped a couple of shots. Also, to my suprise, the laundry room is completely different that the pictures and tour show! It’s been redone. The bifold doors are gone, walled up. In their place is a cabinet that has a computer in it which tracks solar panels, power and I believe water usage and also can give you info on the weather outside. Pretty neat! The washer and dryer have also been moved to the back wall, in between the one they were against and the one where the bifolds were. I hope that makes sense. I couldn’t believe it. I’m thinking the sitting room closet is now the access to that closet space, which would explain why those doors are semi-blocked. Also, if there is a better place to share this info, please let me know. Thanks! (click the link below!)
http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h263/colleeny_photos/HGTV%20Green%20Home%20Tour/?albumview=slideshow
Happy Weekend All!! This is my first entry and I can’t believe the drawing for the most beautiful “Green” home is almost here. I have been faithfully entering daily and even have the Green home as my screen saver at work. I would love to be able to share this home with my daughter. We have not had a home of our own in about 13 years…been renting, living with parents…I know she would love to move back to Florida the state she was born in. I will keep the faith and hope for the outcome we all hope for…that our name will be revealed as the winner of the most beautiful home of all the giveaways and by far the most important since it is eco-friendly!!! I have to wish myself GOOD luck for my daughter’s sake. Enjoy the weekend all.
Solar is effecient and cost saving.
Now that you mention it Gail I might have missed the 29th, oh boy I wish it was over and I just won.
Hi Gail,
After all these years … I tried building solar panels in the 70′s – what a mess! I’m so excited to see how far they have come. And like everyone else, yes, I’m hoping against hope for the Green Home! It embodies everything I’ve supported for years, and even if I don’t win, I’m glad to see all the great publicity you have given to Going Green! Thank you!
BEBE
Hey Show Me: I guess Coop was somewhat irritated by the multitudes of questions asked over and over again regarding the Powder Room in the DH2009 & the related tax questions posed one hundred thousand times!! But, who wasn’t…can’t fault him for feeling exhausted by that repetition!! Now the DH2009 has slipped away from our grasp without any further ado!!
However, we are now just days from the Gream Home Giveaway…June 5th is just around the corner!! My good wishes to everyone entering for good luck! Sonoma was my real dream, but Florida is close to Georgia, so I wouldn’t complain one bit about winning this wonderful home…besides my bags are still packed from the Sonoma Dream Home Giveaway!!
MGTOTD: Cornmeal absorbs grease stains on light-colored fabric or upholstery. Pour on enough to cover the soiled area and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then vacuum and the stain should be gone!!
P.S. I will be out of town again until Wednesday!! Hold the fort down Show Me!!:)
Hello Gail I’m here again doing my daily looking at my Dream . Good Look
Colleen
Thank you very much for the updates and the beautiful pictures!
Hi all!
They’re awesome! And again, thanks for confirming my suspicion that the spaces are larger than they appear on TV or computer.
Colleen: THANKS for posting those pics!
We’re getting closer and closer to the deadline!
And then the big day! 
Hoping like everyone that I’m the winner, but good luck to all!
Go Green!
THANKS, COLLEEN. YOUR PICTURES WERE SO CLEAR AND BEAUTIFUL. I LOVED SEEING THE TILES CLOSE UP. THEY ARE SO REFLECTIVE WITH MANY COLORS THAT DON’T SHOW UP IN THE OTHER PHOTOS. YOU MUST BE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OR HAVE A VERY, VERY GOOD CAMERA.
YOU WERE THOUGHTFUL IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAUNDRY ROOM, GARAGE AND GETTING INTO CLOSETS.
DID YOU GET TO VIEW THE CLOSETS IN THE MASTER BEDROOM? ARE THEY JUST STRAIGHT LINE CLOSETS OR WALK-IN?
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE. THIS IS MY VERY FAVORITE HOUSE. I’VE LIVED IN FLORIDA SINCE 1945 AND WOULD LOVE TO GET BACK TO THE EAST COAST AGAIN.
Heres a site on the net about making your own renewable energy,its pretty interesting.
http://www.homemadeenergy.org
I think we should do away with housing property taxes on all houses and enforce solar panels on all houses.
Everybody say heyyyyyy.Peace out Blogaroonies
Yesterday I saw a vintage Airstream travel trailer with solar panels on its roof. So cool, I had to stop and take a picture of it!
Colleen: Just saw your photo album from visiting the Gream Home…very nice!! Thank you for sharing and you look great in the pictures!! I guess your hubby was taking all the photos? I especially like that white fish accessory, and you’re right, it’s hard to realize the size of things until you put a person next to a particular item, or into a room!!
Anyway, thanks again!!
I love the solar panels. Convincing my dear husband is another matter. The only way I may get them is with the GH. Who am I kidding, I am even trying to convince him of solar tubes. He’s mellowed with some of my Reused purchases….and sees the monetary benefit. The AREA of the GH HAS captured his interest. And…he HAS admitted to the appealing architectural design. So, we DO have a winner!
Now, waiting to see who’s name is to be drawn.
Oooops. WHOSE NAME
One thing about blogging…can’t edit errors…as you can on the Message Board.
Holy Hoopskirts*, Marie Miller, you sure get around in that horse and buggy of yours. I hope the trip is a pleasant one.
Coop will be breaking out the convertible on Tuesday (along with a few more horses) and heading to points South, but only for a couple of days, so I may tag along…but only if I won’t have to miss any of my daily Green Home entries. I can’t let Mary and Gail down, since I promised to enter faithfully EVERY SINGLE DAY—and what if I’m being monitored for compliance?!
Can you imagine the implications of failing to honor my pledge? We’re talking about the possibility of being relegated to “awaiting moderation”—in perpetuity—any true bloggers worst nightmare!
Drama aside, I hope June is an exciting (and lucky) month in many small and big ways for each and every one of us.
*PS: thanks for our new favorite phrase, Laura. (As ‘they’ used to say years ago, if the hoop fits, wear it.)
Colleen,
Thanks for sharing your pictures! I never would have thought the fish is that big. It certainly doesn’t look it.
I also appreciated your pictures of the laundry room as well as your comments about the renovations. I agree with you. The location of the washer and dryer is definitely better – more user friendly.
I love the laundry room cabinet! Whoever suggested it should be commended!
The garage is huge. Just what I need.
Gream Big Everyone!
Hiya Gail, with the savings, one could add another solar panel and enjoy monthly checks from the power company. Good old sunny FL would provide that!
GREEN is up my alley!
Can hardly believe there are only a few more days to enter to win this magnificent house.
Been busy with my kids enjoying the weather. We wait so long to enjoy the great outdoors that when it finally is spring here, we want to be outside. And also with the internet gone in my house, only availability is when I have a few minutes at library or on break at work.
Hope everyone has a nice week. Will say don’t forget to vote because you never know, someone has to win this great house!!
Hello all! This is my first time blogging but I have enjoyed all of your comments since the beginning of greaming. I have learned soooooooooo much… about the GH, its community and everyday things to do to live greener. I too have been entering each day, except when my computer was down for a few days…
What I gream most about is not only living in the GH; but what a wonderful change of lifestyle this would mean for me and my family. I have always dreamed of being able to walk to the neighborhood grocery daily to buy fresh produce & meats, etc.. and entertain in the most efficient, greenest way… (This is just one of the many fantasies, I have from time to time :~)
Good luck to all and I know if not me, whoever wins this magnificent home will be truly blessed!
P.S. Colleen, thanks for the wonderful pictures…you along with so many of the bloggers seem to be truly thoughful and geniune and all are welcome for a visit, if I’m the lucky1!
I love that this house is put together by so many talented and conscience people! In these times if given a choice in this life I would hope America would want such a home. Persoanlly, I live in Alaska and would look forward to the climate change. Not only that but most importantly, I have an elderly mother, I would share this home with! I would love to see her days filled with such beauty! She is precious beyond words!
Finally this home is so beautiful, and I’m so glad to be able to participate not only in this contest but a chance to change our lives forever!
Thanks Colleen for your slideshow…That was very thoughtful. It is really great to get to hear & see your tour. I too was wondering about the master bedrooms closets? The end is coming fast….As always I’m still dreaming too…. Best of Luck to all us bloggers…:)Mimi in R.I.
Colleen what was your favorite room?
Thanks to everyone who mentioned my comment. I’m glad it was helpful. I was kicking myself all the way home yesterday for completely forgetting to takes pics of the closets…. where was my brain?
The master closets are walk-ins. The “hers” on the right had an iron and ironing board set up in it, to give you an idea of the depth. On the “his” left side there is also a small shallow little inset behind the curtain that is for storing your towels and soaps and maybe a laundry hamper. There was I think a small wicker basket inside and a bowl with some fine french triple milled soaps. I hadn’t seen that on the floor plans and thought it was a great idea. I was also surprised at how large the closet in foyer was. It’s surprisingly deep. If I were playing hide and seek with the kids, hubby and I could def fit comfortably in there and not look like contortionists. I will add the one pic I got of my husband by the grill for anyone who may be interested.
My favorite room? How can you ask me to choose? let’s see…. I guess I’d have to say the LR/DR/Kitchen/screen porch area. I love to cook and I would love to have a space like that for when company is over, so that I can enjoy them all.