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April 18, 2009
Finally, a car rental company that rents cars by the hour. This company is a perfect match for urban neighborhoods in Denver. I am delighted to see that they are in Capitol Hill at the Whole Foods Market.
For urban dwellers trying to save money a service like this may make it possible to give up a 2nd car or even go without. First 100 people who sign up save big bucks! When I first moved to Denver I lived in Cap Hill and shared one car. This would have been perfect for the occasions when 2 cars would have been nice!
http://www.occasionalcar.com/
March 16, 2009
 Has anyone tried SAME cafe? It is a non-profit cafe where customers pay what they can. That’s right. If you can’t pay, you can donate time in the kitchen. This is a great article from the Westword. I can’t wait to try it. Plan on going tomorrow.
 Okay, so I made some great energy efficient upgrades to my home in 2008 and I was thinking that I must be eligible for a tax credit of some sort. I spent some time reading information online today, and found this information. Sounds like some upgrades done in 2008 don’t qualify, but that most upgrades done in 2009 and 2010 qualify for a higher amount. So read on and plan ahead. This information is from a great site - www.energytaxincentives.org. Now is the time make some energy efficient changes to your existing home like replacing that inefficent water heater or some drafty windows.
http://www.energytaxincentives.org/general/legislative.php
General Information
Legislative Language & Pending Updates
February 17, 2009: Stimulus Package Extends, Enlarges Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives
Congress passed an economic stimulus package over the weekend that does much to promote energy efficiency. The American Recover and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 includes several provisions modifying and expanding the scope of the energy efficiency and renewable energy incentives. A few notable changes:
- Energy efficiency incentives for upgrades to existing homes have been extended, and are now available for 2009 and 2010.
- The financial cap for these incentives, which cover home envelope improvements as well as heating, cooling and water heating equipment, was increased to $1,500 (from $500).
- Lower caps, such as the $200 cap on new windows, have been abolished. The existing home incentives are now calculated at 30% of the cost of the installation, up to the $1,500 cap. The legislation is unclear on whether this includes both equipment and labor, however previous IRS rulings suggest that labor is NOT included.
- Standards for equipment eligibility have changed – see the individual topic pages under the Consumer tab for details (coming soon).
- On-site renewables (solar photovoltaic and hot water systems, small wind systems, and geothermal heat pumps) are now eligible for a tax incentive worth 30% of the total cost, without a cap.
- There are new incentives for plug-in electric vehicles, and plug-in conversion kits.
Please visit the measure-specific pages through the menus to the left for details.
October, 2008 – Legislative Update
On Oct. 3, 2008, the President signed into law legislation to extend many of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 but that expired at the end of 2007 or that were scheduled to expire at the end of 2008. The bill also includes extensions of a variety of renewable energy tax incentives. The energy efficiency provisions include:
- An extension of the commercial buildings tax deduction to the end of 2013.
- An extension of the tax credit for efficient furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, water heaters and insulation and window upgrades to existing homes (covering improvements installed in 2009, but not 2008).
- A one-year extension of the new energy-efficient home tax credit, to the end of 2009.
- Three-years of manufacturer tax credits for sales of high-efficiency refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, and dehumidifiers (2008-2010).
- A new tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles purchased starting in 2008 and extending until shortly after the number of qualifying vehicles reaches 250,000.
- A new 10% investment tax credit for combined heat and power systems (through 2016)
- An extension of fuel cell and microturbine credits to the end of 2016.
- Accelerated depreciation for smart meters and smart grid systems.
- Extension of an existing bonding program for green buildings and sustainable design, and establishment of a new energy conservation bond program that would help local and state governments to fund energy conservation efforts.
The bill pays for these provisions by restricting several oil and gas industry tax breaks, and tightening some provisions on the sale of stocks.
For more information, see these links:
February 26, 2009
 Here is a new article on greening older home by Tom Zeller, Jr. I found in the NYT business section today. It addresses the green emphasis on the economic stimulus package and how home owner’s can go after “low hanging fruit” to get the most for the money they spend.
I also recently saw that Xcel Energy is offering up to a $300 rebate to homeowners who increase insulation in their home’s attic or walls.
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/home-green-home-the-low-hanging-fruit/?ref=business
January 6, 2009
  Coming to market in just a few short days: Fabulous 5 bed / 4 bath move-in ready home in Wash Park. Walk to the park and all the shops on South Gaylord. Great home for families. 3 beds / 2 baths on upper floor. Main floor offers guest room, large office with french doors, gourmet chef’s kitchen opening to great room, and formal dining and living rooms. Don’t forget the media room and 2nd spare bedroom in the basement. With over 4,000 square feet this house offers all the rooms you need and a more. Energy efficient updates.
Check out www.1250southvine.com for more details and open house schedules.
For details contact Live Urban Real Estate Broker Dianne Cole at 303-931-6369, Dianne@liveurbandenver.com.
August 28, 2008
 GB3 Energy Solutions owners Bill Lucas and Grant Swanson tested my house for “air leaks” and other energy drains using a blower door and infrared technologies. The final conclusion was not very exciting, but it was very informative. Not too surprising, my “classic” 1956 ranch didn’t have enough insulation (a wimpy 2 inches - yikes!) and was leaking like a pasta strainer. The first recommendation was to insulate, insulate, and insulate a little more. The next recommendation was to fill in the many gaps (many quite airy) that were allowing hot or cold air to seep out of my house without even saying good bye. The main culprits were the 30 plus canned lights in my house. Runners up included door jams, gaps between the floor and wall, open and unused chimneys, air conditioning runs not connected properly, and abandoned ducting runs in the attic. The result was massive air loss in my home.
Bill Lucas and Grant Swanson, the owners of GB3 Energy Solutions, not only performed the audit, but also acted as general contractors. This was a dream come true for two parents who work, and cherish every moment of down time. Call it old age…call it laziness….I call it smart. I am at the age where I no longer want to be a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to home repair projects. I happily let Bill and Grant take care of everything.
Bill and Grant did a fabulous job. I give GB3 Energy Solutions an A+ (and don’t forget how picky realtors can be). I would recommend an energy audit to anyone with an older home. I can’t wait to see less of my money going to xcel energy every month. Also, it just feel great to know that my house isn’t an energy hog.
www.gb3energy.com / grant@gb3energy.com / bill@gb3energy.com.
Finally, through this energy audit Bill discovered that the hot water heater in my house was back drafting carbon monoxide into the house. More than an energy issues, this was a health issue. Today, Lakewood Plumbing LLC (303) 233-7007 installed a side arm water heater that uses the same heating element as the boiler in my house. A healthy and energy efficient solution, and I’ve been told it will be more energy efficient than a tankless. www.lakewoodplumbing.com.
August 7, 2008
 My daughters just finished two weeks of zoo camp at the Denver Zoo. This is the first time my children went to this camp, and they loved every second of it. The best part, it was just a few miles from my house. I thought back to being a kid myself. Our family went to the San Diego zoo every blue moon. I think I remember going exactly twice during my entire childhood. Yes, I grew up in an inland suburb in CA. My hometown didn’t have a zoo. The other day I flipped through the latest copy of GOOD magazine. Page 38 has a fabulously fun graphic showing that only eight zoos in the United States house more animals than the Denver Zoo. Just another great reason to Grow Up in metro Denver! Will I ever forgive my parents for rearing me in that boring burb?
The Fisher Clark Urban Deli at 723 S. University has been getting lots of great press lately, and I am giving it some more. What a dream! This deli is helping Denver change its image from an overgrown cow-town to a true urban metropolis. The Italian sandwich was excellent, but the lemon square was exceptional. Paragraphs could be written about the perfectly lip puckering combination of tartness and sweetness, and the crust was perfect. Fresh bread, olives, and more! If you can’t afford a trip to S.F. this fall, at least treat yourself to a similar urban experience by having lunch at Fisher Clark. The best part is that it is located in my neighborhood…Bonnie Brae just got a little cooler. (Best small deli to come to Denver since Parisi’s on Tennyson.)
723 S. University (University and Exposition) / www.fisherclarkdeli.com
April 24, 2008
Beautiful Denver square one block from the Wash Park at 955 S. Corona open Sunday, April 20th from 1-4 p.m. Join me on this perfect spring day. For a sneak preview visit www.955SouthCorona.com. Open house hosted by Dianne Cole. 303-931-6369.
April 10, 2008
 2008 Denver Digs Tree Arbor Day Tree Sale!
City of Denver Free Mulch Giveaway!
These are two great way to spruce up your yard, add value to your property and save energy on the cheap. I am planning on buying a few trees and getting the kids involved as sort of easy kid earth day activity, as involved as possible that is. Translation….I’ll be planting and cleaning up the yard while my kids swing, gather twigs, find pill bugs and spiders, and track dirt in the house. You know how it goes! So, mark your calendars and buy a tree or two this year…and don’t forget the mulch a few weeks later.
Trees for Sale (All six sites)
Saturday, April 19th, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Congress Park (9th and Josephine)
Wash Park (S. Franklin & E. Kentucky)
Babi Yar Park / Hentzell (Yale & Havana)
Ruby Hill Park (Jewell & Osage)
Sloan Lake Park (25th & Wolff)
Denver Nursery (Smith Rd & Havana)
$45 for bareroot and $65 for balled and burlapped. Need more info? www.theparkpeople.org / 303-722-6262
P.S. Look for ads in local papers for $5 off any tree. I saw one in the Wash Park Profile. Pick up free mulch compliments of our fine city. For details on the Treecycle Mulch Giveaway and LeafDrop Compost Sale call 720-865-6810 or visit Denvergov.org/DenverRecycles.
Saturday, May 3, 2008, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sites:
Sloan’s Lake Park (mulch only): Sheridan and 17th Avenue
Bear Creak Park (mulch only): South of Dartmouth on Raleigh
Veterans Park (mulch only): Iowa and Vine Street
Havana Nursery (mulch and compost – fee for compost): 10450 Smith Road, just south of I-70 on Havana
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