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1/19/2010

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Technology

LED Lighting: How to Make a Purchase You’ll be Happy With

I’m a fan of LED lighting, but I don’t want anyone to have a bad experience with the early products that still have some drawbacks. When you shop for LED lights, keep these four factors in mind.

Remember the early days of CFLs? They were expensive, didn’t fit into regular lamps, had strange shapes, and the light they cast had that harsh fluorescent glow. Many people tried those bulbs and were turned off by them – even though ...

1/18/2010

Presidio Graduate School microsoft hohm energy management saving money smart planet news feedback

Home Performance: A systems approach to energy efficiency

Reducing energy use in the home is an integral part of addressing global climate change, energy security, and green economic growth. Energy used in the residential sector is a significant contributor to green house gas emissions (GHGs). In California for example, homes are responsible for 14% of GHGs, 32% of the state’s electricity consumption, and 36% of its natural gas consumption. In response to this many homeowners are taking action to save both money and energy use through energy efficiency upgrades.

Unfortunately many people ...

1/15/2010

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energy conservation/saving Presidio Graduate School microsoft hohm energy management smart planet saving energy news green design energy report cards

Why Do You Go Green?

When it came time to buy a new car back in 2006, my choice was clear. The Toyota Prius was the only car at that time that provided the performance I needed and was as eco-responsible as I could get. I knew that my top priority was sustainability and so my “green” decision was easy.

Living in California, I thought that other Prius buyers were doing it for the same reasons, but I’ve learned it’s always good to know whether you’re really as similar ...

1/06/2010

energy conservation/saving Presidio Graduate School microsoft hohm energy management Behind The Scenes cash for caulkers

Home, Sweet Home

For many people, our home is our sanctuary. As our shelter from the storm, nothing is more personal than when we feel our homes under siege. With dozens of recent examples on how toxic items are entering our homes, how can we remain calm, make informed decisions, and keep our homes and lives free of chemicals?

First and foremost, unless something is known to contain toxic levels of chemicals, please don’t throw it out prematurely. To paraphrase Thomas Friedman ...

12/08/2009

energy conservation/saving microsoft hohm energy management cop15 Behind The Scenes feedback video

Technology

Microsoft at COP15

The COP15 is in full force this week and Rob Bernard, our chief environmental strategist, along with other team members are in Denmark engaging in the conversation. The group is addressing how technology will play a large role in addressing climate change over the next 40 years. Here’s a video clip of Rob Bernard talking about some of the main topics that he’ll be engaging in.

Nick Eaton, a Microsoft reporter at the Seattle Pi, put together a ...

11/24/2009

microsoft hohm energy management Behind The Scenes news

First 100 Days

About 100 days ago, a small, very enthusiastic and very tired team here in Redmond launched our Hohm beta website. This was the first public step in a journey that we started on over two years ago, one that began with a vision on how we could help consumers around the world save energy and money. It’s a big vision, and one we on the Hohm team are thrilled to pursue with you. The early consumer response to the Hohm ...

10/08/2009

microsoft hohm energy management Podcast seattle city lights feedback video

Hohm - Condo & Apartment Update

By popular demand Hohm is now available for condos and apartments. The screen shot below show that in "The Essentials" section you can now select a condo or apartment for the "Type of home".

Condo and apartment owners can now use Microsoft Hohm

When you select a condo or apartment the questions throughout Hohm will be modified to better fit those living situations.

10/08/2009

microsoft hohm energy management Podcast seattle city lights feedback video

Video - SEATTLE CITY LIGHT LINKS CUSTOMERS WITH HOHM

For those who rather watch a video we created one to go over the release of Seattle City Light linkng customers with Microsoft Hohm. For the original text click here.

10/06/2009

microsoft hohm energy management Podcast video

Can Hohm Suggested Improvements Pay Dividends?

Ben talks about an interesting project that his firm worked on getting the MSL listing to have certified green homes. The stats that he talks about are empirical evidence that going green and making energy saving improvements like the tips that Microsoft Hohm suggest does not only help reduce cost but increases the value of your home.