The Appraisal Journal 1998 (69k)
"Evidence of Rational Market Valuations for Home Energy Efficiency."

Study conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency showing the value of a home increases anywhere from $10 to $25 for every $1 reduction in annual fuel bills resulting from energy efficiency steps or the installation of solar energy equipment.

October, 2010 Update: Because this material was becoming dated, we contacted The Appraisal Journal to check on the validity of the information. The Appraisal Journal and the article authors confirmed this information is still as applicable today as it was when the study was conducted, and even more so given the increased cost of energy since the study was published.

Electronically reprinted with permission from The Appraisal Journal (October 1998), © by the Appraisal Institute, Chicago, Illinois.

The Appraisal Journal 1999 (66k)
"More Evidence of Rational Market Valuations for Home Energy Efficiency."

Regression analyses were remarkably consistent, indicating that home value increases by about $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills.

Study funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

October, 2010 Update: Because this material was becoming dated, we contacted The Appraisal Journal to check on the validity of the information. The Appraisal Journal and the article authors confirmed this information is still as applicable today as it was when the study was conducted, and even more so given the increased cost of energy since the study was published.

Electronically reprinted with permission from The Appraisal Journal (October 1999), © by the Appraisal Institute, Chicago, Illinois.

Simple Do-It-Yourself Basic Energy Audit (65.4k)
An outline of very basic steps anyone can perform to help discover and correct energy losses in their home or apartment. Many of the actions are free. Apartment dwellers can easily benefit from aspects of Steps 2 (air filter), 3, 4, 5 (hot water temperature), 7 (compact fluorescent lamps - remember to take them with you if you move!) and 10. If you DO replace ordinary lights with compact fluorescent lamps, keep the old lamps in a safe location, and put them back when you move. That way, you'll be able to take your compact fluorescent lamps with you to your new location. If in doubt, check with your landlord or management service first. This PDF may be printed and shared freely.

The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting - 3rd Edition (1,944k)
Published by the Texas Water Development Board.

2011 DFW Solar Home Tour Reference by Bill Neukranz (2.6 MB)
Reference guide from Bill Neukranz for the 2011 Solar Home Tour. Extensively documents the changes and upgrades made to the Neukranz home, and the improvements in energy conservation that resulted from each step.

September 12, 2009
 
Xeriscape and Sustainable Landscaping (Large File! 1.5 MB)
By Geoff Sherman, Landscape Horticulturalist with the North Richland Hills Parks and Recreation Department. Geoff is also a Certified Professional Horticulturist, Certified Arborist, and Licensed Irrigator. This presentation was given at the September 12, 2009 NTREG meeting. Geoff has generously consented to share it with everyone.

August 14, 2010
 
Attics - A Hot Topic (Large File! 6.29 MB)
A PDF copy of the excellent presentation given at our meeting of August 14, 2010 by C.T. Loyd, Technical Director of Texas HERO.

Topics include insulation, ventilation, roofing, radiant barrier, and many others. At more than 6 MB, it's a large file, but very worth the download!
 
Attics- A HOT Topic Audio Presentation by CT Loyd (VERY large file! 22.1 MB)
Audio file from C.T. Loyd's presentation at our August 14 meeting. If you have a slow connection, allow ample time for the download. (Recording courtesy of Terry Jensen.)

September 11, 2010
 
The "Half-Way Club" (Large File! 2 MB)
Presentation materials from Bill Neukranz from our meeting of September 11, 2010, Chairman of the City of Plano's Parks and Recreation Planning Board. Bill's "Top 10" list provides steps we all can take to reduce our utility bills by half, while at the same time increasing the comfort level in our homes.

December 11, 2010
 
"Whole House Energy Monitoring" (Large File! 2.4 MB)
Presentation materials from Bill Neukranz from our meeting of December 11, 2010. In this second presentation, Bill shows how keeping track of the energy usage by various appliances around our homes not only saves money, but can also detect pending problems!

February 12, 2011
 
"Renewable Energy Applied to Air Conditioning" (Large File! 1.45 MB)
Presentation materials by Bud Leavell of Yazaki Energy Systems Inc. from our meeting of February 12, 2011.

April 9, 2011
 
"Blue Wing 14 Megawatt Utility-Scale Solar Energy Project" (Large File! 2.18 MB)
Presentation materials by John Kosub, Project Engineer, CPS Energy of San Antonio. John joined CPS Energy in 2001, and is a Project Manager in the Integrated Planning & Research department. At CPS Energy he's involved in strategic resource planning for fossil, nuclear, renewable, and storage technologies; business case development, technology research & development, and new power plant project development.
 
The Blue Wing solar energy facility was the 5th largest photovoltaic system in America when it was commissioned on November 5, 2010. John's presentation provided an overview and insight into the work required to get the system installed .. and more importantly .. how well it's operating.

August 13, 2011
 
"Renewable Energy and the Environment Around the World" (Very Large File! 11 MB)
A complete copy of the slide show provided by Dan Lepinski, with photos taken on five different continents around the world. Images show all forms of solar energy: electricity, cooking, wind generators, and solar hot water as used throughout various countries in the world. Alternate forms of transportation and environmental issues are also included. This was a fascinating meeting with numerous eye-opening slides! Large download, and worth it!

September 10, 2011
 
"Remodel for Comfort, Health, and Energy Efficiency.pdf" (Large File! 2.1 MB)
Material from the excellent presentation by Robert Ruth, Architect. Covered are many "best building design and construction" practices to achieve sustainable living environments that are comfortable, healthy, and eco-friendly. Robert's personal research and experience in passive solar design, solar energy use, residential indoor environmental quality and air quality, building energy and water use, form the foundation for this presentation.

November 12, 2011
 
"Incentives for Solar PV in Texas " (Large File! 1.7 MB)
Downloadable copy of the Powerpoint by Steven Wiese. Topics include the Oncor PV Incentive Program, trends shaping PV's future in Texas, incentive designs and their applicability in Texas, and Legislation and Regulation. There's a wealth of information contained in Steve's presentation.

May 12, 2012
 
"Thinking Outside About the Box" (Large File! 2.25 MB)
Downloadable copy of Paul Westbrook's excellent presentation about home and building design for energy efficiency and comfort. Discussion includes new construction as well as tips for existing homes. Topics range from site selection and building orientation to electricity, water, transportation, recycling, cooling & heating (air conditioning, ground-source heat pumps), water heating, rainwater capture, and more. This is one of the best general presentations on home and business efficiency.

July 14, 2012
 
"ERCOT capacity issues". (667K)
Ron Seidel's presentation on how we arrived where we are with the power grid capacity issues we're facing in Texas.

January 12, 2013
 
"Solar Photovoltaics in the 21st Century. (Large File! 2.8 MB)
Jim Duncan's discussion about photovoltaics -- past - present - and future. A broad look at the beginnings of solar electricity, where we've been, and where we are today. Includes system installation and related issues.

February 9, 2013
 
"Developing Geothermal Energy in O/G Plays. (Large File! 5.8 MB)
Maria Richards, Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory Coordinator. A very informative presentation about generating electricity through the use of geothermal energy in Texas (not a discussion of ground-source heat-pumps or air conditioning). he high temperatures found beneath Texas provide an ideal mix of resources from which to produce electricity from geothermal energy. Although previous investigations into the geothermal resource potential along the Gulf Coast led to a successful demonstration project in 1989-90, the business environment was not yet supportive of renewable energy and the geothermal energy potential remained untapped. The geothermal energy potential in America is 10 times that of installed coal-fired power plants!

March 9, 2013
 
Austin Local Solar Advisory Committee Strategic Plan for Local Solar in Austin. (536K)
Presentation file #1 of 2 from the March 9, 2013 presentation by Steve Wiese, Principal of Clean Energy Associates.

A Strategic Plan for Local Solar in Austin. (616K)
Presentation file #2 of 2 from the March 9, 2013 presentation by Steve Wiese, Principal of Clean Energy Associates.
 

April 13, 2013
 
"Solar Cars for All Ages". (5.0 MB)
April 13, 2013 presentation by Gary Vliet, Ph.D, about solar cars of all sizes. Contains considerable history for the past 20 years of various solar car races from America and around the world.