On the heels of the successful Cash for Clunkers trade-in program, the government has now allotted $300 million to encourage consumers to buy Energy Star appliances. $35.2 million of that funding has been allocated to the California Energy Commission, which will in turn pay substantial dividends to appliance buyers as early as spring 2010.

The main difference between the clunker and appliance program is that the appliances do not have to be traded in to receive the rebates. You can keep the old refrigerator and still get the discount on a new energy efficient model. The only stipulation is the updated appliance must have the Energy Star seal and be approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC). However, many Californians will most likely want to recycle their old inefficient appliances to reduce their power bills. Recycling old appliances gives others the chance to upgrade their even older equipment while giving the environment a much-needed break. (more…)

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If you want a truly unique landscape wall, then you’ll love straw bale walls – a style that oozes with the charm of yesteryear and offers a remarkable amount of design flexibility. Made from bales of hay, the straw bale wall offers a rich texture and adobe-like sculptural facade. It’s easy to shape, mold, and design, giving you complete artistic control. Rounded edges, sweeping curves, open windows and built-in benches are but a few ideas you can use to create your wall.

Why Build a Landscape Wall?

Landscape walls add detail and depth and serve as privacy barriers. They can be simple or elaborate and made from almost any type of building material, including stone, brick and wood. Design possibilities are limited only by one’s imagination and budget. The storybook Carmel-meets-Hobbit straw bale landscape wall featured above is a perfect example of the various possibilities available today. (more…)

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If you want to build a dirt cheap house, what better way than to start with the dirt? An EarthBag home is an economic choice since most of what you need is under your feet.

What impresses me most about building with bags is the limitless variety of shapes. No more standard square and rectangular confines. Domed living areas, curved walls and rounded edges are just a few of the possibilities. And while you’re forming the place you’ll call home, windows can be a creative accent, made from wagon wheels, tires and barrels to finish off the EarthBag’s unique look. (more…)

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