OPALCO is offering a new energy assessment tool: The Home Snapshot Energy Assessment. The new assessment is more comprehensive and skillful than the energy audits formerly performed by OPALCO staff and is offered for a fee of $25.

What this includes is:
• 2-hour Assessment & Consultation with a BPI Professional
• New CFL Light Bulbs Installed
• Low Flow Shower Heads Installed
• Written Reports Detailing Recommendations

Some items recently discovered during Energy Audits include:
• Recalled Electrical Panels
• Recalled Heaters
• Insufficient Ventilation / Moisture (Mold) Issues with Attics & Crawlspaces
• Standing Water & … read full article

Scaling Down, Downsizing, Cutting Back, Minimizing, Simplifying: there are many words we use for sorting through our things and releasing our control of them to others. Formerly thought of as, well, second-class, currently the handed down item is now a recycled, green, unique and admirable thing. Websites such as EBay and stores like Value Village have capitalized of the current search for used properties. What is the appeal?

A used thing takes on a sort of persona. To the second hand buyer, it has a sense of mystery. It often is something from far away or long ago. … read full article

I live on San Juan Island, but I have a second home in the wilderness without even a television or cell phone coverage. Lots of people have second homes in the San Juan Islands. What is it that makes a second home work? Here is what I think

1. A second home should be a different setting for you that will refresh your attitude and leaves you pleased to return to your first home. It also gives you a place to dream about and escape to when things at your first home or job get stressed. You can … read full article