We ran into the problem of an appraiser (or two) who did not understand how to appraise green homes (see this link).  There was absolutely no premium added for any green features, regardless of how much money the features would save us or any future homeowner.  I suppose the appraisers are a trailing indicator of what potential homeowners value rather than a leading indicator.  As more new green homes appear, and home sales pick up again maybe we’ll see appraisers start to recognize that homeowners are willing to spend more green on Green.

LA is considering setting mandatory regulations requiring all new houses (and other projects) to harvest rainwater.  Check out the treehugger.com article here.

I am happy to report that we finally received approval to hook up (again) our washing machine to our rainwater harvesting system.  It’s been a 10 month ordeal of emailing and waiting and emailing and starting over and waiting (you get the picture). 

In my previous post I linked to the new Dallas rainwater harvesting guidelines.  Now I received the following from Mark Daniels, the acting Chief Plumbing Inspector, when I asked if an RPZ valve fulfilled the intent of the guidelines:

We find the “RPZ valve” acceptable for this individual case and consider, with your agreement and acceptance, that your required plumbing inspections are complete and this permit is in final status. There are no other actions required on your part.

There you have it!

PS:  mind you that I’ve had a plumbing inspection/permit since last April, so I really wasn’t waiting on a permit of any sort – just trying to do the right thing and pave the way for others who want to use rainwater in Dallas.

I’ve posted a couple of times about our now 10-month ordeal with the City pertaining to our attempt to use our harvested rainwater in our washing machine.  I finally (and I emphasize “finally”) got a helpful response back from the City.  Attached is the City’s Position Statement  pertaining to rainwater usage as it applies to my question.  It came from Mark Daniel, the acting Chief Plumbing Inspector. 

My follow-up question to Mr. Daniel was whether the RPZ valve shown above (which we had installed months ago and then had uninstalled at the City’s insistence) qualifies under the new Position Statement.  I’ll let you know what his response is when I get it.

Robert interviewed our architect, Kelly Mitchell, for Modern Dallas.  The interview provides some insight into how Kelly approaches architecture, clients, and sandwiches.

To see Kelly’s really great work, click here for her website.

Our house has become the first LEED for Homes project featured on the website of the North Texas USGBC!  Check it out here.  The story’s a nice summary, and the photos look great.  It’s nicely done.

Something near and dear to my heart:  traveling in an eco-friendly manner.  I travel a lot for work, and I often worry about the environmental effects of all of those airline miles.  Here is a set of simple tricks to travel a little more eco-friendly.  All of the suggestions are very doable.

I found a great link to 15 eco-friendly New Years Resolutions.  See it here.

I might add a 16th after watching Julia Louis-Dreyfus on talk about the graduation address she gave at Northwestern University a while back.  She gave three pieces of advice, the last being, “don’t be an ass.”  Not exactly eco-friendly, but still very good advice.

I’ve been extremely patient with the City of Dallas.  We have been trying to obtain the final regulation/code that governs the use of harvested rainwater in a washing machine for eight months.  Our rainwater contractor presented information to the City twice early this past spring.  And now, in January, it seems that we’re not any closer to having the regulations than we were in April of last year.

Lonnie Erwin, the City’s Chief Plumbing Inspector, informed me in an email back in August that we would have new regs “after October”.  While technically that could mean 10 years after October, I assumed it meant November-ish.  My last email to him (and to City of Dallas Chief Inspector Zaida Basora) dated 11/17 was answered in December by someone informing me that Mr. Erwin was no longer with the City of Dallas. 

I was also told that Mr. Erwin left behind ZERO information regarding our request and our presentations.  NO ONE had been working on our request for months!  Thank you, Mr. Erwin!

Theoretically someone from the City Plumbing Inspection office is working on the request now, but it’s been almost a month since I’ve heard from him.

What should I do now?!?!

So I was going through my side links on the blog just to make sure that all of them still worked.  I found that a link that I have had on the site for probably well over a year was not the correct link! 

But that mistake gives me the opportunity to highlight Catalog Choice.  Since we’re all getting tons (literally) of catalogs during this time of the year, it might be worthwhile for folks to check out Catalog Choice.  It allows you to opt out or opt in to specific catalog lists.  Alternatively, you can also go to the website of any catalog and find the Contact Us or Customer Service section (if you can’t easily find it, check the very bottom of the company’s home page).  I’ve had a lot of success reducing the number of unwanted catalogs by going directly to the catalogs own website and sending an email (or using the catalog’s “unsubscribe” list).  For example, click here to see a specific catalog’s really good and flexible unsubscribe mechanism.

Note that I said “UNWANTED” catalogs.  I do like getting about 4 or 5, but there are dozens that I have no interest in.  Every little bit helps!

PS:  once you’re done with the ones you get, put them in your recycling!