Energy costs and ecological impact are a major concern, especially here in Cincinnati. First Look is a web based system that analyzes the solar exposure and the wind currents where you live. For a price they provide a report detailing annual, monthly, and even hourly wind and solar power deviation and means allowing you to assess the impact solar collectors and wind mills would have.

Starting at only $1,000, it is worth the investment before installing a system to determine if the cost and energy savings will be worth the investment. An average US home can use up to 9,000 KMh a year, so using First Look before you invest in the technology may save you money, and the Earth.

Exciting news from the Cincinnati Public Schools System. CPS is in the midst of building its first LEED Certified school to services Amberly Village, Golf Manor and Pleasant Ridge.

The new Pleasant Ridge Elementary, designed by Steed Hammond Paul was engineered to meet the standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ created by the United States Green Building Council.

The LEED building exercise has been a true learning experience that CPS is carrying forward into the 10 year, $1 Billion dollar Facility Renovation Master Plan project in which over two dozen school will be refurbished.

We recently reported on the Homerama 2007 site in Montgomery is adding a new residence that is being constructed to meet the LEED “silver certified” requirements set by The U.S. Green Building Council.

The “green” living is a sign of the times that people are becoming more aware of how to conserve resources and positively impact the environment and their health. This demand is driving corporations to dedicate resources to producing “green products” for construction use.

While this new concept home in Montgomery is unique, many people are not looking to build a new home right now, but are curious about what measures they can take in their current home to make it more eco-friendly or “green”.

Visit the Green Guide to read articles discussing home renovation and other ideas about what types of materials are being used mainstream.

Green building and renovation is such an important topic that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is addressing it.