Many people want to live more efficiently but don’t know how.
Holistically Green Living provides ideas and practical information for anyone who wants to save energy and live more comfortably while reducing their impact on the planet.
Holistically Green Living helps people understand how they can combat climate change by modifying how they think about their homes, clean energy, food, and transportation.
As the debate about climate change and global warming continues, the first relevant question is, “Is global warming and climate change caused, at least in part, by the accelerated burning of fossil fuels?” And, are there relevant facts, trends and statistics to prove it? My father-in-law, Darwin Larson, often said (and I agree), “Recognizing there is a problem is half of solving it.” So, I ask, “Is there a climate change and energy problem?” Most people agree that dependence on oil and other fossil fuels, wars to assure their supply, our balance of trade deficit, higher utility bills for homes and businesses, and environmental degradation are significant energy challenges. Efficiency, Solar and Wind are the “vaccines” for climate change.
Scientists say we are putting too many gases in the atmosphere, so let’s respond with proven technical and economical solutions!
Truly efficient green products and services will be the next market revolution. They will provide solutions to climate change and environmental problems in addition to more jobs, fulfilling careers, and profitable businesses and investments. They will help us generate clean power and reduce the amount of fossil fuel energy we use. In the past, early adopters chose solar and energy efficiency for personal reasons regardless of costs. But today those options are economical and available to everyone.
Recent developments in solar electric technology, lower system prices, and financing that allows swapping of utility bills for a loan payment are now widely available.
Holistically Green Living means using your energy resources in more efficient ways that result in a positive, economical, and unique way of living for you and your family. How hard or easy it will be to conserve energy and resources is relative to your life experiences and education.
It may take a little time and vision to see your house, property and even your lifestyle as an “energy system,” but you can make it happen. Such a paradigm shift will enable you to recognize energy relationships that were not apparent to you before.
Then, instead of wondering why you should build an energy efficient home, you will wonder why all homes are not built to include these basic principles of energy and resource efficiency.
With the resources on our site and in our book, Holistically Green Homes, we hope to help you live a more sustainable life.
Eighteen Principles for Designing, Building, and Retrofitting Your Energy Efficient Home
Check out a preview of the book here, or purchase your copy now.
A digital copy is available on Amazon Kindle.
Holistically Green Homes is Available in Hard copy, and PDF on USB thumb drive.
Orlo Stitt is an award-winning design-builder whose company, The Stitt Group, has specialized in designing and building energy efficient, passive solar homes since 1978. Orlo holds a B.Sc. degree in botany from Iowa State University and an MBA from The University of Iowa. He has been a Certified Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) Rater and has served on the board of directors of the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). He is currently recognized by the National Association of Home Builders as a Certified Green Professional (CGP).
The Stitt Group has won more national Energy Value Housing Awards than any other company nationwide. In 1999, Orlo’s company won the EnergyValue “Builder of the Year.” In addition to this prestigious award, his company has also won 18 other EnergyValue housing awards, two “People’s Choice” awards, and two “Sustainability Awards” for the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas.