Solar & Green Energy
A practical learning hub for smarter, greener homes
Incentives and basics
If you’re researching solar energy, green building, or what it really means to “go green” at home—welcome. I put this page together as a simple, useful place to learn, compare ideas, and find credible next steps without getting lost in hype.
Some people come here dreaming about a net zero home or a certified green home. Others just want lower bills, a more comfortable space, and a lighter environmental footprint. All of that belongs in the same conversation. The best path is the one that fits your priorities and your budget—and you can always keep improving over time.
Learn About Solar Energy
Solar is one of those topics where a little clarity goes a long way. It helps to understand the basics (how systems work, what affects performance, what “credits” and incentives actually mean) before you start comparing installers, equipment, or payback timelines.
One local starting point: NV Energy offers credits for adding solar systems to your home. You can review their solar incentives and see what may apply to you before you go deeper into quotes and design options.
Smaller can be smarter
Going Green? Start With the Big Levers
“Green” isn’t one single standard or one perfect checklist. In reality, green building is a set of decisions—some big, some small—that add up to a home that wastes less, costs less to run, and supports healthier everyday living.
A key idea I love because it’s so often overlooked: Build smaller. The simplest way to reduce energy use and material impact is to reduce what you have to heat, cool, light, and maintain in the first place. Square footage is a forever decision—efficiency upgrades can come later.
And if you’re worried you need to do everything at once, you don’t. Building greener does not mean you must meet the strictest requirements or commit to Net Zero Energy (where a home produces more energy than it uses). You can take an incremental approach—making choices that work for your budget today while steadily improving your home’s efficiency and environmental impact.
Market momentum, more options
Green Building Is Mainstream (and Getting Easier)
Green homes have come a long way in the last few decades, and green building has shifted from “alternative” to the mainstream—and it’s only growing greener.
Research shared through Dodge Data & Analytics in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that in 2015, nearly one third of home builders (31%) said they were doing green builds for more than 60% of their projects, and over half (51%) expected to be doing that level of green building work by 2020. The same research noted that over 80% of builders expected that by 2020 more than 16% of the homes they build would be green housing. There’s also been enormous growth in green home remodeling work.
Why that matters to you: as the market expands, consumers get more choices—choices that can improve home quality, reduce energy costs, protect health, and decrease environmental impact.
Costs, Value, and What “Worth It” Really Means
A common fear is that greener automatically means wildly more expensive. The good news: reported costs for green building new homes have gone down even as more green elements are being incorporated. Builders have reported a cost differential to go green of around 10%, compared to 11% in 2006.
On top of that, dropping costs in green technology have helped make green housing a popular investment and more widely available. Many green products and technologies can be purchased right in a local hardware store, and even large national homebuilders have begun offering green options—across a range of price levels.
“Worth it” is personal, but here’s a helpful way to think about the value side:
- Comfort value: better temperature consistency, fewer drafts, quieter interiors.
- Operating value: lower energy use can mean lower costs over time.
- Health value: materials and ventilation decisions can influence indoor air quality.
- Resale value: markets increasingly recognize efficiency and modern systems.
You don’t have to chase perfection. Aim for the improvements that deliver the most benefit for the way you actually live.
Use This Page Like a Checklist—Not a Commitment
If you’re early in your research, start broad: learn the terms, understand incentives, and get clear on your goals. If you’re already deep into planning, use these resources to sanity-check what you’re being told and to spot where small changes could have outsized benefits.
And if you’d like to talk through ideas—solar, green upgrades, or what a “greener home” could look like for you—reach out through our Contact Us page. I’m happy to help you think it through.