Living Green

Hope everyone had a good 4th of July and hopefully everyone stayed cool in that awful heat.

As we move into the dog days of summer, I'm hoping that my electric bill does not hit the $130 mark. My air conditioning is constantly on, this is south Louisiana after all.

I recently did a series of stories on people who've decided to adopt an earth friendly lifestyle.
After seeing their electric bills, I can honestly say that when I become a homeowner, green living will be the way I go.

One woman I spoke to installed solar panels a few months ago. I'm guessing it would typically cost upwards of $180 to run her home each month in the summer. She only paid 70 bucks on her bill. And here's the best part, she won't lose electricity if a storm knocks out power. That's enough to make me a believer! I don't know about you, but I was ready to pack my bags and move to a hotel after five days without power after Gustav.

And then there are the people who live in Louisiana System Built Homes. Basically, these houses are built in a factory, assembly line style. You're probably thinking modular home, but you're wrong! These houses can be built however you like. I'm talking two story, five bedroom, three baths. One homeowner runs his house on $130 bucks and he lives in a 3,300 square foot home! It definitely made me see that there is money to be saved by living green. And wouldn't we all like to have a little extra cash these days?