Green guru and Cyberhomes contributor James Glave

Have you seen "The Big Guide to Going Green at Home" on Cyberhomes.com?  With videos from green guru James Glave, the how-to is packed with information on ways to consume less and conserve more, from using energy-conserving appliances to introducing fewer toxic materials in your home and backyard. Here's a Q&A with Glave: …Full Story

If you are thinking of boosting the energy efficiency of your home, this is the year to do it.

The federal government is offering rebates for energy-saving home improvements like solar panels, insulation, energy-efficient windows and insulation. And now, with President Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus package, local and state governments are stepping up to make such home improvements even more affordable for homeowners, writes Cyberhomes contributor Stephanie Pearson.

For instance, Berkeley, Calif., has an innovative program in which the city will finance installation of home solar energy systems by city-approved installers -- homeowners will then pay off the installation through a property-tax assessment over 20 years, she says. Other cities are likely to follow Berkeley's lead …Full Story

Solar lease programs let homeowners harness the sun's energy without a hefty initial investment.

Recently, I was driving through my old neighborhood, and was astonished to find see that one 1970's, modestly sized ranch located a few doors down from my childhood home has its entire roof covered with solar panels …Full Story

Our gift to you: On the way to you, our readers, are a slew of fun and informative features and stories in 2009. In Good Reading we'll share a new — and more easily affordable — way to make your home solar (and save on energy bills in the process), new trends and surprisingly resilient neighborhoods in the U.S. housing market, and tips for improving and updating your home without breaking your budget. Plus, we'll explain how changes in the economy and mortgage industry may affect you and what you can do to improve your own financial position as a homeowner or renter. And always, we'll keep our finger on the pulse of the housing market through the blog and will look forward to your input …Full Story

Looking for something to do this weekend? Perhaps you might want to try the 13th annual National Solar Tour, which will be held tomorrow in 49 states and nearly 3,000 communities across the U.S. The event is being coordinated nationally by the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society in partnership with other solar organizations.

Tomorrow, solar-home owners will open up their houses and even condos to tour participants, who will be able to learn how to go solar and harvest energy from the sun and save money on utility bills. As many as 150,000 participants are expected.

Tour participants will receive the SOLAR TODAY Get Started 2009 guide -- with tips, information and insight about solar water heating, photovoltaic electricity, residential wind power, ground-source heating and cooling and energy efficiency -- and a list of 1,650 installers …Full Story

Real estate professionals can get certified in green technologies. (Photo: iStockphoto)

While demand for green homes is just hitting the mainstream now -- thanks to rising energy costs -- EcoBroker International of Evergreen, Colo., began training licensed real estate professionals in green-home technologies more than five years ago. Those who receive the EcoBroker designation take courses on topics like energy efficiency, green mortgages and how to market eco-friendly homes to consumers …Full Story