Green Myth Busters



	Solar power can’t work in Oregon. There isn’t enough sunshine year round. False. Solar energy can be produced and used almost anywhere. Your Resource for Going Solar in Oregon Solar Water Heating


	Wind farms are environmentally hazardous to indigenous plants, animals, insects, and humans. False. Wind generation produces no emissions, harmful pollutants or waste products. Environmental impact assessment and wildlife assessments are conducted on future wind farm sites. Wind farm operators continue to work with wildlife officials and nature conservationist to minimize impact on wildlife and their habitat. Wind Power Myths vs. Facts Common Eco-Myth: Wind Turbines Kill Birds Portland General Electric's Renewable Choices


	Lawns have to be watered daily to stay lush, green, and beautiful. False. Lawns only need 1 to 2 inches per week. Saving Water in Your Home


	The only way to increase fuel efficiency is to buy a hybrid. False. Keep your car tuned and the tires properly inflated, turn off the AC when you can, and reduce the amount of weight the vehicle carries. Green is Not Just the Paint Color


	Earth friendly products are hard to find and expensive. False. There are thousands of companies who pride themselves on their earth friendly products that will help make the world more livable and create better living for our future generations. It's Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living

Hasson Agent Green Real Estate Tips

Over 2.5 million tons of carpet is discarded in the U.S. each year.

Replacing sections with carpeting tiles can significantly lower this figure. If 10,000 people purchased carpeting by the tile, it would prevent 163,000 pounds of unused carpet from ending up in landfills.

Reusing building materials decreases demand for virgin materials and landfill space.

Vintage materials are often less expensive and more unique. If 10,000 people recycled building materials, the amount of energy saved would be equal to the energy produced by 78 million gallons of gasoline—enough to drive an SUV around the earth 55,000 times.

Applying for a green mortgage increases your buying power.

Energy-efficient construction and retrofitting not only improve the resale value of your home, but can also increase your home-buying power. Lenders treat expected energy savings as income, allowing borrowers to qualify for larger mortgages. If 10,000 people converted to Energy Star-qualified homes, the oil saved each year would fill 6,000 hot tubs.

Having a plant about every 10 square feet in your house can provide great air filtration.

Plants such as philodendrons and peace lilies do an excellent job of absorbing airborne pollutants and are easy to keep. If 10,000 people unplugged their 24-hour electric air purifiers in favor of air-filtering plants for one year, the electricity saved could power a 29-story building for a month.