Five-Star Green Condo in Central Austin

Located in one of Austin's coolest areas, this condo boasts a Five-Star Green Rating from Austin Energy's prestigious Green Building Program.

Smack-dab in between North Loop, known for funky vintage shop Room Service and Crestview/Brentwood, where some of Austin's hippest homes (and people) live, 5509 Woodrow kicks back in that very cool and very convenient Burnet/Lamar/Koenig region of town. Close to pretty much everything that represents THE Austin lifestyle: coffee shops, boutiques, Amy's Ice Cream, Phil's Ice House and Dart Bowl.

OK, the location is great, so what makes this such a green condo, anyway?

Glad you asked: 5509 Woodrow, Unit B is about as green as can be: pre-fab construction, high-efficiency HVAC system, including a heat pump, a programmable thermostat and humidistat, a tankless water heater, dual-flush toilets, bamboo floors, Energy Star kitchen appliances, a metal roof, foam insulation, xeriscaped front yard, low-water grass with crushed granite walkways, (pervious cover which allows water to percolate back into the ground) deep roof overhangs to block out the Texas Summer sun, low-E double-paned windows. Enough environmentally-friendly features to receive 150 points from Austin Energy...more than necessary for a five star rating!

Let's talk looks: the builder has a background in design and it shows: using four prefabricated "blocks", he sealed them together in a virtually airtight and seamless building and finished out the rest to his professional standards: stainless appliances, Silestone countertops in kitchen and both bathrooms, gorgeous lighting and ceiling fans, gleaming bamboo floors, efficient use of space and windows that allow light but protect privacy. The house is designed for simple and efficient living but this doesn't preclude luxury: The master bedroom has a wonderful outdoor terrace for coffee in the morning and wine in the evening. The kitchen has a patio for grilling or for just sitting and listening to the birds in one of the tall trees that offer natural shade in the hot Texas Summer. One look at this home and the good life comes to mind!

Asking $379000
Two bedroom, two and a half bathroom
1520 sf
One car garage

MLS# 7533506

kimberly@ethreeproperties.com
512.779.0827

Master Bedroom with front terrace.

Large living room that opens to kitchen.

Gourmet kitchen with a stainless steel island and undermount sink.

Living room with privacy windows.

The xeriscaped front yard saves water and features native plants.

Master bathroom with dual-head shower.

Kitchen has plenty of room for entertaining.

Need more information? Head home!

Austin leads US in Green Energy Sales

Green Power Sales Increased 20% in 2008

Green power sales in 2008 increased by about 20% over 2007, according to new figures released by the Department of Energy.

The DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released its annual assessment of leading utility green power programs, showing that more than 850 utilities across the U.S. now offer green power programs.

Under these voluntary programs, consumers can choose to help support additional electricity production from renewable resources such as wind and solar.

According to the NREL analysis, some of the most popular programs account for up to 5% of total electricity sales.

Wind is the primary source of electricity generated for green energy programs, NREL said.

"Despite the economic downturn, utility green power sales continued to expand nationally last year," said NREL senior energy analyst Lori Bird. "These utilities are the national leaders."

Using information provided by utilities, NREL developed "Top 10" rankings of utility programs for 2008 in the following categories: total sales of renewable energy to program participants, total number of customer participants, the percentage of customer participation, green power sales as a percentage of total utility retail electricity sales, and the lowest price premium charged for a green power program using new renewable resources.

Top Programs

Ranked by renewable energy sales (kWh/year), the green power program of Austin Energy (Texas) is first in the nation.

Rounding out the top five are Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) (Ore.), PacifiCorp (AMEX: PPW-P) (Oregon and five other states), Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) (Minnesota and seven other states), and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (Calif.).

Ranked by the percentage of customer participation, the top utilities are City of Palo Alto Utilities (Calif.), Lenox Municipal Utilities (Iowa), Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR), Madison Gas and Electric Company (Wis.), and Silicon Valley Power (Calif.). (See attached tables for additional rankings).

In 2008, total utility green power sales exceeded 5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). More than 600,000 customers are participating in utility programs nationwide.

"Participating in green power programs is one way that consumers can reduce their environmental footprint," NREL analyst Claire Kreycik, who co-authored the report.

NREL analysts attribute the success of many programs to persistent marketing and creative marketing strategies, including some utility partnerships with independent green power marketers. In addition, the rate premium that customers pay for green power continues to drop.

To see ranking figures, visit the link below.

Website: http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2009/679.html

The Lone Star State leads the country in wind power. Now Texas aims to ramp up its solar production, too.

This week the state senate is considering an avalanche of bills that would boost state incentives for solar power, and the entire legislative session has become known as the “solar session.”

Altogether, according to David Power, the deputy director of Public Citizen Texas, a consumer and environmental advocacy group, there are 69 renewable energy bills before the legislature, and more than 50 of them promote solar power — far more than ever before.

“There are senators and representatives that are talking about solar that have never mentioned the word probably in their lives,” he said. “We’ve actually heard the term ‘global warming,’ and two years ago that was called ‘the G word’ — you didn’t talk about it.”

Mark Strama, a state representative who is a leading promoter of renewable energy, has introduced at least five green bills this year (including a measure that would allow local governments to create a property-tax financing program for solar, along the lines of several California cities).

“It just seems like everybody recognizes our leadership in wind, and that government policy got us where we are today in wind,” he told me last month.

In solar, he added, “We need to catch up.”

Some businesses, concerned about higher energy prices, urge caution.

“The state should avoid picking economic winners and losers in our economy through subsidizing solar — or any energy source — at the expense of the residential, commercial and industrial consumers who contribute significantly to the Texas economy,” Luke Bellsynder, the executive director of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, said in an e-mail message.

He also said, however, that his group supported incentives and tax abatements for solar, and broadening the state’s energy portfolio.

Earlier this month, the city of Austin, which is aggressively pursuing renewable power, unanimously gave a go-ahead to a private company to build the largest photovoltaic plant in the country, so that the local utility, Austin Energy, can buy the electricity produced.

But the city met fierce opposition from struggling local technology companies and other groups, who complained about the prospect of higher electric bills.

The city of Austin is rightfully known for being one of the most environmentally-friendly cities in the US (even though single-stream recycling hasn't gone city-wide yet!) and for good reason: Mayor Wynn is leading the way in climate protection on a municipal level and Austin has the country's oldest and best Green Building program: more than 10,000 buildings rated so far!

Check out this website for information on what Austin is working on and what you can do to live a simpler, cleaner life:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/environmental/

78704 Condo-Chic, Modern, Warm--UNDER CONTRACT!!

Soaring ceilings in living and dining rooms

Gorgeous, custom-designed kitchen


Private, shady terrace off dining room


Living and Dining rooms with huge windows

Upper Terrace-looks toward Barton Springs!

Master Bedroom with private terrace (see below)

Bedroom two with large walk-in closet


Bedroom Three-upstairs

Master portion of Jack and Jill bathroom


Bedroom Two Portion of Jack and Jill bathroom

Upstairs powder room

Community Pool-wonderfully kept complex, also with BBQ deck and fitness room!

Beautifully renovated condo in the heart of Austin's coolest zip: 78704. Steps from Barton Springs, Zilker Park, Hike and Bike Trail, the Barton Creek Greenbelt and Restaurant Row. Relax in the community pool or hang out with your neighbors at the BBQ Deck. Ride your bike, scooter or bus to downtown and the UT campus. Nestled inside Barton Hills, one of Austin's most coveted and progressive neighborhoods, this is truly a wonderful south/central Austin property!

In 2006, the owners added stunning maple floors, a gourmet kitchen with stainless appliances, granite countertops, solid wood cabinets, excellent task lighting, a new HVAC system and upgraded lighting, plus the entire complex was completely rejuvenated.

Three Bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms (Jack and Jill bathroom adjoins two bedrooms downstairs), huge closets and pantry, 1340 sf, two RSVP parking spaces, one covered.

Neutral paint, fantastic layout, two private terraces, incredible complex with exercise room, pool and BBQ deck-this condo is definitely ready to enjoy.

Asking $299,000--an amazing price for 78704 and proximity to the best Austin has to offer: culture, outdoor activity, great food and downtown.

Please contact Kimberly White Erlinger at kimberly@greenrealtytx.com

512-779-0827

MLS# 9447477