Houston Red Winger

Although vehicle emissions get most of the ink, the energy used inside our homes and businesses end up producing the lion's share of emissions each year in the US: 48%. That's why, each year, the EPA takes an inventory on which cities are making the largest effort to lower their skyline's carbon footprint. They measure that by the number of Energy Star labeled buildings in a given city.

In order to get that coveted rating, a building must consume 35% less electricity and emit 35% less greenhouse emissions than a conventional structure its size. 2008 saw a massive 130% jump in the number of Energy Star qualified buildings around the nation. Here's a list of the cities that really put their money where their mouth is.

1 Los Angeles

2 SF

3 Houston

4 ...

When we moved from Michigan to the Houston area a few summers ago, we were told to buy a house less than 10 years old, becasue the older homes are not energy efficient, and electricity bills of $1000 in the summer were possible. We ended up buying a brand new house (it was still being built), and our utility bills have been surprisingly low. Our house is an Energy Star house, and we feel we made the right decision.

Perhaps Houston is near the top of the list due to the many new homes built here over the past 10 years?

Thanks to all who replied! I think I need "expert" help, so I am going to try the Houston Optometry school first. I just went there on Monday for the first time (U of H) with my son for a campus visit - he is a high school senior this year.

I should present a challenging case for them. If this does not work out, then I will try the private practice suggestion.

Hello! I have been lurking, and have decided to get involved in this forum, and to start off, I need some help!

I just moved here last year, and needed new glasses. I have severe astigmatism / myopia, but can see great with the properly fitted glasses. I went to a local optometrist in Missouri City and it seems the prescription is OK, bu I can only see clearly when I move the glasses away from my eyes. This is unworkable, and creates a horrible tunnel effect. I have given up on my new glasses, and my optometrist can seem to fix the problem.

I need the name and location of a really good optician. In my old town of Midland, MI, I went to the same old optician for many years. He took my prescription, carefully took measurments with the frames I picked out, and I was always very happy with the results. With my eyesight, it is critical to align the prescription with the frames, and a good optician can do this. I probably need to check the prescription again, too, just in case. Unfortunately, the option of going back to Midland, MI is off the table - the optician passed away recently.

Any suggestions? I cannot wear contacts or get Lasik surgery due to my severe astigmatism, so please do not suggest that. I just need a good optician or optician / optometrist combination.

Yea, you're probably right. But it was the pants, not his "wife and three kids" ... that means nothing, in terms of being able to figure people out.

...at risk of derailing this thread... here's something to get us back on track:

I am learning how to imbed video... try this video - it is hilarious:

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