Greening Lifestyles Continued from previous page
Special Supplement • Autumn 2012
literally “stick it to the Man,” well, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which has been pushing the Los Angeles City Council to approve rate increases. Boone noted that DWP recently raised rates. “They said sorry, but we just have to do it because the cost of energy is going up. But if you go solar, you can power up and charge your car for free.” On Sept. 12, the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners voted to raise electric rates over 2 years to pay for investments needed to comply with legal mandates to draw its power supply from renewable sources and replace the rapidly aging infrastructure to maintain power On Sept. 25 the Los Angeles City Council voted 10-4 in favor of a DWP rate increase, 4–9 percent this year and 6 percent the following year. The action would increase DWP’s system average rate by 11.1 percent within two years, or 1.4 cents per kilowatt-hour (KWh). Typical residential customers who use 500 KWh per month would see an increase half that amount (5.5 percent) within the two years, and pay $3.65 cents more per month on the current average monthly electric bill of $65.79 in the second year of the rate increase. The Boones tie into the DWP grid and put energy in during the day peak demand and use their major appliances at night when demand is lowest. “We put energy in during the day at the most expensive rates because they are going to charge you more during the day than if you use it at night,” Rodney said. “So they have to credit us at a higher amount.” “We produce and use most of our energy at night,” Rodney said. “That’s when we run the dishwasher; that’s when we might run the television; and that’s when we charge the car. It’s called a time of use metering, so we draw out energy at a lower rate than we put it in.” This past June, the Boones completed re-landscaping the exterior of their home with yucca trees, succulents, cactus and other drought-tolerant plants, covering the front and rear of the house, including several terraced levels in their backyard, surrounding their pool. “We’ve built up $600 credit,” Rodney said. The Boones used more than they produced for the first time as a result of the landscaping, but their net energy use will soon go back to zero. The couple said that they estimate that they will have paid off their panels in 8 years. That’s a bargain, considering that the solar panels have a 40-year estimated lifespan. Because they charge their car at home they don’t spend money on fuel and have yet to spend any money on maintenance; not to mention the perks that come with driving an electric car like free parking in some places. Because they have droughtresistant plants their water usage bill is minimal. “We do think that global warming is a problem and if we can do something to help, … that feels good; but also, some of the things that we actually save us money,” Kyle Boone said. “I don’t think that people realize that at some point in time if you start using solar panels and driving an electric car, you will not have an electric bill, you will not have a gasoline bill, and if you can put cactus and succulents in you’re not going to have much of a water bill.” The Boones do have gas-fueled car they use for long-distance driving, but they are on a waiting for the Tesla S, an electric sedan that has a range of up to 300 miles. “A lot of people probably think it is too hard or too difficult to get solar panels, to have an electrical car, or get rid of your yard,” Kyle Boone explained. “But it actually isn’t. HL HarboRLiving
Home Descriptions Continued from page 10
floor plan. A sitting room, kitchen and guest bedroom are to the right with living and dining room to the left. Upstairs features several bedrooms and a large patio with Harbor views. Read Home Decorator and Chef on page 12.
Neo-Eclectic Living
Driving by the South Shores home of Kyle and Rodney Boone you might not think much. Don’t let the simple exterior fool you—upon entry, you’ll be struck with a fantastic ocean view straight ahead. The entry level of the home features a high-ceilinged living and dining room, kitchen and family room. Each is full of interesting photography and Mexican folk art. The dining room, in particular, shows off the couple’s appreciation for Mexican and Central American artwork and furniture. It features bright, multi-colored dining chairs and a whimsical chandelier overhead. Downstairs are the bedrooms, bathrooms and office, showcasing more of the Boone’s art collection. One quick look at the mural in the bathroom and the ducks hanging from the ceiling and you’ll realize that these two PhDs have a strong sense of humor. Because of their interest in the environment and environmental causes, the Boone’s recently installed solar panels to power the home—including powering their electric car. Earlier this year, they finished a landscaping project adding all drought-resistant plants to the front and rear of the home, including several terraced levels surrounding their swimming pool.
The Aquatic Center Piece
When Diana Kos and Stephen Read purchased their South Shores home, they didn’t quite know what to make of the swimming pool in the middle of the living room. Today, it’s no longer a novelty but simply a part of how they live. They also live amidst a career’s worth of artwork from Diana, an award-winning painter and unique colorist. Read the cover story, Artists & Creative Spaces for more details about this home. Home Descriptions Continued on page 12 11
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