Julia Roberts’ home goes solar
Posted on Thursday, September 20th, 2007 at 4:19 pmIn today’s Ecorazzi there’s a little blurb about Julia Roberts installing solar panels on her big house. Apparently, in fixing up this house, Julia is using eco-friendly supplies such as wood from sustainably managed forests and recycled tiles.
Once this project is done, Julia (who’s a spokesperson for Earth Biofuels) will be working on getting a car big enough for her growing family that runs on vegetable oil.
On the topic of solar energy, today’s Ideal Bite tip describes the benefits of solar power:
- A clean, renewable energy source. One hour’s worth of the sunlight that hits the earth provides more energy than we humans use in a whole year.
- Smaller bills. With the right system, you’ll never pay another electricity bill, and in some areas, you can even receive credit for excess energy you send into the grid.
- Lower and lower costs. The price of solar is dropping. Plus, federal and state tax deductions and rebates can slash up to 75% off the cost of a new home system.
- Valuable real estate. Solar-electric systems increase a home’s value by $20K for every $1K reduction in yearly energy bills. That’s a lotta Ks.
I don’t see why she needs such a big house. If she really cared about the environment, she’d live in something smaller like the rest of us. These wealthy movie stars and entertainers set a horrible example for the people who look up to them. I am glad she is at least going solar, but she probably consumes what 20 normal Americans would, or more.
posted on September 23rd, 2007 at 7:04 pmI agree with you there. However, we don’t know how many people are housed there. She may have living quarters for staff or extended family.
posted on October 5th, 2007 at 12:41 pmHooray Julia! Way to go! Who cares if her house is bigger? Lots of folks in history have had big houses… old Chinese society, Aztec… I’m pretty darn sure they didn’t use a lot of energy. And who knows the kind of eco-friendly appliances she’s placing in her house? Maybe, just maybe, she’s using the MOST environmentally friendly appliances known to man and our little houses are the real gas guzzlers. Let’s show support for one another. And congratulate each other on what we ARE accomplishing… to make it easier to accomplish even more.
posted on October 9th, 2007 at 11:28 amCriticism, even if well-intentioned, creates resistance… which is counter to what we want, right?
Show. Set the example. She’s doing the right thing. Think of the effects if EVERYONE used solar panels on their houses and recycled tiles? Because she’s a movie star and people watch what she does. Like I said. Hoorah!
Does Oscar winner Al Gore walk the walk?
posted on November 30th, 2007 at 10:56 pmIt works, we installed it at our house. We recently remodeled / doubled the size of our house and added a 2nd AC unit (we live in Phoenix, we need AC for basic survival in the summer) and our electric bill did not change. If someone is successful, would like a large house and does something like this I don’t think that we should be so fast to pass judgement. Have any of you out there made the investment in Solar? If you have, congrats and you know how expensive the up front cost is. If you haven’t, look into it. It’s worth it.
posted on December 6th, 2007 at 4:27 pmI applaud Julia, Brad, Leonardo and other “green” celebrities for caring enough about the environment to lead their lives sustainably. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, everyone can do something to make this world a better place and celebrities, being in the public eye, are the greatest influence to others. They are the trendsetters and the masses WILL follow their lead.
In regards to gigantic celebrity homes… If you were constantly in the public eye and wanted privacy for you and your family, you would create as large of haven as possible to create safety, privacy and comfort. Imagine not being able to leave your home without being attacked by paparazzi; not being able to go out to eat without being approached by the waiter for an autograph, or being gawked at through the window; not being able to buy your own groceries or things for your children without having to go after hours or send an assistant; fearing for the safety of your children… Celebrities go through this on a daily basis. They virtually live their entire lives inside their home in an effort to get any sort of privacy for their families. Granted, many celebrities don’t deserve their lifestyles and many encourage the invasion into their lives, but many also want to have a regular life like everyone else.
posted on January 15th, 2008 at 1:27 pmisn’t this fantastic what ive done with the place?¿
posted on January 30th, 2008 at 5:55 pmI really think this is a good idea! Im only 15, but im trying to be more eco-friendly. Ive tried to get my friends to be more eco-friendly to, some think its stupid to be like this, but i really would like to make a change in the environment. and i know this change starts with my generation
posted on March 11th, 2008 at 1:45 pm