2008 Woodie Awards
Mother Nature comes home
Diana Nguyen
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: In Focus
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"It was very emotional for my family and me," Moniz said.
While many people would express grief, disappointment, and anger, Moniz was busy planning a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly new home for him and his family.
Their home is completely rebuilt and remodeled and includes such features as 18 solar panels installed in the roof that produce most of his home's energy.
The home also features sustainaly harvested wood floors, soy walls, solar fans, solar tubes, tankless water heaters, low-flush toilets, and other earth friendly features.
It's evident that Rick Moniz and his family, which includes sons Ian, Jordan, and wife Monique, are dedicated environmentalists.
"Not only am I sparing the environment, but I am also saving myself a lot of money on energy and water consumption. Last month, my energy bill was $4," Moniz said.
The average household's energy bill for a typical family home is about $56.70, according to Adriana Williams, a representative from PG&E.
When the grid that measures the home's energy use reads that no energy is used, but rather more energy is produced, PG&E gives a credit to the homeowner's bill, explained Williams.
Even before his devastating house fire, Moniz was taking baby steps to living a green lifestyle.
He used solar sunscreens, shopped at farmer's market, and had a handful of house appliances that were Earth friendly.
He also does his laundry with an energy and water conserving washing machine and dryer, and he does it in the wee hours of the morning when energy consumption is low.
Thanks to the heat in Davis, Moniz is also known to hang-dry his laundry to further conserve energy by not using a dryer.
These environmentalists also drive hybrid vehicles.
"I drive a 2005 Prius. I get about 50 miles per gallon," Moniz said.
"It is upsetting that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has a collection of Hummers, and takes no action in passing laws that would reduce the burning of fossil fuels."
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