Modern. Sustainable. Atlanta. 404.303.7280

    • June

      23

      2012
    • 2232
    • 0

    Passive Solar Design Basics

    Passive solar design begins with the simple idea that you can build a house that uses natural heating, cooling, ventilation and daylighting. These homes require much less fossil fuel energy to heat and cool than conventional homes do, which is better for the environment and saves passive solar homeowners money. Passive solar homes are comfortable to live in because they are designed to radiate heat in winter, maintain a comfortable year-round temperature, ventilate naturally, and let in plenty of natural light.

    I became interested in sustainable design, specifically passive solar design, as a young architect

    • June

      23

      2012
    • 1845
    • 0

    Zehnder America, Inc. is Recognized for its Cutting-edge Residential Heat

    Zehnder America announces that it has completed the 3rd party testing of the Zehnder ComfoAir 350 HRV and has joined the Home Ventilating Institute (http://www.hvi.org) who is making these test results public. This breakthrough is the confirmation that Zehnder America is leading the way of the next generation of Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems in North America. Zehnder’s ComfoAir 350HRV with its counter flow heat-exchanger recovers over 90% of the room temperature. As a result, during a cold winter day, the incoming fresh air into the ho

    • June

      22

      2012
    • 2381
    • 0

    Japanese ‘Light House’ | Optimising Natural Light Without the Heat

    With extensive benefits, natural lighting is a key focus for the modern interior designer. Natural lighting in green buildings is even more important, and the balancing act between natural light allowance and solar shading is a challenge for designers around the world.

    A clever piece of innovation from a Japanese architectural firm, however, demonstrates that extensive natural lighting does not have to mean thermal gain. Architectural firm Takeshi Hosaka architects have developed the ‘Daylight House’ in Yokohama

    • June

      22

      2012
    • 1597
    • 0

    Yes, U.S. Oil and Gas Production Is Increasing, but Energy Efficiency Is Still the Number One Resource

    A variety of recent articles have trumpeted how U.S. oil and gas production is up. For example, Daniel Yergin, in a New York Timesop ed, notes that U.S. oil production has increased 1.6 million barrels per day since 1998 and that a further 0.6 million barrel increase may be possible this year. He also notes how shale gas is now 37% of U.S. production, up from 2% a dozen years ago. And he quotes President Obama as saying that shale gas development had by 2010 supported 600,000 jobs (this includes direct, indirect and induced jobs). EIA notes that U.S. oil production in the first quarter of 2012 is at the highest level since 1998. These increases are largely driven by advances in hydraulic

    • June

      22

      2012
    • 1768
    • 0

    All Decked Out: Eco-friendly Deck Sealers

    ‘Tis the season to enjoy al fresco dining, but first you might need to re-stain your deck or patio furniture to enhance and protect the natural beauty of the wood. If water doesn’t bead up on the surface, it’s time to protect it from the elements to ensure it’ll last a long time.

    Opt for stains and finishes that aren’t comprised of harsh chemicals that may be harmful to your kids, pets and the environment.

    Whether you’re looking for

    • June

      22

      2012
    • 1810
    • 0

    Is the GSA switching to a new green standard?

    The General Services Administration, the “landlord” of the federal government, soon might uproot its longtime standard for green building in favor of a fresh face.

    The GSA since 2003 has required construction adhere to varying standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system. An initial review in 2006 identified LEED Gold, the third of that system’s four tiers, as the benchmark for new construction.

    “It was kind of the only game in town,” said Joni Teter, sustainability and green building programs advisor in the GSA’s Office of Federal High Performance Building.

    Now, The Green Building Initiative’s

    • June

      22

      2012
    • 1485
    • 0

    Top Ten Net Zero Buildings

    Several of the world’s top 10 net-zero buildings are in the U.S., including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, the proposed NYCTech campus and the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in New York state, and the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies in Ohio. These structures use — or will use — a variety of energy-saving technologies to achieve net-zero status,

    • June

      22

      2012
    • 2047
    • 0

    Top 5 Permeable Driveways

    Driveways and other parking areas are typically paved with asphalt or concrete, and are not only unattractive, but detrimental to the environment. When it rains, debris and pollutants flow off these impervious surfaces into our waterways, many times via the sewer system, which contributes to stormwater runoff pollution. See the top 5 examples here……..

    • June

      2

      2012
    • 1321
    • 0

    New Guide Helps Appraisers Factor Energy Efficiency into Valuations

    Energy costs are the single largest expense for commercial buildings. IMT seeks to develop and deliver new methods and approaches for appraisers and lenders to use in considering the influence of energy performance on commercial and residential property values. IMT works with appraisers, real estate agents and other real estate professionals to increase the recognition of energy costsand energy performance in commercial property valuation. IMT’s work in this area includes research, continuing education for professionals and promoting enhanced methods of documenting and benchmarking

    • June

      2

      2012
    • 2209
    • 0

    Ventilation in Passive Housing – Why Doesn’t Airtight Housing Choke?

    We know that ventilation is incredibly important in developing comfortable and practical interior design – but when we’re dealing with a passive house; a highly energy efficient building that is known for its key feature of airtight insulation – the means of ventilation are paramount.
    The passive house design means that through high levels of insulation and window energy efficiency, airflow into of out of the building is limited. A complete lack of fresh air amounts to an unliveable building.
    Equally important as this highly energy efficient design – which generally gets all the media attention – are the ventilation processes that, as anyone who deals in passive design development knows, are the key element in providing liveable interiors.
    However, air quality issues are not the only problem that faces a building that doesn’t ‘breathe’. Moisture can develop, causing mold and.

    • June

      2

      2012
    • 1434
    • 0

    Energy efficient home nets cash for owners

    If things go as planned, Ashley Warren and Anthony Spicer won’t pay an electric bill at their new home in Whitley County. They’ll be getting a check from the power company instead.

    The couple and their three daughters recently moved into a house designed to use 90 percent less energy for heating and cooling than a conventional home.

    The house also has solar panels on the roof that generate power to sell back to the electric company.

    Spicer said the electric bill at the house they rented before moving averaged $350 to $370 a month.

    “It’s going to mean everything” to get rid of that payment, Spicer said. “We’re going to be able to buy things we couldn’t normally buy because of this.”

    • June

      2

      2012
    • 4816
    • 0

    Light 12-Glazed Window on the Horizon, at R-38

    In the USA, most windows are probably single- or double-glazed and some builders will use triple-glazed windows for Passive House and other high-performance homes. But in Hanover, Germany, a 12-glazed window prototype by Mariusz Paszkowski and Antoni Kostka was the star of the recent International Passive House Conference, according toDer Standard. Check out these windows with aerogel!

    The two scientists, in conjunction with SUPERWINDOWS, showcased INVIS160stack and INVIS160tweed, and both of the prototypes are about 160 mm thick, though they weigh no more than a double- or triple-glazed window unit.

    • June

      2

      2012
    • 1644
    • 0

    Six Things LEED Consultants Do Wrong in Specs

    LEED consultants are paid to lend their expertise to achieve a project’s LEED certification goals. Their decisions focus on achieving credits and their participation is absolutely vital to the project, but some can actually work against the project’s sustainability goals. Here are the top six problems I see.

    #1 Discouraging bidding by specifying unrealistic LEED requirements

    When a specification requires a regional source, a recycled content percentage, and certain certifications for a product, the specifier has to be certain that conforming products exist. On a recent project, the only bidder

    • June

      1

      2012
    • 2057
    • 0

    Defining Undefined Loss Exposure in Green Construction

    A green heating system that doesn’t heat. LEED-certified units that meet fewer than half the requirements for certification. Clients suing construction firms because of lost tax breaks from promised green buildings.

    Welcome to green construction. Even as the green construction movement is taking wing, legal experts are warning of the dangerous territory ahead.

    Some such territory includes lawsuits like this: A builder is sued by the client because the client lost a tax break for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, because the building ultimately did not meet the LEED level asked for by the client. Other lawsuits include a luxury condominium complex in Battery Park City, N.Y., where its owners are suing developers for $1.5 million for fraud and breach of …..

    • June

      1

      2012
    • 2172
    • 0

    Passive House Training is Coming to Atlanta This Fall

    Certified Passive House Consultant Training Coming to Atlanta

    Offered in Partnership with PHAAtlanta.org, the Local Passive House Chapter.

    Phase1:October 15-19, 8:30-5:00

    Phase 2: November 5-8, 8:30-5:00

    Exam (optional) on November 8

    MD Tech Training Center, 3580 Pierce Dr, Suite 160 Chamblee, GA 30341

    Download additional training information:

Search
Latest Posts
facebook instagram House Pinterest Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

© Copyright EcoCustom Homes | 5784 Lake Forrest Dr | Suite 216 | Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328 | 404.303.7280
Costs of Custom Homes

The first thing most people want to know is: What does it costs to build a 3000 sqft custom home in the Atlanta, GA. market?  The first thing you have to calculate is the square footage you want.  Once you have that, the numbers below give you a good starting point.

Adjusted Square Foot Calculation:

New Construction:

Renovations:

×