Dallas has now accepted the first building permit applications under its green building ordinance. Dallas is one of the first major cities in the nation to implement comprehensive mandatory green building standards for both all new residential and commercial construction.
A ductless minisplit head isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, at least not aesthetically. One reader wonders if he can still get the benefits of a ductless system if he hides the head and makes his own ducts. (Photo: Fujitsu)A ductless mini-split head isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, at least not aesthetically. One reader wonders if he can still get the benefits of a ductless system if he hides the head and makes his own ducts.
Ductless mini-splits have a lot going for them. These high-performance
Even fencing in your backyard can be done in a more earth-friendly manner with products composed of recycled materials, such as plastic (typically HDPE) and reclaimed wood fibers. This combination of materials creates a low-maintenance, durable composite fence that is resistant to cracking, rotting, and insect damage. Plus, it offers the look of wood, but ….. Click Here to see the rest.
Cork? You’ve got to be kidding!
I first learned about expanded cork insulation years ago when exploring the attic of a 1920s-era home in Brattleboro. I found a rigid boardstock insulation comprised of cork with plaster on one side. It was made by Armstrong, which was then a company making cork products but is today one of the world’s leading manufacturers of flooring and ceiling products.
It turns out that the product was invented by accident…….. read more here.
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for winter to come to an end. Adios thermal underwear, hello shorts! Happily, the spring equinox occurs on March 20th this year, which is today! The equinox marks the two times each year at which day and night are equally balanced. In Feng Shui philosophy, the vernal equinox indicates the moment at which the excess of dark, cold, passive yin energy shifts into balance with the bright, hot, active yang energy. We move away from the extended hours of darkness and move into the longer daylight hours. Most importantly, it symbolizes a time for a new cycle of growth and ………………….. Read The Rest Here.
One year ago, Energy Star 3.0 went into effect with more rigorous requirements and checklists, particularly in the areas of air sealing and HVAC sizing and installation. Many large production builders such as KB Home and Meritage Homes were early adopters of the new system, meeting the criteria months before the changes became mandatory.
CR Herro, Meritage vice president of energy efficiency and sustainability, and Dan Bridleman, KB Home senior vice president for sustainability, technology and strategic sourcing, talk about what the new approach has meant for their companies and how smaller-sized builders can………..
Green building means different things to different people, but improved insulation and reducing energy use is certainly up at the top of everyone’s list. Some of the most effective insulations are made from plastic foam, either in rigid boards or sprayed foams.
But there are concerns; Architect Ken Levenson recently wrote a controversial article, Why Foam Fails. Reason #1: Dangerous Toxic Ingredients, which was the start of a series that is very critical of foam insulation. I wrote about it inDoes Foam Insulation Belong in Green Buildings? 13 Reasons It Probably Doesn’t and at the Green Building Advisor, the discussion almost turned into a flame war between those who think that plastic foam does a great job, and those who agree with ……….
Low-Tech Rainscreen with Charred Wood Jetson Green Zero Cottage — a net-zero energy project pursuing Living Building Challenge, LEED Platinum, Green Point Rated, and Passive House certifications — is finishing nicely. Part of the exterior has a handsome rainscreen of vertical cedar battens and …
Our cars are starting to become more eco-friendly. Solar and wind energy are becoming major talking points in the broader moments of the Presidential election. There are even mobile apps that help us get a little bit greener.
But there are still parts of the home that need serious attention. We waste a lot of water with our traditional plumbing fixtures (toilets, showers, faucets, etc.). Inefficient AC systems can rob you of hard-earned money and drive up your energy use. So-called “phantom” electronicscan keep your energy running all day, every day.
But, while all of those are problems that should certainly be looked at and fixed, if possible, the biggest problem in our homes that we probably never think about is the hot water heater.
‘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
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……..
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.
[Editor’s note: This post is authored by Bill Walsh, Executive Director of the Healthy Building Network .] When building products carry different green certifications, how do you know which product is best? Maybe there is a way to compare apples and oranges. As green certifications and labels have proliferated, so has greenwash.
Unique Habitat For Humanity Home Boasts Ultra-Energy Savings WPTZ The Champlain Valley By Jill Glavan CHARLOTTE, Vt. — The final of three homes built by Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity in Charlotte is completed and leaders say the ultra-energy efficient model is already catching on
To read what manufacturers and distributors say about it, you’d think autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) was some kind of new, space-age environmental miracle.
Although it certainly has some nifty properties, AAC isn’t new and isn’t miraculous–but it’s certainly popular in Europe, and has been for decades; according to one source, it accounted for 60% of all new construction in Germany in 2006. It has enjoyed pretty flat market share (of near zero) here in the U.S., though, since it was first introduced in the 1990s.
Is there space for AAC in the U.S. market?
10 Green Building Predictions for 2012 from Earth Advantage Institute MarketWatch (press release) Portland State University’s mechanical engineering department recently partnered with a local builder to measure the effects of phase change material used as insulation in a duplex passive house , while Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories is …
Want to create a cozy retreat for those cold, wintry days and nights? There are many things you can do to make your home feel warmer, improve its efficiency and lower energy bills. In this post I’ll focus on ideas for drafty windows and doors. ADD THERMAL DRAPES OR ADD CURTAIN LINERS to your regular.
