YourEcoTeam

GREEN HOMES


  

 

GREEN HOMES

 

Energy Use in United States:       Energy Reduction Challenge:

 

Residential   21% of Energy       Current (2008)    50% less energy use 
Industrial   35% of Energy   2010 Goal    60% less energy use 
Transportation   27% of Energy    2015 Goal    70% less energy use 
Commercial    17% of Energy    2030    100% less energy use 
             

 

 Typical Energy Use in a Single Family Home:

 

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Note:  New California and Federal proposed standards will dramatically raise standards for homes energy saving systems.  Rating systems such as those of RESNET, HERS, CHEERS, LEED Residential, and Green Point will be used.

 

 

 

HOW TO GREEN YOUR HOME

 

  • Use durable materials:  Windows, doors.
  • Location and orientation of home are important factors when building
  • Reair air leaks
  • Insulation (one of the most effective energy/cost savers) is important in attics, walls, and floors.  Make sure it is an environmentally friendly insulation
  • Radiant barriers for remodels and news construction.  (Tape panel joints)
  • Seal air leaks. Detect with 'Blower Door Tests' and 'Infared Photos'
  • Heating & cooling systems.  * Spec A/C to fit building plans.
  • Seal air duct leaks.
  • Tankless, 'on-demand', or solar water heaters will save energy and money
  • Lighting:  1) Natural light, 2) Florescent lights, 3) LED lights (last up to 15 years)
  • Energy Star Appliances.  New: 'Magnetic induction cooktops'
  • Photovoltaic cells - produce energy -  can help homeowners to go "off the grid"
  • Water efficiency - low flow faucets & showers. Faucet aerators, low water or dual flush toilets
  • Paint.  Low on NO "VOC."  (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • Formaldehyde (eliminate) is used in plywood, MDF, carpets, glue, fiberglass and in cabinets.
  • Carpets.  Buy "green label" or "green label plus" carpets with NO formaldehyde.
  • FSC, "Forest Stewardship Council"  eco-timber products, are "certified" FSC
  • Natural linoleum - sustainable floor tiles (recyclable)
  • Sealed fireplace.
  • Whole house fans, ceiling fans, energy recovery ventilators.
  • On site residential check points for Green Rating:  1) Energy, 2) Water, 3) Air quality, 4) Construction quality
  • How Buildings affect the environment:  1) Use of non FSC timber and wood products,  2) Cement is largest co2 manufacturing contributor, 3) Construction waste products, 4) Not energy efficient structures.
  • Consumer Benefit Potential:  1) United States Government incentives & Rebates,     2) California incentives, 3) Utility company incentives and rebates,  4) Savings (cost) in energy bills.

 

There are many more ways to be environmentally conscious and build green. Check out our "TIPS" page and request information on a variety of specific topics.  If you would like information and tips at your fingertips you may want to visit your local library or bookstore to get the following two books: Green Building from A to Zby Jerry Yudelson; and 1001 Little Ways to Save the Planet by Esme Floyd.

 Courtesy of  Allen & Associates, AIA, Santa Barbara, CA

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http://www.dennisallenassociates.com/index.htm      (CLICK ON WEB NAME OR ON LOGO FOR LINK)

Information courtsey of Allen Associates, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Ventura, Kauai:  Architects, Green Home Bulders, Built to Ship, Custom Homes, LEED Consultation Services, Home Performance Contracting; AND from a collection of supporting resources, spoken & written by people who care about being GREEN.

 

 

 

 

HOW TO GREEN YOUR LIFE

 

www.sharingsolution.com

 

 

 

Plan Your Own Green Projects

 

Energy improvement projects can  cut power usage and greenhouse gas emissions in half.  They are often easier to do than you imagine and will save you more money than you expect.  However, houses and living situations differ, so tackle your own plan.  Here are some tips to get you started:

  1. Make a full list of projects to reduce your energy use.  Here are some resources.  EERE consumer tips: www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/index.thml.   Home energy saver:  www.hes.lbl.gov  EEBA Energy Checklist:  www.eeba.org/resources/publications/hec/index.html
  2. Don't do projects that aren't feasible for your residence or situation.  Just throw these out or put them    on a list to be considered later.
  3. Evaluate each project -- estimate the cost, energy savings and greenhouse reduction.  See if you can    come up with a rough idea of what it would cost and what kind of savings to expect.
  4. Make a master list of projects that you intend to do over time.   Using your evaluations from Step 3, weed out the projects from your original list of possibilities that don't seem worth it or that may not fit your    budget.  This should leave a list that makes sense for your situation, economics, and the planet.
  5. Sequence the Projects.  Put them in the order you want to do them.  All things being equal, you might do the projects that save the most money first.  But there are other factors; such as  the fact that some      projects may interfere with others it done too early, some projects may not fit your budget, and you might just be more interested in some projects than others.
  6. Do them!  Have fun and keep track of your projects.  Be proud of the results.  Here are some additional resources:  "Insulate and Weatherize" a book by Bruce Harley, www.builditsolar.com 

 

 

 

 

 

Eco Ideas for Your Home

 

  1. Ditch the Paper Towels.   Instead use micro-fiber cloth towels.
  2. Java Scrub.  Mix some used coffee grounds with your favorite hand soap for an exfoliate 
  3. Soy Candles.  A cleaner and greener choice.
  4. Dodge the Drafts.  Stop drafts at windows and doors with a long fabric tube.
  5. Be Sparing with Paint.  Don't over buy paint - and use low or no VOC paints.
  6. Put your computer on sleep.  Remove the screen saver and put computer on sleep or standby mode.
  7. Recycle Your Cell Phone.   Bring to a Call2Recycle box or turn in to your phone store.
  8. Bring on the Bandanas.  Try bandanas instead of paper napkins when entertaining.
  9. Trap Your Trash.  Use a trash can with a tight fitting lid to keep trash in its place
  10. Make Donations.  Give FreeCycle a try.  It connects you with people who may want your throw aways.

 

   http://www.potterybarn.com/ 

 

 

 

How to Live an Eco-Chic Way of Life: 

18 Ways to Save Energy (and Money) at Home.

  1. Put Outdoor lights on a timer or use sensors.  This keeps lights OFF during the daylight hours.
  2. Have a conversation with your utility company.  Utility companies are offering rebates and incentives to customers who take conservation measures. In states other than California, use a search engine to find your local utility companies.
  3. Green your holiday lights by using LED lighting.
  4. Let the dishwasher wash your dishes. It's not necessary to  pre-wash or rinse.  You can save up to 6500 gallons of water a year.
  5. Let the washing machine work.  Use COLD water.  Most detergents have germ killing agents and work just as well in cold water.
  6. Line dry clothes.  Dry clothes on a line or on hangars inside the house.
  7. Lower the temperature on your heating system by 2 degrees or more.
  8. Seal ducts. Sealing cracks in ducts and around windows and doors can reduce your energy bills by 30%.
  9. Insulate properly - especially for older homes. Insulation can reduce energy costs by 10% or more.
  10. Call in a professional.  Professional energy auditors can inspect your home to find energy leaks.  Certified energy auditors in your area can be found at www.resnet.com.
  11. Clean the refrigerator coils with vacuum attachment or your best available method.  Keeping the coils under or behind the fridge clean will enable it to operate more efficiently.
  12. Use power strips.  Plug items into a power strip that can be turned off all at once.  Turn off all items when not in use.
  13. Portable heating and cooling units.  Portable units often save energy by heating or cooling only the areas where needed.
  14. Block out the sun.  Use shades, drapes and curtains to block out the sun on hot days.  This will help to keep the air conditioner from kicking in as often and keeps the suns rays from from heating up the room.
  15. Use trees for shade.  Plant trees on the west or south side of your home to help shelter it from direct sun and keep the inside temperature cooler.
  16. Drive less, Bike More.  15 miles less driving per week (bike, carpool, walk), eliminates 900 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.  So try biking, walking, & carpooling errands.
  17. Drive smart and tune up.  A hybrid or electric vehicle eliminates 5600 pounds of CO2 per year. If you're not due a new car yet, clean oil & properly inflated tires eliminate over 1000 pounds of CO2 a year.
  18. Reduce, REcycle, Shop Local.  Recycle glass, aluminum, plastic, & paper and shop local by trying out that local farmers market  

 

 

 

 

GREEN MYTHS

  • "Recycling wastes more energy than it saves."

TRUTH:  Recycling aluminum cans  cuts energy use and greenhouse gases by 95%  compared with the energy to manufacture new products from raw materials.

  • "Natural cleaners don't disinfect."

TRUTH:  Natural cleaners are highly effective in the bath and kitchen.  Studies show that all you need to wipe out Salmonella, Shigella, and E.coli bacteria is a combination of household hydrogen peroxide and undiluted white or apple cider vinegar.  Put  them in two separate spray bottles and spray directly surfaces as well as fruits and vegetables.  Vinegar can also help control mold in the bathroom.

  • "Plastics are safe in the microwave."

TRUTH:  Common food-grade plastics (ie. yogurt & margerine containers or disposable plates) have NOT been tested for microwave safety.  Plastics can release chemicals that interfere with hormones in food.  You should microwave foods in glass or ceramic products.  Also, cover a food dish with paper towels, not plastic wrap.

  • "With Cina and India pumping out so much carbon dioxice, ther's no reason for me to cut back mine."

TRUTH:  It doesn't hold a lot of water to say "If someone else is polluting, so will I."  In fact, the average American produces 3.8 times the the average Chinese and 10.7 times the average Indian.  As opposed to what you might think,  per-person emissions / the carbon footprint of Americans is not only increasing, but accelerating.

  • "Keeping your heat on one setting is moe efficient that turning it up and down."

TRUTH:  "Setback" - reducing or turning off your heat or A/C when you're sleeping or not at home is in fact MORE effiecient (and comfortable) than keeping your home at a single temperature in summer and winter.  Of course if you live in a "freeze" area, don't turn your heater completely "off" in the winter to avoid freezing water pipes.

  • "Over its life span, a hybrid is less eco-friendly than a Hummer H3"

TRUTH:  Theoretically the cost of manufacturing and recycling of a "Prius" (for example) along with what was assumed a short life span, outweighs it fuel savings.  In fact, the highly efficiency of hybrid vehicles will send them quickly whizzing by the Heavy gas guzzlers (Hummers, trucks with large motors, and SUVs) in terms of energy savings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Miller, Action Real Estate