LEED is a green building certification system. Recognized around the world, a building or community that has recieved this certification has been verified by a third party to have been designed with environmentally friendly construction practices.
USGBC
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a detailed outline of all green building practices are available for professional builders as well as the general public.
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To learn more about the LEED certification system and how you can incorporate eco-friendly construction practices into your next project, browse the U.S. Green Building Council website.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are released into the air as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term health effects. From paints and lacquers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings to glues, adhesives, and even office equipment like copiers and printers, VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products that you come in contact with everyday.
Bonded Logic has been manufacturing green insulation for over 35 years. Having created a fine line of natural fiber thermal and acoustical products, their insulation is Class-A fire rated, safe for the environment, contains no harmful chemicals or irritants, and doesn’t emit VOCs.
UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber – a Superior & Safe Product
UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber insulation is made with a revolutionary manufacturing process that has created a superior and safe product. Its fibers contain 85 percent post-industrial recycled natural fibers, inherent qualities that provide for extremely effective sound absorption and maximum thermal performance, does not itch, and is very easy to work with and handle.
Made almost entirely of natural denim and cotton fibers that are 100 percent recyclable, UltraTouch insulation also reduces landfill waste and makes the world a cleaner place for future generations.
You’ve gotta ask yourself whether President Obama’s Cash for Caulkers plan to help homeowners pay for energy improvements is the best thing for the country. Though this proposed weatherization and industrial energy efficiency will create some jobs, save consumers money and help reduce our carbon footprint, it comes at a steep price.
Manipulating the Free Market
Just as the Cash for Clunkers program boosted auto sales at the end of the summer, this program will benefit us in the short run, but unbiased economists view this as nothing more than the manipulation of what should be a free market.
An Unbiased Economist
For about the last year or so I’ve been following a broker and economist by the name of Peter Schiff. He’s got some fairly straightforward views of our current economic crisis, and all in all the things he says just make a lot of sense. Take a look at one of his YouTube videos below and let me know what you think.
R Factor (or R Value) is used in the construction industry to measure thermal resistance. Under uniform conditions, it is the ratio of the temperature difference across an insulator and the heat flow per unit area.
More Simply Put
Basically, the bigger the R Factor the better an insulator is at keeping the heat in your home during the winter, and the cool air conditioning in during the summer.
Eco-Friendly Energy Savings
Therefore, any insulator that has a superior R Factor will give you significant savings on your energy bill, not to mention the positive effect on our environment.
Danmer’s patented Thermalite Shutter Insulation System was developed to maximize energy efficiency. Once installed, these stylish and beautiful window coverings restrict outside temperature from entering your home’s interior.
The Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included a federal tax credit equaling 30 percent of the cost (up to $1,500) on selected energy efficient products purchased during 2009 and 2010. All qualifying products must be purchased and installed for existing homes (which must be your principal residence) between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010.
To Learn More
To learn more about how you can qualify for the energy efficient federal tax credit by purchasing Thermalite custom shutters, request a free in-home design consultation.
American-Made Drywall Found to Cause Similar Problems as Chinese Drywall
Sporadic reports are beginning to show up with respect to American-made drywall. Apparently its been causing the same problems as the inferior made Chinese gypsum board that we’ve been hearing about in the news as of late. With the odd smell, wire corrosion, appliance failures and headaches, many are starting to realize that their problems have only just begun.
If you feel like your home may been built with inferior drywall, whether it be Chinese or American made, take a look at the CPSC Drywall Information Center for more information.
Low-Emissivity glass windows are energy efficient windows that are manufactured with a special coating to reflect energy back to its source. Typically costing about 10 to 15 percent more than regular windows, this cost is offset by a 30 to 50 percent reduction in energy loss.
How They Work
During the cold winter months when a furnace is creating radiant heat, a Low-E glass window will keep this warm air indoors by reflecting it back inside. And in the hot summer months when the air conditioning is keeping your home cool, the sun’s heat will hit the outside surface of a Low-E window and be reflected back outdoors, keeping the heat out.
What They Are Exactly
A Low-E coating is a microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight glazing surface. They are transparent to visible light, and are available in different types of coatings for high solar gain, moderate solar gain, or low solar gain.
Additional Benefits & Tax Credits
In addition, a Low-E glass coating blocks over 80 percent of ultra violet (UV) rays from coming into your home, which can fade carpets, draperies and artwork. For 2009 & 2010 tax credits are also available at 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500, for windows and doors (existing homes only).
Power4Home.com is the intriguing website of home energy expert and electrician John Russel, creator of the Power4Home System. Having apparently found a way to bring solar and wind power to residential properties for a tiny fraction of the cost of traditional systems, his innovative techniques could bring an end to the electricity industry.
Getting off the Grid
It’s primarily the substantial price tag solar and wind power come with that prevents these valuable technologies from being put to use in every home in the country, so the fact that this one man dedicated the last decade of his life to getting off the grid is truly admirable.
Generate Your Own Power & Significantly Reduce Your Energy Bills
By following his detailed videos and easy-to-use instructional manuals, you can purchase all the components for solar and wind power systems for less than $200. Explaining everything in complete detail, even those who are useless when it comes to construction will be able to generate their own power and significantly reduce their energy bills.
To Learn More
To learn more about how you can use these easy-to-use techniques to build solar and wind power devices with products purchased from your local hardware store, slash your electricity bill by 80 percent (or even completely) and sell surplus energy back to the power company, take a look at the Power4Home website.
In addition, Mr. Russel lets you in on little known secrets like where to get and how to use energy-saving devices that electrical companies are trying to get banned, barely legal electrician’s methods for using your home energy system to reduce or eliminate your need for natural gas, and how to get other expensive devices for free.
Green roofs are roofs that are covered mostly with living plants. With historical evidence suggesting that green roofs have been built for more than 3,000 years, their widespread acceptance has been limited by the structural cost and by various technical challenges.
Recent Technological Advances
Recent advances in waterproofing technology combined with the development of lightweight thin-profile green roofs have finally made green roofs practical for most new construction.
The Benefits
Though the structural, waterproofing, and drainage requirements of green roofs are always going to initially cost more than traditional roofs, they offer significant long-term economical and environmental advantages.
Green roofs are visually attractive, energy-efficient, significantly reduce storm water runoff, and can retain half to three-quarters of the annual rainfall for use around your home and garden.
In addition, Green roofs are permanent. By shielding the waterproofing from the sun and reducing temperature swings, their synthetic membranes can last for fifty years and in most cases much longer.
Resource Conservation Technology
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Resource Conservation Technology has been manufacturing and distributing advanced technology for energy, water, and environmental conservation for residential and commercial properties since 1984.
To Learn More
Offering an extraordinary range of products, their expert designers have created innovative systems for green roofs, rainwater harvesting, ponds and wetlands, energy-efficient building and water proofing. Browse their website to learn more about this revolutionary company.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
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