energy efficient: DIY Energy Efficiency
- 08/26/11 02:00 PM
There are many projects that can be done around the home to reduce energy usage. The key is to take your time and do them right. Wrapping your water heater is a basic task that should be done with all older water heaters, but doing them wrong can cause more problems that they solve. If you do not know how to properly execute a task, then call a professional for more information.
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energy efficient: Best Investment for Financial Stability
- 08/11/11 01:49 PM
Thinking about renovating, paying too much for your heating / cooling bill, want to build new, where do you start? There is plenty of information out there about how you can go “green.” So how do you decide what to do? How do you find the expert to trust? You have to do it through conversation, building relationships, and education. As a professional in the industry, I have to stay in front of the curve as new information is released, as new testing is completed, and as new theories are tested. It is this constant vigilance that keeps me on top of … (1 comments)
energy efficient: Harrisonburg Green Home
- 08/03/11 01:22 AM
A high performance home does not have to look different from the outside when it is done. It does look different during construction. As you can see on the pictures below the insulation is spray foam. This is the most effective way to insulate a stick built home. It provides sealing for all the gaps and cracks that a traditionally insulated home uses for 'make up fresh air.' An understanding of building science is required to design a home that is this tight. I am sure you have heard the phrase 'you don't want to build it too tight.' Well I … (4 comments)
energy efficient: Efficient Light Bulbs
- 08/01/11 12:16 AM
Interesting story and comments on the local Cville news about Energy Efficient Light Bulbs. First the respondents blamed the 'socialist agenda' of the current administration, when the regulation to ban incandescent bulbs came from the Bush administration. Then the comments focused on the toxic chemicals in the bulbs, which I agree is a problem. Only I would encourage you to also focus on the toxic chemicals in paint, glue, caulk, plastic toys, furniture, carpet, cars, televisions..... Change is not always a bad thing. The government has always set industry standards for the better good. There are speed limits, industry regulations and … (6 comments)
energy efficient: Home Energy Usage
- 07/22/11 12:19 AM
In our mixed humid climate homes should be air tight and vapor permeable. If you achieve a very tight home, it is true that you need to introduce fresh air into your HVAC system. Isn't that better than letter the 'fresh' air come from your attic and crawl space - which is what happens when you 'don't build to tight.' Air sealing your home is a straight forward process. Caulk, foam insulation, and weather stripping can save you 30% or more on your monthly electric bills. On a recent renovation project, we were able to reduce the energy bills by 56%. … (3 comments)
energy efficient: Insulation Gaps
- 07/11/11 12:51 AM
There are easy clues around your home that can help identify gaps, cracks, and leaks in your thermal envelope (your walls). If you have these gaps, cracks, and leaks, you are losing money every month to heat and cool your attic, crawl space, basement, or even worse, your front yard. Here is an example of a place often missed in the insulation package. Does the water in your tub get cold quick in the winter? There is probably no insulation behind it if it is on an outside wall. The plumber often comes to the job site before the insulator and … (8 comments)
energy efficient: Charlottesville Architect Green Renovation
- 07/02/11 12:40 PM
This was a great week for us, winning an award for 'best green residential renovation' in the state of Virginia, being interviewed by the local television station, and by the local newspaper. The project was a 1890's era farmhouse that we were able to update and make very energy efficient. The energy model was predicting a 40% savings, the homeowners have reported a 60% actual energy savings.
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energy efficient: Why not use Common Sense?
- 06/30/11 12:10 AM
At the conference I attended yesterday a question was raised. The room was full of building industry professionals: facility managers, government staff, architects, engineers, and building owners. Everyone was already on the same page as to the value of energy efficiency in existing buildings and new construction. There is no debate for us as to the need and positive return on investment. So "Why don't more people invest in an energy upgrade to their existing homes and businesses?" It has been shown time and time again that you actually save more money than you have to spend. You come out cash … (0 comments)
We all have to make choices in life, where to eat, where to buy, how fast to drive. With every choice comes a result, a reaction to that choice. You might choose to live a healthy life, eat a balanced diet, exercise, get enough sleep, and reduce your stress. You might choose to buy items from a convenient store that offers plenty of choices at low prices. You might choose to drive 5 miles over the speed limit to get there a few … (6 comments)
energy efficient: 10 things to do for a better community
- 06/14/11 01:09 PM
Want to be a better member of the community, get started today with these simple first steps. A healthy community starts with you. Reuse – look for product packaging that allows for reuse, look for minimal throw away packaging, look for new uses for old items Reduce – replace old light bulbs with energy-efficient LED or Compact Fluorescent bulbs Tighten – air seal your home, this is the least expensive most effective way to achieve energy efficiency Eliminate – turn off electrical devices not in use, use smart power strips that get rid of phantom loads from appliance like televisions and … (2 comments)
energy efficient: Wintergreen Interior Design
- 06/10/11 12:21 AM
I spent some time with a contractor at Wintergreen yesterday. We have been doing work on several projects in Nelson County and she wanted to get an idea on cost for a deck design. We toured an amazing rental house that was clearly a million dollar property with a two million dollar view. The deck was in ok shape structurally, but did not fit the interior of the home or take advantage of the views. I know that an investor that is using a rental property to make money does not want to invest in replacing a perfectly good deck (at … (2 comments)
energy efficient: Energy Efficient Home
- 05/19/11 02:34 PM
The Erving is a 3,300sf environmentally sensitive home designed for daily convenience and comfortable living. Upon approach you are immediately struck by the beauty of the locally harvested stone used for the base of the home, the earth tone color pallet used for the board siding, and the traditional metal roof. The stone chimney gives the home a warm feeling inviting friends to come and visit. The no-step pathway into the home, zero-threshold doorway, exterior lighting, and slip resistant walkways make it possible for friends and family of all abilities to do just that, stop in for a visit. The convenience … (0 comments)
energy efficient: Green Home in Harrisonburg
- 05/17/11 06:04 AM
The Eleanor High quality, efficient footprint, with plenty of storage, this home provides all the comforts that you are looking for in a new home. The 900 sf Eleanor is a classic aesthetic that learns from the desire to build a smaller footprint with higher quality materials. The large front porch encourages a connection to the neighborhood, while providing a quiet place to read the morning paper. The native landscaping minimizes the time spent in the yard doing maintenance and allows for plenty of time working in the vegetable garden.
Entering the home from the front porch, you first notice … (1 comments)
energy efficient: Energy Efficiency in the South
- 05/15/11 02:42 AM
A 2010 study, Energy Efficiency in the South, released by Georgia Tech and Duke University illustrated the potential impact of energy efficient policies in Virginia (and other southeastern states) over the upcoming decades. For example there could be a $3.36 billion reduction in electricity costs by 2030 and a $421 million reduction in natural gas costs. Also, the annual increased employment from implementing energy efficient policies will be about 38,000 jobs by 2030, and an increase of $296 million in the gross state product. The Virginia study was part of a larger survey of the economic impact of energy efficiency on … (0 comments)
energy efficient: Go Green Fest
- 05/14/11 02:14 PM
Our new coloring pages were a big hit at the Snow’s Garden Center Go Green Fest. We had plenty of kids and some parents color some pages even with the high humidity and moist paper. Check out these renderings:
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energy efficient: 8 Steps to an Energy Efficient House in a Mixed Humid Climate
- 05/11/11 02:19 AM
You can easily reduce your monthly electric bills if you live in a house that is not high performance. If you have to dust your home weekly, your house is not high performance. If you have a cold room in your home, your house is not high performance. Here are some broad topics to consider to make your existing home more energy efficient and to help you stop losing money monthly. 1. Insulate and air seal the attic / roof 2. Air Seal – stop losing energy through your walls and ducts 3. Insulate the Basement walls and band boards not … (2 comments)
energy efficient: Virginia Adopts 2009 Building Code
- 05/10/11 09:38 AM
On March 1, 2011, the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) update to reference the 2009 IECC and 2009 IRC became effective statewide (it currently references the 2006 versions of these codes). There will be a one-year phase-in period during which builders and designers can still use the current USBC version. Two-day energy code training is planned for 2011 in eight locations for 1,600 code enforcement officials, and similar training is planned for 2012 for 1,600 code enforcers, designers, builders and contractors. Compliance studies will be developed for late 2011 and early 2012. According to the Building Code Assistance Project (BCAP), … (0 comments)
energy efficient: Six year old saves the world
- 05/09/11 03:55 AM
My six-year-old was asking me about Earth Day. I explained that it is a day to remind us of the power of mother nature, a day to remember that we have to take care of our natural resources, and a day to think about our actions as they impact others and future generations. She then told me that she knows the solution to the problem. “You just have to stop being lazy and fix things.”
It does seem that simple on paper to me as well. If we just quit fighting over who caused it, or who should pay for … (3 comments)
energy efficient: LEED - tool for efficiency
- 05/07/11 12:31 PM
At a recent presentation I was giving on green design and construction, one attendee was very concerned with my endorsement of the LEED green rating system. LEED is a third-party green certification for buildings that measures multiple aspects including energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and water conservation. It was his contention that LEED was flawed because you can get a point for bike racks and there is no requirement for energy efficiency. First off, this statement is entirely inaccurate. You have to design and build an energy-efficient building to achieve LEED Certification. You do however, also get points for encouraging the … (0 comments)
energy efficient: 12 Tips for Green Remodeling
- 05/05/11 03:01 PM
Savy clients are looking for the best value in their home search and sellers need to position themselves to gain the most attention. One approach is to make your home healthy and energy efficient. Green remodeling can be done in small ways and doesn’t necessarily have to encompass the entire home. The 'low hanging fruit' can make a big difference. It’s easy to pick and choose elements that fit each particular home. Here are some ideas to get started: 1. Non-toxic paints and sealants 2. Programmable thermostats 3. Energy Efficient Appliances 4. Natural flooring 5. Local building materials 6. Natural fiber … (7 comments)
There are many projects that can be done around the home to reduce energy usage. The key is to take your time and do them right. Wrapping your water heater is a basic task that should be done with all older water heaters, but doing them wrong can cause more problems that they solve. If you do not know how to properly execute a task, then call a professional for more information.
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