Big Things on the Rise in Fayetteville!

Our friends over at Eco Modern Flats have just released some new pictures of their new project in downtown Fayetteville. We're so excited about what they're doing and have what it means for northwest Arkansas that we wanted to show you guys a few pictures and ask you to help us spread the word. We're all in this together!

First Multifamily LEED Community

Some friends of our recently got their new website up and running and we wanted to spread the word about what they're doing!  Focusing primarily on LEED green apartments in downtown Fayetteville Eco Modern Flats is doing some great things with big plans!  Check out their site for more info.

"Arkansas's first multifamily community registered for LEED green building certification"

 

 

 

Solar Power Myths

Since saving energy is one of our biggest objectives in building green homes, we thought we'd take a little time and talk about solar panels. Below is some of the best information we could find on them and we hope you find it helpful in your decision making process. (Greenlivingtips.com)

Solar panels and energy payback

One of the most prevalent myths is the one that goes something along the lines of "it takes more energy to make a solar panel than it generates during its serviceable lifespan".

This just isn't true, even low quality panels, assuming they see out their 20 - 25 year lifespan, will generate far more energy during their life than what went into making them. The average energy payback time varies as it depends on the panel, and where it is used, but 1 - 4 years is the average range. Given the 25+ year life, that's a lot of extra energy produced.

Summer and solar power

It use to be thought that summer would have to be the best time for solar power production; after all the sun is up for longer. This isn't necessarily so. One of a solar panel's biggest enemies is heat. The hotter it is, the less efficient they are. A high quality panel will have better heat tolerance (temperature coefficient) than a lower quality one, but it will suffer nonetheless.

If you're in a region where you experience particularly hot summers, your solar power system will likely crank out the most power during the spring and autumn rather than at the height of summer.

Grid connect systems and blackouts

Some people install a grid connect solar power system, that is, one that can export surplus electricity to the mains grid, thinking that during a blackout, as long as the sun is shining they will have power.

Grid connected solar power systems automatically shut down when there is a blackout in the area for safety reasons. Imagine what could happen if a system was exporting power into the grid while workers were trying to fix whatever problems were occurring.

Using a grid connected system in a blackout can be done, but it requires additional (and expensive) components and in some areas, electricity authorities will absolutely refuse to allow these sorts of systems anyway.

Solar panels don't work on cloudy days

They do work. I'm writing this now in 100% overcast conditions and my panel is still working away and cranking out enough clean electricity to power my laptop - and is even putting a little bit into my deep cycle battery (I have a small off-grid system I use when out in the boonies).

Cloudy conditions will negatively impact on production, but it depends on the degree - how much of the light is blocked.

Solar panels and waste

Solar naysayers will sometimes acknowledge the long life of a solar panel, but will raise the spectre of millions of solar panels heading to landfill in a couple of decades. This is a valid concern, however there are already recycling initiatives in development to see this doesn't happen. Over 90% of a standard solar panel's weight is material that is recyclable, such as aluminium, glass and the solar cells themselves - there's money in them thar old panels!

Solar power and baseload

Sure, the sun isn't shining all the time, but solar power can and already has proven it can be used to provide baseload power on a substantial scale; that is, a continual and reliable electricity supply 24/7. Molten salt batteries are already in use - these store heat generated by solar power during the day and the heat is used at night to generate steam to power turbines.

Making your own solar panels

This isn't a myth as such - it can be done. Over the last couple of years there's been a plethora of information products available online (for a price) that teach you how to make your own solar panels. A couple of things - firstly, the claims made in the advertising of some of these products is way over the top. For example, some of them talk about connecting a home made solar panel to your mains electricity. Safety issues aside, your electricity retailer would have pups if you tried doing this. Utilities will only allow properly accredited and certified equipment to connect to the mains for obvious reasons. Also something to bear in mind is that while you can make a solar panel, it is quite time consuming, so you'll need to determine if the time put into building one is worth it given the price of solar panels.

Solar power system size

Solar power is big business and there's a lot of questionable marketing around at the moment telling people they can get all the energy they need from an average sized solar power system. This can make solar power seem very cheap, particularly with renewable energy rebates being so widely available.

If an average sized grid connect solar power system is 1.5kW (as it is in Australia), this is possible if you're really, really, really energy efficient. The fact is most of us aren't, even the green-leaning folks among us. With so many appliances, gadgets and gizmos in the average home, and if you run an electric stove and hot water system; the 1.5kW solar power system just won't cut it in a family situation.

The easiest way to * roughly* figure out how big a system you'll need to offset 100% of your energy use over a full year is to look at your power bill, find out your daily consumption in kilowatt hours, divide that by the average *peak* sun hours a day in your area (lets say 4-5 to be conservative) and that will give you an idea of how big a system you'll need. If you're consuming 20 kilowatt hours a day, you'll be looking at a 4-5kW system.

That calculation is for grid connected systems that will receive at the very least a credit for surplus electricity exported to the grid (it's called a feed in tariff) to offset the power you'll still draw from the grid during the night and in particularly adverse weather conditions.

Off-grid systems require battery storage and extra panels, which will add substantially to the cost.

Note: peak sun hours doesn't refer to hours of daylight, but the average number of hours of sunlight at a sufficient level to produce appreciable quantities of energy.

Also bear in mind the rating of 1.5kW on a system refers to the total of the solar panel output. In a grid connected solar power system, there will be some line loss and loss at the inverter, which is the box that converts the DC voltage from the panels into AC suitable for use in the home.

However, that doesn't mean to say that installing a 1.5kW system is useless, far from it - consider the energy and greenhouse gas savings over the long term and also the value it will add to your home. I've also found that people who install systems tend to become more energy efficient or at the very least, more energy conscious.

Tip: when shopping for a solar power system, instead of letting the salesperson convince you of buying a bigger system, save your bucks and consider other energy efficiency measures you can take that would reduce the size of the system you need. After all, solar power may be comparatively green, but the greenest watt is the one that doesn't have to be generated.

Solar power isn't without its issues, but as someone enjoying the benefits of sitting here watching my single solar panel quietly at work and producing all the power I need to write this; it's sure seems a heck of a lot better than filthy fossil fuel based electricity generation.

Does LEED Fulfill It's Promises?

Critics Say:

"LEED certification has never depended on actual energy use, and it's not going to," he says. "You can use as much energy as you want and report it and keep your plaque."

The business of green building is growing rapidly, even though the construction market as a whole has been in a slump. The U.S. Green Building Council, or USGBC, and its certification system are changing the industy! The company is influencing policy, but some critics say it isn't delivering on its environmental promises. Here's one such story.

In Washington, LEED Is Law.


Stoddert Elementary School in Washington, D.C., is the site of a sparkling new building addition and rehab. Last month, crews were still putting the finishing touches on the landscaping and a new glass wall that blends into a beautiful 1932 brick schoolhouse. The school is expected to earn LEED Gold certification for its renovation and new addition.


"Architecture can no longer be just sculpture," says Rick Fedrizzi, head of the USGBC, the private nonprofit that runs the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification system known as LEED. Architecture must be about performance, Fedrizzi says, especially in the case of schools.


"We have the ability through the bricks and mortar to change the way our kids learn, absorb information, interact with their teacher, and ultimately have the ability for a much more productive life," he says. "It's a moral objective of all of us to make sure that this happens across the board."


In Washington, it's more than an objective — it is the law. All new public buildings must achieve LEED certification.

LEED is a force to be reckoned with in the construction world. Fourteen federal departments and agencies, 34 states and more than 200 local governments now encourage or require LEED certification. Some places offer incentives to certify. Others, like Washington, mandate it as a kind of code.

Under LEED, the environmentally conscious features of Stoddert will be tallied up, and the USGBC will award a plaque certifying the school as a green building.

Noise Levels And Air Quality

Architect Mary Rose Rankin of Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn says the designers paid a lot of attention to the acoustics of this building because noise levels are important for learning. It's one of the LEED requirements.

Indoor air quality is another priority. Rankin says she expects the school's new geothermal heating and cooling system to save a lot of energy.


"Our model shows a savings of around 29 to 30 percent over what a comparable baseline building would be of similar size," she says. "That's 30 percent a year. And payback, for instance, for our geothermal system should be around six to eight years."

Critics of LEED have long said it doesn't put enough emphasis on saving energy. One of the most assertive is Henry Gifford, a New York apartment building owner turned energy efficiency expert.

"It's impossible to go out and buy a building with a guarantee for how much energy it won't use," he says. "And the LEED system, by basing everything on energy predictions, continues that. This is one of the reasons why it's so popular — because it's painless."

Questioning The LEED Certification

A couple of years ago, Gifford sparked a firestorm by challenging a study funded by the USGBC that concluded that LEED buildings save energy. He says the methodology was flawed and the numbers really show that those LEED buildings used more energy than their peers.

Gifford's bottom line is that LEED awards certification before the energy savings are proved.

Gifford says LEED should have teeth. If the building doesn't perform as predicted, yank the certification. And as for the growing number of governments that require LEED?

At the USGBC's platinum-certified office space in Washington, Fedrizzi walks past the two-story waterfall in the lobby to show off some energy-saving features. Natural light streams in, bouncing off white carpet and ceiling panels to illuminate the workstations. He says the lights are rarely turned on.

"LEED buildings are significantly more energy efficient than your typical building stock," he says.

When asked about Gifford's charges that LEED doesn't live up to projections, Fedrizzi says ultimately it's not just about the design — it's about how the building is run.


"What really needs to happen is the transformation of the owners and the operators of the buildings to ensure that the building is being operated properly," he says. "I like to say you can get the same gas mileage out of a Prius that you get from a Hummer if you drive it incorrectly."


So should there be a system put in place of checks and balances to guarantee that what is being paid for in certification is indeed putting out as it says?  Should LEED be able to be written into law? With small towns and cities headed that way the criticism is sure to come out in heavier doses. 

The most striking thing about the business of LEED is how the system is being woven into the fabric of the building industry. Even in new buildings that are not LEED these days, many use it as a reference in the project specs. Regardless of the economic downturn, despite questions about performance, LEED is capitalizing on the desire for better buildings and pulling the market toward green.



(www.npr.com)

Is LEED Really Worth It?

Is LEED Certification really worth it? 

While much of the U.S. real estate market has been floundering, one area has not seen a dip. Green building now accounts for nearly one-third of new construction in the U.S. That's up from 2 percent in 2005, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, which tracks the industry.

The numbers suggest a revolution is taking place within an industry that is historically slow to change. There are many factors — and many players — in this move toward green building.

The University of Michigan officials ran the numbers this year and decided that yes: the intangibles that come from LEED are worth the investment. The university committed to seek certification on all of its new building projects worth more than $10 million. -The cost of LEED certification is a relatively small percentage of the overall cost of a building.




-For a $100 million project of the average building type, the additional cost to reach LEED silver is only about 2 percent.
-LEED silver certification would add 4.7 percent to the cost of that same $100 million project.

Certified buildings get a plaque for prominent display. And if you already know all of this, it's a sign of the brand recognition LEED has developed.

How LEED Works

LEED is set up like an arbiter of a sort of building Olympics. Projects earn points for various features. Use renewable cork flooring, for instance, get a point in the materials and resources category. Use paint that doesn't give off toxic substances — score a point for indoor environmental quality. There are categories for water efficiency and energy. Pay the fees, rack up enough points, and win a basic, silver, gold or platinum rating. The Ross building achieved silver.

The word LEED meant nothing 10 odd years ago. And now that is literally like Kleenex is to tissues. I mean, you think of a LEED building and people think, 'Oh, it's a green building.' "


(www.npr.com)

A Green Seal of Approval for Your Home

Provided your home meets a minimum threshold for energy efficiency, you may be eligible for certification under a range of national and regional energy-efficiency certification programs. Even if you don’t already meet required thresholds, a few inexpensive improvements may be all that stand in your way.

Certification through programs such as ENERGY STAR, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Program, LEED for Homes and others can show potential buyers that a home promises significant utility cost savings over homes without certification – a major selling point in today’s economy. Certification also helps ensure that homebuyers and sellers alike are making greener choices that reduce overall environmental impact.

Read on to learn more about a range of energy-efficiency certification programs and how to participate.


ENERGY STAR

To qualify for certification under the ENERGY STAR program, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency as set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Homes must be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and typically include energy-saving features that make them as much as 20 to 30 percent more efficient than standard homes. Some of these features include effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment and energy-efficient appliances.

According to ENERGY STAR, homes certified through its program use substantially less energy for heating, cooling and water heating, resulting in average savings of $200 to $400 annually. Additional savings on maintenance can also be significant, and ENERGY STAR homes are eligible for financing through energy-efficient mortgages.

The EPA reported in July 2009 that nearly 17 percent of new homes built in 2008 earned the ENERGY STAR label, up from 12 percent in 2007. According to the EPA, American families living in ENERGY STAR homes slashed more than $250 million in annual utility bills in 2008 alone, saving enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million cars.

NAHB Green Building Program

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) launched the National Green Building Program in February 2008 – an education, verification and certification initiative for builders located anywhere in the United States. For a home to qualify, an independent home energy rater must verify that it adheres to the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard, which award point values across a range of categories, including lot and site development; resource, energy, and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and homeowner education.

The NAHB website features an interactive scoring tool that helps homebuilders and homeowners alike guage how a home will score according to the Guidelines and Standard. The scoring tool also provides continual feedback, helping those who use it to understand what steps they can take to make a home more green.

Both single- and multi-family homes, including renovations, are eligible for certification through the NAHB program. To locate an accredited National Green Building Program verifier, use the state-by-state listing on the NAHB website or call the National Green Building Hotline at (877) NAHB-GRN begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (877) NAHB-GRN end_of_the_skype_highlighting.



LEED for Homes

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1998. LEED ratings measure the overall performance of homes in the following eight areas:

1. Innovation and design process
2. location and linkages
3. Sustainable sites
4. water efficiency
5. Energy and atmosphere
6. Materials and resources
7. Indoor environmental quality
8. Awareness and education.


There are four levels of LEED ratings – certification, silver, gold, and platinum – awarded according to the number of points a home earns in each of the above eight categories.

Participation in the LEED for Homes program requires third-party inspection and verification through LEED for Home Providers and Green Raters. LEED for Home Providers are organizations selected by USGBC to provide certification services in local and regional markets, and Green Raters are individuals who work as part of the Home Providers team to perform field inspections and performance testing. The USGBC maintains an updated list of providers on its website.

New homes, renovated homes, and multi-family homes that meet LEED standards can be marketed and sold as LEED-approved, which can significantly increase their resale value.

(Better Homes & Gardens-Live Green)

Things To Consider...

We get questions every day about green building and more often than not, they are the wrong questions.  They're wrong because they aren't asked in the right order.  When you decide to build a green home, it's a very wise decision to find an architect and green builder who will help you ask the right questions upfront.  Don't start building and planning your dream house with the desire to go green, but not even think about the direction your house faces.  So here are 10 things to consider when you are getting geared up and starting to dream about your next home. 

1. Get oriented. Before you build, study the lay of the land, and put the sun to work for you and your home. Notice how the sunshine travels across the property, then orient your house so the rooms you'll use most often catch the best rays.


Take your climate into account. Are winters brutally cold? Plan your home so main living areas -- or any rooms you might use during the limited daylight hours of winter -- receive southern exposure. If harsh winters swing into sizzling summers, invest in high-efficiency windows (such as those with low-E glass) to keep cool.

2. Don't waste space. Do you really need a guest room? How often would you use a den? Eliminating rooms that you'd rarely use will help keep your building budget in line. In addition, you'll save the cost of heating and cooling these rooms in the future. Sit down and examine how you'll use each space in your home. What you decide might not adhere to conventional design standards, but if it will work for your family, go ahead.

3. Help out your HVAC system. Make your building materials and home design work double duty. That way, you can purchase a central air-conditioner and a furnace with less power -- and a smaller price tag. For example, use argon-gas-filled double-glazed windows. Then you can let in vast sheets of sunlight and save on the heat bill at the same time.

Ventilation is also an important part of heating and cooling. Strategically placed doors at either end of the house, along with double-hung windows at reachable heights, can be opened to let breezes sweep through the house. Similarly, an open floor plan allows heated or cooled air to pass easily from one space to the next.

Money, Doors, Surfaces, Water

4. Spend money where it counts. How your building budget is allocated is largely an individual decision, but creating an energy-efficient home usually requires a few up-front expenses that will save money in the future. Paying extra for custom work can maximize a modest space; that can be more economical than spending money and resources on additional square footage.

5. Skip the doors. Of course, doors on certain rooms, such as closets, bathrooms, and the master bedroom, are a must, but limiting the use of doors can help decrease costs. Consider separating rooms with a simple step down, a corner, or a change in ceiling height that allows the entire space to drink in the same sunlight and air (whether heated, cooled, or fresh from the outdoors), while still visually dividing the spaces.

6. Leave surfaces exposed. Drywall and the labor required to install it can get expensive. Think about leaving ceiling beams -- and the recessed lighting therein -- exposed in several areas of the house, including the breakfast room and part of the kitchen. Exposed structural elements provide visual interest and give the illusion of more volume and a higher ceiling.

7. Save water. New toilets are stingy with water, using a standard 1.6 gallons per flush. Some toilets have dual-flush handles, which allow you to choose between flushing less water (just over a gallon) for light waste or using the full amount for solid waste.

Opting for short showers rather than baths will conserve even more water, as will installing low-flow showerheads. Especially if your house has a septic tank, it's important not to overuse water. You're also saving a natural resource.

Coatings, Recycling, Natural

8. Use simple (or no) coatings. Chemical paints and coatings can be a source of major irritation in a new home. Not only can they aggravate asthma or allergies -- especially in children -- but they also require adequate ventilation and drying time.

Use water-base paints. They have less odor and require less cleanup than oil-base or alkyd paints. Treat wood floors with a citrus-base oil for a light sheen rather than with layer after layer of polyurethane.

9. Use renewable or recycled products. Simple choices in finish materials can help make your home ecologically sound. Opt for flooring manufactured from recycled materials where possible, such as rubber with embedded neoprene chips in an entryway. Not only is rubber resilient, easy-to-clean flooring, but using a recycled version keeps the material from ending up in landfills.

In the absence of recycled materials, select products that are renewable. Purchase exterior wood doors from a company that buys its lumber from a conservation forest (the company plants a new tree for every tree that's harvested).

Use maple butcher block for kitchen countertops, or fireslate, a material that looks like slate but costs about half as much. Fireslate is used in laboratories, especially in school science classrooms, because of its durability, heat-resistance, and low cost.

10. Go natural, not synthetic. Select cellulose insulation, which is made out of plant fiber, instead of fiberglass, and Homasote, a recycled newspaper product, as a substitute for drywall in some places. Use linoleum for the kitchen floor rather than vinyl, carpet made of wool and sisal, a natural grasslike fiber and wood floors. A metal roof shields the house from harsh sunlight, and since it's not petrochemically produced, is a nontoxic material.

More Tips


Green building, while certainly not difficult, is not quite mainstream yet, at least in most regions. That's why it's a good idea to research the subject on your own so you know what to ask for and what sort of things will work for your new house. Scour home improvement magazines and books for tips, and explore the Internet for information (conducting a search for the term "green building" will help you get started. Your search will lead you to local, regional, and national sources for eco-sensitive materials and methods.

"You have to dig and find out about these things for yourself," says architect James Sterling. "It's still a kind of underground thing." It's also important to work with architects, designers, and other home-building professionals who are familiar with environmentally friendly materials on the market. These people will know what's available, where to buy, and how to get a fair price.


(Better Homes & Gardens-Live Green)

That's Right, We're in the Top 7!

Fayetteville recently made the list of Top 7 Unexpectedly Green Cities! 

"When we think of green cities, most of us think of the same perpetual lineup: Portland, Boulder, San Francisco, Seattle, and Burlington. We here at HuffPost Green wanted to expand the green cities label with some more contenders. What about Eugene? Fayetteville? Austin? Long Beach?

Rated one of the NRDC’s green cities to watch with a population of 67,158, Fayetteville is an up and coming green city nestled in the Ozark Mountains. Fayetteville boasts an impressive farmers market in the newly renovated downtown square, featuring fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs. Since 2007, Fayetteville requires all buildings greater than 5,000 square feet to be LEED-Silver Standard certified. The city also instituted Project LIGHTS to provide energy efficient light bulbs to low-income residences. Fayetteville is the first in the state to employ a Sustainability Coordinator, using the funds saved through eco-friendly measures to pay for the job."

We were so excited to read this and know that we are smack-dab right in the middle of a growing revolution in the U.S.!  We love what we do, but more than that, we want to help people save money and live healthier lives, all while being excellent stewards of the earth we've been given!  It is our passion to be leading the way as green experts in this fast growing field so let us know if you have questions and we'll do our best to answer them! 

Email us at contact@greenovationbuilders.com

We'd love to hear from you!

Recycling:Glass, Plastic and Others

GLASS

Americans throw away enough glass bottles and jars every two weeks to fill the 1.350-foot towers of the former World Trade Center.

Most bottles and jars contain at least 25% recycled glass.

Glass never wears out -- it can be recycled forever. We save over a ton of resources for every ton of glass recycled -- 1,330 pounds of sand, 433 pounds of soda ash, 433 pounds of limestone, and 151 pounds of feldspar.

States with bottle deposit laws have 35-40% less litter by volume.

If all the glass bottles and jars collected through recycling in the U.S. in 94 were laid end to end, they'd reach the moon and half way back to earth.

PLASTIC

Every year we make enough plastic film to shrink-wrap Texas.

Americans go through 25 billion plastic bottles every year.

26 recycled PET bottles equals a polyester suit. 5 recycled PET bottles make enough fiberfill to stuff a ski jacket.

In 1988 we used 2 billion pounds of HDPE just to make bottles for household products. That’s about the weight of 90,000 Honda Civics.

If every American household recycled just one out of every ten HDPE bottles they used, we’d keep 200 million pounds of the plastic out of landfills every year.

STYROFOAM/POLYSTYRENE

It is un-recyclable- you can't make it into new Styrofoam. The industry wants you to assume it is- don't BUY it!

Each year American throw away 25,000,000,000 Styrofoam cups, enough every year to circle the earth 436 times.

JUNK MAIL

If only 100,000 people stopped their junk, mail, we could save up to 150,000 trees annually. If a million people did this, we could save up to a million and a half trees.

The junk mail Americans receive in one day could produce enough energy to heat 250,000 homes.

The average American still spends 8 full months of his/her life opening junk mail.

GENERAL GARBAGE

In 1865, an estimated 10,000 hogs roamed New York City, eating garbage. Now, one of every six U.S. trucks is a garbage truck.

In a lifetime, the average American will throw away 600 times his/her adult weight in garbage. If you add it up, this means that a 150-lb. adult will leave a legacy of 90,000 lbs of trash for his/her children.

The average baby generates a ton of garbage every year.

The landfill gas produced daily at Fresh Kills Landfill is enough fuel to heat 50,000 homes.

TIRES/RUBBER

It takes half a barrel of crude oil to produce the rubber for just one truck tire.

Every two weeks, Americans wear almost 50 million pounds of rubber off their tires. That’s enough to make 3 1/4 million new tires from scratch.

Producting one pound of recycled rubber versus one pound of new rubber requires only 29% of the energy.

FOOD AND PACKAGING

$1 out of every $11 Americans spend for food goes for packaging.

Americans dump the equivalent of more than 21 million shopping bags full of food into landfills every year.

OTHER

One gallon of used motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of water.

Most cars on U.S. roads carry only one person. We have so much extra room in our 140 million cars that everyone in Western Europe could ride with us.

If today is a typical day on planet earth, humans will add fifteen million tons of carbon to the atmosphere, destroy 115 square mils of tropical rainforest, create seventy-two square miles of desert, eliminate between forty to one hundred species, erode seventy-one million tons of topsoil, add twenty-seven hundred tons of CFCs to the stratosphere, and increase their population by 263,000.

Almost four million computer diskettes are thrown away every day, which equals over on and a half billion disks per year or a stack of disks as tall as the Sears Tower in Chicago every 21 seconds. It will take nearly 500 years for the disks to degrade.

Recycling: Water

Between 1950 and 2000, the U.S. population nearly doubled. However, in that same period, public demand for water more than tripled! Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water each day — enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses! (EPA, 2008)

A recent government survey showed that at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional, or statewide water shortages by 2013. (EPA, 2008)

Most people realize that hot water uses up energy, but supplying and treating cold water requires a significant amount of energy too. American public water supply and treatment facilities consume about 56 billion kilowatt-hours per year — enough electricity to power more than 5 million homes for an entire year. (EPA, 2008)

Appliances and Fixtures in General

If all U.S. households installed water-efficient appliances, the country would save more than 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $18 billion dollars per year! (EPA, 2008)

If one out of every 100 American homes was retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, we could save about 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year — avoiding 80,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The greenhouse gas savings would be equivalent to removing nearly 15,000 automobiles from the road for one year! (EPA, 2008)

Bathroom: Sink, Toilet, Bath, Shower

About 75 percent of the water we use in our homes is used in the bathroom. (California Energy Commission, 2006)

If your toilet is from 1992 or earlier, you probably have an inefficient model that uses between 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Newer, high-efficiency toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush — that's at least 60 percent less water per flush! (EPA, 2008)

If just 1 percent of American homes replaced an older toilet with a new WaterSense labeled toilet, the country would save more than 38 million kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough electricity to supply more than 43,000 households for one month. (EPA, 2008)

The average bathroom faucet flows at a rate of two gallons per minute. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth in the morning and at bedtime can save up to 8 gallons of water per day, which equals 240 gallons a month. (EPA, 2008)

Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours. (EPA, 2008)

Leaky faucets that drip at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year; A leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water every day. If your fixtures have leaks, you should get them repaired! (EPA, 2008)

A full bath tub requires about 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons. (EPA, 2008)

Other Household Water Needs

The average washing machine uses about 41 gallons of water per load, whereas newer, high-efficiency washing machine models use less than 28 gallons of water per load. (EPA, 2008)

The typical single-family suburban household uses at least 30 percent of their water outdoors for irrigation. Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by overwatering!
Consider installing a drip irrigation system to water your lawn and garden. These systems use between 20 to 50 percent less water than conventional in-ground sprinkler systems. They are also much more efficient than conventional sprinklers because no water is lost to wind, runoff, and evaporation. (EPA, 2008)

Recycling: Paper

Each of us uses approximately one 100-foot-tall Douglas fir tree in paper and wood products per year. (EPA, 2008)
More than 56 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. during 2007 was recovered for recycling — an all-time high. This impressive figure equals nearly 360 pounds of paper for each man, woman, and child in America. (Paper Industry Association Council, 2007)

More than 400 paper mills in the United States use at least some recovered materials in their manufacturing processes, and more than 200 of those mills use recovered fiber exclusively. (EPA, 2008)

Savings: Energy, Water, etc.

De-inked paper fiber is the most efficient source of fiber for the manufacturing of new paper products; one ton of de-inked pulp saves over 7000 gallons of water, 390 gallons of oil, and reduces air emissions by 60 lbs compared to traditional virgin fiber processes. (Abitibi Consolidated, 2005)

Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough energy to power the average American home for five months. (EPA, 2008)

Recycling paper instead of making it from new material generates 74 percent less air pollution and uses 50 percent less water. (EPA, 2008)

Producing recycled paper requires about 60 percent of the energy used to make paper from virgin wood pulp. (EPA, 2008)
Uses of Recycled Paper

Just over 48% of office paper is recovered for recycling. This becomes raw material for paperboard, tissue, and printing and writing papers. (Keep America Beautiful, 2006)
Over 73% of all newspapers are recovered for recycling. Almost a third goes back into making more newsprint. The remainder is used to make paperboard, tissue, and insulation, or exported. (Keep America Beautiful, 2006)

Approximately 1.5 million tons of construction products are made each year from paper, including insulation, gypsum wallboard, roofing paper, flooring, padding and sound-absorbing materials. (American Forest and Paper Association, 2002)

Recycled paper can also be made into paper towels, notebook paper, envelopes, copy paper and other paper products, as well as boxes, hydro-mulch, molded packaging, compost, and even kitty litter. (EPA, 2008)

Recycling: Energy

The world's electricity demand is expected to double between 2000 and 2030. The greatest increase will occur in the developing world, and the most rapid growth will occur in people's homes. (Worldwatch Institute, 2007)

Electricity production is the leading cause of industrial air pollution in the United States, and is responsible for 40 percent of the nation's carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change. (Worldwatch Institute, 2007)

At most, 35 percent of coal's energy in a power plant converts to electricity. The remaining two thirds is lost as waste heat, benefiting no one and often harming surrounding ecosystems. (Worldwatch Institute, 2007)

Heating

Almost half of the average home's energy consumption is used for heating. (EIA, 2007)

Improperly sealed/caulked windows can account for up to 25% of total heat loss from a house. (Environment Canada, 2007)

Lighting

Lighting consumes up to 34 percent of electricity in the United States. (Worldwatch Institute, 2007)

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are an energy-saving alternative to incandescent bulbs — they produce the same amount of light, use one third of the electricity, and last up to ten times as long. (Worldwatch Institute, 2007)

If every household replaced its most often-used incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, electricity use for lighting could be cut in half. (Worldwatch Institute, 2007)

Where electricity is produced from coal, each fluorescent lightbulb used prevents 1,300 pounds (nearly 600 kilograms) of CO2 emissions and 20 pounds of sulfur dioxide from being pumped into the atmosphere. (Worldwatch Institute, 2007)

Appliances and Electronics

If you need to warm up or defrost small amounts of food, use a microwave instead of the stove to save energy. Microwave ovens use around 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens do. (California Energy Commission, 2006)

A refrigerator built 20 years ago uses 70% more energy than today's energy-efficient models. (Environment Canada, 2007)

Today's dishwashers are about 95% more energy-efficient than those bought in 1972 — your old dishwasher may be costing you more money in energy bills than it would take to buy a new one. (Environment Canada, 2007)

Many idle electronics — TVs, VCRs, DVD and CD players, cordless phones, microwaves — use energy even when switched off to keep display clocks lit and memory chips and remote controls working. Nationally, these energy “vampires” use 5 percent of our domestic energy and cost consumers more than $8 billion annually. (Alliance to Save Energy, 2005)

Natural Air Purifiers

The flowers to the right are some I put together for my office building. I love having a creative outlet a few times a month, but more than that I love seeing them! Plants bring natural beauty to our living spaces. By creating texture and balance, a room or patio can be transformed into an environment that comforts and welcomes. They can brighten our day in an instance simply by their presence. We give them for every occasion of life; birth, death, etc. But, just like most things in life, plants have a much wider role than just looking pretty. They’ve been proven to reduce stress so well that one glance at a plant lowers your heart rate. They also help clean the air we breathe by absorbing toxins and acting as little oxygen factories. Plants simply make us feel better. In this blog I'd like to inform you about the simple benefits of addings flowers and plants to your living environment.

Most of us are aware by this point in our lives that our physical state can often be a result of our emotional and mental state of being. One doesn't stand alone, but they all work together to make up who we are. So with that, we have to keep in mind that the beauty, smell, structure and balance of our home and where we spend such a large quantity of our time will play a large role on our physical bodies.

In the late 1980s, a study by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) resulted in excellent news for homeowners and office workers everywhere. The study concluded that common houseplants such as bamboo palms and spider plants not only make indoor spaces more attractive, they also help to purify the air!


Newer homes and buildings, designed for energy efficiency, are often tightly sealed to avoid energy loss from heating and air conditioning systems. Moreover, synthetic building materials used in modern construction have been found to produce potential pollutants that remain trapped in these unventilated buildings.

The trapped pollutants result in what is often called the Sick Building Syndrome. With our ultra modern homes and offices that are virtually sealed off from the outside environment, this study is just as important now as when it was first published.

While it’s a well known fact that plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis, the NASA/ALCA study showed that many houseplants also remove harmful elements such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air.

NASA and ALCA spent two years testing 19 different common houseplants for their ability to remove these common pollutants from the air. Of the 19 plants they studied, 17 are considered true houseplants, and two, gerbera daisies and chrysanthemums, are more commonly used indoors as seasonal decorations.

The advantage that houseplants have over other plants is that they are adapted to tropical areas where they grow beneath dense tropical canopies and must survive in areas of low light. These plants are thus ultra-efficient at capturing light, which also means that they must be very efficient in processing the gasses necessary for photosynthesis. Because of this fact, they have greater potential to absorb other gases, including potentially harmful ones.

In the study NASA and ALCA tested primarily for three chemicals: Formaldehyde, Benzene, and Trichloroethylene. Formaldehyde is used in many building materials including particle board and foam insulations. Additionally, many cleaning products contain this chemical. Benzene is a common solvent found in oils and paints. Trichloroethylene is used in paints, adhesives, inks, and varnishes.

While NASA found that some of the plants were better than others for absorbing these common pollutants, all of the plants had properties that were useful in improving overall indoor air quality. NASA also noted that some plants are better than others in treating certain chemicals. For example, English ivy, gerbera daisies, pot mums, peace lily, bamboo palm, and Mother-in-law's Tongue were found to be the best plants for treating air contaminated with Benzene. The peace lily, gerbera daisy, and bamboo palm were very effective in treating Trichloroethylene. Additionally, NASA found that the bamboo palm, Mother-in-law's tongue, dracaena warneckei, peace lily, dracaena marginata, golden pathos, and green spider plant worked well for filtering Formaldehyde.

After conducting the study, NASA and ALCA came up with a list of the most effective plants for treating indoor air pollution. The recommended plants can be found below. Note that all the plants in the list are easily available from your local nursery.


1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium', heartleaf philodendron
2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron
3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornstalk dracaena
4. Hedera helix, English ivy
5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena
7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena
8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos
10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa', peace lily
11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron
12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm
14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant
15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

For an average home of under 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger.


Here is a list of resources for more information on this important study:

PDF files of the NASA studies related to plants and air quality: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/ssctrs.ssc.nasa.gov/foliage_air/foliage_air.pdf

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/ssctrs.ssc.nasa.gov/journal_mas/journal_mas.pdf

List of NASA studies related to treating a variety of air and waterborne pollutants with plants:

http://www.ssc.nasa.gov/environmental/docforms/water_research/water_research.html


(Sources: Cleanairgardening.com and freshhome.com)

"Gray" Water

The average household of four uses up to 400 gallons of water every day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That is a staggering amount to think about when you realize most of it is simply used for washing your hands, dishes, taking a shower and wasted while brushing your teeth.

Now I'm probably as bad as the next person when it comes to leaving the water running while brushing my teeth, but when I stop and think about the millions of people that don't even have access to clean water I am hit with a hard slap in the face of the reality of my wastefullness.


It's amazing to me how often in this tough economy we complain about needing more and not having enough, but waste the small things on a daily basis. So the more I've thought about this I wanted to pass along some helpful information on not wasting water.

It's been called "Going Gray" and is a form of recyling the water that you normally waste and using it for other things. The wastewater generated by your sink, shower, washing machine and dishwater can cut utility bills while reducing a household's water footprint.

Gray water projects target the biggest water-wasters in the house-particularly bathroom showers and sinks, where a lot of gray water is generated (toilet water, known as "black water" is never to be reused). Some of that water can be recycled via an ingenious contraption called SinkPositive, a hand-washing station that sits atop the toilet tank. Soapy water, falls into the tank, whre it waits until the next time someone flushes the toilet. Then it does double duty, carrying away soap and toilet waste. The SinkPositive sells for $110 plus shipping.

One-third of a household's water, over 120 gallons per day, is used on lawns and gardens. To trim that figure, gardeners often use gray water on their lawnas and ornamental gardens (Young plans usually need fresh water, but once they mature, many can thrive on doses of gray water. Also don't use gray water on edible plants, due to bacteria that could be in it)

Also gray water irrigation can be as simple as placing a pitcher next to the sink and whenever someone doesn't finish a glass of water or cup of tea, dump it in the pitcher. By the end of the day, you'll have enough "leftover" water to keep the houseplants happy.




BY JENAE TANKERSLEY
(Resources: emagazine.com)

Money in the Bank-Efficiency Upgrading

In one of our recent blogs we touched on how you can find a few more tax deductions, thanks to Uncle Sam and last year's Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AKA: The Stimulus Bill). Today we'd like to touch on a few more things to think about.

Qualifications for the 30% deduction guidelines are much tougher than in the 2006-2007 program. First, all improvements must have taken place after February 17, 2009. Second, be sure, as we mentioned before, that when you are buying products (windows, skylights, insulation, etc.) that you either see a label with the Energy Star label or you request a Maufacturer Certification Statement that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit.

Another great idea is that consumers who want to generate their own power are eligible for renewable energy tax credits on projects completed through 2016 (including alternative-energy equipment connected to your house, such as solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, and other similar projects).

Be sure and check out the following resources:

To review guidelines for qualifying purchases visit the IRS website.
To find guidelines on what qualifies for both tax credits visit Energy Star.
To find state and local energy efficiency assistance available visit U.S. Department of Energy

How Green Have We Come?

Here's a snapshot of those green measures tha have been embraced and those that still have a ways to go.

Turn the Lights Out!

I remember growing up and not understanding why my parents made such a big deal about us leaving one or even two lights on in the house when we left. Some part of me thought that maybe a light bulb could explode and start a fire or something ridiculous like that.

It wasn't until I got my own apartment and realized how outrageous an electricity bill can be (for a one bedroom) that I began to understand. It's the little things in life that add up. Like when one person doesn't put their dishes in the dishwasher or one person doesn't wipe off the counter after making a mess. That one leads to another that leads to another and before long you have entirely filled up sink of dirty dishes and a countertop covered in ants and roaches. Ok, ok, so that's a bit extreme, but hopefully you get the point.

Between lights, electronics and appliances, electricity accounts for almost 40 percent of the average home's energy use! But there are ways to cut back in each category without sacrificing and turning into an extremely anal live-by-candelight home owner.

By changing 10 bulbs and replacing three major appliances with energy-efficient models, you can save hundreds of dollars per year!

A survey in Consumer Reports reported "that many Americans are already taking advantage of those savings. Almost two-thirds have replaced incandescent lightbulbs with a CFL or LED. As for appliances, 34% have upgraded to an energy-efficient model. It doesn't make sense to pitch a perfectly good appliance or electronic item, but if you're in the market for a new one, the type you choose can make a big difference. (For example, side-by-side refrigerators use more energy than top-or-bottom-mounts, top loading washers use more electiricyt and water than front-loaders, and plasma TVs use more lectricity than LCD sets)

Easy, low-cost solutions: Plug electronics into power strips with built-in senors that automatically shut off devices that aren't in use. Set your computer to hibernate. Use LED or CFL lights in place of your old regular bulbs (More about this in our next blog). Turn off lights when you leave a room."

BY JENAE TANKERSLEY

Money in the Bank-Taxable Deductions!

Who doesn't like to save money?

Who doesn't like to hear from your tax clerk that you are getting a big whopping return from last year?

Amidst all of the negative in a struggeling economy here is one area Uncle Sam is actually putting money back in your bank account, but don't think it will just happen on it's own! Take a second, educate yourself and see how your remodeling, upgrading and 'greenovating' can become a taxable deduction!

Below you will find some major tips from an article out of Consumer Reports on "Energy Tax Credits at a Glance" that we thought we'd make you aware of, if you're not already. It's a good reminder to keep around and on the forefront of your mind if you are still looking for some tax deductions that you may have missed.

In 2009 the government set up The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and it includes tax credits for making your home more energy efficient. The credits cover 30 percent of projects finished in 2009 and 2010, up to $1500 per year for most projects. (They don't include installation costs for insulation, sealing air leaks, windows, doors, and roofs, but Solar, wind and geothermal projects qualify for up to 30 percent of their cost, not just $1500).

To claim the credits you'll need to file IRS Form 5695 with your taxes for the year in which the job was completed. Be sure to keep a copy of the Manufacturer's Certification STatement and all receipts and itemized bills. Actual costa dn savings will vary depending on the size, age, location, and condition of the home.

Here is a short breakdown:

The History of "Green"

Before we started this company, Greenovation Builders was just a thought in our hearts and minds. We were going about our day to day lives, living out our own convictions and understanding of what was best for our family, enjoying our jobs, but always thinking of the possibility to do more. Little did we know what was coming.

In the fall of 2008 when the economy took a turn and situations and circumstances freed up more of our time, we decided it was time to think BIG. To think about the possibilities of doing more. It started with what seemed like big ideas, but were actually very small ideas. We realized that with all of our experience and training, as well as the abundance of knowledge we have gained over the years, that it was not only a conviction for our personal lives, but an opportunity and obligation to share with others. The timing couldn't be more perfect.

"Going Green" or the "environmental movement" has gained momentum in recent years, but is actually traced back to much of the philosophical thought of the latter part of the 19th century. An article entitled "A Brief History of the Modern Green Movement in America" (WebEcoist) sums it up very well:

"Environomentalism isn't a trend, or a cult, or a form of hysteria. It is rooted in American philosophy and, being at once innovative and practical, idealistic and active, one could easily define modern environmentalism as quintessentially American.

Environmentalism in America today is defined as: "...advocating the sustainable management of resources and stewardship of the environment through changes in public policy and individual behavior. [It is a] recognition of humanity as a participant in (not enemy of) ecosystems [and] is centered on ecology, health, and human rights.

There have been many names, books and eras worth mentioning that helped to spur on this movement, a few being:

Henry David Thoreau in his book Maine Woods
Rachel Carson’s breakthrough book Silent Spring
George Perkins Marsh who championed preserving the natural environment in 19th century
1860s-the United States government saw fit to create parks and set aside wild lands for public good
Teddy Roosevelt-publicized and popularized conservation
1970's-Natural Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, founding of Earth Day, banning of DDT, theWater Pollution Control Act were established
In the 1990's radical environmentalism formed a bad reputation for those "going green", depicting them as being "religious, cult-like, anti-society, anti-property ownership and anti-capitalist". It wasn't until the early years of the new century that "sobering international events, catastrophic weather, visible climate change, 9/11 and war, gas shortages and scientific consensus legitimized environmental concerns".

Today, "Going Green" encompasses a lot. There is conservation of natural resources, conservation of energy, energy independence, eliminating or reducing chemicals in agriculture and home use, protecting and conserving drinking water, protecting species and habitats, human rights, reducing pollution.

That's just to name a few. From food, to water, to cleaning products, the abuse of chemicals and overuse of natural resources seems to infiltrate our current lives. This, in turn, has heightened our national awareness to the importance of "going green".

Here at Greenovation Builders we believe that we have been given much, so that in return we can give much; be that through education, experience, hands on building or helping you design your next home. Our main objective while educating on "going green" is to illustrate how to live a healthier life. This in turn activates forward thinking for responsible stewardship of the earth we've been given today so that it is available for the generations who are here tomorrow!

Let's join together and change lives!