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Category: Green Building Posted: September 17, 2014 Author: Scott Allred
Americans spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, yet the air in homes can be ten times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A common source of indoor air pollution is the offgassing of chemicals or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) found in many building materials. Offgassing i...
Category: Green Building Posted: September 9, 2014 Author: Scott Allred
How much more will it cost is always the first question from someone just beginning to explore green building. The answer will always be: “It depends”. A comparable question is “how much does a car cost?” Is it a Hyundai or a Mercedes? Recent studies have concluded that it doesn’t have to cost much more, if any, to build a green h...
Category: Green Building Posted: September 5, 2014 Author: Scott Allred
Heating water accounts for up to 30% of the average home's energy budget. Tankless water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. Therefore, they avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters and can be up to 40% more efficient than traditional water heaters. According to the Environmental Protect...
Category: Green Building Posted: September 2, 2014 Author: Scott Allred
The “Stack Effect” occurs when warm air rises through air leaks between a home’s upper floor and attic, and draws outside air into the home through leaks between the floor and crawlspace or basement. This happens in summer and winter and is similar to the way a chimney operates. Warm air rises because it is lighter than cold air ...
Category: Green Building Posted: September 1, 2014 Author: Scott Allred
Most houses in this region of the country are built on a crawl space – an open area under the home that allows for grade changes, and room for plumbing and mechanical systems. To allow for ventilation of these crawl spaces, vents are installed through the walls to the outside. This allows for air circulation and to replace stale a...
Category: Green Building Posted: August 1, 2014 Author: Scott Allred
If you are considering building a new home or undertaking a major kitchen remodel, you may want to consider a “greener alternative”. Cabinetry can contain a variety of materials including plywood, adhesives, and finishes that contain high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde. According to the EPA, these pro...
Category: Green Building Posted: July 1, 2014 Author: Scott Allred
If you are considering replacing your carpet or flooring, choose materials that are good for the environment and your home. EPA studies have shown that indoor pollutant levels can be up to five times higher than they are outside. Flooring can be a source of many of these pollutants. New carpet and flooring contain volatile organic...