Home Building

Cellulose vs. Fiberglass Insulation

While fiberglass insulation remains popular, homeowners should consider cellulose insulation for their next home improvement project. Not only is cellulose insulation a sustainable material, but it can save up to one fifth of the energy costs when compared to fiberglass. And although it may be more difficult to install, cellulose insulation offers several advantages that make it worth a look.

Image Courtesy Cellulose.org

R-value is King

Although cellulose insulation has a very slight advantage in R-value per square inch of material when compared to fiberglass, the real gains go beyond a single number. Perhaps the largest advantage of cellulose insulation is its ability to eliminate gaps between the insulation and wall. These gaps are often a large source of energy loss, and one that fiberglass insulation cannot easily address.

In fact, some studies indicate that cellulose insulation can prevent 20% more energy loss than fiberglass due to its superior ability to reduce air infiltration.

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The Six Primary Types of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save the consumer as much as $30 over the life of the bulb when compared to incandescent lighting. While many consumers may be familiar with the energy savings, few are aware of the variety of CFLs that are available on the market.

CFL Bulb Choices Abound

Ranging from the popular spiral to the decorative candle bulb, there is a compact fluorescent light bulb that will fit any situation in residential construction.

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Sustainable Roofing Choices for Homeowners

Making a sustainable roofing choice for your home doesn't require planting a garden on your roof. There are many environmentally sound choices that don't involve plant life or hundreds of pounds of soil overhead.

Below are four of the most common and easiest sustainable roofing choices available to the homeowner.

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Examining the Less Than Sunny Side of Photovoltaic Cells

Anyone who has ever considered photovoltaic cells knows that they are an enormous investment. However, there is a certain allure to solar panels and the ability to go “off the grid” that makes many homeowners at least consider photovoltaic cell technology, which remains one of the most sustainable available.

If you’re considering photovoltaic cells, there are three factors that solar panel manufacturers like to ignore when talking about their product. However, these factors can significantly diminish the energy savings that solar panels can produce, making it all the more important that you know about them.

Image courtesy ConstructionProgress
 

Continue reading: Downside of Solar Panels

RCI Timeshare Sales Tours Really Bite

As I mentioned not long ago in my post about the HGTV Green Home in Tradition, we vacationed in a timeshare condo on the beach on Hilton Head Island and had an absolute blast.

We had a great time doing absolutely nothing the entire week because when it comes right down to it, isn't 'doing nothing" the point of a relaxing vacation. I mean...we did stuff like fly kites, spent ample time in the surf, picked up (and released) a nice selection of sea creatures off of the beach, absorbed our fair share of sunrays, read books and walked for miles and miles on the beach...but we didn't have to be anywhere at any time that we did not choose to be. Now that's a vacation in my book!

Although, there was one exception to that rule...a timeshare tour with Resort Condominiums International, better known as RCI. It wasn't pre-planned at all. Rather it was a sales call to our timeshare unit the morning after our arrival. Yes...there was a bit of bribery involved to get us to 'come on down'. I looked at it as a little extra cash for a very nice dinner that only required an hour of our time so I decided it couldn't possibly be painful enough not to endure for "an hour"...or could it???

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How Green Is Cordwood Building?

Cordwood building is an alternative building method that uses stacks of firewood held in place permanently with mortar to create walls. Most people considering cordwood building are interested in its potential as a green building method. But how green is cordwood building really? The answer, like most questions pertaining to sustainability, depends on where you live and the techniques used when constructing your cordwood building.

Top Reasons For Cordwood House Construction

Embodied Energy

Cordwood building can have low embodied energy provided the wood used is local, or better yet, used from on site. Because the wood requires very little work before being used in cordwood walls, there is very little waste or energy consumed processing it. However, the inherent energy contained in the wood, combined with any distance that the wood must travel to the site, can increase the embodied energy significantly.

The embodied energy represented by the wood pales when compared to the energy intensive mortar that is often used. Portland cement is one of the most high-embodied- energy materials used in building construction. It also causes significant pollution when it is manufactured. Some of these concerns can be addressed by using a cob mortar or a Portland cement that has a significant amount of fly ash in it.

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USGBC's LEED Program Wants To Hear Your Voice

Interested in having your voice heard regarding improving the LEED Green Building Rating System? You're in luck!

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Board of Directors has voted unanimously to open LEED 2009 for public comment. This is a huge step in the right direction to improve upon an already hugely successful program in the much needed green building movement. The LEED Green Building Rating System is an ever-evolving process and they realize that fact. Thus, the invitation to public comment/suggestions.

The meeting will cover 3 main areas:

• LEED 2009 - LEED Rating System updates/revisions
• Revision and Evolution of the LEED Certification process
• LEED online v3

You've got to hurry, though. The meeting is this Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 2 PM EDT. Here's all the info listed below that you'll need to have your voice heard.

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The 2008 HGTV Green Home Teaches Water Conservation

The HGTV 2008 Green Home is a shining example of how to build a beautiful eco-friendly home. If you weren't already aware, the 2008 Green Home was built just outside of Hilton Head Island (HHI), SC  where developers and builders are creating an environmentally responsible community called Tradition Hilton Head.

We've vacationed on HHI quite a few times over the years and this year was no different. We were there just a couple of weeks ago to bask in the sunshine and swim in the surf. The weather was almost perfect the entire time and the bugs weren't in full force yet so the timing was right on.

I had planned all along on making my way to Tradition to visit the Green Home at some point during our stay, even though I knew the tours had ended already. I was hopeful that I would somehow be allowed to see the home one way or another. Was I successful?

Continue reading: HGTV Green Home Conserves

Beyond Green: Advantages of Cork Flooring You Might Not Know About

You've probably heard about the green properties of cork flooring, but you may not be aware of the other advantages of installing this material in your home. Similar in cost to tile or hardwood floors, cork flooring can be installed by the careful homeowner and should be considered before your next remodeling project.


Cork Flooring: Versatile, Warm and Cozy

Warmer and softer than tile floors, cork flooring has become very popular for use in the kitchen. It easily absorbs impacts due to the millions of tiny cells present in each square inch. This same quality also means cork flooring is easier on your feet and more comfortable to stand on for long periods of time.

 

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Five Green Ways to Remove Paint

While many consumers may think that paint removal requires a chemical stripper and hours of work, there are plenty of options that are kind to the environment and your lungs as well as guaranteed to save you time.

Of course, if you plan on repainting, use a low or no VOC paint to finish the job in the greenest way possible.


 

Continue reading: Eco-Friendly Paint Removal