Tag Archives: energy efficiency

Markets, Structure Reuse

Innovation and tech are transforming the buildings we learn in

H/O - Oslo school-c

An illustration of how the new school could look once finished.
Veidekke

“Whatever you are going to construct, from an environmental perspective, your number one priority is to ensure your designers are focused on enabling you to build something that is energy efficient, uses materials that have a low embodied carbon and can be easily maintained, re-purposed and ultimately, after a long and useful lifetime, be recycled,” Dominic Burbridge, associate director of the Carbon Trust, said in a statement sent to CNBC.com.

Source: Innovation and tech are transforming the buildings we learn in

Structure Reuse

Home renovation: where to start – By Kate Wagner- Curbed

Similarly, it’s a common fallacy that (unless you are renovating your house to passive house energy standards) new windows are more energy efficient or durable than historic ones. First, it will take up to 240 years to recoup enough money from energy savings to pay back the cost of installing replacement windows. Second, let’s be real: New windows are not nearly as good looking. Old windows are very hard to replace, but much easier and often cheaper to restore to modern standards. Finally, no other types of

Source: Home renovation: where to start – Curbed

Waste News

Green Building: Why Waste a Window? — Environmental Protection

Introduced more than30 years ago, window film today is engineered using advanced technology to deliver energy savings similar to low-e windows, yet at a fraction of what replacement windows cost. Just like new windows and doors, window film is rated by the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council), so homeowners and property managers can be sure of the benefits. For single-family homes, window film installation costs can range from $4 to $11 per square foot, depending on the location and type of window film installed, and the process can be completed in one or two days, without a major disruption in use of the rooms where the windows are located.

Source: Green Building: Why Waste a Window? — Environmental Protection

Structure Reuse

The Ancient Party Barn Went from 18th Century to Smart | Digital Trends

The buildings — the barn, stables, and dairy — on Staple Farm in Kent, England were in disrepair. The firm worked to salvage what they could and turn the barn into a home away from home for the couple. Though they wanted to maintain the “barn’s brooding presence,” according to the architects, they added modern amenities like a ground-source heat pump, LED lamps, and security systems. The lights, HVAC system, and security systems are all Internet-connected, so the owners can monitor their barn when they travel. There’s also a fireplace built into the spiral staircase, that leads up to the mezzanine sleeping area.

Source: The Ancient Party Barn Went from 18th Century to Smart | Digital Trends

In Regards to LEED...

Energy Star Cabin Haus For Sale- Falgstaff, Arizona – Ezra Builders

The design and placement of the house optimizes forest views, a wrap around deck on the east and south sides that overlooks the greenway, and the cul-de-sac for safe and easy garage access. The vaulted ceilings in the living room make this house feel like a cabin while affording modern comfort.

This house is ENERGY STAR certified and is working towards receiving an award for the Coconino County Sustainability Program. What’s that mean? This home will cost ~30% less to operate, be more comfortable, more durable, healthier and safer for its owners and occupants, and all around better for the environment.

Use #CabinHaus to follow this project on Facebook.

via Cabin Haus – 2367 Chof Trail – Ezra Builders.

Waste News

Eco Expo Asia set for Oct. 28-31, 2015 – Construction & Demolition Recycling

The 2015 version of Eco Expo Asia will focus on the theme “Embracing a Green and Sustainable Future” and will include additional targeted themes on certain days, including “Cleaner Production and Waste Management,” “Green Building and Energy Efficiency,” “Global Green Insights,” and “Green Living.”

via Eco Expo Asia set for Oct. 28-31, 2015 – Construction & Demolition Recycling.

In Regards to LEED...

Passivhaus – Ezra Builders

 

Ezra Builders is setting a new standard in Northern Arizona for sustainability through Passivhaus design. As a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), Tom has been trained by the certifying and training authority of the United States, the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). He has had a direct involvement in two of the completed passive house projects in the Portland, OR area. At the Karuna Passive House, he acted as one of the Quality Control personnel during the insulation phase. Spending more time in the field at the Pumpkin Ridge Passive House, he worked on the structural framing, air barrier install, door and window install. Through his exposure and experience he believes the passivhaus (passive house) standard is one of the few ways to truly build sustainably and is setting out to do just that.

via Passivhaus – Ezra Builders.

Uncategorized

Thermal Bridging Guide Provides Energy Efficiency Solutions – Green Building Elements

Building Envelope Thermal Analysis Guide

The Building Envelope Thermal Analysis (BETA) Guide outlines how to effectively account for thermal bridging and is backed up by an extensive catalogue of thermal performance data.  This information is essential for practitioners evaluating building envelope thermal performance.

Researchers and regulators will be interested in the sections focused on market transformation, which includes an evaluation of cost effectiveness and energy savings in common large building types.

via Green Building Elements | From brick and mortar shops to city planning, we cover sustainable trends in construction, renovation, and more..

Reuse Centers

MaxLite and Habitat for Humanity Announce Partnership to Provide Energy-Efficient Lighting Nationwide

MaxLite® is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to provide energy-efficient lighting for Habitat ReStore resale outlet customers nationwide. As part of the partnership, Habitat restores have begun selling discounted ENERGY STAR®-qualified compact fluorescent CFL and light emitting diode LED lamps and fixtures. MaxLite is also donating $180,000 in ENERGY STAR-qualified products for 300 homes that will be built during Habitat for Humanity’s Home Builders Blitz in June. MaxLite has also partnered with utility programs across the country to provide additional discounts on lighting products to Habitat ReStores.

via MaxLite and Habitat for Humanity Announce Partnership to Provide Energy-Efficient Lighting Nationwide.

Reuse Design

BBC News – Energy-efficient show home opens at Ravenscraig site

Resource efficient house at Ravenscraig

The Resource Efficient House aims to be a show home for affordable sustainable building

Inside, the house uses a variety of recycled materials in the fixtures and fittings.

The kitchen work surfaces are made from material reprocessed from recycled coffee cups.

Recycled paint is used for the decoration and the kitchen bar stools are made from reclaimed wood from whisky barrels.

The house also uses heating, lighting and water conservation measures to make it more energy efficient and affordable to live in.

via BBC News – Energy-efficient show home opens at Ravenscraig site.

Waste News

Identifying Green Building Materials » Greener Ideal

green building materials

Anyone building or renovating a home today will almost certainly be keeping energy efficiency in mind. According to the research that’s been done, approximately 40% of all raw materials used each year are used in building and construction. This amounts of over 3 billion tons of resources each year, and many builders and home owners are trying to do their best to reduce those numbers. When evaluating building materials, there are a lot of factors to consider, and this article should serve as an effective guide to understanding the different elements surrounding green building materials.

First and foremost, the product itself must come from a renewable resource or process. For example, recycled materials from demolished buildings, bamboo or straw, which are plentiful and rapidly renewable, or linoleum, which is inexpensive to manufacture.

via Identifying Green Building Materials » Greener Ideal.

Structure Reuse

Comfort meets energy-efficiency in a restored Holy Cross shotgun | NOLA.com

Tracy Nelson's Holy Cross shotgun

A TWO-WAY STREET: Nelson makes her old home more energy efficient by “interacting” with it. During the hottest months, she closes the shutters over the doors while leaving the slats open to keep the sun at bay. In winter, the shutters hold heat inside. Her November energy bill was $40.

“Besides, I love the visual of the shutters behind the door,” she said.

Antique Eastlake doors found at The Bank, an architectural salvage store, create a tight seal against the Louisiana climate.

Dittrich-Lips Art Glass cut red, green and purple glass for her kitchen door, which lets in sunlight and splashes of vivid color. Beautiful blue and rose glass from the 1930s or ’40s in the bedroom door came from Attenhofer’s Stained Glass Studio in Metairie.

Nelson also restored the home’s original plaster walls.

“Plaster is energy-efficient and keeps you incredibly cool,” she said. In her estimation, the destruction of plaster walls and hardwood floors after Hurricane Katrina represented real architectural tragedies.

via Comfort meets energy-efficiency in a restored Holy Cross shotgun | NOLA.com.

Portland Area

Ecotech, Preserves Historic Home | Department of Energy

Plugging my Day Job yo!

Insulation is blown into the home of Roy and Kim Fox in Portland, Ore. EcoTech modified its equipment to avoid damaging the home, which was built in 1884. | Photo courtesy of Roy Fox |

Insulation is blown into the home of Roy and Kim Fox in Portland, Ore. EcoTech modified its equipment to avoid damaging the home, which was built in 1884. | Photo courtesy of Roy Fox |

Runkel says the Weatherization Meets Historic Preservation event was a “great educational tool.” The majority of Portland’s homes were built before World War II and residents are worried about destroying the “historic character” of the homes if they make improvements, he says.

The event provided a way to introduce a discussion about home energy upgrades, Runkel notes. “It gave them some handholds and footholds of understanding the concepts of energy efficiency.”

“And it was a lot less intimidating to consider what could be done,” he adds.

Runkel praises the homeowners for the success of Weatherization Meets Historic Preservation. “This is one of those cases where it really was the initiative of the Foxes.”

The project was important, Roy explains, because it proved energy efficiency upgrades could be done in a way that doesn’t harm historic homes. “If people are willing to do a little creative thinking, you really can leave the old fabric of the house intact.”

Please take a moment to read and be inspired by the article via Portland Company Weatherizes, Preserves Historic Home | Department of Energy.

Policy/Regulations/Government, Reuse Centers, Reuse Design

Deep Energy Retrofit Demonstrates Significant Energy Savings With Help of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts – MarketWatch

 

CET has transformed a 100-year-old brick mill building into a modern green building with the help of funding from Columbia Gas. The building will house the EcoBuilding Bargains store, a non-profit recycled construction materials retail establishment.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency similar commercial buildings and manufacturing plants account for nearly half of all U.S. energy consumption or $2 billion a year.

This EcoBuilding Bargains store is a green standard-bearer, using only about 1/2 of the energy than a normal building of its size, according to John Majercak, CET’s Executive Director.

The $3.3 million energy-efficient makeover of the historic structure is a forerunner in sustainable practices and is just one of the many “Deep Energy Retrofits” (or superbly-insulated, highly-airtight buildings that dramatically reduce heat loss) supported by Columbia Gas around the Commonwealth.

 

 

via Deep Energy Retrofit Demonstrates Significant Energy Savings With Help of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts – MarketWatch.