Green Building Tips

When it comes to energy saving, much can be done around the home. Obviously if you are starting out with a clean slate, it is easier to reduce energy use by choosing energy efficient products and appliances, as well as designing the home to work as naturally as possible (come to us for that, we can help). If your home is already built, or you’re buying an existing house, there is no need to worry. There are still things you can do to reduce your energy intake! One of the most talked-about things you can do is to not only turn off, but also unplug appliances when they are not in use. The “ghost load” or draw that still occurs from the appliances amounts to around 10% of your energy bill.

Something that is not as widely spoken of, however, is maintaining your dryer. We all know that as a kid learning how to do laundry, our moms told us to “always clean the lint trap”. Some of us loved seeing the lint pulled from clothes, and others didn’t want to have anything to do with it. One thing’s for sure though: mom probably didn’t explain WHY you were supposed to clean that out. Not only does it help keep future clothes lint-free, but it also helps your dryer do the best job it can. A clogged lint trap reduces the efficiency of the dryer, and can also start a fire (yes, it has happened). So next time you go to do a load of laundry, give your dryer some love and keep it clean.

Instead of going out to the local household store, find materials or appliances from old/demolished/soon-to-be-demolished buildings that are usable for your home.  Reclaimed flooring is becoming more widely sought for, and therefore supplied, but you can also find things like hinges, door handles and other hardware, sinks, etc.  Bonus points if you actually find it regionally instead of purchasing online!

The Energy tax credit has been extended through 2010, nearly everyone can benefit from this credit, as most homes can use extra weather-sealing, and insulation improvements.  The tax credit is a 30% credit of up to $5000 in total investments which will give you a $1500 break on your taxes.  It is a one time credit so you can not double dip with separate $5000 projects.  Here is a link to the Energy Star page which further outlines the details of the program.

Energy Star

We just completed a weatherstrip retrofit on a custom door opening in a home, the new doors had been installed in an existing opening with old weatherstrip which was not performing well.  We custom made new hardwood stops from Blue Star FSC Certified Red Meranti, and installed Resource Conservation Technology Weatherstripping to seal up the door opening.  Check out the video detailing the installation.

GreenBuild 2009 news, comments from the show. Everyone agrees the statistics are correct; Green Building is NOT a fad. Sustainable construction is going to lead the way out of the recession. Home buyers are looking for the green choice when they make their purchases.

A recent Portland Press article outlines a high school vocational program building a LEED certified home. Frank Kehough the director of the program noted that after a lull of carpentry students over the past five years there is a renewed interest in the program so much so that they are able to build a home as part of the program.

“It’s the first house that PATHS has produced in five years – a lull that Kehough attributes to a decline in carpentry students. He hopes his revamped program will tap interest in green construction and help reverse that trend.”

Read the full article here!