Tag: energy saving

How much does GREEN cost??

March 27, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Frequently we get a questions or comments about the cost of sustainable construction. Questions center around the perception that the construction or remodeling are excessive over traditional construction. The comments are usually concerning the return on investment (ROI) of a project – meaning the money you put in needs to “pay off” within a period of time that one lives in their home.

Here’s the thing… both concepts need to be examined.

A public opinion survey found that those that answered the survey believed the average cost to build sustainability to be 17% above traditional construction. However, the same study found the “actual average marginal cost of less than 2%”.

The question of ROI is often one of the first things brought up as a factor for some people considering building or renovations. “The most efficient way to analyze the financial benefits would be to look at both the cost premium and the savings associated with that premium, for each feature of a green home”. While ROI can be measured, we encourage folks to think of their homes as a whole system.

Picture a house surrounded by a balloon. If you poke holes in the balloon you’re left with a flat balloon. Each system contributes to the efficiency of the home. By creating the balloon and a tight home envelope, the other systems within the balloon can be optimized – saving money and resources.

Talk to us about your vision and let us help design your best shade of green.

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/content/do-green-houses-cost-more-build-regular-houses
http://www.usgbc.org/articles/green-building-costs-and-savings
http://buildipedia.com/at-home/design-remodeling/green-homes-vs-traditional-homes

Winter is coming

October 31, 2016 /

As a continued testing site, we are always looking for things to explore. A technology that has been around for years (and was seldom used properly) is programmable thermostats.

Programmable thermostats save money by saving the energy you use at home. I have always programmed my thermostats to be more cost effective when I’m away for the day or on vacation. Whether it’s to turn down the heat (to 58 during the winter) or turn up the a/c during the summer (to 85 as long as the cats are not in the house…if they are, 78 seems more reasonable).  A 7-day thermostat would allow me to program each day of the week separately. I would adjust the temperature just before I was to be awake, and again at bedtime with two more adjustments for my family’s work/school schedule and returning from same.  Some problems with all that programming is 1) it takes time, and 2) it doesn’t adjust for when someone stays home. Don’t get me wrong…it’s a big improvement over the old mercury thermostats which are neither programmable nor safe. If you still have a mercury thermostat, please consider alternatives — not only for your safety, but because bringing your technology into the 1990s could save you hundreds of Benjamins.

Welcome now to the world of smart thermostats….and the current century.

We’ve tested both the Lyric and the Nest and essentially they both work the same.  They are smart, meaning they “learn” your habits – like when you play hookie from work on Thursday nights to watch college ball – and can be controlled remotely since they are wifi based. These T-stats look great, are easy to install, and are actually easier to program than the old “programmable” thermostats. We like they look of the Lyric because it blends well with our decor, but the newer profile on the nest makes the cosmetic comparisons a wash.

Click HERE for a great CNET summary review of some fantastic options.

Winter is coming, my friend. Make your investment in a smart thermostat and you’ll be the one smarter (and richer) for it.

Dog days of summer are here…be a cool cat

August 30, 2016 /

A new graphic drawn by Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom.

I don’t know where the expression “dog days of summer” came from, but regardless…it’s HOT!

I grew up in the desert where we had an annual timed event around the anticipated hottest day of the year: cooking an egg on the sidewalk. Yes, they did cook…and it didn’t take too long. You can Google it!

Growing up in a hot climate we learned survival skills quickly. Shade is your friend. Reflection can be your friend too – as long as you’re not in a frying pan. As climate change deniers still exist (smh), one basic scientific fact remains – reflecting solar rays = cooler buildings. Consider cool roofs.

What is a cool roof?

“A cool roof is one that has been designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles.

-US Dept. of Energy

According to the US Department of Energy, the benefits of installing a cool roof will:

  • Reduce annual airconditioning energy use of a singlestory building by up to 15%
  • Cool interior spaces, making occupants more comfortable
  • Reduce carbon emissions by lowering the need for fossil-fuel generated electricity to run air conditioner

Not to mention the potential of slowing global warming – because of the reduced fossil fuel use and all that it takes to retrieve it, refine it and burn it.

You can read more about cool roofs on the DOE website at http://energy.gov/energysaver/cool-roofs. They even have a nifty calculator to see your savings in actual numbers.

If your calling to book your roofer now, there may be things you should consider first. Things like the current life of your roof,  where you live, and planning  for future solar are considerations help you evaluate your ROI. Need more help? Contact us.

 

 

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