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Cedar Homes » TIPS AND TRENDS FROM TOWN & COUNTRY » GOING GREEN!
GOING GREEN!
It seems that everywhere you go you see reference to products, programs and procedures that promote environmental correctnwss, know today as 'GREEN'.  We're no exception and have a varitety of topics for you to browse on the subject. Please scroll down or click on the topic of interest to you.

 

BEGIN THE PROCESS:  THINK GREEN
GEOTHERMAL EXPLAINED ONCE AND FOR ALL 

BEGIN THE PROCESS: THINK GREEN

Start when you begin designing your home and evaluate the different greenness of materials. A new kitchen is the perfect spot to go green. Choose energy saving appliances and lighting, select non-toxic finished for floors, walls and cabinets, and provide plenty of nature lighting with windows. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) http://www.nahb.org/ is providing local builders with the knowledge they need to build green. Model Green Building Guidelines have been issued to provide a practical, nationally recognized baseline for home building. The NAHB guidelines focus on: reducing the impact on natural features and vegetation during building site preparation; choosing environmentally friendly components for sub flooring, trusses and other conventional materials; choosing energy-efficient appliances; conserving water with low-flow plumbing fixtures; and protecting indoor environment quality.

What is the Cost?

 

 

Going green does not have to become costly. While it may not look any different, it should be cheaper to operate, healthier to live in and easier to maintain. Green building often means nothing more than building well and perhaps substituting one material for another. Therefore green building doesn’t have to be any more expensive than typical good quality construction. Eventually you will reduce any additional cost of going green through reduced maintenance or operating costs. It’s about careful selection and an intelligent use of resources.

 

 

Tips to Go a Little Greener:

 

 Use energy from the sun

* Southern exposure to the family room and kitchen

*Plant to preserve existing deciduous trees along the south and east elevations for the summer shade. When the trees lose their leaves in the fall season, there will be plenty of sunlight and warmth coming into the house in the winter.

* Keep tree branches from hanging over the roof.

It prevents fire hazards.

 

Make enlightened choices

* Install fluorescent fixtures and use compact fluorescent bulbs that cut energy by 70 percent.

*Start by using flourescent lights in utility areas like the laundry room and basement, this will allow you to get used to them.

* Balance compact fluorescents with incandescent in bedrooms, home offices and living areas.

 

Heat Pumps

* For climates with moderate heating and cooling needs, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners.

* Because they move rather than generate heat, heat pumps can deliver up to four times the amount of energy they consume.

Add a Fan

* Ceiling fans circulate warm air in the winter and make homeowners feel cooler in the summer. 

 

 

"WattWatchers"

 

For John and Shanna Stordahl, saving the heating costs doesn't require lowering the thermostat and wearing bulky sweaters around the house all winter. The Stordahl's who spent a mere $750 to heat their 2,700 square foot home in 2006, are "WattWatchers" through a program offered by their local electric company.

 

Through the program, they purchase electricity for their in-floor heating system only during off-peak hours- primarily in the afternoons and overnight. The furnace is set on a timer to draw electricity during these times. The heat is stored in a thermal storage boiler, a unit that is filled "with a ton of bricks," John says. These bricks retain the heat of the water that circulates through coils underneath the floor, keeping the house warm all the time. Overall, John estimates the system saves about 70% more than heating with propane.

 

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GEOTHERMAL EXPLAINED ONCE AND FOR ALL
 
geothermal heat systems will keep you warm in winter and cool in summerGeothermal heat pumps are one of the most energy efficient ways to heat and cool a home and provide hot water. More and more homeowners are discovering the benefits of these systems, which tap the relatively constant temperature of the Earth a few feet underground, for both new homes and retrofits in existing houses.
 
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geo exchange systems are the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost effective space conditioning systems available (source: “Space Conditioning: The Next Frontier”, EPA 430-R-93-004, April 1993).
 
Simply put, a geothermal system moves the heat from the earth (or a groundwater source) into the home in the winter and pulls the heat from the house and discharges it into the ground in the summer. The underground (or underwater) piping loops serve as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer.
 
Unlike air temperatures, which can vary greatly, a few feet below the earth’s surface the ground remains a relatively constant temperature. This ground temperature is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. Geothermal systems take advantage of this by exchanging heath with the earth though a ground heat exchanger rather than with the outside air (as with air conditioners).
 
Geothermal systems offer many benefits including: cost savings, durability, low maintenance, quiet operation and low environmental impact.
 
Because a geothermal system is so efficient, it uses a lot less energy to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. This means that less energy – often created from burning fossil fuels – is needed operate the system. According to the EPA, geothermal heat systems can reduce energy consumption, and corresponding emissions, up to 44% compared to air source heat pumps and up to 72% compared to electric resistance heating with standard air conditioning equipment.
 
While the cost to install a new or retrofit geothermal system can be twice as much as a conventions gas or electric system, the immediate lower rate for heat, air conditioning and hot water makes the payback point at between 3 and 10 years. A qualified geothermal system provider and installer will be able to make all the calculations necessary for them to provide you with a complete and concise report that will provide you with the data on your break even point.
 
We are currently working with our qualified sub contractor for installation of a geo thermal system at one of our local builds here in Northern Michigan. Our homeowner is very green minded and has decided to make his home at least Energy Star rated. Watch throughout the next months as we report on the accomplishments that are made to reach this goal.


IT IS EASY BEING GREEN!
Green building offers homeowners the opportunity to have a safer, healthier, energy efficient and environmentally friendly residence with the same look and feel of a superior high-quality constructed luxury log home. A green built home is simply a better built home -- from the site planning, to preservation of natural features, to the structure of the house itself, including increased insulation to recycled materials, energy-efficient appliances, water conserving fixtures and more!

Keep in mind: You CAN have a luxury log or timber frame home and still go green!

What is green building?
Green building can be broadly defined as building new homes in a manner that conserves resources.  Green building can include numerous elements affecting cirtually every aspect of construction. Most often it involves one or more of the following keys to energy efficient construction:

-> Land planning and design techniques that place the home for heating/cooling advantage,  preserve the natural environment and minimize disturbance of the natural habitat.
-> Site development considerations that avoid erosion, minimize paved surfaces, runoff and protect vegetation -- especially trees!
->  Energy efficiency in heating/colling systems including your appliances and lighting, as well as the building envelope.
-> Reduces waste during and after construction, including reuse and recycling during construction and for the life of the home.

What you really need to know:  Green building is not "ALL OR NOTHING".  There are many levels of green efficiency -- from  simply utilizing energy saving appliances, to achieving a certified "GREEN BUILT" status for your luxury home.  Every step towards conservation and preservation of resources will help the environment. And, you don't have to sacrifice comfort to build green. Most of today's green-built homes are virtually indistinguishable from other luxury homes.

Why should you consider 'going green' with your new Town & Country Cedar Home?

Ask how we can include 'greener' technology in your new Town & Country luxury home that will improve safety, provide healthier indoor air quality, be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly!

Safer Homes: Our luxury homes are sealed tighter than ever before.  This tightness helps to keep deadly gas from migrating between the house and attached garage.  Closed combustion heating and water heating systems can be included to reduce the potential for carbon monoxide pollution inside the home. And, we recommend a CO monitor in all living areas.
Healthy Living:  Your mechanical ventilation system can include air cleaners for improved indoor air quality. We can also help you select building materials and finishes with lower chemical content.
Energy Efficiency: Want to lower your energy use? We can help you lower your energy expense and limit the amount of air pollution created by general home living by steering you towards even stronger insulation packages, use of cutting edge window technology, as well as low water and more energy efficient appliance selections.
Helping the Environment: Remember that proper placement of your home on your property will make a big difference to local watersheds.  Ask us how we can assist you with maintaining your property's natural environment!

Informative Links on to help you GO GREEN in your building project:

www.nahbgreen.org    The National Association of Home Builders Green Building website, loaded with information for homeowners and builders alike!

www.energystar.gov    A website of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency that contains pertinent information on energy and environmental conservation, and guidelines for energy management.

www.usgbc.org Provided by the US Green Building Council (a non-profit community of leaders) this website discusses and promotes LEED "Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design", and offers valuable information on Energy and Green Building Certification requirements.

DOWNLOAD "45 WAYS TO GREEN A 'NOT SO NEW' HOUSE: 


 

With concern over global climate change and personal, environmental health, going green has attracted many homebuilders and homeowners. Most people think that green building is just about cutting energy use, but it encompasses a whole lot more. Green building is aimed at making homes more resource-efficient and healthier for people and the planet.
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