We received an e-mail with a question or two about green roofing materials. We sent this question to council member Nancy Rye of Columbia Wholesale, Inc. She sent the question to Mike Vance, a Certain Teed sales representative. Thanks for the question, and here's the answers we've got so far. We'll post more as they come in.
Information on Green roofing materials from Mike Vance of Certain Teed:
Inherently, the lighter color shingles(Landmark AR Mist White and Silver Birch) are the two regular priced, 30 year shingles that have qualified with an SRI of 29 or greater. SRI is an index used to measure reflectivity. This is the real advantage of these products. Insulation can help tremendously but reflecting all the sun and heat is equally important. And don't forget the importance of proper ventilation on the roof as well.
Now the only way to get Energy Star rated shingles outside of the light colors is to use the new Solaris or similar shingle with solar reflective granules. The Solaris is a Landmark Premium product with a lifetime warranty versus the 30 year warranty on regular Landmark. This warranty difference is key as the push for "green" building incorporates sustainability as a major component....hence a limited lifetime warranty on the Solaris. We could have made the product in a 30-year but that would have defeated the purpose and given us more SKU's which affects capacity.
There are some things to consider in deciding on the higher priced Solaris versus a standard 30-year. Cost savings is one...energy cost reduction over the long haul can be substantial. In addition, we have discovered several municipalities and utilities across the country who are giving credits, reduced rates, etc. on their monthly electric charges. And, in the case of a re-roof, you can also take advantage of the Tax Credit available for Energy Star rated products.
Thanks Mike!
Here's a link to the Energy Star website page that deals with this information.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
SCE&G proposes energy savings - Business - The State
This article from The State newspaper gives an overview of the SCE&G energy efficiency plan. The power/utility company met with many different groups for input in developing this plan, including the Green Building Council of Greater Columbia. We are pleased to see the utility company is taking these steps and will keep appraised of the plan as it develops and moves forward. See the article here:
SCE&G proposes energy savings - Business - The State
SCE&G proposes energy savings - Business - The State
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
How to Keep Cool Without Turning Down the A/C
We got a question from a writer named Sara Novak who's writing a story for One Million Acts of Green with ideas for staying cool this Summer without turning your thermostat down. Green Building Council member and Immediate Past Chairman Mark Bostic of Square One Designs answered with this:
1. Q: How can fans help keep things cool? How should they be set up in the home? A: Fans are great and they keep you cool by moving around the air, but I think the top levels of technology would be the archaic ceiling fan or attic fan already in use. If I was looking for either one, I'd get an Energy Star model, so it would be the most efficient.
2. Q: Are there more efficient AC systems? A: Yes there are more efficient AC systems. The way you compare units for their cooling ability is by SEER. Higher the number, better the efficiency. The untold part of the story is the ductwork. If your ducts leak, all of the efficiency of your unit is essentially wasted. And the worst part is it's invisible, so you can't see it, and neither can your HVAC guy, no matter what he tells you. The only way to find out is to test it with the tools an energy rater uses. The test is much cheaper than the unit you're putting in, too.
3. Q: Do you have other ideas for reducing AC costs? A: While you're testing the ductwork, the same guy can test your bulding envelope. Now that you've got the air that leaks from the ductwork, you need to address the air that leaks from the house itself. Door and window penetrations, under the baseboards, out of the attic stair hole and through plumbing penetrations and can lights. Sealing these spots makes your home use less BTUHs of AC so the unit can be smaller and still work. As with ductwork you can't see it so the only way to know for sure is to test before and after.
I know this stuff might not be as interesting or cool as the public may want it to be, but believe me, take these steps and other like these, and instead of saving money by not being comfortable, you can save extraordinary amounts of electricity and maintain complete or even more comfort than before.
Mark Bostic, CGP
Square One Design Service
www.squareoneplans.com
1. Q: How can fans help keep things cool? How should they be set up in the home? A: Fans are great and they keep you cool by moving around the air, but I think the top levels of technology would be the archaic ceiling fan or attic fan already in use. If I was looking for either one, I'd get an Energy Star model, so it would be the most efficient.
2. Q: Are there more efficient AC systems? A: Yes there are more efficient AC systems. The way you compare units for their cooling ability is by SEER. Higher the number, better the efficiency. The untold part of the story is the ductwork. If your ducts leak, all of the efficiency of your unit is essentially wasted. And the worst part is it's invisible, so you can't see it, and neither can your HVAC guy, no matter what he tells you. The only way to find out is to test it with the tools an energy rater uses. The test is much cheaper than the unit you're putting in, too.
3. Q: Do you have other ideas for reducing AC costs? A: While you're testing the ductwork, the same guy can test your bulding envelope. Now that you've got the air that leaks from the ductwork, you need to address the air that leaks from the house itself. Door and window penetrations, under the baseboards, out of the attic stair hole and through plumbing penetrations and can lights. Sealing these spots makes your home use less BTUHs of AC so the unit can be smaller and still work. As with ductwork you can't see it so the only way to know for sure is to test before and after.
I know this stuff might not be as interesting or cool as the public may want it to be, but believe me, take these steps and other like these, and instead of saving money by not being comfortable, you can save extraordinary amounts of electricity and maintain complete or even more comfort than before.
Mark Bostic, CGP
Square One Design Service
www.squareoneplans.com
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Green Not Always an Easy Sell to Skeptical Consumers
- This is a portion of an article from the June 22 issue of Nation's Building News Online. See the full article here.
Although “green” is now very much in the nation’s vernacular, green builders should not assume that consumers are sold on sustainability, Suzanne Shelton, president and CEO of the Shelton Group, told the NAHB National Green Building Conference last month in Dallas.
Shelton said that prospective buyers of green homes are more concerned about what sustainable features will do to improve their lives than to save the planet, and at a time when the state of the economy is the leading concern, consumers are looking to save money on energy but also to avoid paying some of the higher prices they associate with green.
Education is key to motivating mainstream consumers to make sustainable choices, she said, and the trick is to provide information that doesn’t overwhelm them.
Armchair Environmentalists
Green builders need to know what they’re up against, and Shelton said that they can use data such as findings from her company’s surveys and focus groups to talk to customers about what they really care about.
For instance, one of her surveys found that 96% of the public doesn’t know that electricity is bad for the environment; two-thirds don’t know that electricity is generated by burning coal. A small majority correctly identifies coal-fired electrical generation as the leading cause of global warming; most think it’s traffic.
“Consumers know enough about green to get them through a cocktail party conversation,” Shelton said.
More than half of those surveyed agreed that it’s important to have a green house, but only about a third could name a green home feature.
“People say one thing and do another,” she said. “They are great armchair environmentalists, but not great at doing it themselves.”
While 49% of consumers say a company’s environmental policies are an important factor in making a decision to make a purchase, only 21% say they have actually bought a product this way and only 7% can name that product.
“There’s a fuzzy cloud around what’s green,” Shelton said, “and consumers are afraid of making the wrong decision. When they don’t know what to do, they do nothing.”
- This is a portion of an article from the June 22 issue of Nation's Building News Online. See the full article here.
Although “green” is now very much in the nation’s vernacular, green builders should not assume that consumers are sold on sustainability, Suzanne Shelton, president and CEO of the Shelton Group, told the NAHB National Green Building Conference last month in Dallas.
Shelton said that prospective buyers of green homes are more concerned about what sustainable features will do to improve their lives than to save the planet, and at a time when the state of the economy is the leading concern, consumers are looking to save money on energy but also to avoid paying some of the higher prices they associate with green.
Education is key to motivating mainstream consumers to make sustainable choices, she said, and the trick is to provide information that doesn’t overwhelm them.
Armchair Environmentalists
Green builders need to know what they’re up against, and Shelton said that they can use data such as findings from her company’s surveys and focus groups to talk to customers about what they really care about.
For instance, one of her surveys found that 96% of the public doesn’t know that electricity is bad for the environment; two-thirds don’t know that electricity is generated by burning coal. A small majority correctly identifies coal-fired electrical generation as the leading cause of global warming; most think it’s traffic.
“Consumers know enough about green to get them through a cocktail party conversation,” Shelton said.
More than half of those surveyed agreed that it’s important to have a green house, but only about a third could name a green home feature.
“People say one thing and do another,” she said. “They are great armchair environmentalists, but not great at doing it themselves.”
While 49% of consumers say a company’s environmental policies are an important factor in making a decision to make a purchase, only 21% say they have actually bought a product this way and only 7% can name that product.
“There’s a fuzzy cloud around what’s green,” Shelton said, “and consumers are afraid of making the wrong decision. When they don’t know what to do, they do nothing.”
- This is a portion of an article from the June 22 issue of Nation's Building News Online. See the full article here.
Monday, June 22, 2009
How much does it cost to build a Green Home?
This is a very popular question with a complicated answer. The situation depends on what the customer is looking for. First, you should determine what level of Green is right for you. The best way to do that is to figure out your goals in these six categories of Green.
- Lot Design – Do you want to purchase a lot that takes full advantage of Green aspects or is lot selection less of a priority?
- Resources – Are you interested in using only sustainable, recycled, and renewable materials that are designed in the most efficient way or do you prefer using only a few of these practices and products in the home you’ve selected?
- Energy – Do you want to use every possible method to make your home as energy efficient as possible, including the use of solar energy to generate energy, or would you rather use methods that give the best results for a smaller initial investment?
- Water – Do you want to reduce water usage, reuse water where possible, and capture rainwater for irrigation, or do you want to utilize low-flow fixtures and other economical choices, such as a centrally located water heater?
- Air Quality – How much of a priority are filter systems and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) which help reduce chemicals and allergens?
- Operation, Maintenance, Education – How involved would you like to be in the operation of your new home – are you looking for a home that is both economical and low-maintenance or are you looking to build a system that uses the best of technology and design to reduce your carbon footprint?
The next step is to determine the type of builder to use. Are you interested in a builder that has the education and experience to work directly with you to achieve the level of Green you desire or a builder who uses the Green label simply to charge more for a home by meeting only the basic, minimum requirements.
Paradime Construction, Inc. is set up to build Green as a standard but some minimum eco-friendly steps do cost more. For example, the Green verification process will add to the cost of the home. Energy efficient windows cost more than those of standard builders’ grade. These products and techniques do increase the price of turning a starter home into a Green Home.
The bottom line is that the cost really depends on the level of Green desired, in both the design and construction costs of your home. As a base guideline, a home that costs more than $250k would not see much of an increase to build to minimum Green standards. For a home in the lower price ranges, it may cost anywhere from $5k to $7k above the base price to bring it up to such standards. Obviously, the sky is the limit and there are many products on the market now that, while environmentally-friendly, can greatly increase the cost of Green Home construction. You can even add solar products and become much more energy-independent for the right price.
Paradime Construction, Inc. works with each of its clients to determine exactly which level of Green is both comfortable and cost-effective. The main goal is to have a home that performs better, uses today’s technology to balance the costs, and achieves the level of eco-impact our clients want.
- Submitted by Stan O'Brien of Paradime Construction, Inc.
- Lot Design – Do you want to purchase a lot that takes full advantage of Green aspects or is lot selection less of a priority?
- Resources – Are you interested in using only sustainable, recycled, and renewable materials that are designed in the most efficient way or do you prefer using only a few of these practices and products in the home you’ve selected?
- Energy – Do you want to use every possible method to make your home as energy efficient as possible, including the use of solar energy to generate energy, or would you rather use methods that give the best results for a smaller initial investment?
- Water – Do you want to reduce water usage, reuse water where possible, and capture rainwater for irrigation, or do you want to utilize low-flow fixtures and other economical choices, such as a centrally located water heater?
- Air Quality – How much of a priority are filter systems and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) which help reduce chemicals and allergens?
- Operation, Maintenance, Education – How involved would you like to be in the operation of your new home – are you looking for a home that is both economical and low-maintenance or are you looking to build a system that uses the best of technology and design to reduce your carbon footprint?
The next step is to determine the type of builder to use. Are you interested in a builder that has the education and experience to work directly with you to achieve the level of Green you desire or a builder who uses the Green label simply to charge more for a home by meeting only the basic, minimum requirements.
Paradime Construction, Inc. is set up to build Green as a standard but some minimum eco-friendly steps do cost more. For example, the Green verification process will add to the cost of the home. Energy efficient windows cost more than those of standard builders’ grade. These products and techniques do increase the price of turning a starter home into a Green Home.
The bottom line is that the cost really depends on the level of Green desired, in both the design and construction costs of your home. As a base guideline, a home that costs more than $250k would not see much of an increase to build to minimum Green standards. For a home in the lower price ranges, it may cost anywhere from $5k to $7k above the base price to bring it up to such standards. Obviously, the sky is the limit and there are many products on the market now that, while environmentally-friendly, can greatly increase the cost of Green Home construction. You can even add solar products and become much more energy-independent for the right price.
Paradime Construction, Inc. works with each of its clients to determine exactly which level of Green is both comfortable and cost-effective. The main goal is to have a home that performs better, uses today’s technology to balance the costs, and achieves the level of eco-impact our clients want.
- Submitted by Stan O'Brien of Paradime Construction, Inc.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Set it to 78 degrees?? I think not!
I was reading the "10 Energy Efficency Tips" on our power company's website untill I got to number two:
"The best setting for your thermostat is 78. Each degree lower than that can significantly increase your cooling costs, especially in older homes with less thermal efficiency."
Had to stop right there. Geez what's wrong with this country anyway? Set my thermostat to 78 degrees? Why even have one? I don't know about you guys but if I set my thermostat to 78 degrees it would last until my wife got home then I'd be DEAD! This is Columbia not Texas! We don't have anything that even resembles dry heat. We've got the wet sticky kind...
They need to switch that tip to "crawl up in your attic and have a look at your ductwork, better yet have it tested." Do you know that 80% of homes have leaky ductwork? If it's over 10 years old it's not even sealed with mastic, just some old duct tape. Go feel around the joints and see if you can feel some leaks. I did. Man was that a surprise. Get some sealing mastic and get after it. Or you can call someone at the green council to test it, and fix it for you. Probably lots cheaper than all that money you're spending on your power bill.
That's the cool thing about green. You can build a new green home if you want, or you can green up the one you have. Energy isn't free anymore. It's not even cheap anymore. That said, there's no reason someone should suffer just to be able to pay the power bill. It's such a great feeling to realize that it's not me and my family wasting all that power, it's the house! And guess what guys, the house can be fixed!
- Submitted by Mark Bostic of Square One Design Service - www.squareoneplans.com
"The best setting for your thermostat is 78. Each degree lower than that can significantly increase your cooling costs, especially in older homes with less thermal efficiency."
Had to stop right there. Geez what's wrong with this country anyway? Set my thermostat to 78 degrees? Why even have one? I don't know about you guys but if I set my thermostat to 78 degrees it would last until my wife got home then I'd be DEAD! This is Columbia not Texas! We don't have anything that even resembles dry heat. We've got the wet sticky kind...
They need to switch that tip to "crawl up in your attic and have a look at your ductwork, better yet have it tested." Do you know that 80% of homes have leaky ductwork? If it's over 10 years old it's not even sealed with mastic, just some old duct tape. Go feel around the joints and see if you can feel some leaks. I did. Man was that a surprise. Get some sealing mastic and get after it. Or you can call someone at the green council to test it, and fix it for you. Probably lots cheaper than all that money you're spending on your power bill.
That's the cool thing about green. You can build a new green home if you want, or you can green up the one you have. Energy isn't free anymore. It's not even cheap anymore. That said, there's no reason someone should suffer just to be able to pay the power bill. It's such a great feeling to realize that it's not me and my family wasting all that power, it's the house! And guess what guys, the house can be fixed!
- Submitted by Mark Bostic of Square One Design Service - www.squareoneplans.com
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Think green for comfort, ecology and savings
Identify the areas in your home that are the major causes of energy loss and expense such as:
- Insulation defects – Missing, wet or insufficient insulation levels.
- Air infiltration – Exterior points that allow outside air to displace effectiveness.
- Exterior doors and windows – Insulation performance and seal effectiveness.
- HVAC duct leakage – Supply and return air leakage to and from the outside can reduce your systems performance and increase energy cost due to lost conditioned air that never enters your home.
Whether you are building, renovating, or considering a home purchase, investing in an energy audit allows you to make an informed decision that can not only save you money, but enhance the value and comfort of your home.
Utilizing state of the art equipment, we analyze the condition of the insulation in the exterior walls, attic and crawlspace of your home. In addition a air tightness test is performed on your home that produces the same effects that external winds generate. All tests are non destructive, do not require special preparations and can be performed with occupants in the home.
Combining the data from thermal imaging with the air tightness test, we generate a full report detailing the type and location of energy leaks. Documentation of this information about the home can make a significant impact in your negotiations, renovation plans or energy conservation plan.
Best of all, "An informed decision is one that you never regret."
- Submitted by Joseph Gilmore of Gilmore Consulting Services, LLC
Thursday, June 11, 2009
How Green Do You Want to Be?
This entry deals not with how green is green, but how green do you want to be? Green building and living means different things to different people. Some of the guys I work with regularly call it the "shades of green" discussion. For some guys cutting your power bills by two thirds is enough. Others are interested in the sustainable green discussion, knowing that their home will last for 100 years instead of 20.
Then there's less stuff to the landfill green, I take great pride that my new home sent almost nothing to the landfill in an industry that sends more to the landfill than almost any other. There are discussions on less water wasted green. This can be accomplished by a variety of means, more efficient devices, or by using water more than once, or saving water in the exterior areas of the residence. Lots of people realize that a green home can be a healthier home for the occupants because of measures taken by the builder to keep harmful chemicals removed from materials used to build the home. And then there are those that take certain pride that through the way they construct and live in their homes that they are playing a role in saving the planet.
- Contributed by Mark Bostic of Square One Design Service. Mark is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Green Building Council of Greater Columbia. See more entries from Mark at his blog.
Then there's less stuff to the landfill green, I take great pride that my new home sent almost nothing to the landfill in an industry that sends more to the landfill than almost any other. There are discussions on less water wasted green. This can be accomplished by a variety of means, more efficient devices, or by using water more than once, or saving water in the exterior areas of the residence. Lots of people realize that a green home can be a healthier home for the occupants because of measures taken by the builder to keep harmful chemicals removed from materials used to build the home. And then there are those that take certain pride that through the way they construct and live in their homes that they are playing a role in saving the planet.
- Contributed by Mark Bostic of Square One Design Service. Mark is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Green Building Council of Greater Columbia. See more entries from Mark at his blog.
Why does Paradime Construction, Inc. build Green Homes?
The initial driving force behind our interest in building Green Homes was purely economic. For our customers, paying a large utility bill just didn’t make sense. One way to cut down on these bills was to build more efficiently. This also saved on the overall cost of construction. Through “value-engineering” (an early form of Green design) and focusing on building a well-insulated home, the customer saved money up front and continued to see these savings throughout the life of the home. Paradime Construction, Inc. has always used “value-engineering” principals as both the designer and the builder. Through our years of experience in both fields, we are able to save our clients money right from the start, beginning with our design process. Also, by utilizing resources that use less waste and more renewable products whenever possible, significant savings can be seen in both construction costs and home maintenance expenses.
With the introduction of the approved standards by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Green Homes were clearly defined and all aspects that go into their design and construction are now measurable and verifiable by qualified third parties. For Paradime Construction, Inc., implementation of this program was both logical and simple, as we were already using many of these techniques in several aspects of our business, and they can now be verified by a third party and receive the seal of approval from the home-building industry.
There are varying degrees of Green when it comes to new homes. You can achieve both a well designed and energy-efficient home with small but deliberate steps. There is also the extreme option of an off-the-grid home that provides its own energy. Most Green Homes fall into the middle of these categories. People want Green Homes for various reasons and that is why these programs allow the homebuyer to customize the level of Green they are looking for in their new home.
Paradime Construction, Inc. is pleased to provide these services to our clients. Planet Earth has only a finite amount of natural resources. Through Green design and construction, today’s homes can do their part to conserve both energy and resources. At Paradime Construction, Inc., new construction is the perfect place to take advantage of the ever changing technology and products that allow our Green Homes to outperform other standard homes, easing the impact on both the wallet and the environment.
- Contributed by Stan O'Brien of Paradime Construction, Inc. Stan is an Executive Committee Member of the Green Building Council of Greater Columbia.
With the introduction of the approved standards by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Green Homes were clearly defined and all aspects that go into their design and construction are now measurable and verifiable by qualified third parties. For Paradime Construction, Inc., implementation of this program was both logical and simple, as we were already using many of these techniques in several aspects of our business, and they can now be verified by a third party and receive the seal of approval from the home-building industry.
There are varying degrees of Green when it comes to new homes. You can achieve both a well designed and energy-efficient home with small but deliberate steps. There is also the extreme option of an off-the-grid home that provides its own energy. Most Green Homes fall into the middle of these categories. People want Green Homes for various reasons and that is why these programs allow the homebuyer to customize the level of Green they are looking for in their new home.
Paradime Construction, Inc. is pleased to provide these services to our clients. Planet Earth has only a finite amount of natural resources. Through Green design and construction, today’s homes can do their part to conserve both energy and resources. At Paradime Construction, Inc., new construction is the perfect place to take advantage of the ever changing technology and products that allow our Green Homes to outperform other standard homes, easing the impact on both the wallet and the environment.
- Contributed by Stan O'Brien of Paradime Construction, Inc. Stan is an Executive Committee Member of the Green Building Council of Greater Columbia.
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