Modular building has become a popular option for many people today. For many, modular homes offer are a quick and cost effective solutions for accommodation needs. Many builders have also taken advantage of the popularity of these buildings. Compared with the traditional way of constructing homes and commercial buildings, modular construction offers a lot of benefits in terms of meeting clients; needs in a very timely manner, reduced construction costs, sustainability and practicality.

The basics

A modular building is a ground-breaking technique of building structures that involves dividing a building into several different sections, or modules, and manufacturing them in a factory-run setting at the same time as the site of the building is being developed and prepared. The mechanical aspects of the structure including plumbing, electrical and interior facets are completed before the modules are shipped, assembled and attached to the foundation on job site.

Structures built using modular construction methods surpass building codes, safety and occupancy code specifications including local building requirements. Custom designed modular buildings may contain regular building materials such as vinyl siding, bricks, or metal as required in order to meet client’s aesthetic, functional, and green building LEED requirements.

Benefits and Advantages over traditional construction

The following are some of the immediate advantages of modular buildings:

• Speed. This is the main advantage of a modular construction approach, and one of the most significant modular building benefits and advantages over traditional construction. While the modules are being manufactured in a factory-like environment, the site is simultaneously being developed and prepared. Due to this, these buildings can be ready for occupancy weeks or even months ahead of time. In comparison with conventional structures, the modular buildings can provide savings of 30 to 50 percent just by the simultaneous preparation of the modules, and the construction site.

• Innovative designs. Modular buildings are known for their excellence in design. Depending on the client’s needs, a modular construction can be a single story building or a multi-story structure featuring optimal designs and an emphasis on the aesthetic appeal and sustainability.

• Customized Design. Modular builders can work with clients in designing and laying out the structure early on. There is often a collaboration between the parties involved to ensure that the custom building requirements are planned and executed well to assure customer satisfaction.

• High quality. When it comes to modular constructions, the level of quality can exceed expectations because there are strict quality control procedures that are implemented for a more efficient process. Multiple inspections on the modules are normally performed at each stage of the process. The construction components are evaluated and given approval by certain agents of the state.

• Maintenance cost reductions. Modular homes and commercial buildings are designed and build with energy efficient features such as added insulation for energy savings, energy efficient appliances that all work to reduce the utility expenses of a building, and other green building elements for the health and safety of the occupants.

• Multiple uses. These buildings have numerous uses and are likewise flexible and versatile. They can be used permanently or temporarily and have a lifespan of more than 30 years. In fact, modular structures can be used as temporary and permanent classrooms, health care and military facilities in both urban and traditional areas.

Conclusion

Due to their practical characteristics and quick turnaround time from groundbreaking to occupancy, modular structures offer many advantages for the end user vs. traditionally construction. With ease and speed of building and features like customization and flexibility, these buildings are set to become the next generation way of building homes, commercial buildings, educational facilities, hotels, and hospitals.

Setting Priorities for your Sustainable Home Design is the Key to having a Green Home

If sustainability is one of the goals for your building project, then a sober assessment of priorities will help to guide your selection of green building technologies.  Whether your project is a new construction, remodel or renovation, the sustainable identity of your home will only be genuine when its components and elements furnish positive returns on investment.  Unfortunately, the most visible and showy applications may offer the least value for supporting sustainability.  Solar collectors and panels can be exciting and enticing.  Unfortunately for our egos, it is most often the very common (even dull) conservation measures which furnish the biggest bang for the buck.

Conservation

A bit of clever design can find much opportunity for energy savings through conservation methods such as thick insulation, secure air barriers and construction detail which are carefully considered and executed.  Tight high quality windows and doors can reward investment.  Caulking and weather-stripping can be the most boring, but the most effective means of saving energy.  Don’t forget the lighting.  CFL and LED lamps can reduce electrical usage.  These and other basic conservation techniques should be the first considerations.

Passive Solar

The next most effective resource-conserving approach is passive solar architecture.  If your home is located at a site with southern exposure and in a cold climate, then a passive solar orientation can provide significant financial savings with little added expense.  Such application can be as simple as arranging more glass on the south side of the house than on the other sides.  If the sunshine entering these windows lands on masonry surfaces, then energy can be stored by day and slowly released during evening hours.  Modest overhangs will shade the heat gain during winter and allow the sunshine to enter during the winter due to the seasonable changes of the sun’s motion.  The simplicity of such designs is appealing.  Passive solar architecture can be accomplished without moving parts (except for the sun) and is therefore affordable and reliable.

Passive Solar Home Design

Active Solar

Finally, for those who have taken advantage of all of the above opportunities and still wish to venture further into sustainable home design, then active solar collection systems may be appropriate.  These will include photovoltaic power generation and domestic water heating systems.  In locations where water is scarce, rainwater harvesting and grey-water recycling may be employed.   All of these installations however will represent significant investment and financial returns must be carefully examined to determine if they are economically justified in each particular application.  Tax credits and deductions may be available for these systems (as with conservation and passive solar expenses) and these incentives will vary from region to region.  Full financial analysis can be complicated, and solar panel installers can often lend helpful support.

PV Solar Power System

By establishing priorities, your project will follow sound principles that lead to architecture with integrity.  You will be assured that the green building measures employed in your sustainable project truly support your commitment to conserving energy and other resources.

Keeping your bathroom green means cutting back on water. But it’s not as hard as it sounds. Saving water doesn’t require “navy showers,” where a person turns the water off while sudsing up, and then briefly back on again to rinse. It doesn’t require skipping the toilet flushing for every third person, either.

Sometimes all it means is installing a high-efficiency toilet. A traditional toilet will use thousands of gallons more water, over one year, than a high-efficiency toilet.

Green Toilet

Don’t flush your money down the drain, literally! A toilet alone can use up to 27 percent of the entire household’s water usage, according to the EPA.

If your home was built before 1994, chances are your bathroom fixtures aren’t saving you any money. New designs are required, by federal standards, to use less water. Replacing your toilets, showerheads, and faucets with low-flow models will save you money automatically, even if you don’t limit your use of the appliances themselves.

The newest kind of green toilet has a dual-flush mechanism, which uses one small flush when only a tiny amount of water is needed, and a second flush with more water when it’s needed.

Separate shower stalls can also save money, rather than the tub-shower combination. Running a bath, according to the EPA, can use seven times the energy as hopping in the shower. If your shower is separate, you won’t be tempted to have a seat and whip out the bubble bath.

Special thanks to Budget Bath for this article, Bath Remodeling Maryland
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With the winter looming just around the corner, your home’s energy efficiency starts to weigh heavily not only in terms of being green from the environmental, personal, and social perspective, but it is becoming increasingly important because of very high heating costs.

In this guide I am going to present some fairly easy to implement ideas on how to increase your home’s energy efficiency on a budget.

Home Insulation Ideas

If your home was built before 1970s, then it is very likely that it does not have sufficient levels of insulation, which results in unnecessary heat loss. Many states now offer some very attractive home insulation programs, grants and rebates. For instance, the state of Massachusetts, my home state, provides a 75% tax credits rebate on energy efficient insulation up to $2000.00 in year 2011.

There are many similar programs in other states, and taking advantage of similar energy efficient insulation rebate programs will not only put money back in your pocket, and reduce your heating and cooling costs. But it will also increase the saleability of your home, reduce the chance of your heating pipes bursting in the winter, reduce cold air drafts in your home, and make your home a more comfortable place for you and your family.

Attic Insulation

Going back to older homes built before 1970s, if you happen to live in one, chances are that your loft or attic insulation is not sufficiently insulated and ventilated, which is a common reason for ice dams on the roof in the winter and costly roof, walls, and insulation damages that may not necessarily be covered by homeowners insurance. If you plan on having a new roof installed any time soon, then consider replacing your old roof with an energy efficient metal roofing system, which will help reduce your cooling costs in the summer, and help stop ice dams in the winter.

You can better insulate your attic by locating air leaks, and applying a caulk sealant to stop the unwanted air leaks.
You can feel for this air leaks with your hand, or buy a special tool for detecting thermal leaks in your home at your local home improvement store. Another alternative would be having a professional home energy audit performed in your home, which would give you a complete report outlining locations where energy loss due to insufficient insulation and air leaks occurs.

You can then, follow up on recommendations of home energy audit report, and have a contractor insulate and seal poorly insulated, and poorly sealed areas in your house for you, or you could save a bit of money by taking on these inadequacies in your home insulation levels yourself with the help of specialty sealants, and attic insulation bats for your attic.

Having a sufficiently insulated and properly ventilated attic will help prevent ice dams on your roof. Being prepared for cold storms with a properly insulated home can save a ton of money and headaches from having to deal with busted pipes and ice dams damage in the winter. Trust me on this!

Insulating Walls

You can have your walls insulated with a blown in insulation, or you can have more insulation installed if you are planning to install new siding on your house some time in the near future. Obviously, blown insulation is much easier and less costly then, ripping apart your sheet rock to install a cavity wall insulation, but if you are doing a complete remodel of certain rooms in your home, and you are taking off old sheet rock, then you can have your wall cavities insulated during this time. Although, in all honesty ripping off your old sheet rock, or plaster and installing a new one is a messy and expensive way to do it.

Simple way to insulate your windows for the Winter

If you do not quite have the money to replace your old windows with energy efficient ones, then you can install a special film over your old windows, which will help reduce the cold air drafts thereby helping to keep your rooms warmer and saving on money on reduced heating bills.

These are the simple yet effective basic ways to make your home greener and more energy efficient on a budget. If you have already done these and are ready for the next step, then consider replacing your old oil burner with an energy efficient gas heating system. Once again there may be some good rebates available for that when you choose to upgrade your heating system with a 92 to 96% energy efficient gas burner. The cost of gas is less than the cost of oil, and having an energy efficient burner will further reduce your heating costs in the winter. You can also install energy efficient gas-powered hot water burners to reduce the cost of heating water in your home.

More Ideas

You can obtain even more energy efficiency in your home by replacing your lights with energy efficient lighting, and by installing, eco-friendly shower heads in your bathroom.

Save Money & Resources by Giving Old Furniture a Makeover
Does your furniture look worn, stained or outdated? You may think that your only choice is to discard it and start over with new furniture if you want your home to look attractive and stylish. But that does not have to be the case, especially if you are concerned about adding to landfills with your castoffs. You can completely change the look of your furniture and update the style of your room by using slipcovers.
Slipcovers offer a great way to dress up furniture that is in need of a pick-me-up. If you are handy with a sewing machine, you could even try to stitch up your own homemade covers. Here are some tips on how you can use slipcovers to decorate your home and save waste in landfills, thereby helping the environment:

Match Existing Decor
Invest in sofa slipcovers that will match the general décor and color scheme of your room, unless you intend to completely redecorate. Your slipcovers will look more attractive if they are complementary to the color of the walls and flooring.

Purchase Sturdy Slipcovers
For furniture that is used often, you will want sturdy slipcovers that can take a good bit of wear, made from a hardwearing fabric such as cotton duck or twill. This is particularly important if you have pets or children in your household. Your slipcovers will not be of much use if they quickly look even more worn than the furniture they are covering.

Consider All Rooms
Bear in mind that you are not limited to just your living room when using slipcovers. They can be used just as effectively in a dining room or kitchen, and there are even folding chair slipcovers available, which are especially useful when extra seating is needed for a family meal or during the holidays.

Covering Wooden Arms
For furniture with wooden arms, you may want to pad the arms with towels or some other type of padding before installing the slipcover, so that it will have a snug and comfortable fit.

Covering Leather Furniture
You may want to cover leather furniture with old blankets before applying a slipcover, thus preventing it from moving around on the leather.

Alternate Slipcovers
If you would like to change the look of your room periodically, perhaps for a special occasion or for a new season, you may want to choose several different styles of slipcover and alternate them occasionally. This technique will keep you from growing tired of the same appearance day after day.

Measure Furniture
Take measurements of your furniture before shopping for slipcovers, and purchase the ones that will most closely fit. You can use bunched up towelling to fill in any areas that might not have as snug of a fit as you would like.
Slipcovers offer an inexpensive way to decorate your home and save the environment from an added accumulation of material being dumped in landfills. You can change the appearance of your home without investing hundreds of dollars in new furniture as slipcovers will extend the life of your existing furniture. You will definitely be getting your money’s worth out of the items that you have previously purchased.

Another Tip on Redecorating
If you want to redecorate a room in your home but have a tight budget, you can purchase second-hand furniture at reduced prices and then use attractive slipcovers to change the appearance of the items. Slipcovers will add style and beauty to furniture that would otherwise look out of place.
You can use slipcovers to change the overall look of your home and to give new life to older furniture that would otherwise be discarded. Slipcovers will help to keep the environment cleaner by eliminating waste in landfills. By using them, you will not only be doing your part to help the planet, you will also be saving money by decorating your home economically.

Geothermal energy is one of the most efficient forms of renewable energy, and can be effectively used for heating and air conditioning of a single family home, as well as large apartment and office buildings. A Geothermal heating and cooling system will work day and night, in the summer and in the winter. It does not need sun or wind to operate, and the efficiency of a geothermal system is much higher than solar panels. All you need to operate a geothermal heating and cooling system is a relatively small amount of electricity to operate a water pump and a fan.

How geothermal heating and cooling works:

A geothermal heat system uses a geothermal heat pump and a ground source heat exchanger to extract the earth’s thermal energy and combine it with thermal energy produced by the heat pump itself, to increase efficiency. The ground temperature below the freeze zone (about 6 feet below ground) is constantly at about 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit, which means in the summer it is way below the ambient temperature, and in the winter its way above the outside temperature. By combining geothermal energy with the thermal energy  produced by the geothermal heat pump, you achieve the efficiency of about 3 times more than a conventional heating or cooling system.

In a nutshell, here is the very basic setup of a geothermal heating and cooling system: A ground source heat exchanger is buried into the ground – either as loops in a trench of 6-9 feet deep, or into a bore hole or a well of 300-500 feet deep. A heat exchanger can also be placed in a large enough body of water, but this and other setups are not as common, so we will skip them for now.

The water pump circulates the heat exchange liquid (a form of antifreeze) through the ground source heat exchanger loops, bringing the geothermal energy to the heat exchanger inside a  geothermal heat pump. Meanwhile, a heat pump (which essentially works as an Air Conditioner, but in forward and reverse modes) produces the needed hot or cold air, which is combined in the heat exchanger with the earth thermal energy, and then delivered through air ducts to your living room or bedroom.

How heat pump works:

The video above demonstrates the the basic principal of heat pump operation, which is essentially a dual mode air conditioner.

Heat pump operates on principle when the gas is compressed, it releases heat, and when it is decompressed, it releases cold.

Why LED Lights?

With the growing awareness of the harm done to the environment by oil based products, plastics, and energy inefficient buildings, people and companies are increasingly looking for more ways to build homes that are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Replacing your old incandescent lights, or CFLs with modern state-of-the-art LED lights can reduce your home energy consumption, lower your utility bills, and benefit the environment.

Evolution of Light Bulbs

Many people have already made a switch from traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). However, technological advances and innovations of the last few decades can now offer something far more attractive than conventional lighting products to green building conscious owners. LED lighting can be an excellent option for lowering your long-term light bulb replacement costs, lowering your electricity costs, and reducing environmental pollution.

Light-emitting diodes, or LED lights are solid-state components providing intense light at a far lower energy usage rates than both incandescent and compact fluorescent lights. In fact, you can save up to 80% off your electric bill with LED lighting. Modern bright LED light bulbs can provide significant savings over compact fluorescent lights. Some high-end LED light bulbs use just a quarter of the energy of CFLs while generating the same amount of light. Unlike CFLs, LEDs attain their full brightness as soon as you turn them on. LEDs also have longer lasting life spans ranging from 25,000 to 100,000 hours. That’s over 10 years of being turned on for some 8-10 hours per day. Very impressive indeed!

LED Lighting Technology

Early red LEDs have been used as electronic components in calculators, watches, and as indicator lights, however technology was not advanced enough to use them as actual sources of light. But things started to change rather rapidly when the first bright white LED light bulb was invented in 1995.

Ever since then, LED light manufacturers started working on developing viable and cost effective LED light bulbs for consumers to be used as energy efficient, long lasting and reliable replacements for conventional light bulbs. Fast forward to modern time, and you will find a new, yet hardly surprising development; LEDs have emerged as viable lighting products for consumers looking to replace their CFLs and incandescent lights.

Current Limitations of LEDs and Future Outlook

Although LEDs still have limitations in terms of conquering the consumer market due to their relatively high cost, and limited angle of light focus, the technology does not stand still, and LED lighting product prices are expected to drop within the next few years, while their brightness and reliability is expected to nearly double.

Dimmable LED Light Bulbs

The temperature of light emitted by some dimmable LEDs like LumiSelect manufactured by EarthLed can be adjusted to offer brighter light in working areas in order to see clearly when working with tools and instruments in the garage or in the lab, and warmer, softer light in living spaces for relaxation and comfort. LumiSelect dimmable LED bulbs can be used with standard dimmer switches, and dimming home automation systems.

dimmable LED bulbs

Benefits

LED lighting offers many appealing benefits, including:

Energy efficiency – using LEDs can lower your electric bills by up to 80%.
Directional usage – light from LEDs is directional and does not create annoying glare like other sources.
Long life – LED lamps can last 25 to 30 years, drastically reducing maintenance costs.
Bright, instant light – LEDs instantly provide bright, white light, without the delay, or flicker of compact fluorescent bulbs.

Non-toxic – LEDs do not contain mercury like compact fluorescent lamps, meaning that they are less of a bio-hazard upon disposal.

Temperature resistant – LED lamps can be used in any environment since they are not affected by changes in climate or temperature.

The light from LED lamps doesn’t contribute to ecological light pollution when used outside – this means that these lights do not add to sky glow or cause disruptions to migratory or reproductive patterns as conventional light can. The lack of sky glow from LED lamps means less impact on moths, birds, lizards, frogs, and a wide variety of other species that can be negatively affected by other light sources.

LED Lighting Prices

While LED lighting carries a higher initial cost, the long life and high efficiency of these lamps create cost savings over their life-cycle. These long-term cost savings, along with the diminished use of fossil fuels for energy, the absence of toxins such as mercury in production, and the reduced effects of urban light pollution, make LED lighting highly beneficial both economically and ecologically. As technology advances rapidly, prices of LEDs are expected to fall by some 30-50% in the next few years, while their nominal brightness and overall performance is expected to improve greatly.

Currently you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per modern state of the art LED light bulb. Higher-end LEDs like dimmable bright LEDs with 120 degree angles of light focus would be on a higher end of that spectrum for the time being.

Prediction

Similar to the way computers once made typewriters obsolete, in several years we are likely to witness CFLs and incandescent light bulbs virtually disappearing due to lowering of the costs, and increase in the performance of LEDs.

Resources:

LED Lighting Manufacturers

LED Lighting Directory

As the environmental awareness continues to grow in America, many homeowners are starting to embrace green building technologies in order to make their homes greener and more energy efficient. Like many other energy efficient green building materials, metal roofing is also continuing to gain popularity and market share, labeled as the most energy efficient roofing material for residential homes.

For most people metal roofing is a high-end remodeling project that provides a beautiful and reliable roofing alternative to conventional asphalt shingles roofing. When homeowners consider getting a new roof for their home, the first thing they focus on is metal roofing prices vs. the cost of installing the conventional roof.

According to the remodeling magazine, a national average price for a new standing-seam metal roof installed on a 30 squares home was around $42,000, while the same roof done with asphalt would cost $22,500. The roofing job included the complete tear-off and the cleanup of the old shingles.

Based on these numbers, metal roofing costs are nearly double of what you would normally pay for the installation of an asphalt shingle roof. Clearly, metal roofs are pricier than their energy inefficient and environmentally unfriendly, petroleum based counterparts. Despite such a drastic difference in roofing costs, metal roofing has been gaining roofing product market share with some very steady momentum, making it one of the fastest growing roofing products in America. So, what is it that makes metal roofing such an attractive option for homeowners?

The answer is in the reliability and longevity that metal roofs have to offer. Modern metal roofs are expected to last for many decades. While an asphalt shingle roof averages less than 20 years of service life, professionally installed metal roofs can last well over 50 years.

Metal roofing has an impeccable track record for longevity and reliability that dates back to the early 19th century when zinc roofs became very popular in Europe. Zinc roofs perform extremely well, lasting in many cases over 100 years. In fact, many zinc metal roofs installed in France in the beginning of the last century are still protecting the rooftops of Paris today.

Metal roofing offers many different styles and material options to the building owners. Starting from a zinc and aluminum coated steel roofing, to zinc and copper roofing. Style-wise, metal roofs can be made available in the traditional profiles such as factory stamped metal shingles, metal shakes, and tiles. Modern profiles, such as standing-seam metal roofing, corrugates steel roofing panels, and custom built metal roofing profiles are also available to building owners.

Metal roofs are fully recyclable when it is time to replace them. Many metal roofing systems available on the market today contain over 30 percent of post consumer recycled metal content. Metal roofs are available in great variety of colors, with many profiles approved and rated by the Energy Star and Cool Roof Rating Council. Cool metal roofing can provide energy savings of up to 35% in the summer.

Metal roofing helps homeowners save money, make their home beautiful and more energy efficient, save money on air conditioning costs, and qualify for green building tax credits from the government. When shopping for a new metal roof make sure that You only hire experienced roofing contractors who can show you their work and provide sound advice about metal roofing benefits and good workmanship.

Siding is the exterior covering of a building that protects it from the weather and sheds water from the building. In addition to its practical functions, siding can also be used for its aesthetic effect. It can also have a significant impact on the value of your home if you decide to put it up for sale in the future.

A number of different types of materials can be used as siding, with the three main options being wood, vinyl and aluminum siding. As you consider the type of material and siding that you would like to use in your home, there are a number of important factors to consider. You should think about the appearance of the material, its cost, its durability and how easy it will be to maintain.

Size

The first thing you will need to find out before you can buy your siding is the size of the area that will need to be covered. This will determine how much material you will need and the cost of siding your home. If you only need to buy siding for a small area, you may be able to afford a more expensive material than if you have a larger area to be sided. You should measure the area that needs to be covered in square feet since siding material is usually sold in terms of “squares”. Each square of siding refers to an area of 100 feet square.

Materials

The type of material that you choose for your siding will determine its appearance, its practical features and the cost of siding. It is a good idea to spend some time looking at different types of sidings in your neighborhood or in home design magazines in order to help you to decide which type of material will look best on your home. It is also possible to view samples of different types of materials at a home center in your neighborhood, although seeing them on an actual house can make it easier to imagine what the material would look like on your own home.

In addition to considering the practical aspects of different types of siding materials, it is a good idea to consider which material you find most attractive and which materials will look most appropriate on your particular property in your neighborhood. Some styles of homes look better with certain types of siding, and it can also be sensible to match your siding with that of your neighbors in order to create the best aesthetic effect. Vinyl sidings have replaced aluminum as the most popular siding material in many neighborhoods, so if you want your home to look as if it belongs, you may want to think about the types of sidings that have been used on the surrounding houses.

Most people, when they are choosing a siding material, will be making a decision between wood and synthetic materials, but there are a whole range of different siding materials to consider when you are choosing the right option for your home.

Wood and Imitation Wood

Wood siding can produce a more traditional effect than aluminum or vinyl siding, so it can be a good option if you are buying siding for a period home or if your house is located in a more traditional area. It can also be a popular choice for homes in the countryside, or to produce a more rustic effect. Cedar is one of the most popular options for wood siding, due to its attractive appearance and durability. It is naturally resistant to problems such as rot and insect damage. One of the main benefits of wooden siding is that it can be stained or painted in different ways to create the desired effect. Wood is a good insulator that can actually help to reduce energy loss and energy costs in your home. Other types of wood that may be used for siding include pine, redwood and spruce.

Durable House Siding Options

Vinyl siding and fiber cement siding are some of the most durable options as well as the most affordable. These types of siding material are usually designed to simulate wood siding by mimicking the grain of wood. Some of the best vinyl siding can look almost exactly like wooden siding. Vinyl siding can also come in a range of different colors that are resistant to fading, unlike the stains and paints used on wood siding. Vinyl siding can come with a foam backing that helps to make it more durable and also makes it a better insulator. Vinyl is a less environmentally friendly option than a natural material. Fiber cement is manufactured from a mixture of cement, cellulose fibers, sand and other materials. It can be designed to look like wooden shingles or clapboard, and it is resistant to sun damage, water damage, fire and insects. It can be painted in different colors, like wood.

Other Options

Wood and wood-like materials are a popular choice for siding, but it is also possible to choose siding materials that look very different. Stone sidings may be produced either from natural or manufactured stone. They can produce the same traditional look as wooden siding. Stone siding can be very attractive, but it is also one of the more expensive options for siding. Brick can produce a very classic siding look. However, the installation process for brick siding can be intensive. Stone and brick sidings are often used in combination with wood, vinyl or fiber cement sidings, with most of the property being covered in one type of siding and the accents picked out in stone or brick. Stone and brick are usually more expensive than wood, vinyl or fiber cement. Stucco is another form of siding that is ideal for warm climates.

Stone sidings can produce the effect of a stone building at a lower cost than actually constructing one. Granite is a popular choice. Stone is a heavy material for siding, so it will usually require some additional structural support. This increases the cost and difficulty of installation. Manufactured stone is cheaper than natural stone, but it can produce a very similar aesthetic effect. Brick siding comes in a range of colors and textures and it can be installed in different patterns. It can be expensive, due to the high costs of both the materials and installation. Stucco is a plaster on a cement base that is an excellent insulator and is also fire resistant. It can be finished in different patterns and textures, such as a smooth surface, swirls or raked surface. Stucco is usually fairly expensive, although it does not cost as much as stone or brick siding.

Style

Some types of siding, particularly wooden siding, can be installed onto your home either horizontally or vertically, which can alter the aesthetic effect. Siding can also be installed in the form of panels. Siding comes in a number of different forms, such as clapboard, shakes and shingles, each of which will create its own particular appearance. Siding materials such as brick and stucco can also be installed in different patterns and styles.

Colors

If you choose stone, brick, vinyl or aluminum siding, you will not be able to change the color of your house without replacing the siding although you may be able to choose from a selection of different colors of materials. You should therefore make sure that you are happy with the color and appearance of your vinyl or aluminum siding before you commit to buying it. You should also think about the future, and whether you are still likely to appreciate your chosen siding many years from now. If you choose wooden siding, however, you will not need to keep the same color forever. You can stain or paint your wood in any color, and you can then re-stain or repaint it as often as you like, changing the color if your preferences continue to change over time.

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Infrared Heat Lamps

An infrared heat lamp is a lamp that uses a special form of incandescent light bulb primarily for the purposes of heat production rather than to generate light. These lamps do produce some light, but most of the energy that they consume is directed towards heating the room.

The incandescent bulb or bulbs in the lamp produce heat by generating infrared light. Normal light bulbs are designed to produce light and the heat they generate is considered to be waste. Conversely, the light bulbs that are used in heat lamps are intended primarily to produce heat, with the light being essentially a waste product.

Infrared heat lamps are relatively energy efficient so they do not use up too much power. However, they are designed to be used to provide some extra heat in your bathroom when it is needed rather than to be left on for a long time. It is best to avoid using these lamps for the only source of heating in your bathroom, or to rely on them as a source of light, as well as for heating. Ideally, the infrared heat lamp should be installed with a switch that can be used to control it separately from the lighting in the room, so that they can be used separately, with the heat lamp only being turned on when it is needed.

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Old houses and buildings traditionally have huge difficulty retaining energy from within. Most of the houses we live in were built long before scientific research began to develop concepts of green building and energy efficient building materials and processes. Green architects now strive to produce low-energy and even zero-energy houses, the latter being completely self-reliant.

Heat is lost through almost every part of a building, from the walls to windows, floors and roofs. Increasingly, governments and construction firms around the world are investing in energy efficiency and passing legislation on minimum green requirements for new building projects.

Current green building projects include:

• New York City’s iconic Empire State Building has announced that it is undertaking a $20 million energy drive to cut usage in the world famous structure and will soon be meeting its remaining energy demand entirely through wind power.

• ‘Eco towns’ in the UK are still in the development stage but were conceived to set a new standard in green building with energy efficient houses, shops and transport that would be more than self-sustaining, and would also sell the excess energy back to the national electricity grid. Extensive research also went in to determining the best locations, ensuring every aspect of planning and construction was energy smart.

• An artificial foam, developed with inspiration from the nest of a South American frog, was the winner of the 2010 Earth Awards, an event that brings together investors and cash poor green technology designers. The foam will line the inside of coal-burning power stations and trap harmful carbon dioxide emissions before they can enter the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

On a smaller scale, making windows more energy efficient is a relatively easy way to conserve heat and money, keep out noise and reduce the carbon footprint of a building. Double glazing uses two sheets of glass with a gap between them, which could contain argon, xenon or krypton gases. Triple glazing is also available, but does not necessarily provide greater efficiency.

The British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) is the national system for rating the energy efficiency of windows in the UK, in the same way that white goods (fridges, freezers, washing machines) have an efficiency guide signified by A to E ratings.

A frame for every home and every opening:

Energy smart windows need not look identical. For every different frame material there are window panes of all energy ratings.

• The frame most commonly used is called uPVC. They are recyclable and last a very long time.

• Frames made of aluminum or steel are just as durable and are also recyclable.

• Houses in tightly-regulated conservation areas can use wooden frames to preserve the original look of old houses. They demand more upkeep but have a lower environmental impact in their initial manufacture.

• In composite frames, both wood and metal or plastic are used, where the wood is protected by the former more resilient materials, ensuring less need for maintenance.

On roofs, vinyl and aluminum sidings are used to protect buildings from the effects of weather. Although less energy intensive to manufacture, vinyl sidings are harder or often impossible, to recycle. Vinyl (or PVC) is itself flammable and can cause problems for fire fighters with the release of dangerous gases when it burns.

Inside the building, attics and lofts can be also insulated to prevent the otherwise massive amounts of escaping heat. Luckily, anyone with some DIY skills can tackle the problem simply by laying insulation blankets across floorboards, restraint straps and brickwork. However, care must be taken not to restrict all air-flow within a structure as this inevitably leads to humidity and condensation, which can drastically reduce the efficiency of insulation materials. Air exchange systems are thus essential in effective long-term energy conservation.

Next time you have some work done, make sure your builder doesn’t leave the energy efficient windows back in the transit with the van vault. Energy proof your building now, and reap the benefits over the coming years.

Many people are making the decision to stay in their current home and do a bit of remodeling rather than move to a new house. The cost and hassle of relocating is often more trouble than it is worth, so choosing to make the most of your current living conditions is a popular choice that many people make.

Of course, remodeling your home is a big consideration, and should not be undertaken without a fair amount of research. There are many projects that can be completed on your own over the span of a weekend, and just as many that will likely require the help of an expert, as well as several weeks time.

Home remodeling projects should never be started without checking first with your local regulations and restrictions. Many areas prohibit any sort of construction without first receiving a permit. Always check with your local government before undertaking any projects.

In the event you do not own your home, you can still remodel your home to a certain degree with your property owner’s approval. Many property owners allow their tenants to carry out small projects such as painting or re-tiling, as long as they are aware of the intended improvements beforehand.

Choosing which type of home remodeling project you would like to start can be overwhelming, as the options are practically endless. What is perhaps the most important decision is the cost of the venture. Many remodeling jobs end up costing much more than you will ever recoup in the event you sell your home in the near future.

One of the easiest ways to calculate the worth of a remodeling project is to evaluate the amount of years you are likely to remain in your home and the potential of use and enjoyment you will receive from the improvement. For example, an expenditure of $5,000 on a deck might not raise your home’s value by that amount, but if you envision spending a great deal of time enjoying the deck, then go for it!

When assuming a remodeling job for the sake of selling your home for more money, you must critically evaluate the increase of profit you are likely to see from the work involved. The best projects for this type of situation will always be in the kitchen and bathroom.

The next step will be deciding whether you can do the project yourself or if you will need to hire a professional. Projects involving plumbing and electricity should be considered with caution if you have no experience in those particular endeavors as the cost you think you will be saving from doing the job yourself might be doubled when you need to hire a professional to fix your mistakes. Only take on jobs that you are qualified to do.

There are many remodeling projects that are not only easy, but also inexpensive and can be done with only a few tools and a bit of know how. For instance, updating bathroom and kitchen fixtures is quite simple and requires only a bit of pipe tape and a few wrenches. Measure your current configuration and make careful notes before heading out to the local hardware or home improvement store to see what options are available.

Updating your cabinets can also be as simple as replacing hardware, but if you feel daring consider painting them with a coat of colorful enamel. Retiling the backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom is another quick way to update the look without spending a fortune.

Painting has always been a quick, easy, and cost effective way to revive and modernize your living space. Be careful to tape off areas that you do not want painted, and then go crazy with some color. There are websites devoted to letting you try out different paint colors so you can experiment virtually before you ever open a can of paint!

A current trend, which incorporates the use of concrete in kitchen flooring and counters, is surprisingly easy and affordable. Portable electric cement mixers can often be rented so you can mix your own materials. Combining cement and sand or gravel with some water to create concrete for all of your imagined projects is easier than you might think!

If you want to try your hand at a concrete project, start with something a bit smaller such as patching your driveway or pouring a little patio area. You will find that mixing your own concrete in a little cement mixer is not only easy, but also fun. Before you know it, you will be creating birdbaths and retaining walls!

Lack of organization can account for a significant amount of time searching for lost items. Why not consider a project that makes the most of your natural space with organizational shelving and drawers. The ability to build organizational solutions into existing areas is easy enough for local carpenters. Spend a bit of time searching online for pictures of what you have in mind, and start searching for a qualified tradesmen who can bring these photos to life.

The collective consensus on alternative energy is that it is a type of energy that is derived from nontraditional sources. Hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy are forms of alternative energy that do not use natural resources, are environmentally sound, and are renewable.

Alternative Energy Sources

Through the ages, man has thought of alternative energy sources. Wood was an initial energy source from the early days of man. Coal was introduced as a way to conserve the dwindling forests by the year 1500 as Europe teetered on the verge of catastrophic disaster. Petroleum was introduced as a way to reduce dependence on costly and hard to find whale oil.

As time has passed, more ideas have been generated to produce more favorable and enduring energy sources. With worldwide interest in reducing our planet’s carbon footprint, alternative energy sources that can reduce our reliance upon declining stores of fossil fuels while reducing our carbon output, have been found.

Solar energy is a way to generate power from the sun. Wind energy, or use of wind turbines, harnesses power from the wind. Geothermal energy is a way to use the deep Earth’s natural heat to produce electric energy. Bio-fuels, hydrogen, and nuclear power are also forms of alternative energy sources, but are under intense scrutiny due to concerns over their safety.

When an energy source is labeled as “renewable”, it means that this type of energy can be replenished naturally. Wood is still the number one renewable energy and actually emits the same amount of carbon whether burned or allowed to degrade on its own.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is a cheap and green way to produce electricity from sunlight. Solar panels work to produce electricity by capturing the sun’s rays by use of photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells then convert the sunlight into electricity that can be used to power lights and appliances. While PV cells work better when there is direct sunlight, even cloudy days can generate some power as well.

Solar panels are made up of PV cells and can be attached to your home’s roof or walls. The photovoltaic cells are made up of at least one and sometimes two layers of a semiconducting material. The material is usually silicon. When the sun hits a PV cell there is an electric field produced across the cell’s layers.

PV Solar Panels

Photovoltaic cells come in a wide range of styles and colors. You can choose PV solar panels that look like normal roof tiles or panels that are transparent for use on glass or on top of a conservatory. Each PV cell is rated on strength based upon the amount of energy the cell can produce in full sunlight and is measured in kilowatt peak, or kWp.

Using solar electricity is beneficial in many ways. Since solar power is green power and renewable, there is no harmful CO2 emission. In addition, PV solar panels will cut your electricity bills by around 40%, and will reduce your household’s carbon footprint. You can even sell excess energy that your solar panels produce or store the extra energy in batteries for use on days that are a bit more cloudy, and when you need it.

Solar panels are a great addition to your home as long as you have considered factors such as how much sunlight your home receives each day. If your house has a roof or wall that faces south or 90 degrees within south and receives a great deal of sunlight each day, then solar panels are a good idea.

The roof must be strong enough to hold the solar panels. If you are not sure, ask a building expert or solar panel installer. Do not forget to get permission from your local housing authority before commencing work on your solar panel project, and keep in mind it is better to hire a crew to install the solar panels if you are not sure of your installation abilities. Solar panels are quite costly and it is better to have them installed properly than to risk an accident.

Wind turbines are devices, which convert kinetic energy into mechanical energy. A wind turbine effectively harnesses the wind and turns it into electricity. Small, household sized turbines are called micro-wind or small-wind turbines and can help to power lights and other appliances found in your home.

Large blades are the defining characteristic of wind turbines. These blades are blown by the wind and rotate around, driving the turbine, which produces the electricity. The windiest conditions produce the greatest amount of energy.

Wind Turbines

Household wind turbines are available as either a freestanding structure that is placed in the most exposed position on the land, or are mounted on the roof of the home. The freestanding wind turbines are roughly twice the size of the roof-mounted variety.

There are many benefits of using wind electricity such as cutting not only your electricity bill, but also your carbon footprint. Wind electricity can reduce your energy costs by up to 40% depending upon your wind production. Any excess energy your wind turbine creates can be stored in batteries for future needs or in some cases, sold to electric companies.

Wind turbines are not for every home as obstacles such as large trees, hills, and buildings can interfere with the amount of wind your turbine receives. If your home is located in a windy area, at least receiving 5m/s winds, and is not obstructed from direct wind, turbine electricity production might be for you.

In order to make the most of wind energy it is wise to invest in the most energy efficient household appliances and to keep your batteries charged with excess electricity. There are many more energy saving tips, which range from hanging your laundry out to dry, to not using appliances during peak times.

Maintenance on a wind turbine system is fairly simple, as checks are only needed to be done once every two or three years. Wind turbines have an overall life expectancy of about 20 years and battery life can range from 6 to 10 years.

Geothermal heat pumps are also known as ground source heat pumps and work by using the Earth as a heat source in the winter and a heat sink in the summer. Because the Earth stays at a relatively constant temperature beneath the surface, heat pumps take advantage of this to provide energy to the home.

Ground Source Heating System

Ground source heat pumps require loops of pipes to be buried in the ground around or under your home. The pipes, called ground loops are filled with water and antifreeze and are then circulated through the ground. The heat from the ground is absorbed into the pipe fluid, and then is pumped into the heat pump via a heat exchanger. The heat pump takes the heat from the fluid loops for use in heating the house and the fluid now passes through and back into the ground to absorb more heat from the ground.

In order to absorb the most heat from the ground, the loops need to be long. The length of a ground source heat pump’s loops will depend entirely upon the space in which the loops can be placed, as ground loops are coiled into horizontal trenches that are dug about two meters deep. Vertical installation can be done to a depth of 100 meters in areas of limited space.

Geothermal heat pumps do require some electricity to run, but can overall cut your fuel bills and reduce your home’s carbon emissions. Heat pumps also need to run constantly in order to be efficient, as they produce a lower temperature heat and will likely never feel hot to the touch, as a normal radiator will.

In order to determine whether a geothermal heat pump is right for your household, it is important to consider a few factors. As even smaller yards can accommodate a vertical installation of ground loops, it is at least important to be able to have room for the digging equipment. In addition, the more insulation your home has, the better as insulation and draft proofing your home will save you money and allow your heat pump to run more efficiently.

Heat pumps are not recommended as a replacement for gas heaters, but work well as a replacement for electric or coal systems. Contact your local housing authority to determine the need of permits before installing a heat pump and as always, hire a qualified construction contractor to assist you in planning your project to install any of these alternative energy products.

Although winter is finally over, it is still somewhat cold outside and we have to turn on the heat. Recently I’ve found a very interesting product which can be used by anyone to heat their home or apartment for free. Even if you rent, you can do it without getting the land lord involved. The only things you’ll need are the south-facing windows and a thermal mass solar window.

As you can see from the image above this windows measure 72 degrees F, while outside temperature that day was 22 degrees, with a 27 F high. (Historic weather data).

The 50 degree difference in temperature is the free heat that enters your home and stays. Here is how the Solar Thermal Mass windows work: In a nut shell, it as a 2 inches thick air and water-tight container filled with special liquid that collects and stores solar thermal energy. Special chemicals added to the liquid prevent stain deposits on the inner walls if the unit. In the picture above, these units are used as building blocks, and cover almost half of the south-facing wall.

In the winter, when the sun is low, these solar thermal mass windows collect solar heat since the sun hits them directly. In the summer, the sun is much higher and with appropriate shading, these thermal mass windows keep the home well insulated without collecting any heat. Additionally, a special low emittance and high solar gain argon filled window unit is installed just outside the thermal windows, so they are not directly exposed to the outside temperature.

How to heat your existing how for free

The picture above was taken in a new construction house, but for most people the interesting question is how to use these thermal mass windows in the existing home or apartment?

My plan was simple: I have 6 large windows that face south and an unheated balcony which cannot be used in the winter because it is too cold there. In the heated living space, we have new double pane Low-E windows installed, which are much more efficient than the original single-pane wood windows from the 50′s. I am going to build an enclosure in which I can stack 4-6 thermal mass solar window units, and have them up in the window during the winter months, and take them out in the summer.

This will not be as efficient as the one in the new construction home above but it will certainly help reduce my heating bill and carbon footprint.

As for the balcony, I first need to replace all the single-pane glazing and then I can stack the thermal mass windows all along the bottom of the windows. I’ll build special shelves to make the process of putting them up for the winter, and removing them in the summer, easier.

Traditional Sash Windows – Thermal Performance Solution

Here is how to make your traditional sash windows more energy efficient…

Sash Windows

Traditional vertical sliding sash windows, are based on a simple design of two of sliding glass panels (top and bottom sashes) and have been part of the UK’s architectural heritage for over three hundred years. The sash window originates from 17th century England, where the first prototype, the single hung sash window, was created by Robert Hooke, an inventor specialized, among others, in mechanics and architecture. The first type was more basic than those created nowadays and can still be seen in some historic buildings, predominantly of aristocratic ownership.

Solutions

Instead of replacing traditional sash windows, there are multiple reasons why owners should opt for restoring them to their initial appearance and at the same time optimize their thermal performance.

Traditional Sash Window

Sash Window Repair

The restoration process is ideally to be carried out by specialized companies and is always adapted to the specific type of sash windows and its particular deficiencies. Common sash window repair works include, replacing sections of the box frame normally the lower section of pulley stiles, lower sections of outer linings, bottom rails and window sills and replacing missing puttying and repainting. Using traditional carpentry and joinery methods with advanced modern epoxy resins ensures a permanent repair. This process does not alter their original appearance but instead, mends the alterations brought to it by time and natural phenomena.

Sash Window Draught proofing

This is also very effective process if done correctly it maximizes heat retention in the home and minimizes heat and energy loss. Sash window draught proofing is less known perhaps, yet once a sash window has been overhauled and draught correctly, even old sash windows can equal modern ones in terms of energy efficiency.

In this process the staff beads and parting beads are replaced with new beadings with a draught proofing material permanently machined into the beads, top and bottom sash re-fitted and also fitted with a draught proofing material (usually a brush pile). The 4no sash cords are replaced and the counter balance weights are re-

Sash Window Draught proofing

weight to the correct counter balance ensuring the sash close with a minimum gap.

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