NEW IN SMART BUILDING + REMODELING
May 21, 2008 on 4:39 pm | In For Your Purchasing Pleasure, Green Building, Green Houses, Solutions |NEW IN SMART BUILDING + REMODELING
So many possible things to talk about..we’re still steamed about Dodger Stadium’s “green necklace” update. (Great stadium, great location, traffic nightmare. No greening could possibly not include better mass-transit options.) So, let’s not talk about that, instead, let’s take a look at some significant green updates in home building + remodeling which recently debuted at from the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders Show.
Steel Beams for Light Residential: There are certainly any number of applications in new building and remodeling where the strength of a steel beam would be a real advantage, but these massive beams had always been too difficult to deal with. The new LiteSteel Beam was developed to provide the greater structural strength of steel in a beam that is light, easy to carry, and can be cut, nailed, drilled and otherwise worked with on the job site using standard tools. www.litesteelbeam.com.
Spray Foam: For larger insulating and sealing projects, Touch-N-Seal offers a two-part expansive spray foam in disposable containers. Compete with gun, hose, tanks and tips, this spray foam is ideal for a wide variety of sealing, insulating and sound-proofing applications, and is more economical and easier to use than traditional spray cans for those larger projects. www.touch-n-seal.com.
A Smarter Lockset: Kwikset has introduced its new line of SmartKey deadbolts and locking knobs. The?new technology replaces the old standard of pin and tumbler technology with its patented side-locking bar. What that means for you is greater security, and the ability to re-key locks yourself in seconds, without removing the knob or deadbolt from the door.www.kwikset.com.
The King of Caulking: Newly introduced from Red Devil is King Kaulk, which the manufacturer guarantees is the only caulk you’ll ever need. King Kaulk is a hybrid polymer composition that replaces all of the caulks, sealants and adhesives you currently have around the house, and will bond and seal virtually every construction material. It can be used indoors or out, has low odor, and is completely paintable. www.reddevil.com.
Energy-Saving Wall Heaters: Offered by ECO-heaters, these wall-mounted electric panels can heat an entire room while using less than one-third of the energy of regular wall heaters. According to the manufacturer, the heaters use the same amount of electricity as four 100-watt light bulbs, yet will heat an entire room. And the panels can be painted to match any d飯r. www.eco-heater.com.
Energy-Saving Bathroom Comfort: The Enerjoy Bathroom Comfort Center is an all-inclusive unit that provides heating, lighting and ventilation for your bathroom. The Enerjoy combines radiant heat panels, a room light, night light and low-noise fan in one unit that the manufacturer claims uses half the energy of conventional units. www.sshcinc.com/BarNone2.htm
A More Convenient Seat: Seating Innovations offers a variety of attractive and innovative seats for eating bars, tables, desks and other areas. The seats are suspended from the wall on steel pivots rather than having legs that sit on the floor, freeing up floor space, making cleaning easier, and eliminating floor damage. www.seating-innovations.com.

* ?Please note that all the information is based on the manufacturer’s own product research and claims.
This is excerpted from an article from Inman Newshttp://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/paulbianchina/new-home-technology-wows-builders#comments
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SmartKey is a technological innovation that provides superior security with the flexibility of re-keying your own lock quickly and easily without removing it from your door. SmartKey also offers BumpGuard for protection against lock bumping *.
http://www.kwikset.com/Products/SmartKey/default.aspx
Comment by SmartKey — May 21, 2008 #
Easy Workability
Lite Stee Beams can be cut, drilled, screwed, bolted, welded, and nailed using standard tools. Saves time, eliminates the need for a crane.
Comment by Lite Steel Beam — May 21, 2008 #
Top 10 Benefits of ECO-heaters
1 Safety
2 Health
3 Effective
4 Value
5 Efficient
6 Economical to run
7 Environmentally friendly
8 Aesthetic
9 Reliable
10 Versatile
1. Safety
The top concerns with heater safety are surface temperature and the possibility of a fire. ECO-heaters operate at a relatively low surface temperature of about 165F. This ensures that, although the heater is hot to touch, it will not burn the skin if touched. While this gives parents and pet owners peace of mind when leaving the heater on while their children or pets are alone in the room, smaller children should not be left unattended due to their limited reflex development and the possibility that they may not react and pull away when they feel the heat. With no exposed elements or areas for dust accumulation, the risk of fire is almost nil. Our panel heaters eliminate risks associated with portable fan heaters, such as tipping over and paperwork fires, instigated by home or office clutter.
2. Health
Central Heating systems (along with portable fan heaters) are dust, mold and allergen traps that wreak havoc on asthma and allergy sufferers. When the central heating fans turn on, these contaminants are propelled around the home or office, causing health problems. With careful placement, an entire home can have ECO-heaters placed in all - or certain - rooms, eliminating the need to turn on the central heating system. This will save your health as well as protect your pocket book.
3. Effective
ECO-heaters are not designed to deliver a blast of instant heat, but rather stay on for long periods of time or take the chill out of the air when the owner returns to a cold home or office - or even just before you get out of bed in the morning. In this way, ECO-heaters are very effective.
4. Value
Nothing comes close to the value of an ECO-heater. There are no installation costs, since anyone can install these heaters in less than ten minutes with the EASY INSTALL KIT. ECO-heaters can be plugged into standard wall outlet, (or hardwired if desired)
5. Efficiency
Efficiency is determined by how well a heater works for the amount of electricity it uses. ECO-heaters use less electricity than any other heater on the market for a given area. They draw in cold air from the floor of the room and then circulate the air for free. Using added electricity to force the hot air around a room would be inefficient.
ECO-heaters are designed to be mounted six to eight inches floor. There is a inch air gap between the heater and the wall into which cold air is drawn. Because the gap is so small, the cold air is heated very quickly and rises out of the small gap at the top of the panel. More cold air then rushes into the gap behind the heater and the natural circulation of heated air continues. This natural convection eliminates the need for a fan, thus increasing the heaters efficiency. See the convection principle and diagram.
6. Economical To Run
ECO-heaters are the most economical heater on the market today. Because the heater is of such a low wattage (only 400 Watts), it uses less than 4 cents of electricity per hour to operate [depending on the region] or the equivalent power consumed by four incandescent light bulbs.
ECO-heaters produce a constant background heat while using very little electricity. Unlike other heating solutions, ECO-heaters are inexpensive to purchase, install, and operate, although keep you comfortably warm for less! Leveraging convection heating technology ECO-heaters are designed to be left on for long periods of time using little energy.
ECO-heaters are the efficient, versatile and low-cost solution to keeping warm in winter.
7. Environmentally Friendly
Electric heating is the cleanest form of heating. There are no harmful pollutants emitted from the ECO-heater as there are with gas-fired central heating systems or fuel oil boilers. Because of the ECO-heater’s low power consumption and high efficiency, our precious natural resources are conserved to a greater degree.
8. Aesthetic
ECO-heaters are slim, sleek and stylish. In fact, when they’re painted the same color as the walls, you hardly know they’re there! No other heater on the market can be painted like this. In fact, most heaters are bulky and unsightly or take up too much floor space. Our heaters are also silent because there is no noisy fan keeping you awake at night.
9. Reliable
Many heaters today have a short life span because fan motors and/or heating elements burn out. Not so with the ECO-heater. It comprises of no moving parts, and should never break down unless it’s severely abused. When you’re buying any product, you should consider its longevity as a measure of its worth. ECO-heaters come with a 2year warranty.
10. Versatile
What other heater on the market can be used in so many different environments and be matched to any dcor - or even used as a wall picture? See our ‘Picture Heaters’ and Matched Picture for more details.
Comment by ECO-Heater — May 21, 2008 #
WHY SHOULD ENERJOY PEOPLEHEATERS HEAT YOUR ENTIRE BUILDING?
Because ENERJOY RADIANT PEOPLEHEATERS meet your needs: Individual comfort, non-allergenic heat delivery, life-of-building longevity, maintenance free operation, low initial and life cycle cost. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored ENERJOY Case Study found a 52% annual savings over electric baseboard and a 33% annual energy savings over the heat pump, and concluded “..that energy savings would be obtainable in a great portion of U.S. households.”
Comment by ENERJOY PEOPLEHEATERS — May 21, 2008 #
Tung Cheng, founder of Cheng Design in Berkeley, Calif., believes it is in the best interests of business and society to create living spaces that endure and minimize waste, while still supporting the companies that create them and the homeowners who live in them. In Cheng’s view, luxury and conscience can coexist.
Comment by UPSCALE REMODELING MAGAZINE — May 21, 2008 #
Daily Real Estate News | May 20, 2008
8 Skills Every Home Owner Should Master
These are skills every home owner should master to save lots of money over the years. Most can be tackled without fancy tools, although it helps to have a variable-speed power drill.
Replace a door lock.
Change furnace and air conditioning filters.
Find a stud in wall.
Learn to install wall anchors.
Hang a ceiling fan.
Drive drywall screws (to repair drywall).
Master a caulking gun.
Replace the flapper ball in the toilet.
Here are some books you can read for more information on home do-it-yourself projects:
“The Reader’s Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual.” First published in 1973, it was last updated in 2005. A great all-around book.
“Home Depot’s Home Improvement 1-2-3″ (Meredith Books, 2003, $34.95). Clear, helpful visuals.
“Home & Garden Television’s Complete Fix-It” (Time Life, 2000, $29.95).
Source: The News & Observer, Allen Norwood (05/17/2008)
Comment by The News & Observer — May 23, 2008 #
Transit-Oriented Retail Takes Center Stage
Leading off a discussion on transit-oriented development, or TOD, noted urbanist Chris Leinberger termed it one of the most important trends of our time. It is a structural shift in development.
Specifically, its part of a larger trend that has seen retail development move away from the standard enclosed mall or community strip, and toward such things as lifestyle centers and mixed-uses. Its the biggest structural change since the 1950s, said Leinberger, who is a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institute and a professor at the University of Michigan.
More info @
http://www.globest.com/news/1161_1161/gsrticket/170936-1.html
Comment by Globe St. — May 24, 2008 #
For the second consecutive year, ProLogis has voluntarily released an annual sustainability report along with its required annual financial report. It signifies the locally based worlds largest owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities commitment to the Global Reporting Initiative that established a goal of making the reporting of economic, environmental and social performance as routine as financial reporting and published guidelines for measurement of those factors in 2006.
Among the many social achievements in the latest report is the 2007 completion of a Hope School in Chinas Guangxi area. ProLogis has pledged to fund construction of one new school in China for every 5 million sf it develops there. Why China? Because there is such need, says Jack Rizzo, managing director of global development. The school is not even close to where were developing projects. We have an internal committee in China, working with the Chinese government to assess need and locate sites. We are developing so fast over there, he adds that three additional schools are slated for completion in China this year.
A 2008 goal is to move beyond the design and construction processes and start to work with our supply chain, notes Rizzo. There are what he calls sustainability champions in each ProLogis office, who are taking us to the next level.
http://www.globest.com/news/1159_1159/denver/170922-1.html
Comment by ProLogis — May 26, 2008 #
C.A.R. GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK: WHAT ARE VOC PAINTS?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted by a wide array of household products, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics, and craft materials, including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
Concentrations of many VOCs may be 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. Many green-minded consumers are using low VOC products in their remodeling projects and may ask if a home for sale has incorporated low VOC products.
Comment by C.A.R. GREEN — May 26, 2008 #
As the data about green building performance continues to be gathered and correlated, it is expected that lenders will acknowledge the difference between a green building and one that is destined to become functionally obsolete in their rates and terms.
Comment by RealShare Green Building — June 5, 2008 #
Solar water heaters are low tech. Basically, they’re black pipes on panels. There’s no nanotechnology, no monosilicon crystals, and no DC to AC conversion. Just run a pipe to your roof, through the panel, and then back into your house. In many parts of the US, solar water heaters can provide more than 90% of a household’s water. And in all but the cloudiest climates, they can provide more than 30%.
A recent study compiled in the UK (notably, not the sunniest place on earth) has determined that the average household could save around $450 per year. Now, the numbers would certainly be slightly different for Americans, and city dwellers with less roof space might not have the same options. But even with a big chunk shaved off the top, $450 for, let’s say, the 80 million American households that are ready for hot water panels, is more than $30 billion per year.
And all of that power would be coming from a renewable and ongoing resource. No natural gas bills every month. Just one installation and then years of cheap water heating.
So why haven’t we done it? A few reasons. First, installation can cost more than $5,000 dollars, especially in older houses. Second, new home buyers apparently don’t like to see solar water heaters disrupting their “roof lines.” But there’s good news on both these fronts.
First, banks are looking for new kinds of loans in America. A loan that would, in effect, pay for itself and be more or less default-free could be very enticing. A ten-year loan on a solar water heater would, in effect, be free for the home owner and risk-free for the bank.
Second, people are looking for low-carbon homes now. Installing hot water heaters are a less expensive move (per pound of carbon negated) than photovoltaics. People are now able to be proud of their panels, and their neighbors will maybe even be a little bit jealous.
Comment by Hank Green — June 6, 2008 #
McGraw-Hill Construction estimates that 10% of all homes could be certified as green by 2010 versus 2% in 2006. As of February, about 100,000 homes were certified under local home builder association-related programs, and 540 houses under LEED for Homes, which had another 13,000 in its registration pipeline, according to Michelle Moore, the council’s senior vice president of policy and market development. By comparison, the federal government’s Energy Star for Homes program certified about 700,000 houses from 2004 to 2007. Builder polling suggests that “energy efficiency” remains a simpler concept to sell to homeowners than “green.”
Comment by ProSales Business Update — June 6, 2008 #
Pennsylvania has two different energy conservation bills that are up for state senate votes July 10. The first of the two bills are House Bill 2200, an energy savings bill written to ensure energy efficiency and conservation programs as well as smart meter that will help manage electricity use. The second is Special Session House Bill 1, which is the clean energy-funding bill which will provide $850 million of investments in green buildings, renewable energy and energy investments.
Comment by Casey Freeman — June 11, 2008 #
How can building departments reconcile the laudable practice of recycling building materials while maintaining modern safety and energy-efficiency standards? It would be neither practical nor prudent to forbid the reuse of salvaged doors, windows, plumbing fixtures and lighting — many of a quality superior to new ones — simply because they don’t comply with modern building codes. These are, after all, the very same materials that are still in daily use in millions of American homes.
One way to acknowledge the reuse of old materials as an alternate and equally valid way of saving energy would be for city building departments to grant “green credits” to people using salvaged building materials. These could be used to offset certain code-compliance shortcomings, especially those dealing with energy efficiency.
Comment by Arrol Gellner — June 26, 2008 #
Did you know?
- You can install our Quickmats and your flooring in the same day. We provide one of the easiest products on the market.
- It fits easily around corners and awkward shaped rooms.
- We have many products that can be customized for your special requirements. Our floor heating solutions were specifically designed for DIY.
Comment by Easy Warm Floor — August 22, 2008 #
we shouldnt regard our cars not to speak of the oil they run on as the be-all and end-all of American society. We should also recognize that history has a way of casually demolishing institutions that seem impregnable, and the internal combustion automobile is surely one of these. Something better, simpler and kinder to the earth is no doubt on the way, assuming that were smart enough to welcome it.
Comment by Arrol Gellner — August 29, 2008 #
With the American National Standards Institutes (ANSI) expected approval of the National Green Building Standard (NGBS), work is underway to integrate the new standard into local and national green building programs, municipal versions of the International Building Codes, and the memory banks of building inspectors nationwide.
Comment by National Green Building Standard — September 4, 2008 #
Subject: Question about J.C.Estrada Roofing
Hi Jodi,
We had Juan give us an estimate for re-roofing our home. He seemed very professional
and the price was in line with some other estimates we got. Do you still recommend him? Do his completed jobs look good?
Thanks in advance,
Ed Burnside
Comment by Ed Burnside — September 28, 2008 #
Know what incentives apply to make financing your solar electric system as affordable as possible.
Comment by Claudia Eyzaguirre — November 13, 2008 #
The Chevy Volt is a plug-in electric vehicle that will drive up to 40 miles without ever using a drop of gasoline — which, according to government data, would be enough to handle approximately two-thirds of American commuters’ daily drives. The first vehicle in GM’s “E-Flex” family, the Volt will be powered by an electric motor, which draws its energy from on-board batteries. The batteries, in turn, will be re-charged by a small internal combustion engine that will run on gas, diesel or ethanol. When not in use, the batteries will be re-charged by simply plugging the Volt into a standard electrical outlet.
Comment by Gloria Huang — November 15, 2008 #
Enjoy your Greenopia Distinguished Business Welcome Kit with a copy of the guide, window decal and certificate.
I wanted to personally suggest Greenopia for your holiday gift list this year. The new Los Angeles Second Edition (or any of our other cities) is a great way to extend a very special thank-you to your clients, employees and colleagues—one that will be used again and again. The Greenopia guide is a powerful, useful tool that not only helps the recipient find the eco-friendly products and services to help them green their own lives, but it also helps to support all the other local eco-friendly businesses that have been working hard to do the right thing—just like you!
I’m attaching a price list that shows our volume discounts and even customization options if you so choose. Your gift can also be assembled in an elegant Natural Sinamay gift envelope customized with a personal note (which can be sold separately or assembled and printed for you).
Comment by Greenopia — November 22, 2008 #
Goals
The New York Times Building at 620 Eighth Avenue was developed and constructed with
three goals in mind:
• To enhance the way we work by creating a comfortable and efficient workspace for
Times Company employees.
• To serve the Times Company’s long-term operational needs as an owner/user.
• To reflect the Company’s values and make a meaningful contribution to New York City.
The building was designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano in association
with FXFOWLE Architects. The New York Times Company interior office space was
designed by Gensler.
Comment by The New York Times Building — January 16, 2009 #
Do you have Green professional positions to fill?
Advertise for your LEED AP, GreenRater, Certified Green Professional or other professional needs.
As promised, California’s Green Pages has added a Green Jobs feature to our Sustainable Building Resource Directory. As an added benefit of premium advertising of your professional services or products firm in our directory, you may now advertise for up to 5 green positions, all from your control panel.
Thank you for your interest and support!
Administrator
America’s Green Pages
________________________________________
Comment by America's Green Pages — January 28, 2009 #
The thrust of the Clean Energy Stimulus and Investment Assurance Act of 2009 is to create green-collar jobs and revitalize the economy through clean energy investments. Section 506 of the bill, offers property owners a 30 percent tax credit for qualified green roof expenses. The tax credit applies to both new and retrofit projects, but it requires that at least 50 percent of the roof area be covered with vegetation.
Comment by Nigel F. Maynard — February 7, 2009 #
BuyGreen.com introduction
I ran into your site through an article today – very good. I wanted to introduce BuyGreen.com to you.
We think we provide a broad selection of products meet all the eco-friendly needs for both Consumers and Commercial buyers.
What makes us unique is we apply our proprietary Green Standards to every product we carry - http://www.buygreen.com/greenstandards.aspx This allows our customers easy access to both why the product is eco-friendly with one stop shopping.
Additionally we Carbon Offset all our business activities and shipments – all sent ground. All our packaging is ‘shamelessly reused’ – we have never used a new box. Last we participate in the 1% for the Planet program and offer best in class customer service.
I am hoping you will check us out and if you are interested in discussing any aspect of our business, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Douglas Farquhar
Business Development
Green Retail and Wholesale, LLC
A Member Company of Renovos Global Group
14 Goodyear, Suite 135
Irvine, CA 92618-3759
TF: 888.9.BuyGreen or 888.928.9473 x812
FX: 949.281.6241
CP: 714.227.9213
http://www.BuyGreen.com
Comment by Douglas Farquhar — March 16, 2009 #
Total international trade flows continue to take a nosedive and in fact the rate at which trade volumes are decreasing has become very alarming to many economists. The only country in the world where there seems to be some glimmer of hope is in China where demand seems to be slowly increasing. However, China’s exports dropped off the most of any country in the world in February.
Comment by LAEDC Kyser Center for Economic Research — April 13, 2009 #
U.S. setbacks dealt by the weakened economy have helped China’s prospects in green commerce. It’s become the capital of solar and wind power manufacturing, and it aims to be the main source of affordable electric cars. In the U.S., the lending freeze has combined with cheap oil to stunt the fortunes of clean energy. Wind, solar and biofuel projects have been canceled and seed capital is scarce, leaving fertile ideas on the drawing board.
Comment by Еdward Silver — May 28, 2009 #
Green Home Builders Facing New Economic Reality
It may be one of the worst times in history to be a home builder, but the green home market is expanding despite the downward trends of the market as a whole.
Comment by BUILDER Business Update- Green Issue — June 8, 2009 #