tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13618630609788694562024-03-13T23:12:29.716-07:00Choosing GreenA blog to help people remodel their homes in a sustainable way. Encourages a "curbside" approach to responsible home renovation. Helps homeowners wade through the startling range of Green options rapidly entering the marketplace. Discusses pros and cons of green alternatives. A kind of online Green consumer report.The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-31843823213198903042010-12-21T19:05:00.000-08:002010-12-21T20:39:52.000-08:00Renaissance in Green BuildingCheck out my first column piece on Pacifica Patch! Its titled, <a href="http://www.pacifica.patch.com/articles/in-pursuit-of-a-greener-pacifica">In Pursuit of a Greener Pacifica</a>.<br />
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Let me know what you think!The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-51173299263693475722010-12-21T18:45:00.000-08:002010-12-21T20:45:10.110-08:00Apologies to my readers!Hello Everyone,<br />
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I have to apologize. I've been missing in action and haven't posted in a long time. But rest assured, it was for a good cause! I've been tremendously busy on many different projects. I've had the pleasure of consulting dozens of clients and potential clients, I've been involved with the development of both San Mateo and San Francisco County Home Performance Rebate Programs, I've been working with the Green Building Task Force in Pacifica, CA to adopt the city's Green Building Ordinance, and I've been working on my BPI Home Performance Analyst Certification and EPA Lead Certification. <br />
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Nor have I dropped writing completely! I was picked up by Patch to write a Green Building Column called Natural Nesting that explores sustainable remodeling options and green living tips for homeowners. To fill in my readers on this blog, the blogs that follow will showcase the articles I've written recently. <br />
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Thanks for staying tuned to my blog, I'm going to make another valiant effort to keep this blog more current.<br />
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Evergreen,<br />
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The Green GuyThe Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-28542029225691494022010-05-05T15:56:00.000-07:002010-05-05T16:20:50.869-07:00ROI: Real or Imagined?Many people, particularly salesman, like to talk about ROI (return on investment) when discussing "green" home improvements. ROI is a compelling consideration for homeowners wishing to get more value for their dollar. Buyer beware, however, for often the actual savings from energy efficient improvements fall short of their projections.<br /><br />Solar, on-demand water heaters, windows and high-efficiency furnaces all fall in this category for Californians. The one true area of home improvement that will pay off - insulation!<br /><br />An often low cost home improvement, insulation done professionally, has a greater propencity for reducing utility costs than many of "Green's" iconic home renovations. So the next time someone tries to sell you a home improvement based on ROI, start the interrogation!The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-52971378168879596872010-05-03T10:52:00.000-07:002010-05-03T11:05:09.360-07:00Who's going to do the dishes?I was talking to someone the other day about my kitchen remodel and the topic of dishwashers came up. A traditionalist, he mentioned that dishwashers are less water efficient than washing by hand.<br /><br />It seems counter-intuitive that by buying another appliance you could be saving energy, but it's true! So, if you're planning to remodel your kitchen or finally taking this step toward automation, rest assured that this is one machine that is truly guilt free.<br /><br />Recent dishwashers are incredibly energy efficient and use less water and less hot water (therefore less gas) to wash those pots and pans than washing by hand. Studies vary, but the average result is around 6 times more efficient. <br /><br />There are some ways to model perfect dishwashing behavior though:<br /><br />1. Run your dishwasher at night, during off-peak energy hours<br />2. Let your dishwasher air dry the dishes, rather than heat dry them.<br />3. Keep your dishwasher decalcified, by running a rinse with distilled vinegar through it periodically.<br />4. Replace your old dishwashers without the Energy Star labels.<br /><br />I, for one, am looking forward to my new dishwasher. I'm tired of those dishpan hands!The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-5776189980876559292010-04-29T21:30:00.000-07:002010-04-29T22:30:17.892-07:00Wall to wall or not at all?What's healthier? Carpet or wood flooring? It's a classic debate. But when considering indoor air quality concerns, we can look to science for some simple answers. <br /><br />Both carpet and wood flooring products can come filled with toxins, depending on what your installing. With a little research, however, products can be found to minimize this. But what about the long run?<br /><br />Carpet: when new, carpet acts as an air filter, drawing dust out of the air and capturing it in it's fibers. However, this only lasts for a limited time, until the fibers get filled and the " filter" gets clogged.<br /><br />Flooring: non-fibrous flooring doesn't have filtering capabilities like carpet, but if swept and cleaned regularly in a well insulated home is the better choice for clean air.<br /><br />I like a combination. A sustainable bamboo floor with some natural fiber, washable area rugs offer the best of both. Remember when you used to see people beat the dust out of their rugs on the porch?The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-66151610446862798012010-04-28T08:22:00.000-07:002010-04-28T08:39:07.087-07:00Welcome Tribune Readers!Hello Everyone!<br /><br />It's been quite awhile since my last postings, I've been really busy lately helping people offline to "green" their homes and attending some amazing sustainable events and seminars. The technology in green building is changing so rapidly that it can often be a challenge to absorb it all. Even for someone as obsessed with this stuff as I am. Anyway, please take a look at my past posts, subscribe to my blog, and stay on the lookout! I've got a ton of posts topics ready to write and will be posting 2-3 times per week. With the help of my daughter, I'm hoping to begin some video blogging soon as well. <br /><br />Thanks for visiting and be sure to leave me your comments!<br /><br />Ever green,<br /><br />The Green GuyThe Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-38488633107525103292009-11-30T05:55:00.000-08:002009-11-30T06:25:47.871-08:00How to Handle that H2O?So much to do, so little time! Sorry readers for not getting back to you sooner. I've been incredibly swamped of late.<div><br /></div><div>A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to chat with SF Mayor Gavin Newsom about the future of green efforts in the city. The answer? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">It's in the water.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>San Francisco will be taking a renewed look at their water conservation programs in the coming year as our historical statewide drought cycle continues. They will continue to offer incentives to home owners to replace inefficient toilets, shower heads and faucet fixtures. Also, look out for opportunities to replace your traditional water heaters with tankless, on-demand varieties.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, SF doesn't have the same opportunities with regard to water reclamation. This <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Green Guy</span> sees a huge future in reclamation practices, for both professional and DIY systems. Demand for water will soon compare to oil's as drought cycles and population booms collide. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you live in a single family home, think about how you could use water that you've collected when it rains, whether to wash your car or water your lawn. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Nature intended for the water to be put to use, why let it be runoff?</span></div>The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-81962312335260151272009-10-28T12:05:00.000-07:002009-10-28T12:24:21.400-07:00How much "green" do I need to go Green?I'm frequently asked by clients if remodeling "Green" is more expensive. The answer is an astounding NO!<div><br /></div><div>Competition in the burgeoning market of green construction is booming, bringing prices down for a wide variety of sustainable materials. At the same time, standard, non-sustainable materials are rising in price due to the decrease in their availability. </div><div><br /></div><div>Labor prices for green building are complimenting this trend in materials as well. Green building specialists, who have been previously able to ask higher prices for their expertise, are no finding that they must be more competitive. As more contractors enter the green building marketplace, homeowners can expect Green building to become as competitively priced as traditional building practices.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually, thanks to changes in federal, state and local public policies, Green building will become the new standard building practice and the need to ask, "Is Green building more expensive?" will become moot.</div><div><br /></div>The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-24302122628465820182009-09-02T07:14:00.000-07:002009-09-02T09:16:41.717-07:00Bicycle Garage Built for 2I've been thinking a lot lately about DIY weekend projects that will have substantial impact for green minded people. (I've had a lot of time to think, since its been a while since my last blog, sorry!)<div><br /></div><div>My favorite is the bicycle garage. If you live in a suburban neighborhood like I do, chances are you have a modest house with a garage or driveway designed to accommodate your oil-addicted vehicles. For those of you who have given up your four-wheeled oil albatross, hats off! Most of us have bicycles, left forlorn in far recesses of our garage, hidden behind holiday decorations and yard equipment. Sadly, for many of us, retiring our cars may not yet be possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, we can reduce our natural tendencies to jump in the car for local driving. The Danish use bicycles this way very effectively. For local trips to the market and around town, they jump on their bicycles, reserving a trip in the car for longer commutes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I propose that if you want to do a weekend home improvement that will reap big Green rewards and reduce your carbon footprint in a big way, build a bicycle garage.</div><div><br /></div><div>It doesn't have to be big. A lean-to style shed attached to the side of your garage to house 2 bicycles can be built in a weekend for less than $200. Even less, if you recycle the materials from an old deck or a fence (Always recommended). </div><div><br /></div><div>The benefits of making your bicycles more accessible:</div><div><ul><li>Less dependency on fossil fuels & a lower carbon footprint</li><li>Increased excercise (the good cardio-vascular kind)</li><li>Improved community engagement - riding bicycles allows people to be more connected with their surroundings</li><li>Fuel savings</li></ul><div>The Bicycle Garage Built for 2 is a home improvement with exponential environmental benefits. Its also a project that you can feel good about having built as well as a project that will make you feel better as you begin to ride. Green building is often holistic, involving responsible building practices as well as lifestyle changes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Good luck and thanks for staying sustainable!</div><div><br /></div><div>p.s. If you'd like some ideas for how to make your own bicycle garage, send me a comment and I'd be happy to chat with you about it.</div></div>The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-89469528443542951092009-08-17T14:40:00.000-07:002009-08-17T15:47:31.649-07:00Decks without deforesting!Hello out there! I've been a busy builder this last week, I've been consulting with a number of new clients on projects ranging from room additions to bathroom remodels to options for decking. That being said, its been awhile since I've had the time to contribute to my blog. <div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I'm back and excited about decking again! Since I've gone green people have asked me how I feel about building decks and until now, I haven't had a definitive answer. Redwood, cedar and ipe are all wonderful, naturally weather and pest resistant traditional decking materials that, while gorgeous, are being deforested worldwide at an alarming rate.</div><div><br /></div><div>The plastics industry has tried to offer some alternatives such as composite decking and PVC decking that look-like and can be handled like wood. Unfortunately, these products just don't hold up when tested against the elements or standard "green" principles. First of all, plastics crack, warp and get extremely hot in warm weather. As composite materials weather, the wood fibers in them collect moisture and mold that discolor the decking. Furthermore, since composite decking is a combination of plastic and wood material, they to date are non-recyclable. Once the deck is no longer useful the deck cannot be disposed of. PVC isn't much better, since a portion of the material has to be virgin oil products and the process of manufacturing holds such a heavy carbon footprint. </div><div><br /></div><div>And let's be honest, plastics just don't have the natural beauty of wood decking.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, all hope is not lost! Let me introduce... BAMBOO DECKING!</div><div><br /></div><div>This stuff is awesome! Bamboo is a rapidly renewable natural resource. Bamboo is already being used to replace hardwood floors, paneling, wall coverings, carpets, cloth, etc. and so forth. And now bamboo decking is available that has many of the same properties as redwood, cedar and ipe with the natural beauty unavailable by plastic alternatives. And it feels good under your feet! </div><div><br /></div><div>Bamboo decking is sold by the linear foot and is made by compressing bamboo fibers into a denser board form and sealed with a soy-based oil for added protection. The glues used to bind the fibers contain no urea formaldehydes, resulting in a product that does not "gas-off" toxins as it dries out. Oh, and did I mention it costs about the same as traditional deck surfaces?</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, this is my new favorite for decking. I'd suggest you try it on your next project. This is what I'll be using for my backyard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a link of the outfit in San Diego that carries it: <a href="http://www.calibamboo.com/bamboodecking.html?gclid=CJW_rM6kq5wCFRlcagodMElskg">http://www.calibamboo.com/bamboodecking.html?gclid=CJW_rM6kq5wCFRlcagodMElskg</a></div>The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-18770614170337550392009-08-05T10:28:00.001-07:002009-08-05T11:15:54.879-07:00Green Concrete? (Part 2)As promised, I'm back with more thoughts on Green concrete mixes. While it's not a perfect green solution, at least the industry is attempting to focus on the enormous carbon footprint that the production of concrete represents. Following are some pros and cons to current concrete mixes attempting to provide more responsible products:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b>Pros</b></span></div><div><ol><li>Removes fly ash (captured coal industry pollutants) from landfills</li><li>Needs less water than standard concrete mixes</li><li>Requires less quarrying of virgin materials</li><li>Creates an extremely high density concrete</li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b>Cons</b></span></div><div><ol><li>Health affects are not known</li><li>May attribute to radon build-up in homes & release toxins into interiors</li><li>Takes longer to set up than standard concrete</li><li>No environmental standards for these products have been developed yet</li></ol><div>While there are some big drawbacks for the uses of Green concrete mixes, all is not lost. I would recommend using this concrete whenever possible for projects that are outside. Retaining walls, pathways, fence posts, etc.. This way, the possible health concerns can be mitigated while finding a way to trap these coal byproducts in something other than landfills. Let's give a shout out to the cement guys for trying and the encouragement to keep it up! In the meantime, if you have an immediate product, Quickrete has a ready-mix Green concrete (1101-63) with 50% recycled content you can ask for. Contact Quickrete for a supplier near you at: <a href="http://www.quikrete.com/ContactUs/Main.asp">http://www.quikrete.com/ContactUs/Main.asp</a></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div>The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-18576143940590266902009-07-29T08:44:00.000-07:002009-07-29T10:00:32.296-07:00Green Concrete? (Part 1)<b>I must admit, when I think of concrete, Green is not what comes to mind.</b><div><br /></div><div>In fact cement production is extremely energy intensive; some estimates calculate it contributes as much as 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Demand for cement worldwide continues to grow, with more than 3 billion tons produced each year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Several cement manufacturers are advertising "green" cement formulas as an alternative to the standard quarried cement mixes of the past. But questions still remain as how "green" they really are.</div><div><br /></div><div>Basic cement is composed of six components: Cement, coarse aggregate (rock), fine aggregate (sand), water, fly ash, and chemical admixtures (for different specialty applications). </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Green concrete formulas support their environmental claims in two principal ways:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1. Using recycled aggregates</b></div><div>Green concretes often contain a percentage of coarse and fine aggregates rather than digging up virgin materials. This is slightly greener due to the reuse of the otherwise quarried materials, yet the processes involved in preparing these recyclables often use a comparable amount of energy (and fossil fuels) to produce.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Fly ash</b></div><div>Here is the sticky wicket. Fly ash is a waste byproduct from the chimneys of coal fired power plants and is composed primarily of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide, but may also contain a range of other toxic compounds. Before governmental mandates regarding air quality, this fly ash was released into the atmosphere. Now, much of it is captured and placed in landfills. This creates new environmental challenges, as evidenced by the Knoxville, TN coal spill that occurred earlier this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>The concrete industry uses a higher percentage of fly ash in Green cement mixes than in standard concrete. Trade organizations and certification programs in green building are touting this as a great benefit, since using fly ash in concrete diverts it from landfills.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, we still don't understand the possible health risks associated with using higher quantities of fly ash. To date there have been no environmental standards adopted for the use of concrete mixes with a higher percentage of fly ash. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Buyer beware when choosing Green concrete! In my next post, I will discuss the pros and cons of this concrete and safer options for the use of these products.</b></div>The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1361863060978869456.post-74148439796137165232009-07-21T09:17:00.000-07:002009-07-21T12:40:04.267-07:00Welcome to Choosing Green!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Welcome to "Choosing Green"; a blog about the daunting world of Green building and construction.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">I've been in construction and remodeling for as long as I can remember. I've also grown up with a reverence for nature and environmentalism. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Recently, the building industry has undergone a dramatic transformation. Driven by a few visionaries, adopted by architects, and fueled by consumer demand and public policy, the construction industry has finally grown a conscience.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">What this has done is presented the average homeowner with a daily deluge of new products and (buyer beware!) product claims that aim to capitalize on our interests in remodeling our homes in a way that won't harm us or our environment. This has left most of us wishing to "go green" with the question, "Where do I begin?".</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">That's why I've started this blog. The mission of "Choosing Green" is to help people take Green building one step at time. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Green Doesn't have to be Expensive.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">You don't have to completely strip your home and rebuild with "green" materials (although the industry would love it if you did). In fact, this would only be contradictory to Green principles; preserve your resources, remodel only what is necessary to complete your project. Unless you're building a new home, you've already harvested the materials to create your space. Remember, in green, less is more.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Green Doesn't have to be Technical.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">You don't need to have a master's degree in bioengineering to make green choices when remodeling your home. Nor do you have to employ the latest innovations in manufacturing to benefit from Green practices. In fact, much of Green theory is common sense; ancient wisdom that has long been available and only been overlooked since we opted to focus our innovation on capitalizing on the "low-hanging fruit" of fossil fuels. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">However, you do need to know what's available. And you need to know what's an outright scam. You also need to know about the pro's and con's. This blog is here to help.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Green Building is about Choices.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Every day there are more Green options available to us. No one solution is ideal for all situations. Green building is most effective when the individual circumstance is taken into consideration. Each of has much to consider when making decisions about remodeling; style, function, budget, health, environment, maintenance, etc... Green building is about knowing what alternatives are available to you and what works for your situation. It's about asking questions and doing what you can within your means.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">Green is incremental.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Remember when curbside recycling began? At first, all you could recycle were glass and soda cans. Now, millions of tons of reusable materials are diverted from landfills every day from the daily efforts of people like you and me. Building Green can work the same way. Small decisions can have a big impact if each of us pitches in. We didn't pollute the planet overnight, nor can we do the same to save it. In the aggregate, our choices as consumers will change the planet and preserve it for our children.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Future installments of this blog will explore choices for homeowners and anyone remodeling a home. I'll weigh the pros and cons of solutions, dispel myths and praise options that we can all take advantage of. Most of all, I hope to inspire you to think Green!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div>The Green Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12680758472962900007noreply@blogger.com0