Well it has been awhile since I have written a new post here at Green Building Ideas. I work in the building material supply business and life in this industry the last year has been some what brutal. Many suppliers going out of business, going bankrupt, going through bankruptcy reorganization and thousands of employees getting laid off. So you may ask what does this have to do with Green Building?

Well if people are not building homes then Green Building is effected. Some are doing remodels on their existing homes to make them more energy efficient, so this is still a market for green building. But without the current tax credits I don’t think there would be as many remodels going on.

So where does this leave the industry of Green Building?

Green building is still as strong as ever. With the worlds economy in struggling times, more people are concerned about saving money. Many people looking at new homes or remodeling existing homes and are more concerned about how efficient the home is or can be. Appliances, new windows or doors, water saving, insulation seem to be some of the hot topics. If you are a supplier in this industry you better be learning how to attract customers in these energy saving areas. If you are a contractor you need to know what people are wanting and where you can get these products.

The need for creating a more energy efficient home is where the business is today.

Will this need help pull the housing market out of the slumps, I am not sure, but it is helping keep some projects moving forward.

Go Green With Andersen Windows New 100 Series

Andersen Windows and Doors has been providing quality wood clad windows and doors for many years, now has introduced a product to rival the lower end vinyl market. Everyone recognizes Andersen as a quality, high end window company and never has Andersen ever targeted the competitive vinyl market. But that is now changing and with a very impressive, environmentally friendly and lower cost window.

Andersen’s new 100 series has some very unique features that will make all other window companies wonder how to compete with such a different product. The 100 series window frame is engineered of a special product called Fibrex®. This Fibrex® material construction offers the strength of solid wood and twice the stability of vinyl and is covered in more than 30 U.S. patents. Adding this stable frame with the special corner system and a window is created that is extremely strong, stable and resistant to racking.

If you have heard of Trex, Timber Tech or any other composite decking you will understand what a composite product is manufactured from. Similar to these decking products, Fibrex® is a composite composition that is extruded in a frame similar to a vinyl frame. Fibrex® is a blend of recycled wood and polymers that has received the Scientific Certification System (SCS) of a recycled content of between 18% and 24%, but comes from 40% pre-consumer reclaimed wood fiber. The series 100 also meets the Energy Star qualifications in all climate zones. The finish on the 100 series also meets the SCS Indoor Advantage Gold Program criteria for building materials that will not negatively impact the indoor air quality. Now Andersen has made a statement in the world of green building by introducing a very environmentally friendly product.

Composite products have proven their durability in all weather climates by resisting any amount of water and withstanding major hot climates. Now vinyl products can not say the same, but many vinyl products have improved over the years. But no vinyl window company has perfected a process that can handle dark colors. Now there is an option to this problem without spending more than triple on your windows. The 100 series is available in a cocoa bean which is very close to the old bronze aluminum but blocks thermal heat and cold transfer more than 700 times better than aluminum. This makes the series 100 window great for retro fit applications that have dark aluminum windows.

I think this is one of the most innovative windows introduced in many years and has a lot to offer. Andersen backs this window with a ten year transferable warranty that adds value to any home being sold. The series 100 window also qualifies for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, federal tax credit.

Learn more about this great product at http://www.andersenwindows.com/100series

Original article: Go Green With Andersen Windows New 100 Series – written by Steve Feller on Factoidz

I have created this article to share my best Green Factoidz with you. This is my favorite Green articles as of July 2009 that I have written. I hope you enjoy these Green articles and vote them up if you would like.

Going Green with Tankless Water Heaters

So has all the new water heaters on the market have you confused on which one is the best? Which one is the greenest and most efficient? Well don’t feel alone, there happens to be a lot of options today but the proper application is what needs to be looked at.

http://factoidz.com/going-green-with-tankless-water-heaters/

Building Your Green Home: Does Size Really Matter?

Yes, the size of your home does make a difference when building a green home or a green project and want to be certified. There are many factors play into the square footage and design of your home. Also with the down turn in the economy I think smaller homes will be the new norm.

http://factoidz.com/building-your-green-home-does-size-really-matter/

How “Green Products” can be Misleading

The Going Green phase in home construction has many people confused about what Green really means. Many are struggling to find the balance between renewable, sustainable, recyclable, LEED, NAHB Green Program, Energy Star, energy efficient, net zero, carbon foot print, certified products, low VOC, air quality and a myriad of other green words.

http://factoidz.com/how-green-products-can-be-misleading/

Which grocery bag is really green?

You go to the store several times a week and you are usually asked “paper or plastic” or you may even be the devout green, environmentally conscious person that brings your own, but what is the greenest grocery bag solution? Well depending on who is talking they all are green, but let’s look a little deeper and just see who is the greenest of them all.

http://factoidz.com/which-grocery-bag-is-really-green/

Green Building Should Incorporate Energy Efficiency

Many people don’t totally understand the green building and the purpose it has. The phrase green building misses some of the key points that every home owner should be thinking of. When the word green is used most think of saving trees or natural resources. This is correct but the point many times missed in the saving natural resources.

http://factoidz.com/green-building-should-incorporate-energy-efficiency/

Going Green with Reclaimed Wood

One product that is great for green building and is not new by any means is Reclaimed Wood. Many reclaimed products are showing up in some very prominent new green projects. Reclaimed wood is a form of recycling but with amazing beauty.

http://factoidz.com/going-green-with-reclaimed-wood/

Prefab Homes: the Next Green Building Idea

A movement is taking place in an old methodology. Prefab or modular homes seem to be taking a very popular spot light in the green arena. This is not the old modular homes that most people think of, where the home is a square box split in half and resemble a double wide trailer home. These new breed of modular homes are quite stylish and green friendly.

http://factoidz.com/prefab-homes-the-next-green-building-idea/

What is the difference between “sustainable” and “green?”

“What is the difference in Sustainable and Green?” Too many get caught up in trying to decipher the difference. The main thing to remember is that we should all try and be less wasteful and more conscious of how the products we use affect our environment.

http://factoidz.com/the-difference-in-sustainable-and-green/

Green choices for your hardwood flooring: understanding cork, bamboo, and reclaimed wood

Thinking of building a new home or remodeling? Wanting to find flooring products for your project? The choices are endless and flooring happens to be a product many people decide to go green with. Cork and Bamboo flooring is a great option in the renewable group.

http://factoidz.com/green-choices-for-your-hardwood-flooring-understanding-cork-bamboo-and-reclaimed-wood/

Saving water: You don’t have to “go green” to take part in saving water

The whole green focus was established to help conserve our natural resources, by reducing the use or waste of any natural resource. One natural resource that the whole world needs to help reducing, even if going green is not a consideration, is our water supply.

http://factoidz.com/we-dont-have-to-be-green-to-save-water/

Green Washing: what it is and how to watch for it

Green Building is much more than just following a checklist. Green Building or sustainable building is composed of certain elements like design, energy savings, water savings, health and managing resources used in the home.

http://factoidz.com/what-is-green-washing-and-how-to-watch-for-it/

I hope you enjoyed these articles. I write for this blog called Green Building Ideas. I get my material from working in the home construction industry and my learning on how to incorporate Green into our every day lives. I am a Certified Green Professional (NAHB Green Building Program) and help builders with building green.

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Consumers Willing to Open Their Wallets to Go Green

According to a telephone survey commissioned by Sharp Electronics, Americans are three times more likely to pay more up front for a product that saves on their electricity bills in the long run than they are to purchase the less expensive product now. (Wall Street Journal)

This is one of my Ezine articles. Posted 3-31-09

The home construction and remodeling business is in the worst economic times it as ever been in. Builders, subcontractors, suppliers and workers have or are facing bankruptcy. Layoffs in the building industry are at all time high and not much recovery in sight. Businesses are doing about anything they can to survive. Some very creative advertising is showing up everyday, encouraging people to build or remodel. This desperate advertising is being centered on the new ”American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009”.

On February 17, 2009 President Obama signed the new ”American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” or referring to new energy tax credits. Many have jumped at this to entice people to upgrade to new energy efficient products and earn tax credits back. This plan does provide home owners with some good incentives to upgrade.

President Bush had this energy tax credit in place, which was to end in 2007, but was extended through 2008. The new 2009 plan has many great improvements. Going from a 15% of material rebate in 2007 to a 30% rebate on material in 2009. The new plan increases the rebate from a $500 cap to a %1500 cap. But this is where the home owner needs to read the fine print.

Some of these desperate businesses are advertising that you may be able to get new energy efficient products installed and not have to pay a dime. Now is some cases this may be true but not with all. Installation is not covered with many of the products.

Installation costs ARE COVERED for:

• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems
• Biomass Stoves
• Water Heaters (including solar)
• Solar Panels
• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Wind Energy Systems
• Fuel Cells

Installation costs are NOT covered by the tax credit for:

• Windows
• Doors
• Insulation
• Roofs

Now this is just for existing homes upgrading to energy efficient products that pass the Energy Star rating. This is not for new home construction. If you are building a new home, you can qualify for the tax credit for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind systems and fuel cells, but not the tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, or non-solar water heaters. Builders are eligible for a rebate on new homes that are 50% more energy efficient than the 2004 IECC.

This tax credit is for all products placed in service in 2009 & 2010 for most home improvements, EXCEPT for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and windmills which are not subject to this cap, and are in effect through 2016,

So as you hear these promotions to upgrade your home or build a new home, check on Energy Star’s website to make sure you will get the credit that is being explained to you. Also remember that this is a rebate on your tax return, so you will be waiting until the following year to get it back. Yes these rebates are real and are good to look into, just don’t get sucked into the desperation sales that are happen right now.

Many people don’t totally understand the green building and the purpose it has. The phrase green building misses some of the key points that every home owner should be thinking of. When the word green is used most think of saving trees or natural resources. This is correct but the point many times missed in the saving natural resources. Green homes should be built to continually save natural resources by being energy efficient. Less electricity, less natural gas, less water and less waste over the life time of the home is as big as the products going into the home.

In the tough economic times we are all in across the globe, wouldn’t saving money through lower utilities be a great thing? This should be a major focus in new construction and remodeling right now. Re-insulation and retro-fit windows are already topping the list of energy efficient remodels.

New construction can learn from this. If making our homes more energy efficient is on top of the remodel list, then people really do want more efficient homes. New construction is the best time to do this. Many of the factors that make a home more energy efficient are very costly and difficult to come back and do in a remodel.

The HVAC system is the biggest user of energy in the home. Poor installation and design can cost home owners money and waste energy.

The insulation in the walls and attic play the role of holding the warm or cold air in the home and the hot or cold air out. Insulation that can settle over time allows air infiltration and could be avoided with the proper product.

Installation and type of windows and doors also play a huge part with air infiltration. Proper installations of energy efficient windows reduce wasted energy and can even create warmth and light if positioned for use of the sun.

So more should think about the long term effects of the products used in the home and how do they help save natural resources. These products don’t have the same excitement as solar power, bamboo flooring or other big name green products. But every home owner should be thinking greener even if it is to be more energy efficient. Maybe the new phrase should be Energy Green Home? So the key of energy efficiency is not lost.

Struggling in this tough economy? Post your resume’ on 70+ sites at one time.

Did you make it to the IBS show this year in Las Vegas? If so, did you get a chance to go to the NextGen Home experience?

This home was built on-site in a parking lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center for the International Builders’ Show in January 2009. The display was a finished 2,000 square-foot home serving as a complete and interactive showcase for all of today’s hottest home options, green options and residential building best practices. Inside you’ll discover all of the innovative ways to make a home stronger, greener, more efficient and more digitally connected than anything else on the market.

One product I would like to mention in this list that can help reduce wasted energy is a home automated system by Cortexa. Turning lighs on when need and off when not needed. Remember how you dad always told you turn off the light? Now this can be automated. Check out the great products from Cortexa in this SmartHome link.

Here is a list of the Green products promoted in this great display of innovation.

Yes, the size of your home does make a difference when building a green home or a green project. There are many factors play into the square footage and design of your home.

1. The amount of materials used in the construction of a home makes a difference in the point system. The idea is to minimize the amount of materials to construct the walls of the home. Expanding the on center spacing for studs in walls, using single top plates with interior walls and expanding the on center spacing for floor joist are just a few of the items that can help. But remember that it is important to follow current building codes and manufacturer specs.
2. The size of the home will also affect the HVAC system. Running more duct runs lowers the efficiency of the system resulting in more energy to heat and cool a home.
3. Designing the home to minimize what is called wet walls. These are walls that have plumbing in them. Design the home so bathrooms and the kitchen are as close as possible. This saves on material to run water lines and drain lines.

The National Association of Home Builders Green Program has done extensive research to determine what the appropriate square footage based on amount of bedrooms should be. In the NAHB Green Program they have devised a chart which helps with determining the proper square footage. They have also assigned a point system to encourage new home construction to minimize the size of green homes. The chart below explains how the point system works.

Guidelines for Efficient Floor Plan Design

# of Bedrooms

Sq Ft — 2 –/– 3 –/– 4 –/– 5 –/- Points

Sq Ft — 1382 – 1890 - 2648 - 3424 – 0

Sq Ft — 1332 – 1825 - 2555 - 3296 - 1

Sq Ft — 1282 - 1756 - 2459 - 3172 - 2

Sq Ft — 1232 -1688 - 2363 - 3048 – 3

Sq Ft — 1182 - 1619 - 2267 - 2925 - 4

Sq Ft – 1132 - 1551 - 2171 - 2801 – 5

Sq Ft – 1082 - 1482 - 2075 - 2677 - 6

Sq Ft — 1032 - 1414 - 1979 - 2553 - 7

Sq Ft — 982 - 1345 - 1883 - 2430 - 8

Sq Ft — 932 - 1277 - 1788 - 2306 - 9

The LEED certification also has points based on the size of the home. It is not described as well as the NAHB Green Program. If you use the actual work sheet it takes into count the square footage of the home but does not provide an easy read chart like above.

So yes the size of the project does matter. So if you are planning on building a new home and want to Go Green, you need to start in the designing phase before you begin the project.

In February 2008 the U.S. Department of Energy unveiled the Builders Challenge. This program is designed to give the consumer a rating scale similar to the MPG on a vehicle. This new scale is called the Energy Smart Home Scale or E-Scale and is designed to compare the energy efficiency of a home. The scale ranges from 150 – 0 with 100 being the average of a new home today based on the normal building codes. A home 10 years ago would fall 130 – 150 so a home with a 70 rating would be 30% more efficient than an average new home. A net zero home would produce as much energy as it uses from such sources as wind or solar power.
Homes today account for nearly 21% of all energy consumed and are on the rise with the construction of larger homes. By providing the consumer with an easy method of rating takes the guess work out of whether they are getting the energy efficient they planned. This will be very similar to the yellow energy guide found on appliances.
The Department of Energy has challenged the home building industry to build 220,000 high efficient homes by 2012. This is a good move to try and create measurable standards in home efficiency. This does not mean the home is green or certified but it will help with consumer confidence. The LEED certification process has steps to ensure a green certified home but many builders have found ways to get a home certified at the lower level so they can market them as green. This process does not ensure an efficient home. Now the consumer can compare homes and see the difference. But this is not a requirement so not all homes will have this rating. The Department of Energy’s goal is to provide affordable net zero housing by 2030. To read more about the Energy Smart Home Scale visit the Department of Energy – Builder challenge

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/challenge/

The remodeling world is also seeing an increase in going green and energy efficiency. Some of the popular items going into remodeled homes in the past year are wood pellet stoves, gas fire place inserts, new sidings and geothermal systems. It is normally the higher end homes asking for the higher cost geothermal systems.

But the top energy efficient remodel item in the past year is new windows. According to the Efficient Windows Collaborative, the heating bill for a 2,000 square foot home with energy efficient windows is 39% lower than a comparable home with single pane aluminum windows. The Efficient Windows Collaborative web site has some great information on windows but it does not include all window manufacturers, so don’t just think that the windows listed are the only choice. One quick point to remember is the U-factor. The lower the number the more efficient the product and also try to look at heat gain.

The bottom line is people want more energy efficient homes even when buying. Realtors have seen an increase in clients wanting to know more about the efficiency of the home. Some are even asking for an energy audit and then asking how much it would cost to upgrade certain products. This does not always increase the value of the home but it may make the home more efficient and more attractive to a potential buyer.

Bathroom and kitchen remodels still rank the highest in the cost to value calculations but energy efficient items are on the rise. With the tough economy of today, home owners are looking for more was to save money.

This can be called Green or Energy Efficient. Saving energy and natural resources in our homes falls into both categories.