AC Efficiency

Energy efficiency should be the deciding factor, as High efficiency appliances cost less to operate and can pay back the extra initial cost many times over during their lifetimes. All air conditioners bear bright yellow Energy Guide labels which provide information on energy efficiency.

Efficient Toilets

Toilets use the most water in your bathroom. Get a low flow toilet.  If you have purchased a home with a pre-installed 1.6 gpf model, there’s no way of knowing whether the previous owner made any such inefficient modifications.  The parts usually last around 5 years so be sure to ask the hardware store for 1.6 gpf replacements.

My new green life thanks to my kids!

A funny thing has been happening lately, my grown children are teaching me. My children have gone green.  They recycle, conserve water, car pool, and eat organic, not because they have to; because they want to. Recently, when I introduced them to a friend of mine in the green build industry; they already knew I wasn’t talking about the color.
Oh sure, I try to do my part, but not to the degree they do. So I decided to educate myself.  I didn’t think I was wasteful, I just thought if I paid a little better attention I too, could do better.
Many bring their own shopping bags to the grocery. Nearly everyone has a recycle bin in their home and out side. If everyone does a little together it’s a lot.
The other day I actually downsized my cable program. It’s really kind of fun.

I found myself looking a little closer at my daily habits. Trying to be a little kinder to the planet and found in doing so I was also a little kinder to my checkbook (yeah, I still have one, don’t want to waste my checks) as well.
When I bought a new toilet; I bought one that conserves water. I am reusing water bottles, bags, sometimes even recycling gifts; it’s no longer rude it’s applauded! Multitasking errands to saves time and money. I try not to waste trips mileage, gas; I don’t want to “use up” my car either. I try not to run my appliances during peak hours and do a full load. I have been trying to save electricity; turn the thermostat up or down just a little wear a sweater, turn on the fan you understand where I’m going with this. If you are reading this I’m probably preaching to the choir.
I am in the market for a new home. I am downsizing. So just for the heck of it I decided to look into building green. I am amazed by what I found.
Green building offers today’s  conservative, earth friendly consumer yet another opportunity to protect our plant while protecting your wallet at the same time. Build green. It just makes sense. Not only are you building with recycled material which is great for the environment; saving trees and conserving water. But I am also participating in the reduction of materials being deposited into our landfills.
My green build will also be more energy efficient, fire and termite resistant, and I will accomplish my project in a shorter period of time. I will save additional dollars simply by the reducing the number of labor hours required to build my new home.
If all the reasons just listed aren’t enough. The government rewards green building with tax incentives. I can take pride in knowing that I am taking responsibility for my carbon print. This is something I didn’t even realize I had until recently.
I have had a house built in the past and green building was never an option that was suggested by our builder. I am so excited. I just can’t wait to tell the kids. Wait, maybe I’ll just ask them when they were looking into buying a new home how big  was the green build factor in helping them to make their decision.

Please see our new business at www.NRGBuildingSolutions.com

What makes a home green?

There are several factors to consider when thinking green.  Some are.  Are the products that you are going to use on your home eco friendly?  This means: Are they close to the project so they do not have to be transported from long distances.  Are the recyclable?  Are they Healthy for you and the surrounding area?  Do they help conserve energy?  Do they cut down on waste?  And we add do they save time.
A lot of people miss the boat when it comes to green.  Not on purpose, but through lack of knowledge.  For example just adding the right windows will not make your project green, but it will help. The reality is that there are several factors to take into consideration. The variety of products alone makes for a long list.  But this should not discourage you at all.  A good contractor should be able to build your home with cost saving and your budget in mind. This process could go from mild to wild.  You should pick a contractor that becomes your partner in a since that is looking after your best interests in mind which includes your budget.

Here’s a list of some of the things you should take into consideration when thinking green.
1)    Location: The home located within walking or public transportation to Schools, shopping, work, etc. Not to be built on environmentally sensitive areas.
2)    Size does matter:  It is better to build smaller than larger. You will save in so many ways. Electric, water. Cleaning, etc.
3)    Building design: Home placement is key. The lot you choose and the way you place the home on the lot could have severe consequences.  Just by checking how the breezes cross the lot could save you several dollars by using those breezes to your advantage. Taking advantage of natural light sources and angles of how the home is designed to use these.  Shade if possible the highest sun exposed side of the home.
4)    Use of GREEN materials: Such as are Structural Steel Insulated Panel Systems (SSIPS). These reconstructed panels are delivered ready to install.  Only a few men can install our panels up to 2500 square feet Exterior only) in a single day. The R-Value of our 2×6 wall is R-30 Effective. And does not deter ate over time. So you will still Have an R-30 years after year.  With our walls we recommend Isolene for the trusses. This gives you an extraordinary building envelope. With these walls comes protection from bugs, termites, and fire resistant. So in reality your insurance should go down and there are some tax and federal programs for going green that shouldn’t be ignored.
5)    Windows and doors must have at least an energy star rating.
6)    Appliances also should be at least a energy star rating
7)    Energy efficiency:  Take into consideration your choices of the following. Lighting, heating, cooling, water heater.
8)    Landscaping can be a large part of what GREEN is about. So choose wisely in this area. The choice of plants alone could be going in the wrong direction.
I do hope that this has been helpful. Please visit us at www.NRGBuildingSolutions.com

Tips

NRG Building Solutions

Insulated Drywall

Residential
Commercial
Industrial
REMODELS

Insulated Drywall is revolutionizing the construction industry by bringing higher insulation values and air quality to living and working spaces.

Thicknesses
R-Values are “true” and not “equivalent”

Styrofoam Thickness
1″
1 1/2″
2″
2 1/2″
3″

R-Value
R-4.45
R-6.45
R-8.45
R-10.45
R-12.45

STC Sound Rating
38
40
48
54
58

Weather Strip All Door and Windows

Close all unnecessary openings. Fireplace dampers, doors and windows.
Set thermostat to 780 F.
Use kitchen and exhaust fans sparingly.

Maintenance and Operation

A dusty filter reduces air flow. Once a month you should check your filters and replace when necessary.
Room units should be covered or removed and stored in the winter.
Check for clogged drain channels.
Holes in the seal between the air conditioner and the window frame allows cool air to escape from your home.
Coils can become clogged.  Use a vacuum for the interior heat exchanger and a garden hose for the exterior.
Install a timer for when you are away, the until turns on a half hour before you return.
Make sure furniture does not obstruct air conditioning vents.
Make sure central air conditioning ducts are properly insulated

AC Installation

An improperly installed unit will waste energy, so please use these installation tips:
*Install the unit in a shaded spot on the house’s north side or east side because direct sunshine on the units outdoor
exchanger decreases efficiency.
*If your unit is already exposed to the sun, use a shading device like an awning.
*Do not hide unit’s external part behind shrubbery, this reduces the units ability to exhaust air, lowering efficiency

AC Size

Bigger is not always better. A unit that is too large will not cool an area uniformly and it will cool too quickly causing the unit to turn on and off too frequently. A unit that is too small will run constantly on hot days and still not be able to cool the area adequuately.
In sizing an air conditioner for your home, consider the dimensions of the area to be cooled . An air conditioner generally needs 20 Btu for each square foot of living space. A room that is 15 feet wide by 20 feet long you would calculate: 15×20x20(Btu)=6,000 Btu capacity would be required.

Air Conditioning Tips

Air conditioning does more than cool the air, it “conditions” it by removing dust and dirt as the air is drawn through a filter.  It also lowers humidity, making the room more comfortable.  Central Air Conditioners cost more than Room Units, but you if have several rooms to be cooled, the the central system is the best buy.  Room units  are less expensive, but they only cool the general space in which they are located.

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