Just Because You Go Solar, Doesn't Mean You're Green...

The other day, a member of my family asked me if I thought their roof was suitable for solar panels. I went outside, took a look, and said, "sure, but why do you want solar panels?"The response I got was pretty funny... "I figured with all the incentives right now, I could get some solar panels and then I'd be doing my part by being green...". This response from a member of my family is pretty common these days, with so many people and companies pushing "being green" so many in the general public are so misinformed. This is my queue... my chance to spread the word.

Photovoltaic systems are awesome... if I had the funds, I'm sure I would be right there with the rest of the folks setting up appointments with the local solar salesman, but I tend to know a thing or two that keeps me away from PV systems... besides not being able to afford it.

Would you ever go out and buy new tires and an alarm system for a car you that you don't have? How about a new surround sound system and DVD player for the TV that you don't seem to have?? What I'm trying to get at... is why spend thousands of dollars on a new photovoltaic system for your house if the rest of your house is an energy efficiency "nightmare". If your home isn't energy efficient you'll never truly see the rewards promised by that solar salesman when you spent those thousands of dollars.

I always tell people that solar panels are an expensive band-aid when the envelope of your home is like "Swiss cheese". By "Swiss cheese" I mean that your home is leaking energy due to poor insulation, bad windows, poor heating and cooling, and so on... just like the holes in Swiss cheese. How about a home energy audit to see how much energy you're consuming and where you're wasting it? How about switching your incandescent bulbs to CFLs? What about the instant savings you get when you spend the money and time on weatherizing your home with weather stripping, spray foam, and caulking?? There are so many things a homeowner can do to be more energy efficient, truly "green".

After a fun, lengthy discussion I actually saw the light bulb go on inside my family member's head... "why don't they tell you about these things when you're considering buying solar panels?", was one of the many questions I heard throughout our discussion. I had to explain that at the end of the day it's a business just like any other money making business, people are into making "green" off of people trying to be"green". It's a shame that people take advantage of those who are trying to do good for the environment and be more sustainable. These are the kinds of discussions we need to have with our families, neighbors, friends, and coworkers. The more we educate one another the better chances we have at doing good and doing things right. It really does take more than solar panels to be "green" in this ever changing world.

One Bulb Can Change A Lot...

As the selection of light bulbs grow in the aisles of the nation's hardware stores, many arguments have begun to surface regarding which is better, worse, and everything in between. Like many products, there are pros and cons and these pros and cons only continue to multiply as the technology continues to grow.

On a short list it's pretty clear to see that CFL bulbs are better than incandescent bulbs, and LED bulbs are better than both of them, but one must really pull back the layers of the onion to see the true pros and cons for each comparison.


Here's a great comparison video courtesy of alternativee.org:



It's pretty easy to see where the energy efficiency lies, but many other factors come along with each type of bulb. In my own home, I have opted to go with CFL bulbs in almost all my fixtures minus the fixtures that are on occupancy sensors. CFL bulbs can't handle the constant on/off from the sensors compared to incandescent bulbs. I would love to use Edison base LED bulbs in my home, but the price point is still too high and the technology still has a little ways to go before they can truly compete with CFLs. I do recommend using LEDs for under-cabinet lighting, holiday lighting, and flashlights/lanterns since the technology is pretty stable and the use factor is pretty low.

Each bulb type has a few major drawbacks for me, but as long as you weigh the pros and cons it's easy to derive at a choice.

• Incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy and actually lose a majority of that energy through heat loss. If you live in a hot climate, you really don't need your light bulbs raising your home's temperature causing more money to be spent on cooling. Due to that heat loss, your incandescent bulbs are expelling more heat then you're receiving in actual lumens, i.e. LIGHT.

• CFL bulbs contain mercury which can be dangerous in certain amounts. Due to the mercury in CFL bulbs special precautions should be taken when disposing burnt out or broken bulbs. You should always dispose CFL bulbs at specialized recycling centers... never throw them away with your trash! Some people feel that the actual light output from CFL bulbs is sub-par to incandescent bulbs, but I have never personally had a problem.

• LED bulbs are still just too new in the market place to really be measured against other standard bulbs. Price is certainly a factor right now, but other factors include actual measurement of bulb life span, proper bulb ventilation for cooling, size retro fitting, and actual light output compared to incandescent and CFL bulbs.

There are many types of lighting available in the market place these days. There are also many other bulb types that I did not mention due to there use in commercial settings or the low level of use in residential settings. Lighting technology is still ever changing and manufactures are coming up with new ideas everyday... even the incandescent bulb is still being advanced to keep up with all the other new technological advances. It really comes down to what you want from you light bulb and how much you want to invest in it. Nothing is ever perfect, but as long you do your homework, the power is ultimately in your hands...

All hardware stores including major and mom and pop retailers carry some sort of line of incandescent and CFL bulbs, but LED bulbs are little harder to find. It's always smart to check with you local utility provider before going out to purchase light bulbs, some utility providers provide rebates, coupons, or even discount purchase programs for energy efficient light bulbs. Please see the links below for the Sacramento Valley:

Sacramento Municipal Utility District-

http://www.smud.org/en/rebates/Pages/index.aspx

Pacific Gas & Electric-

http://www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney/rebates/light/products/

Why Not Save The Rain For Another Day?

With fall and winter right around the corner it's time to start thinking about rain. When you're up on that ladder this fall, cleaning out your gutters, you should give a good thought to saving that rain for another day. With water demands on the rise in the Sacramento Valley these days; why not save that rain water and reuse it for something other than watering the streets and gutters?



Why not rain water harvesting? No, I'm not talking about complex water piping systems with huge cisterns... I'm talking about simply buying or building a rain barrel and hooking it up to one of your downspouts for safe keeping.

Utilizing a rain barrel at your home is a great way to save on garden watering costs and it allows that precious rain water to be saved from our storm water systems and waterways. Diverting even a small amount of water could help make an impact on seasonal flooding. With current trends in green technology and the natural desire to be "green" it's now easier than ever to get involved. These days you can pick up a relatively inexpensive rain barrel at major retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe's or smaller mom & pop hardware stores if you would rather skip the construction process. Which ever way you choose, you can't go wrong with saving that rain water for another day...

In the Sacramento Valley you can find simple rain barrels at many fine retailers or you can purchase or salavage the materials to make your own.

http://rainbarrels.info/

Welcome to the Age of Sensors...

We use the technology of sensors in all aspects of our lives, but our homes and buildings are just now catching up. The California Title 24 Energy Codes give you the choice between occupancy sensors or dimmer switches, but in certain areas and circumstances, it really is better to choose the sensor.

Though occupancy sensors are not technically "green" products, they do provide a "green" service to homes and businesses. Have you ever gone to someones house and wondered why the lights are on in every room of the house? Have you ever been driving by an office or school at night and wondered why the lights are all on? This could all be changed or possibly eliminated with the help of occupancy sensors. For years the main focus has been on commercial and institutional applications due to the large amounts of energy waste, but homeowners can also do their part. The link below is to an informational report from 1997 by Green Seal that outlines the use of occupancy sensors and their benefits:

http://www.greenseal.org/resources/reports/CGR=Sensors.pdf

The main focus of this report targets commercial and institutional applications, but the information contained within is invaluable to all who have energy waste. Our homes can be oozing energy waste, especially if we have a lot of occupants living under one roof. Where do our homes need help? Where are the best possible places to put occupancy sensors so we maximize our dollar?

Right off the back I will tell you that it doesn't help to put them in every room in your house. You have to proactive and calculated to get the most bang for your buck. There are a lot of different products to choose from and they all serve a purpose and a function.

For residential applications you can choose from hard-wired, passive infrared occupancy sensors or manual "ON" passive infrared versions:

Edison base, screw in passive infrared occupancy sensors for bare bulb sockets:

There are also other products on the market such as passive infrared and sonic occupancy sensors that are built into surge strips so that electronics can be turned off when no one is in the area, but I find these products very hazardous to electronics and not very conducive to people coming and going from a room. They can work in a commercial or institutional setting, but should not be used in a residential settings unless they are properly factored into an overall design.

When deciding on where to put your sensors you need to take into account a couple of items:

1. What kind of traffic does the room or space get during normal use?
2. What kind of fixture or fixtures are present?
3. What kind of luminary or luminaries do these fixtures use?

Looking at the room or space will help you understand the needs of the space and whether or not an occupancy sensor is conducive to your energy conservation goals. Rooms such as bathrooms, garages, laundry rooms, and closets are some of the best an easiest to figure out. Other rooms in your house may be a little harder such as bedrooms and living rooms; or just plain difficult like kitchens, offices, and family rooms.

Bathrooms are nice because you can put in an occupancy sensor to control the exhaust fan which will allow you to set an allotted time for the fan to run once a person has entered or left the room. Bedrooms may be a little harder due to high levels of usage, but can sometimes benefit from a manual "ON" occupancy sensor if people are prone to leaving lights on all the time. The rooms and spaces labeled as difficult are difficult due to frequent and infrequent usage that may not coincide with a sensors timer or range of motion. If you don't fully think it out you may end up with strange light shows and burnt out fixtures/luminaries in your difficult rooms and spaces.

Numbers 2 and 3 go hand in hand... different occupancy sensors work in different ways when it comes to light fixtures and luminaries that they utilize. First and foremost, you should always follow the guidance of the manufacturer's specifications when it comes to these products. All of these products from the sensors to the luminaries should be tested products (Underwriters Laboratories or other testing agencies), so that you know their limitations and how they should be properly used.

Fluorescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) luminaries do not generally work well with occupancy sensors and the life span of a fluorescent can be drastically cut due to some hard-wired sensors and most Edison base screw types. Fluorescent bulbs have a delayed start up time and cool-down period after being shut off which does not always work well with occupancy sensors. If you go in and out of a room with a sensor and you're using a fluorescent, you run the risk of the bulb burning out quickly or possibly burning out the fixture. Most Edison base type sensors explicitly require incandescent luminaries and some tested LEDs, but a lot LEDs also have a start delay similar to a fluorescent.

After digesting all of this information your finally ready to figure it all out and put together your plan. Even if you only install an occupancy sensor in one room of your house you can still make a difference in your energy consumption and waste. The code gives you a choice, but it never really tells you which is the better choice... at least now you know what one of those choices can do for you and your home.

One of the major manufacturers of hard-wired sensors is Leviton:

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10883&minisite=10026

For Edison base screw type sensors it's First Alert:

http://www.firstalert.com/HOME-SECURITY/OTHER-HOME-SAFETY/lighting

And there are a lot of others such as Wattstoppers, GE, and Z-Wave.

In Sacramento and the greater valley you can pick up occupancy sensors at any major hardware retailer and some smaller hardware stores. If you can't locate the right product you can always find it on the internet direct from the company or from any one of the many large internet retailers such as SmartHomeUSA.com.

FLOR modular tiles- a personal review

You see them everywhere... from magazines like dwell to Ikea catalogs, FLOR modular tiles are the in thing for any modern space. I always thought FLOR products were cool looking when I saw them, but I didn't really get interested in them until I saw that FLOR products are green products in accordance with LEED and Build It Green standards; carrying a sign-off from Green Label Plus. With FLOR's use of recycled and renewable materials and their "Return and Recycle Program" FLOR modular carpet tiles are much more than an innovative designer flooring.

To get a closer look and feel for FLOR's products I decided to place an order for some samples of their different carpet tiles ranging from super shaggy, "Shaggy Sheep" to the much more basic, "Fez".

I have to admit I had a lot of fun with the samples... I did everything from spill stuff on them to see how easy they were to clean, to cutting and ripping them to test the durability. I really liked the results I saw, these carpet tiles could really be worth their weight in a multitude of circumstances. Being that you piece together this flooring with multiple tiles, it would be simple to take care of spills by removing the effected tiles, cleaning them, and putting them right back after they dry. Liquid spills will not permeate through the backing of these tiles so you don't have to worry about spreading. The tiles work quite well with vacuums and brooms, but I did have a negative experience with the "Shaggy Sheep" tile. The "Shaggy Sheep" tile has a very long, twisted shag that really sheds under certain conditions. Heavy traffic, strong vacuum suction, and pets do not mix with the "Shaggy Sheep". This tile gets very messy, leaving fibers all over the place to pick up and the tiles themselves are not easy to clean like the others I tested. Besides the shag, the overall experience was very positive.

FLOR has a lot of different choices when it comes to their products. They have all different colors, patterns, textures, and even carpet tiles for different places such as outdoors and commercial settings. FLOR modular carpet tiles are made in the US and have a decent price point in comparison to high-end area rugs and designer carpeting; along with the assurance that the products are certifiably green.

If you're interested in FLOR modular carpet tiles or would like to make a purchase, please check out their website:

http://www.flor.com/service/flor/index.html

Where to buy locally in the Sacramento Valley:

Lumens Light + Living, 2028 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814- 916.444.5585
http://www.lumens.com/

Some area Lowe's retail stores
http://www.lowes.com/

Or you can buy direct from FLOR and have them shipped...FLOR has programs in place to offset CO2 and fossil fuel and energy usage to minimize environmental impact. Go check it out...

Throwing Tires In Your Yard Isn't Just For Hillbillies Anymore!

Now I'm not literally telling you to throw car tires in your yard... I'm talking about rubber mulch made from shredded, recycled car tires for your landscape. Once you've checked out this product you'll never go back to wood mulch again.

What was once stacked as high as an elephant's eye in junk yards and dumps has reinvented itself into all kinds of useful products for the green movement. I love running on tracks that are made from recycled tires and I enjoy crazy art made from them, but recycled rubber tire mulch brings it home for the general homeowner who wants to make a difference.

Recycled rubber tire mulch is a product that provides multiple benefits with very little drawback. Wood mulch has to be constantly replenished through the seasons, and easily gets blown all around or floats away when a good storm comes through. Not the same with rubber mulch... you get a product that that is long lasting and has the density to stay put while still allowing for moisture to permeate through to plant roots. Recycled rubber tire mulch's only negative draw back is it's up front cost. Wood mulch will usually always have a lower price point due to it's lower production cost, but down the road you actually get a better savings when you go with the rubber mulch. All you have to do is estimate how much you would spend replenishing your wood mulch over the years and then do the math! Bite the bullet and spend the money for the recycled rubber tire mulch... you save money in the long run.

Below is a picture of rubber mulch that's been in my front yard for over a year and a half now:

Since installing it in my own yard I've been thoroughly pleased with the results. It's usually recommended that you install a weed barrier under your mulch, but I went ahead and applied it right over the existing soil. So far I have noticed very little weed growth compared to the rock and landscape fabric I had originally. I strongly believe that the density of the recycled rubber tire mulch helps deter weed growth even though it's not an advertised selling point marketed by the manufacturers.

With all of this said, I really do have to recommend that you start throwing "tires" in your yard. You get to save money over time, you get a product that lasts against time and the elements, and most of all... you get to be green and sustainable with your choice to use recycled rubber tire mulch.

Below is a list of Sacramento Valley businesses who sell recycled rubber tire mulch. It can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowe's, but they carry one brand and it's very over priced and not locally produced.

The Brickyard, Sacramento and Vacaville- 916.290.4800 and 707.470.1600,

http://www.thebrickyard.com/

Resource Building Materials, Rancho Cordova- 916.985.2625,

http://www.resourcebuildingmaterials.com/HOME/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Rocklin Rock Sand and Gravel, Rocklin- 916.624.7625,

no website...

Foothill Landscape Materials, Shingle Springs- 530.677.4716,

http://foothilllandscapematerials.com/

The Pyramid Of Conservation

I received this great action plan from a friend and had to share it. Minnesota Power created this based upon the old food nutrition pyramid that we all grew up with and it's an excellent chart for residential conservation and energy efficiency.

Check out all the information here:

http://www.mnpower.com/powerofonehome

I like this pyramid so much that I'm in the process of creating a slightly tweaked version for California. As you can tell from the organization of the pyramid, some items need to be moved around to meet California's climates and energy consumption.

Be looking out for my version in the coming month...

Cork: the other great wood...

Let's face it... bamboo is every where! I think companies are making everything out of bamboo these days just to say they're being "green". Bamboo is a great wood and I highly recommend it, but sometimes it's nice to venture out of the old comfort zone. Why not cork? No, we're not talking about recycling wine corks, we're talking about a highly renewable wood that is fabricated utilizing the bark of the Cork Oak tree. A Cork tree doesn't even have to be cut down to get the wood, the wood is derived from a bark peeling process that allows for the tree to eventually regenerate just like shearing a sheep for it's wool. Check out this video clip:



I'm a big fan of cork! It's a very versatile wood that can be used for flooring, paneling, furniture, underlayment, acoustics, and too many other products I don't have space to list. Cork is a very resilient wood that makes great flooring for it's ability to bounce back to form and it's noise dampening properties. I am personally a huge fan of cork's natural hypoallergenic make up and decided to install a floating cork floor in my guest bathroom:



With today's market cork is available in a wide range of patterns and tones, tiles and planks, and forms and thicknesses. Although cork and bamboo are not completely interchangeable; they should both be considered when looking for "green" flooring or wall paneling choices.
When purchasing cork it is imperative that you do your due diligence and make sure that the cork has not been treated with any VOC compounds... some lower grade, inexpensive cork has been treated therefore cancelling out cork's environmental and sustainable qualities. Below is a list of local Sacramento Valley businesses who sell cork products, make sure you check them out:
Green Sacramento, Sacramento- 916.448.8109,
http://www.greensacramento.com/floors_cork.html
Lumber Liquidators, Sacramento- 916.369.7300,
http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/thumbnail.jsp?categoryId=448&sectionId=2&sort=TA&subCategoryId=0&ref=By%20Category;274500007
Simple Floors, Sacramento- 916.363.6211,
http://www.simplefloors.com/products/Cork-Flooring/category6.aspx
Carpeteria, multiple locations,
http://www.carpeteria.com/Sacramento/contentpage.aspx?Id=3084
There are many more to choose from, but I'm not going to list them all. It's very easy to find cork flooring, but harder to locate cork sheets.

Green California Summit is here!

It's that time of the year again... the annual Green California Summit and Expo is here again at the Sacramento Convention Center March 15th through 17th.

I strongly urge everyone to attend and take advantage of this yearly convergence of technology, innovations, and education. The expo is comprised of a lot of commercial and institutional suppliers and companies, but there are some small companies and business' geared towards residential projects and homeowners to check out.

Most of all... the expo is free to attend! I will be personally attending the expo on March 17th to celebrate St. Patty's Day and all great things "green". I hope to see a big turn out and lots of great new products to review.

For more information, please check out the site below:
http://www.green-technology.org/gcsummit/index.html

AFM Safecoat Paints- a personal experience

I had heard all kinds of comments and opinions about "green paints", but I really felt that a product like this required a first hand experience. With a couple of much needed remodel projects around the house I knew I needed paint and I knew I wanted to invest in some high quality, non-toxic, environmentally safe paint, but I really didn't know where to begin.

Now there are a lot of choices on the market these days, and eventually I hope to review them all, but for my remodel projects I settled on AFM Safecoat Paints. To be honest, the local green building supply store was having a sale on AFM Safecoat Paints and the color selection was amazing... that's how my selection was so easily achieved, pure science! The colors were mixed, the cans were shook, and I was off on my "green paint adventure".

As I had previously stated, I had heard some crazy comments about "green paints". "The paint is all runny and hard to work with...", "that stuff takes forever to dry...", and "it's a real pain when you have to clean it...".

Wow, let me tell you... this was by far my best painting experience ever! For starters, both of my projects were small bathrooms with only exhaust fans for ventilation and I had no problems with paint odors... I didn't even have to run the fans. Normally when I paint I eventually need to take a fresh air break from all the off gassing, but not with this stuff... it was like there were no odors at all. The Safecoat Paints rolled on to the walls beautifully, one coat and I was good to go. Remember how I was told, "that stuff takes forever to dry...", that comment couldn't have been any further from the truth. The drying time seemed very quick and I really didn't have any complaints about it.

Clean up was an absolute breeze, easier than any other paint I've used... my brushes, roller, and pans rinsed right off without the help of any cleaners or solvents. After my tools were dry, they were ready for the next project without any trace of residue. Also, while I was painting I made a couple mistakes as usual, but they were easily wiped up without any effort or fuss.

Not a single negative comment or opinion stood up to AFM Safecoat Paints! I felt good about the purchase, I felt great about the experience, but most of all I felt good about my choice to go "green" with my paint selection.

Check out AFM Safecoat Paints for yourself: http://www.afmsafecoat.com/

Central Valley shoppers can find AFM Safecoat products at these locations:

Green Home Gold, El Dorado- 530.622.8176, http://www.greenhomegold.com/

Green Sacramento, Sacramento- 916.448.8109, http://www.greensacramento.com/paints.html