From Eco Green Fire

Many people feel that having a fireplace in the home is a necessity.  Even here in Florida, there are many existing homes that have them and in new construction homes it is a popular option.  Certainly not needed in some parts of the country, a fireplace speaks to some inner need or childhood memory.  I have to admit that there are often times when we say how nice it would be to have a fire going there in the corner of the room.  If we put our emotions aside and think practically, it’s easy to see a number of downsides to the traditional fireplace.  For one, it’s an energy hole.  Most of the air that it heats gets sucked out of the chimney.  Another downside is that whatever you burn in that fireplace contributes to air pollution and it destroys trees.  If the tree harvesting is done in a sustainable responsible way, there’s not much problem but generally it is unmanaged.  The faint smell of a single fireplace on a cold morning may be quite pleasant, but think about what it would be like if all the homes were burning wood or coal!

If you have an existing fireplace in your home, think about what you really want to do with it.  If you never use it, consider hiring a qualified contractor or Chimney Sweep to properly seal it off to reduce energy loss.

If you must keep the fireplace for the ambiance and plan to use it only occasionally, then burning some wood or fossil fuel, while not being very green probably is probably the best choice.  Keep in mind thought that some states have restrictions on fireplace usage, so check to see what is allowed in your area.  If you’re going to burn wood, here are some tips from the www.GreenLivingIdeas.com  site:  

• Buy local wood harvested by the owner of a woodlot who has an investment in the sustainable management of his acreage.
• Only burn dry hardwoods.  Wood energy is a function of the dry (cured) weight of the wood.  Dense, heavy species such as oak, hickory, or eucalyptus give more heat for a given piece of wood, and burning these is thus a more efficient use of a tree than burning lightweight woods like pine and fir.  Burning green, uncured wood produces a lot of polluting smoke and is also inefficient, since much of the heat is used to drive off the water (if you can even get the stuff to light).
• Replace your old wood stove.  Use a properly sized, installed, and maintained appliance with an EPA rating.  In the 1980’s, the EPA began limiting the sale of new stoves to clean-burning designs.  They produce 90% less air pollution and are at least 30% more efficient than the old stoves, but there are still many old smoke-spouters around.  Don’t get an old, illegal stove—it may be cheap, but it’s not a bargain for the environment or for your safety.
• Never burn garbage, chemically treated wood, or plywood, as it sends poisons into the air.
• Insulate and weather-seal your house.  Don’t waste those BTUs!

If you’re building a new fireplace or plan to use your existing one quite a bit, there are many options out there.  Consider Biofuel options such as:

• Cordwood – existing fireplaces, energy-efficient fireplace inserts, manufactured fireplace logs, advanced combustion fireplaces, woodstoves, clad woodstoves and masonry heaters  Read more at Woodheat.org  and Masonry Heater Association of North America
• Pellet stoves – Department of Energy info
• Ethanol gel fireplaces and Denatured alcohol fires such as EcoSmart Fire

If you’re planning to use artificial logs, make sure that they are made from recycled wood waste from lumber milling.  Look for manufactured logs that contain no paraffin, a petroleum product that emits toxins into the air when burned.

As with all things, it’s important to do your homework whether keeping an existing fireplace or adding one. Consider the climate you’re in, the location, whether you want heat or ambiance, and how often you use it when making your decision.

SunCache Solar Water Heater

There are still many people who believe that “going green” is just too expensive, and in many cases that may be true.  Adding photovoltaics still remains out of reach for many individual homeowners and even the cost of upgrading windows and doors can be economically unfeasible especially in these trying times.  There are many products available out there that are lowering that price bar, and that trend looks like it will continue.  I just ran across an article about a relatively new Solar Water Heating system called SunCache which looks quite promising.  Listed as a 2008 Top-10 Green Building Product on www.BuildingGreen.com, the product developed by Davis Energy Group is billed as the lowest cost residential scale renewable energy system.  An extensive use of plastic materials to reduce copper and aluminum content keeps prices low.  It’s use is limited to warm climates as it could be susceptible to freeze damage.  

For more information check out the SunCache system at www.harpiris.com.  As there may be federal and state incentives to add a renewable energy source to your home, see what’s available at the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

Know about this system or have experience with it?  Please add a comment!

In many parts of the country, swimming pools or spas are an integral part of the home picture.  In the hot climates, some people may consider them to be a necessity to escape the heat.  For others it may be the fulfillment of a dream, or it was just a part of the home that they built.  Regardless of why you have the pool, there are many features of it that you need to consider. 

•       It takes a large amount of clean water to fill and maintain it
•       It takes a considerable amount of energy to operate the filtering and circulation equipment
•       If a heated pool is desired, it takes a considerable amount of energy to make a difference
•       In most pools chemicals are required which when drained off during a rainy season can damage vegetation and runoff into the water system

Today there are an increasing number of alternatives available which help you to save money while maintaining your pool, reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals and reduce your impact on the environment such as solar pool pumps and chlorine free sanitation systems.

There are also some fairly simple things that you can do such as covering your pool.  An uncovered pool can loose up to 1½ times its total volume in one year through evaporation.  It can take hundreds of gallons of clean water to raise the level back to an acceptable level.  The installation of a relatively inexpensive pool cover will not only reduce the evaporative loss, but will help retain heat, extending the swimming season without additional energy costs.  Another benefit is that covers reduce the loss of the chemicals required to keep the pool healthy.  For a real quick and inexpensive fix, buy a large sheet of plastic and cut it to fit.  It won’t last that long, and it will be difficult to use, but it will help.  It may also convince you that it would be worth it to invest in a better cover such as a solar cover.  If your pool is heated, it’s even more important to cover it, as warm water evaporates quicker.

Talk to your local pool maintenance company for specifics on what methods are effective in your area.

Many people are not really aware of what a condensate drain line on an Air Conditioning system is or what it really does.  In most homes there is a small pipe (often white) that extends out from one side of the house.  It should discharge at least a foot away from the structure, be free of debris and when the air conditioner is running, water should be flowing freely from it.  That’s right… you should routinely check this pipe and make sure there is an ample flow from it.  If the water is not flowing, it’s flowing out somewhere else inside the house.  This is not a good thing, especially if your air handler is in the attic or another part of the conditioned space.

Each day as a part of the normal cooling process, air conditioning systems remove a large quantity of moisture from the air.  In some cases, this could be 5-20 gallons or more per day.   Generally this can be easily captured and stored.  Historically, there has been little thought given to this wastewater, but a couple of things have happened which are causing people to start thinking about ways to use this significant source.

• People are becoming more aware of the importance of conserving our natural resources
• Drought conditions seem to be becoming more prevalent in certain areas

While this train of thought is a good one, there are few things that must be taken into consideration, as this water may not be as pure as expected.  Although this moisture is essentially distilled water – mineral free and with a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level of near zero, it should NEVER be used for human consumption as it may contain traces of heavy metals.  It can also be corrosive to most metals such as steel and iron due to the lack of minerals.  Some sources recommend only using condensate water for plants not intended for human consumption.   Chemicals such as bleach are often poured into the drain lines to help keep them clean, so be aware of what has gone into that system before pouring it on plants.

As with any greywater system, A/C condensate should not be stored for long periods particularly in warmer climates.

With a little care and awareness, condensate collection can be a very effective alternative way to keep landscape plants growing without running up your water bill or depleting natural resources.

Have you got a creative way to use this stuff?  Let us know by leaving a comment!

If you live anywhere but in Florida, you may have missed some of the recent headlines and news about a problem with homes affected by the use of a drywall material from China.  This material, which apparently was brought in to cover shortages brought on by the housing boom and the need to rebuild hurricane ravaged areas, was primarily imported from 2004 through 2006.  There is much speculation and many rumors floating around including improper documentation on arrival at port and long delays at sea waiting for approval to enter the U.S.   Read More

My Friends Dick and Karla Nielsen beat me out of the gate on publishing an article on the use of rain barrels. Here’s what they have to say: 

“With Florida’s dry season ahead, wouldn’t it be great if we could conserve rain when we do get it to use for those dry spells?  You can!  And you do it with a rain barrel.

Every time it rains, the roofs on our homes act as collectors for thousands of gallons of rain water and channel it to the ground typically though gutters and downspouts.  Unless this water is “harvested”, it is unavailable for future use for irrigating our lawns, washing our cars and other non-potable tasks.

Rain barrels function cheaply and easily as small cisterns to capture and hold roof run-off.  For centuries, cisterns have been used as a way of keeping a supply of water, most often in water deficient locations.  Today, storing rainwater also aids in the reduction of storm water runoff, which can help reduce the levels of pesticides and fertilizers that drain into ponds, streams and lakes.  With an eye toward the conservation of resources and dollars, rain barrels are now coming into the American mainstream.

Rain barrels are relatively inexpensive, come in all sizes and shapes and are self-contained in design.  To determine the best size for your needs, consider your garden’s size and your area’s level of rainfall.  (Also be sure to check your community’s deed restrictions).

The Hillsborough County Extension Service has partnered with the Hillsborough County Water Resource

 Department to offer rain barrel workshops that include a free 55 gallon rain barrel (1 for each Hillsborough County household) plus help in assembling the system.”

Although this mentions Florida, water conservation methods and rainwater harvesting are universal for all areas.  Not only is it good for the environment, it can be good for the pocketbook by reducing utility costs.  

Most people think of the 55 gal blue or reddish plastic barrels.  These of course are often the cheapest and most readily available.  If you’re having trouble finding one, try an online source such as Craiglist.  A simple search will turn up dozens of suppliers for all types of barrels.  A container can be anything from a plastic box, to an oak barrel.  There are some quite attractive designs such as the one on the right made by Algreen Products.  Click the image for additional information and to see others.  

Got an interesting or creative rain barrel installation?  I’d love to hear about it.  Please leave a comment below!

Dick and Karla are Real Estate Consultants in the Tampa Bay area with over 35 years of experience.  www.DickandKarla.com

Most people never really think much about their home thermostat.  In the past it was a very simple device which when set, we tended to leave it alone.  Times and technology continue to march along and thermostats have not been left out.  Whether you have on of those old round “wheel” type devices or and brand new cheap electronic one, there are likely some notable money and energy savings to be had by upgrading to a Programmable type.

Programmable devices save money by automatically changing the thermostat setting for those times when occupancy of the home changes.  The Heat or A/C doesn’t need to be running all the time when no one is home or when everyone is sleeping.  For instance in the heating season, the system will automatically reduce the heat setting at the time when everyone leaves for work or school.  At a pre-set time prior to the normal arrival time in the afternoon or evening, the system will begin to heat up again so that it is comfortable when the occupants return.  For those homes that are normally unoccupied most of the day, this can lead to significant energy savings and thus lower utility bills. 

Although these devices are generally quite simple to install, sometimes requiring only 3 color coded connections, the proper set up of the program can require a bit of patience and trial and error.  Energy Star devices are recommended and as such they come pre-programmed with a schedule to save the most energy.  These setting may not however work for your situation.  In my case, where I work from home, the programmed settings don’t come close, as they are generally based on the house being empty during normal working hours.  It took a bit of experimentation, but overall, it was not difficult to get a combination of settings that we were comfortable.  

Keep in mind that since there are many types of heating and cooling systems out there, you have to pay attention to some of the fine print on the packaging when shopping for the correct device.  In the past, programmable devices did not work well with Heat Pump systems.  This has been largely overcome by the latest devices but you have to get the correct device for your system.  There are single stage and dual stage Heat Pump systems out there, and a programmable thermostat has to match the system you have.  Make sure that you are clear about what type of system you have before purchasing.  Here in Florida, most heat pumps are dual stage, and a proper device for this system can be hard to find off the shelf at your big box supplier.  Sometimes it’s just easier to go straight to the professionals and have an HVAC technician install it and make sure it works.

Other systems which may special attention would be radiant floor heating, steam heat, and electric resistance heating.  Check with a professional if you have one of these systems.

Here is a site dedicated to this device:  Programmable Thermostats

Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site

Okay, I couldn’t resist the making the connection of the bathroom and smells.  There’s a lot of odiferous stimulation going that goes on in the “loo”.  Besides the obvious there are also sprays, perfumes, cleaners, mold, dirty clothes, etc, etc.  One of the smells that used to bother me quite a bit, until we quit using them, is those plastic shower curtains.  Think about that strong, acrid smell when you first open up most of those plastic shower curtains.  There is some serious off-gassing of VOC’s going on there and it’s never good for your health.  I’ve written about VOC’s in other articles so I won’t repeat myself.  Not only are these items generally made of PVC, but they are often treated with a number of chemicals to reduce mold and bacterial buildup.  A June 2008 report by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, (a non-profit environmental organization) noted a study that found that over seven days, one new PVC shower curtain will release VOC’s that exceed the guidelines for indoor air quality established by the U.S. Green Building Council.  

This is an easy one to take care of…  Just don’t buy the shower curtains and liners made with PVC’s.  There is a more information about volatile vinyl as well as a link to a list of PVC and PVC-free shower curtains at major retailers at this site:  Center for Health, Environment & Justice

Unfortunately, prices for alternative products can still be a bit high.  They are sure to come down with more and more acceptance, but in the meantime, it’s easy to pick the cheap and nasty one over the unreasonable one.  Most people would just say open the window!  We just have to think about the long term effects on our health and not the short term effect on the pocketbook.  

There is a wealth of information available on the net. An article on “thedailygreen” blog is a good place to start.  thedailygreen

What are you using as an alternative?  Please post a comment!

Although I often encounter things that I’ve never seen before when inspecting houses, it’s rare that I’m just blown away by what an owner has done.  Reuse of building materials may be more common in some areas of the country, but it’s still a relatively scarce practice here in Central Florida.  The house in the photo started life in 1930 as a simple rural farm house. In 2007, it was moved to it’s current location on 10 acres and is still a work in progress.  The walls were stripped down to the studs inside and out and it was completely modernized in the rebuilding process.  All new electrical, heating and air conditioning, and plumbing was installed as is common and necessary in this type of job.  Not only were properly constructed pier’s added for a foundation with tie downs to meet current wind standards, the roof was also braced and strapped in accordance with today’s standards.

What sets this home apart is that the owner has been collecting salvaged pine boards from barns, homes and commercial buildings for several years.  This salvaged lumber which is pretty much unavailable these days was all milled and cut to order and the entire interior of the home including ceilings is solid heart pine.  No drywall was used, no new lumber, just salvaged material.  The impact was further enhance by the fact that there was no finish on the wood, just the natural color and that faint pine scent.  All materials were obtained locally and all work was done at local mills and shops.

This is a case where the owners did not set out to “do something green” but just to do the right thing!  They didn’t read a book, or hunt online for inspiration, it was all just common sense to them.  Granted, it does take some special conditions and resources to pull something like this off, but by looking for the opportunities, you may be surprised by what presents itself.

I’d be interested in hearing any stories that you have about the reuse of existing materials.  Please leave a comment!

New Year’s resolutions…I have to admit that I’ve never really been much for them.  The tendency is to set unrealistic goals, then feel bad because you didn’t achieve them.  In a year where uncertainty and disappointments seem to be lurking behind every corner, why beat yourself up?  The key is to set some realistic goals that only require small steps.  This past year, I began working towards a “greener” lifestyle and trying to help pass on information about improving your home and lifestyle.  For 2009, I’ll continue to take my “one small step at a time” approach.  Here is a partial list of 2009 Resolutions:

• I’ll spend less time and energy on the negatives such as whether global warming exists or whether everything I do helps protect some microbe I’ve never heard of. Instead, I’ll concentrate on the positives that people are doing every day to improve quality of life.
• I’ll carry a reusable bag to the shops and reduce the use of plastic bags.  If I can remember the words to ABBA songs without ever having owned one, I should be able to remember something important!
• I’ll cut down on driving…by combining short trips, and enjoying spending time around the house.  Less gas to buy, more projects done at home.
• If I have to replace an appliance, I’ll make sure that its energy star rated.  Not only will it save energy, but that saved energy is saved money!
• I’m going to think twice about adding more of the latest gadgets to my seemingly endless collection.  Having a closet full of E-waste, or all those other trendy items does not in the long run really improve my quality of life!

In order to make any substantial long term changes, what is really needed is a change of thinking about all our actions and purchase decisions.  What small steps are you planning to do this year?  Please leave a comment and add to the list!