LEED Ginger Bread Home
News Room | 
Dec 14th, 2008 | 
(Click to see bigger version) GingerBread House, originally uploaded by jon.peck.
We found this picture on Flickr and thought it was quite fitting for the holidays. This ginger bread house features some green home features. You can see to the upper left the electric solar panels and green roof. As you travel to the outside of the home you will see the LEED plaque on the on the exterior wall. On the right you will see the residential wind turbines powering the building. Of course the project has a carpool lane and parking for electric cars. You can view the orginal photo on Flickr.
The building sports eco-friendly features galore: high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, solar panels, a wind turbine, a “carbon negative” annual energy profile and a yard filled with native and endangered plants … and more.
And the best part: It’s entirely edible. In fact, surplus building materials doubled as snacks for the architects. Via Cornell.
Via Prefab
Storing Energy in “Super Concrete”
Finding ways to harness solar energy more efficiently, researchers are working on creating a mix of concrete that could store thermal energy created by solar panels at temperatures up to 600 degrees C. Researchers from the University of Arkansas, with a $770,000 award from the US Department of Energy will expose their creations to high temperatures, paying close attention to the rates of thermal loading and the effects of temperature cycles.
Solar Panels Heat the Concrete
Solar panels are used to gather heat that the concrete absorbs, but the energy must be transferred to the concrete via a steel tube. The researchers are also looking for ways of making this energy transfer more efficient.
“Solar holds great promise as an alternative source of energy,” said Panneer Selvam, professor of civil engineering. “The government recognizes this and knows that we must move in this direction. The problem is that scientists and engineers have not yet developed technology that will allow producers to harness solar power efficiently. So, one area of emphasis to reduce costs is something called thermal energy storage, which is nothing more than developing effective and cost-efficient methods of transferring heat from collectors and holding it before sending it to generators. That is what we are trying to do.”
Cheaper Solar Power
It costs anywhere between 13 and 17 cents per kilowatt hour to store solar energy. The Department of Energy wants to achieve the same storage at 5 cents per kWh by the year 2020.
via TreeHugger
In case you were wondering who hosts our website?
1and1 the world’s largest web host server provider, announced a few months ago that their US data center is going green. 1&1 Internet is purchasing enough Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from the non-profit, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, to match 100% of the electricity used at the company’s data center. They host over five million websites and them offsetting 100% will make a big impact.
The majority of the RECs will be sourced from the Bowersock Mills and Power Company’s hydroelectric facility in Lawrence, Kansas. This hydroelectric facility is certified low impact by the Low Impact Hydro Institute (LIHI). 1&1’s renewable energy purchase for the Lenexa, Kansas-based facility is enough clean energy to power at least 300 U.S. homes for one year. 1&1 will save emissions of 30,000 tons of CO2 per year.
“1&1 Internet accepts the responsibility to become a green-powered company,” said Oliver Mauss, CEO of 1&1 Internet Inc. “We are proud to now be the first big hosting company with all our data centers’ energy usage offset by renewable, clean energy. We believe this is an important step for every organization to take, and a contribution helping to save our planet.”
You can learn more about 1and1 on their website.
Repower America with Wind
This series of ads is designed to make the opportunity real and concrete. Ranchers making money from wind. Electricians wiring old buildings to be energy efficient. Jobs, clean energy, a strong economy. The climate crisis averted. This is the future under a ‘Repower’ed America’. Most people don’t realize that the proven technologies needed already exist today. We have to show them. And we don’t have much time.
For years, the fossil fuel industry has worked overtime to brand renewable energy as a tree-hugger delusion. But exactly the opposite is true. For example, wind power is cheap and a mature technology. Wind turbines produce electricity for less cost than oil or natural gas plants, and are competitive with new coal plants, even today. And building the wind turbines to capture this energy will create good manufacturing and construction jobs here in America. Of course, once you build the turbines you don’t have to pay for any expensive foreign oil or dirty coal. American workers making the tools to harness clean American energy — that’s what the Repower America plan is all about.
This ad also depicts an electric pickup truck, which is particularly head turning. The oil companies have worked for years to make people think that electric cars can never rival internal combustion in power or performance, and that’s just plain wrong. Hybrids are ready today, as you know. And cars build with electric motors are four times as efficient as today’s cars with gasoline engines. That’s why electric cars can run on less than $1.00 per gallon-equivalent, if you get your clean power from wind, for example. And electrics can deliver all the torque and power anyone could want. It’s time for Detroit to begin building this new fleet of 21st century cars.
Eco Scene Reviews Easy Water Saver
For better or for worse, multi-tasking is a part of our daily routines – calling while driving, surfing while watching TV, or texting while shopping. But sometimes, saving time can waste resources. If you floss, clean, or select your outfit while waiting for your shower water to heat up, the folks at Evolve have just the solution for you – The Lady Bug.
I tested The Lady Bug for weeks, with mixed results.
All Steamed Up (+)
* The Lady Bug is an attachment you put between your showerhead and water pipe. Using what evolve calls ShowerStart Technology, The Lady Bug detects when your water gets to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (the average comfortable water temperature) and slows the water to a trickle.
* Once you’re ready to enjoy the shower, just pull the release trigger, and the water comes flowing out of your showerhead at the perfect temperature.
* The Lady Bug will save you an estimated 2,700 gallons of water a year.
* With an estimated $75 in savings, the $29.95 investment will be earned back in just four months.
* Evolve donated 260 of their low-flow showerheads to Greensburg, Kansas, a city that was destroyed in 2007 by a tornado and is now being rebuild as a fully green town. It is the title city on the Discovery Channel Planet Green show Greensburg.
* The lady bug attaches to any shower arm with industry standard ½” fittings.
* It’s extremely easy to attach and use; it took me about five minutes to get it all set up.
Down the Drain (-)
* The instruction manual actually made the process more confusing and is unnecessary.
* Arguably, this isn’t the most effective way to save water, as you’re still running water to make sure it’s warm. This only helps if you’re someone who turns on the shower and then tries to do things while the shower is on.
The Final Rinse
The Lady Bug is a great option for people whose main concern is energy savings, but not the best option for water conservation. Better water conservation choices: the previously reviewed Shower Manager, or taking a “military-style” shower, which means turning the water off when you’re lathering up.
It’s available to purchase from Choose Renewables – and one of its favorite products!
View the original post from EcoScene written by Shayne Bell.
Chase is pushing Tight Envelope Homes
Expanded Energy Conservation Mortgages under the SEAL-SOLID® program offer homebuyers short and long-term savings. Closing cost rebate, tax credits, long-term rate locks, and lower utility bills are just a few of the mortgage and energy savings homebuyers can benefit from by building an energy efficient home under the SEAL-SOLID® program.
Using an Expanded Energy Conservation Mortgage, qualified homeowners can stretch their home buying dollars to include more amenities and higher quality materials. Options like dream kitchens, larger closets, expanded garages and extra bedrooms — that once were affordable only in high-dollar custom homes — are now within the financial reach of everyone.Chase is also offering a $500 bonus to those who participate in the program. You can see from the chart below the estimated energy cost savings from Chase on a Monthly basis. A 2500 sqft. which is quite common for the Chicago area, you would save over $1,000 a year and increase your comfort in the home.
To learn more about the program check out the Seal Solid Website.
Apple touts Green Benefits of MacBook
Has the environment been an important factor for your notebook purchases in the past? If not, Apple is looking to change that with their new advertising campaign that highlights the environmental benefits of their new Macbook and Macbook Pro. Watch the new commercial in the replies and let us know what you think.
(source)
Green Building Standards
The green movement first put down roots in the U.S. in the 1970s, in response to the energy crisis and decades of urban development that ignored climate issues and their effect on buildings and occupants. Yet it wasn’t until 1990 that the pioneering Austin Green Building Program formed in Texas, notably followed in 1993 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The remainder of the decade saw the formation of a number small green building groups – primarily on the west coast – and with it came a recognition of the need for uniform green building standards and guidelines.
To this end, a number of groups set out to develop programs – including the USGBC, which premiered its groundbreaking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System™ in 1998. After the advent of LEED, the green building movement exploded, as municipal, state and federal agencies began to establish standards and guidelines, tax incentives, and governmental regulations to encourage green practices, and a host of other organizations followed suit – among them the National Association of Home Builders. Although there is no “national” standard, all strive for the same goal: the design and construction of high-performance green buildings that afford maximum quality of life, with minimal environmental impact.
Following is a list of noteworthy standards and guidelines, tax incentives, and governmental regulations that are in use today, as well as prominent green building organizations. Take a look state-by-state for an indication of how the local dialogue has evolved over the years.
National Standard & Guidelines:
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating System
National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)
NAHB’s Model Green Home Building Guidelines
Whole Building Design Guide
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Energy
The Green Schools Initiative
High Performance Green Buildings Act of 2006 (Pending)
(Source GreenDepot)
Honda Unveils Hydrogen Car
Although it’s is only a concept vehicle at this point, Honda did unveil an actual prototype of the FC Sport last week at the Los Angeles Autoshow, and it is every bit as cool as it looks. Honda is taking a big jump by creating a concept hydrogen vehicle before there are even electric cars on the road, but it’s this type of innovation that will spur competition among other automakers. (source)
Irv and Shellys Fresh Picks
Irv and Shelly are local business owners that provide year-round home delivery of local and organic produce, meat, dairy and eggs. When you order from them you’ll be supporting independent farmers using practices you can trust. They deliver your fresh local items to your door and have top notch quality. We first heard about them from one of our clients, Emily in Hyde Park, who praised their service.
Here is a blurb from their website on local farmers- “We want to partner with farmers to grow the market for local organic food and to improve our health and the environment in the process. We wanted to cut out as many middle men as possible and return the maximum dollars back to the farm so small independent farmers can flourish. That is why we are delivering local food to your homes fresh from the farms and directly to you. You can learn more about the benefits of eating locally grown food.”
Contact them directly at freshpicks.com
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