http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/ Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:40:55 +0000 MyBB http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Chrysalis-School Thu, 20 Jan 2011 01:16:30 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Chrysalis-School Chrysalis School Montana . It is situated at the northwestern montana. I am very proud to be the member of this school. The location of the school is surrounded by green forest and healthy environment. I feel it as a great home producing matured citizen. All are very friendly here as it is the second home of us. It provides care, therapy and reduces our pain, sorrow and personal mistake.]]> Chrysalis School Montana . It is situated at the northwestern montana. I am very proud to be the member of this school. The location of the school is surrounded by green forest and healthy environment. I feel it as a great home producing matured citizen. All are very friendly here as it is the second home of us. It provides care, therapy and reduces our pain, sorrow and personal mistake.]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-searching-for-a-humidifier-filters Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:49:21 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-searching-for-a-humidifier-filters Aprilaire Humidifier is highly demanded in the market nowadays. I want to keep it too, and I am planning to keep all those humidifier filters which have high demand in the market. Customers will be satisfied by getting wide varieties of product on the single shop, and it will also increase our sales rate. So, I am planning to keep the humidifier filters of the various companies. Any suggestion about the good wholesaler???]]> Aprilaire Humidifier is highly demanded in the market nowadays. I want to keep it too, and I am planning to keep all those humidifier filters which have high demand in the market. Customers will be satisfied by getting wide varieties of product on the single shop, and it will also increase our sales rate. So, I am planning to keep the humidifier filters of the various companies. Any suggestion about the good wholesaler???]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-appliances-for-the-house Sat, 18 Dec 2010 21:18:48 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-appliances-for-the-house appliances make our life comfortable and luxurious. Nowadays such appliances has become the basic needs of every house. People always try their best to buy appliances for their comfortableness and entertainment. So, we must be careful while buying the household appliances. Be sure to get the detail information about the product that you are going to buy and never look for the money. If the product is expensive, then it will be good too because qualitative products are mostly expensive in-comparison to others.]]> appliances make our life comfortable and luxurious. Nowadays such appliances has become the basic needs of every house. People always try their best to buy appliances for their comfortableness and entertainment. So, we must be careful while buying the household appliances. Be sure to get the detail information about the product that you are going to buy and never look for the money. If the product is expensive, then it will be good too because qualitative products are mostly expensive in-comparison to others.]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-World-Energy-Sector Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:29:03 -0700 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-World-Energy-Sector world energy holdings help the investors in making sound investments by protecting them from the vulnerabilities of the market. There are tools like the DDWI that help the investors in this.

Traditionally, we have depended on the finite sources of energy for our energy needs. But with half of the world developing and the world energy demands soaring, it has become necessary to give way to other sources of energy. Renewable source of energy have come to rescue the world from an energy crisis, just in time. These sources of energy also prevent environmental pollution caused by the other finite energy sources.

Investments in the energy sector have increased in recent times. In the year 2008, the total investments into the renewable energy sector was found to be around 155 billion dollars. This is all set to go even higher in the coming years. World Energy Holdings is the parent company and governing body of World Energy Research.]]> world energy holdings help the investors in making sound investments by protecting them from the vulnerabilities of the market. There are tools like the DDWI that help the investors in this.

Traditionally, we have depended on the finite sources of energy for our energy needs. But with half of the world developing and the world energy demands soaring, it has become necessary to give way to other sources of energy. Renewable source of energy have come to rescue the world from an energy crisis, just in time. These sources of energy also prevent environmental pollution caused by the other finite energy sources.

Investments in the energy sector have increased in recent times. In the year 2008, the total investments into the renewable energy sector was found to be around 155 billion dollars. This is all set to go even higher in the coming years. World Energy Holdings is the parent company and governing body of World Energy Research.]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Tongue-Groove-Ceiling Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:14:47 -0700 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Tongue-Groove-Ceiling
Is there any method for sealing these joints in a cost effective matter, without removing the roof?]]>
Is there any method for sealing these joints in a cost effective matter, without removing the roof?]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Energy-in-efficiency-of-log-homes Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:35:49 -0700 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Energy-in-efficiency-of-log-homes
As an energy auditor in Montana I test log homes fairly often and they are always leaky and poorly insulated. The best log home I have ever tested with a blower door had an air exchange rate of 3.7ACH50. By comparison the best non-log home I have ever tested achieved 0.7ACH50 and I have heard of homes that reached 0.2ACH50.

Log walls are also very poor insulation. a 12" thick log wall has about an R12 at the thickest part of the wall. But where the logs meet there is often only about R2 or 3. So the actual performance of the entire wall is probably about R7.

In short, log homes are energy hogs. So why should they be held to a different standard than every other type of home? The reason why the Log Home Builders are fighting so hard against the new energy code is that they know that log homes can't meet it (at least not without framing and properly insulating and air-sealing a wall either inside or outside the logs).

It seems to me that the whole point of an energy code is to mandate improved performance of ALL of our buildings. Granting an exception for log homes seems to defeat that purpose.

I say, make 'em meet the code like everyone else.

---

Here is an article that outlines the Log Home Council's stand on the 2009 IECC

http://www.buildingsystems.com/profiles/...o-log-home

I find it interesting that the new, improved energy code is described as "a threat" a number of times in the article.]]>
As an energy auditor in Montana I test log homes fairly often and they are always leaky and poorly insulated. The best log home I have ever tested with a blower door had an air exchange rate of 3.7ACH50. By comparison the best non-log home I have ever tested achieved 0.7ACH50 and I have heard of homes that reached 0.2ACH50.

Log walls are also very poor insulation. a 12" thick log wall has about an R12 at the thickest part of the wall. But where the logs meet there is often only about R2 or 3. So the actual performance of the entire wall is probably about R7.

In short, log homes are energy hogs. So why should they be held to a different standard than every other type of home? The reason why the Log Home Builders are fighting so hard against the new energy code is that they know that log homes can't meet it (at least not without framing and properly insulating and air-sealing a wall either inside or outside the logs).

It seems to me that the whole point of an energy code is to mandate improved performance of ALL of our buildings. Granting an exception for log homes seems to defeat that purpose.

I say, make 'em meet the code like everyone else.

---

Here is an article that outlines the Log Home Council's stand on the 2009 IECC

http://www.buildingsystems.com/profiles/...o-log-home

I find it interesting that the new, improved energy code is described as "a threat" a number of times in the article.]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-How-to-create-a-sustainable-energy-audit-industry Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:23:53 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-How-to-create-a-sustainable-energy-audit-industry http://www.chandlerdesignbuild.com/files...012510.pdf]]> http://www.chandlerdesignbuild.com/files...012510.pdf]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Attic-mold-issues Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:21:01 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Attic-mold-issues
Any thoughts?

Action taken to date:

• Full dryout of sheathing
• Ensured all fans are properly ducted
• All can lights sealed.
• Full sealing of lid
• Addition of both upper roof and soffit venting
• Antimicrobial treatment to sheathing
  

]]>
Any thoughts?

Action taken to date:

• Full dryout of sheathing
• Ensured all fans are properly ducted
• All can lights sealed.
• Full sealing of lid
• Addition of both upper roof and soffit venting
• Antimicrobial treatment to sheathing
  

]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-HRV-vs-Filtration-Debate Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:16:07 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-HRV-vs-Filtration-Debate
A few preliminary thoughts:

• HRV's only freshen a small percentage of the air at any given time.
• Photocatalytic systems are attached directly into the cold air return, effectively providing the full CFM of the furnace.
• Expense of an HRV is supposedly mitigated by the energy savings they provide. However, in all but the coldest temperatures, the extra energy required to heat the cooler air without an HRV is negligable.
• Fresh air intake without an HRV can produce comfort issues when the fan is running in 'fan only' mode without heat during the coldest months.
• Air filters do nothing to reduce the RH, a major problem in the NW.
  

]]>
A few preliminary thoughts:

• HRV's only freshen a small percentage of the air at any given time.
• Photocatalytic systems are attached directly into the cold air return, effectively providing the full CFM of the furnace.
• Expense of an HRV is supposedly mitigated by the energy savings they provide. However, in all but the coldest temperatures, the extra energy required to heat the cooler air without an HRV is negligable.
• Fresh air intake without an HRV can produce comfort issues when the fan is running in 'fan only' mode without heat during the coldest months.
• Air filters do nothing to reduce the RH, a major problem in the NW.
  

]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Great-Podcasts Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:54:10 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Great-Podcasts
If anyone is looking for advice on management principles, I found an excellent resource through the Management Tools Podcast. Very straightforward, no B.S. advice on how to handle the troops. For me this is the most difficult aspect of running a business and I've found this an invaluable resource.]]>
If anyone is looking for advice on management principles, I found an excellent resource through the Management Tools Podcast. Very straightforward, no B.S. advice on how to handle the troops. For me this is the most difficult aspect of running a business and I've found this an invaluable resource.]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Energy-Audit-Training-Online Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:00:59 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Energy-Audit-Training-Online energy audit training video at GBI. I'd love to hear some feedback on the training.]]> energy audit training video at GBI. I'd love to hear some feedback on the training.]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Foam-vs-Cellulose-Insulation Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:07:00 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Foam-vs-Cellulose-Insulation
I still believe that we need to use rigid foam board (and lots of it) to properly insulate our buildings below grade. There just isn't any other way and the potential energy wasted due to heat loss to the ground is worse than the potential environmental hazards of the foam itself.

So I've come to accept the necessity of foam for below grade installations. However I'm less and less accepting of the need for foam above grade. For every situation where an argument can be made for using foam (such as in a cathedral ceiling, or as a continuous exterior insulation layer to bridge thermal breaks) I believe there is a better argument to be made for designing structures that don't need foam.

Passive House advocates have developed excellent methods of creating very high R-value wall assemblies without using foam. I think there's a really good lesson here. Sure we may need to build thicker walls and roofs to get the same R-value, but cellulose is SO much better for the environment than foam I think it's worth it.

I expect I'll continue to use foam (especially below grade or in existing buildings where the design options are limited) but I'm going to try to reduce the need for it at every opportunity.]]>
I still believe that we need to use rigid foam board (and lots of it) to properly insulate our buildings below grade. There just isn't any other way and the potential energy wasted due to heat loss to the ground is worse than the potential environmental hazards of the foam itself.

So I've come to accept the necessity of foam for below grade installations. However I'm less and less accepting of the need for foam above grade. For every situation where an argument can be made for using foam (such as in a cathedral ceiling, or as a continuous exterior insulation layer to bridge thermal breaks) I believe there is a better argument to be made for designing structures that don't need foam.

Passive House advocates have developed excellent methods of creating very high R-value wall assemblies without using foam. I think there's a really good lesson here. Sure we may need to build thicker walls and roofs to get the same R-value, but cellulose is SO much better for the environment than foam I think it's worth it.

I expect I'll continue to use foam (especially below grade or in existing buildings where the design options are limited) but I'm going to try to reduce the need for it at every opportunity.]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Are-GSHPs-worth-the-money Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:18:52 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Are-GSHPs-worth-the-money
Can anyone point me to some kind of study that proves the cost-effectiveness of these things?

In every case where I have looked seriously at GSHP with a client we have ended up coming to the conclusion that we're better off putting most of that money into improving the energy efficiency of the envelope and going with a smaller, simpler, and much less expensive heating system.

Andy]]>
Can anyone point me to some kind of study that proves the cost-effectiveness of these things?

In every case where I have looked seriously at GSHP with a client we have ended up coming to the conclusion that we're better off putting most of that money into improving the energy efficiency of the envelope and going with a smaller, simpler, and much less expensive heating system.

Andy]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Calculating-effectiveness Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:15:55 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Calculating-effectiveness http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Federal-Energy-Audit-Training Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:21:44 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Federal-Energy-Audit-Training here

Do you think this Certified Energy Auditor designation will usurp BPI and HERS?]]> here

Do you think this Certified Energy Auditor designation will usurp BPI and HERS?]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Sealed-vs-Vented-Crawlspace Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:12:59 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Sealed-vs-Vented-Crawlspace
I've heard plenty of opinions on both sides of the debate, but I'm still wavering a bit. Forced to choose I would lean towards sealed crawlspaces in most situations. I'd love to hear the pro's and con's of each approach.]]>
I've heard plenty of opinions on both sides of the debate, but I'm still wavering a bit. Forced to choose I would lean towards sealed crawlspaces in most situations. I'd love to hear the pro's and con's of each approach.]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Incorporating-enery-efficiency-and-indoor-air-quality Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:14:54 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Incorporating-enery-efficiency-and-indoor-air-quality http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Caulk-vs-Foam Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:32:39 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Caulk-vs-Foam ]]> ]]> http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Startup-Equipment-costs Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:35:09 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Startup-Equipment-costs http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Crawlspaces Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:08:17 -0800 http://www.buildagreenbusiness.com/forum/Thread-Crawlspaces