Is the Planet in Peril?
CNN's Planet in Peril
I think the planet is in peril… and apparently, I’m not the only one. I’m sure many of you have seen the CNN reports – Planet in Peril – with Anderson Cooper and Lisa Ling. If not, the reports basically discuss a variety of issues that have a negative impact on our environment and global ecosystems – i.e. natural resources, animals, plant life, famine, poverty, pollution, conservation – and of course ways that we can attempt to preserve and to prevent the impact that these areas of concern may have on future generations.
One thing in particular that I like about the Planet in Peril reports is that is shows a true commitment from a very large international news corporation to educate their viewers in effort to gain additional support and to encourage others to try and help make a difference too. I know that in recent years, many businesses (large and small), have helped to do their part in the “go-green” movement as well, which may have included such changes as simple processes and tasks done within the workplace, perhaps by the promotion of: carpooling, using energy efficient appliances and light-bulbs, recycling and reducing paper use through electronic mail, etc.
State-of-the-Art Green Home Technology
Shea Homes Trilogy Series
Even the housing industry has found a niche in constructing “green homes” for homeowners who wish to do their part by reducing their carbon footprint. For example, national home builder Shea Homes offers an eco-friendly line of new homes known as Trilogy. Trilogy homes are available in select communities and are truly “green” built using state-of-the-art technology. Here’s what today’s green home consists of:
Energy Efficiency
Solar Powered Attic Fans – increase air circulation helping to ventilate the attic in order to reduce the temperatures and ease the cooling system load. Attic fans also help to reduce moisture, circulate fresh-air, and extend the roof life by keeping it cooler during summer months. For additional information, including purchase information, visit Solar Star by Solatube online.
Foam Insulation – reduce your energy costs by preventing energy loss. Foam insulation is sprayed into place and does a much better job than traditional fiberglass insulation of filling is areas where cool air (and heat) is often lost. There are many foam insulation manufacturers and you can visit them online, go to www.touch-n-seal.com and/or Fomo Products, Inc. – Handi-Foam®, to learn more.
Blown-in Wall Insulation – after all cracks and seems are sealed with foam insulation, cellulose wall insulation is used in place of fiberglass insulation. The cellulose insulation is made of “green” fibers and is blown into place insuring that every gap is filled so that energy loss is prevented. One manufacturer whose website you can visit to learn more is Green Fiber online where they have a very interesting how it’s made video too.
Air Conditioner – a 14-SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) air conditioning system that provides better energy efficiency, lowering electric bills as much as 40 percent. To put it into perspective, with a 14-SEER air conditioner you’ll save more than 10 percent over a 13-SEER unit, and up to 42 percent over an 8-SEER system. So for every $100 you would spend on running an 8-SEER system, you would only be spending $58 with a 14-SEER. Follow this link to find more information about saving energy on cooling and heating systems.
Energy Star® Appliances – on average, Energy Star® appliances are 40 percent more efficient than federal standards. Just about every appliance that you would need in your home, from refrigerators, dishwashers, washer and dryer, you can find one that in Energy Star® approved. For a full list of each appliance that is currently Energy Star® backed, visit their appliances page on their website.
Dual Pane Windows – Low-E windows can add up to a 32 percent savings on cooling costs, depending on where you live and what your cooling requirements are. Dual-pane windows can often be built to order and are also available in sliding-glass doors. Visit Efficient Windows online to learn more about this energy saving technique.
Eco-Friendliness
Eco-Friendly Building
Wood from Sustainable Forests – building with certified wood, obtained from sustainable forests, ensures that forests: remain productive towards indigenous wild life and flora, are capable of regenerating growth, and most importantly, preserved.
Recycled Materials – where possible, try to use materials that have been recycled from other goods. A good example is the blown insulation from Green Fiber, which is entirely created from recycled newspaper. This should also include properly recycling the left over materials and waste from the construction process, in order to alleviate landfills.
Water Conservation – installing low-flow showerheads and faucets, along with low-flush toilets, is a great way to reduce water usage. Energy Star® certified washers and dishwashers can significantly reduce water usage too. It has been estimated that the average person uses between 140 to 170 gallons of water each day.
Outdoor Water Conservation – water management systems can greatly reduce unnecessary watering. The WeatherTRAK® Water Resource Management System is capable of communicating with weather stations and adjusting the scheduled settings when it rains. This can save some homeowners over 13,000 gallons of water annually. Some systems will even store rainwater runoff and use it for watering grass and plants.
Solar Panels – a rooftop solar panel system can greatly reduce both the household energy consumption and utility bills. Many solar panel systems provide usage data and can generate up to 40 percent of the daily electricity use. Click on the link for a great resource for everything solar related.
Many of these “green” building techniques, materials, fixtures, and appliances are quickly becoming the standard for green building codes that many states are quickly adopting, including the Building Standards Commission in California where you can learn more about green building standards. There are also many other online resources for learning about “green” architecture and building, such as GreenerBuildings.com; funding opportunity information from the EPA’s Green Building site; and the U.S Green Building Council website is yet another great resource tool for eco-friendly construction information.
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Great run down!
Brandons last blog post..House nutrition labels
Nice job discussing the materials and fixtures that are considered eco-friendly for ‘green homes’.. it’s also great that you included several useful links too.
It seems like more and more people are getting committed to helping take care of the planet. The more people who realize what exactly their actions are doing to the planet and what they can do to change it, the better off we all will be.
Good to hear that many people are helping and concerned about saving the planet earth.
wow amazing, it will definitely have fun in such eco friendly homes. This is the real future, i guess. that is true people are becoming more eco friendly. However, do you think that concrete homes are also eco friendly. I agree because you dont need, wood, soil, or any other natural resource to construct a concrete house. What you think?
Green building has a lot too it. I would recommend value engineering your structure, so you are not using more materials than needed in the building. another great thought is box beam, a hollow 3 sided beam completely indistinguishable from the real thing when made correctly.
Good insulation is a big factor, and so are efficient appliances. I would like to see double pan and spray insulate as standard in all home, part of code.
that’s good development in the use of appliances and i also good tips that i am getting for my new house that is in process of construction.
I have heard that the attic fans are better than air conditioning, I didn’t know you could get solar powered ones, thats a great idea.
I like the fact that you dedicated a great part of this article talking about attic insulation. Lots of people don’t realize this, but insulating your attic is one of the best things you can do in order to dramatically decrease your heating bills.
Sonyas last blog post..Radiant Barrier Insulation
Regarding solar panels. What about some kind of capacitor system to maximise the efficiency of the solar solution. While the house is not consuming energy, have the panels charge up the capacitors and that energy can be used later, pushing savings up significantly.
I find it very informative. Keep up the good work.
I agree, the planet is in peril. we need more green building to helping take care of the planet
Wow lots of info and didn’t realize about the new type of attic insulation which is great because theirs less heat loss and also when putting stuff into the attic no more sneezing.
Brilliant article – some great eco-friendly techniques.
There are so many simple ways that people can help to save the environment just with day to day tasks and materials alone.
That is a great post. Do you mind if I publish it on one of my blogs?
@smallairconditioner – not if you give proper credit. Thanks for asking
Spray foam insulation is truly a wonderful way to insulate your home. I have experienced the effectiveness of it while fishing vessels in the Bering Sea. This material is used on all of the areas on the hull that are considered living areas and are exposed to the elements. It worked wonders keeping the interior of the vessels warm even in below 0 conditions. There is no better material out there for your insulation need in my opinion.
Buddy @ Spray Foam Insulation Kits´s last blog ..Expanding Foam Insulation
Finally the go-green movement has arrived in the US!!! Europe has it since over 25 years! It is from utmost importance to buy energy friendly appliances and use more alternative energy. For example in Florida you could install solar cells all over the place but it does not happen yet. The time has come to act in that direction.
bella@Kitchen Appliances´s last blog ..Dyson DC30 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
It’s true that we do need to think about where our planet is now and where it might be in the future for our children and ongoing generations. We do have a tendency to only think and care about what is in front of us now but I believe that is starting to change as more people embrace greener living.
DIY solar panels are an easy and affordable way to save on your energy bills and help the planet.
Diy solar panels for home´s last blog ..How much a solar panel costs?