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Green Tip Tuesday
December 31, 2013
Use proper overhangs, gutter systems, and site grading to help deflect water away from the structure.
December 24, 2013
Using prefinished materials will help limit offgassing during installation and will protect the material during construction.
December 17, 2013
Limit potential erosion and stormwater issues by stabilizing exposed soils within 14 days.
December 10, 2013
Unless installed in an air-tight mechanical room with an outside source of air, do not install any air handling equipment in the or return ducts in the garage.
December 3, 2013
Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) provide high R-value, low air infiltration, thermal mass and can be used for foundations and above grade walls.
November 26, 2013
Air leakage, conduction, radiation and convection are four ways in which windows lose heat.
November 19, 2013
Install pan flashing at sills of all exterior windows and doors.
November 12, 2013
Waste management plans should be posted on site and list what is recycled, how it's recycled and who is responsible.
November 5, 2013
Insulate with a minimum of R-4 or adequately cover cold water pipes in unconditioned spaces to prevent condensation.
October 29, 2013
Install pan flashing at sills of all exterior windows and doors to direct water back to the exterior of the structure to drain.
October 22, 2013
Two stud corners can reduce conductive and convective heat loss and help reduce the amount of wood used.
October 15, 2013
Keep your freezer as full as possible to help reduce the amount of energy it uses.
October 8, 2013
Flat horizontal blocking between studs (ladder framing) at perpendicular wall intersections uses less lumber.
October 1, 2013
ACCA Manual J or an equivalent should be used to determine the heating and cooling loads for a home.
September 24, 2013
A properly sized and designed HVAC system should run almost continuously to provide maximum comfort.
September 17, 2013
Understand a client’s motivation and commitment to green building by using design questionnaires or entry surveys.
September 10, 2013
Ice and water barriers should be installed along roof eaves and extend at least two feet inside the plane of the exterior of the wall. In climates with excessive ice damming, extend them a minimum of four feet.
September 3, 2013
To help limit airflow between wall cavities, glue drywall to the studs and plates.
August 27, 2013
Recycle asphalt and asphalt shingles for use as aggregate in walkways and pathways.
August 20, 2013
Separation, Ventilation and Moisture Management are three important strategies to help control indoor pollutants and help to improve the indoor environmental quality of a home.
August 13, 2013
Due to capillary action, water can travel up to 12 feet through concrete. Install a capillary break under slabs and foundations to to help keep moisture out.
August 6, 2013
Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a bulb. The more lumens, the brighter the light.
July 30, 2013
Convection is the slowest form of energy transfer.
July 23, 2013
To help control moisture in building assemblies and materials, framing materials with moisture content greater than 19% should not be installed and should not have any signs of mold or mildew growth.
July 16, 2013
Radiation is the fastest form of energy transfer.
July 9, 2013
Save energy and money on cooling your home this summer by setting your thermostat above 72 degrees - roughly 1-3% per degree.
July 2, 2013
Moisture, in vapor form, will always move from areas with warmer temperatures to areas with colder temperatures.
June 25, 2013
To limit heat gain in the hot summer months, close blinds, drapes, shutters or shades during the day.
June 18, 2013
Install a capillary break between footings and the foundation wall to prevent moisture from migrating into it.
June 11, 2013
When forced by design to install your heat runs in an attic, consider it conditioned space and insulate at the rafters or roof deck plan.
June 4, 2013
As temperatures rise, water your lawn and garden before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. — when it's cooler — to minimize evaporation.
May 28, 2013
Toilets account for roughly 27% of water used in a home! Install high-efficiency toilets (1.3 g per flush) to save water.
May 21, 2013
Up to 50% of energy costs are from heating and cooling. Insulate and seal ducts to reduce waste.
May 14, 2013
Providing shade on the southeast and west sides of a home can reduce temperatures as much as 8-10 degrees in the summer.
May 6, 2013
Take advantage of the sun by orienting the long side of a building so it faces within 20 degrees of true south.
April 30, 2013
Lighting accounts for about 6% of the energy in your home. Install sensors, dimmers and timers to reduce lighting use.
April 23, 2013
The average home spends $400-$600 heating water each year. Wash clothes in cold water and insulate hot water pipes to save money.
April 9, 2013
More than 400 studs are used in the average house. Using advanced or prefabricated systems can save lumber.
April 2, 2013
There are two types of household energy use: Seasonal (heating and cooling) and Baseload (lights, appliances, etc)
March 26, 2013
Moisture in buildings comes in two forms: bulk moisture and vapor — and it will always take the path of least resistance.
March 19, 2013
Conduction, convection and radiation are the three types of heat transfer that affect the efficiency and comfort of a home.
March 12, 2013
In a typical home, air leakage can account for up to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling.
March 5, 2013
Compliance to the Bronze level in the energy-efficiency section in the 2012 ICC 700 National Green Building Standard® requires a 15% improvement over the 2009 IECC.
