Entries Tagged 'Green Construction' ↓
March 31st, 2012 — Green Construction, Tools and Equipment
A snow pusher is a piece of equipment that does exactly what it sounds like-- it pushes snow where you want it to go. To understand the difference between a snow pusher and a snow plow, picture the type of snowplow you see clearing the highway in bad weather. These have a huge blade in front of them that sits at an angle and pushes the snow to the side of the road. That leaves a wall of snow along the edge.
A snow pusher, by comparison, pushes the snow straight ahead. The blade on the front is actually straight up and down rather than angled and has a wall on each side to hold the snow in as it fills up. The snow is simply pushed straight ahead until it's out of the area. These are used to make the huge piles you find in parking lots. These stores and companies use the snow pusher to pile the snow and remove it from the lots. Not only does it do a better job of clearing a large area, it does it much faster than a blade.
Someone who needs to clear a large area like a parking lot and tries to use a blade will have to keep going over the same snow repeatedly. Using the snow pusher prevents that. Instead of using a blade down a strip and then having to go back and re-plow the snow that piled up from the first strip, the snow pusher goes over the snow once and pushes it out of the way. It's fast and efficient.
The differences in snow pushers have to do with the size and the type of edge. The snow pusher attachment has a special edge on the bottom designed to keep the snow from slipping underneath the blade. Without that edge, the pusher would do an excellent job of removing the snow down to the edge of the blade. But there would be a thin level that got through on the bottom leaving the area slick and snow covered.
There are two types of edges used with snow pushers: steel and rubber. Each has certain advantages and disadvantages. A rubber edge is best when the surface isn't exactly flat. The rubber can go over small bumps and obstructions where a steel edge may catch on them or bounce above them and leave more snow than a rubber edge would. The biggest disadvantage of a rubber edge is when you're dealing with hardened snow that's icy, packed and uneven often the rubber edge will go over the top of the hardest bumps instead of pushing them forward.
A steel edge can scrape flat pavement almost perfectly clean and is ideal when there's ice on top of the snow, below it or mixed in with it. But because steel is rigid, it can pose problems unless used on absolutely smooth surfaces. Most snow pushers with steel edges have them attached with either a spring or some sort of flexible composite material to allow the blade to flip backwards, go over the bump and then snap back into place. But for very bumpy surfaces, rubber edges will do a far better job of snow pushing and steel because they'll maintain contact longer.
Photo Credits: cwalker71
Originally posted 2010-04-05 03:36:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 30th, 2012 — Green Construction, Tools and Equipment
It's important that when you use a stump grinder you make sure that it's not an old and obsolete model. For instance, if you're going to rent a stump grinder to remove a tree stump in your yard or garden, be sure you're renting it from someplace that has up-to-date equipment. Some very old models of stump grinders aren't even safe. They're easy to distinguish from safe, newer models because of the way the cutting wheel is positioned.
A stump grinder is equipped with a wheel that spins that's covered in teeth usually made of carbide steel. The wheel is usually set up vertically rather than horizontally. Rather than cut as it would if it were just a blade wheel, it grinds thanks to these heavy-duty teeth. On some old stump grinder models, the wheel is on the same side of the machine as the person standing and operating it.
It's important to realize that this is a piece of aggressive and heavy-duty equipment. Just like a chainsaw can be dangerous if used improperly and can injure you, a stump grinder used improperly can cause injury, too. Even the slightest contact with the wheel can cause a devastating wound. So when using a stump grinder you need to make sure it's a newer model that's designed for safety rather than an older one without modern safety features.
A homeowner will typically use a stump grinder that's small and hand-operated. These are walk-behind stump grinders with long frames and a handle. The engine sits in the center of the equipment and the cutting wheel is on the opposite side of the operator. The heavy-duty stump grinders that are the size of small vehicles are typically used by contractors and professionals. For a homeowner to purchase or rent one, it would be a walk-behind type. And most homeowners will rent because of the expense of purchasing the equipment which is has limited uses.
A stump grinder is used by moving it back and forth from side to side over the stump. This moves the cutting wheel from side to side and allows it to grind the stump in that direction. After one pass over the stump, the operator either pushes the stump grinder forward a bit and moves it back across or lowers the cutting wheel before going back. Anyone using a stump grinder should stop the device before changing direction such as turning it completely around and approaching from the other side of the stump. This can keep the grinder from operating out of control or coming out of the operator's hand, both of which can be very dangerous.
Someone looking to rent a stump grinder needs to be sure he or she is physically fit enough to operate it. Even though the walk-behind models are fairly small and compact, it still takes strength to hold them in place as they grind and to pivot them to move them back and forth across the stump. Someone without enough strength to do so could lose control of the stump grinder.
Photo Credits: eoshea
Originally posted 2010-04-04 03:31:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 29th, 2012 — Green Construction, Tools and Equipment
A tubing bender is designed only to bend tubing. You should avoid using a pipe bender to bend tubing unless it has a variety of dies so that you can get the exact size you need for the tubing. Pipe and tubing are measured differently so that a pipe bender set up with a die to bend a pipe with an inch diameter will probably end up ruining tubing with an inch diameter. That's because tubing diameter is measured on the outside and pipe diameter is measured on the inside. There are rare exceptions, but that's the general rule. So you'll need a die that will fit the exact diameter of the tubing if you plan on using the pipe bender and you don't want to kink the tube.
A tube bender can use one of several different types of bending. The most common are press, mandrel, draw and roll bending. Each is used for a slightly different type of tubing and each does a job appropriate for that type of tubing and its uses.
The simplest type of bending is press bending. This is a popular method of bending tubing that's used in things like automobile exhaust systems. It's not a quality bend and is probably the least precise method of bending there is. But it has its applications and is still widely used. It involves the tube being held and pressed at a point between the two points where it's held to bend it. It often warps the tube a bit in the center and deforms it slightly.
Draw bending is the most common type of bending for tubing that needs to maintain a certain diameter, also known as rotary draw bending, this type of tubing bender does a much better and more precise job than press bending. This type of bending is also used when not only diameter is important but the appearance, so it's the type used for things like ornamental work and on things that will show like trailer frames.
Mandrel bending involves inserting a mandrel inside of the tube to hold it firmly as it's being bent to keep the interior of the tube uniform. This is also used in things like exhaust pipes and tubing used in many industrial applications. This is often used in a tube bender designed for things like stainless steel and aluminum tubing.
The other most common type of bending is known as ring roll bending. The tubing is put through the rolls and the top roller exerts pressure to bend it. It's most often used for large items and round items that have a large center line radius. An example would be drum rolls or awnings where the tubing needs to be bent to form a large circumference. These are typically cold bending processes where the tubing is bent at room temperature. There are some industrial machines that allow for hot bending when it's a mass production situation and tubing needs to be bent quickly with the least resistance.
Photo Credits: evershedm
Originally posted 2010-04-03 13:31:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 25th, 2012 — Energy Savings, Green Construction
When the sun beats down on a black tar roof, the result is not unlike an oven. Temperatures can climb to as high as 190 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface of traditional dark colored roofs, and the suns rays are absorbed and the heat is transmitted to the rest of the building. The nearly 200 degrees of blistering heat on the roof can be dispersed throughout the entire structure raising the internal temperature by at much as fifteen degrees. The time-tested solution of the last fifty years has been to simply pump enough air conditioning into the upper floors of the structure to counteract the heating. It works, but at enormous cost and with no efficiency.
That's why the switch to cool white-colored high reflective commercial roofing systems is becoming an incredibly popular choice among business owners, architects, and builders. Simply put: a white roof with high reflection equals a greener building. It comes down to whether or not the roof is going to absorb the heat of the sun's rays or reflect them. Just like wearing a white shirt on a hot day helps keep you cooler than wearing a dark shirt, making your roof white via reflective membranes or painting it will reflect light and the heat that comes with it.
White-roofed buildings have been shown to save 15 to 20 percent on air conditioning expenses during the summer. This is because a white roof can cut out up to 10 percent of daily energy usage. When a building is forced to succumb to urban heat island effect, this can mean thousands upon thousands of dollars saved every year. But the benefits aren't strictly for the businesses underneath such roofs. Since white roofs reduce the amount of power a building uses, they ultimately help reduce the level of greenhouse gases that building is responsible for emitting into the atmosphere every year.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 90 percent of American roofs are dark colored. If more people switched to white roofs, the urban heat island effect could be significantly reduced as would energy usage and waste in general. Builders and businesses in the position to paint existing roofs or build a new one should seriously consider the implementation of cool white roofing. It's one of the cooler ways to save a buck and go green at the same time.
Photo Credits: Sarey*
Originally posted 2011-07-27 20:28:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 21st, 2012 — Going Green Tips, Green Construction
If you are confused when it comes to green building products and the claims that are being made by their manufacturers, you are not the only one. Navigating the complex world behind green products and the claims that they make is not always easy, but it has become necessary in this day and age.
While there is still a lot of work that needs to be done when it comes to establishing reliable standards for green products and the attributes that define them, there is good news: There are a large number of really dedicated people that are working hard on this particular problem, and there are already a large number of resources that are available to help people like you find the right comfort level when using third party verifications of these products and the green product claims that they make. When you understand the complexities behind the selection of green products, and you understand how these products are certified and labeled, then you can better choose the right products.
Ultimately, whether you are getting information about green products from your local supplier, from the manufacturer directly or through surfing on the internet, the most critical thing that you can do is to trust your source and to understand the criteria that stands behind the recommendations that are being made to you.
Greenwash Factor: Greenwashing is what you have when companies make false, exaggerated or misleading claims, whether intentionally or unintentionally. There are some ways to determine whether or not greenwashing is being perpetrated. Is the claim being made obviously false, or is it irrelevant or unrelated to the product at hand? Is the claim so generic that it doesn't make sense, or does it only address a single feature when other features are being ignored? If you cannot verify a claim online, then greenwashing is obviously being perpetrated.
Independence Levels: Who is backing up the green product claims that are being made? First party certifications are made by directly associated parties such as manufacturers, second party certifications are made by outside organizations with financial interests in the product, and third party independence levels are made by unbiased parties. Knowing where the certification is coming from should help you make a better decision, but not enough to make a concrete one.
So what is the best course of action here? There is no single solution to this problem, at least not yet. Trying to select a single green product is just the same as trying to select a non green product. Use the criteria that you have here to evaluate, but create your own criteria as well. If there is not yet a certification process in place for a product you seek, you will have to rely on your own personal greenwash radar in order to filter out improper and unrealistic claims that are thrown at you. The system of independently verified claims for green products will eventually sort itself out.
Photo Credits: sreenisreedharan
Originally posted 2009-07-20 14:16:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 20th, 2012 — Green Construction, Home
There are five common errors that builders make in the efficiency of energy, resources and health. There are far too many green builders out there that are completely missing the mark. There are five mistakes that are being perpetrated, but that you can avoid easily with the right know-how.
#5: Installing HVAC Ducts in Unconditioned Spaces
HVAC ducts should be installed in better locations, such as between the floors or in dropped soffits that are positioned within conditioned areas inside the home. This way, the conditioned air will always travel though the ducts at the room temperature. Some builders that are thinking ahead are making sure to condition the attic, placing insulation in the roof deck rather than in the ceiling to bring down attic temperatures which is a step in the right direction.
#4: Tight Homes Build without Any Ventilation
You should be installing a complete house ventilation system as standard equipment within a home in order to provide plenty of fresh air in a home that is air tight. The solution is always to design a home with fresh air in mind. A whole house ventilation system should be installed and then tested for performance. The ventilation system should make sure that the house is bringing in as well as dispersing 50 CFM worth of fresh air for a period of 15 or 20 minutes every hour or so for the best results.
#3: Using Improper Flashing and Improper Drainage Planes
When it comes to managing water, using improper drainage planes and flashing is a rookie mistake. It becomes important, then, to pay extremely close attention to flashing on windows, sealing penetrations and where the water coming off of your roof is ending up. There is very little room available for flexibility. You need to be prepared to pain flash doors and windows in every type of climate for the best results. You also want to flash any and all penetrations using a weather resistant barriers, and kick flashing, complex connections and gutters should all be properly flashed and drained using intentional paths for water, slopes and shingling.
#2: Selecting and Installing the Wrong Insulation
We only get one single shot when it comes to properly insulating our homes as well as air sealing them, and this is not a place where we should be scrimping. It is vitally important, then, that we choose the right type of insulation, such as a sturdy blown-in type of insulation that can fill walls as compactly and as tightly as possible. All penetrations in the attic, garage and leading outdoors should be sealed to get the most out of your insulation. The right sealing with the right insulation will mean cheaper heating and cooling costs as well as improved customer satisfaction at the same time.
#1: Wasting Resources
You probably do not need as much stuff as you once thought. The building industry often uses too many resources, wasting them. What are you throwing away that could be reused? There is nothing more effective in green building than reusing everything that you can. There are always ways to be more profitable, greener and infinitely more effective just by using less. If you plan ahead and really take a hard look at what you're looking at, you can find ways to streamline the building process, wasting fewer resources in the process.
Photo Credits: billjacobus1
Originally posted 2009-07-24 05:22:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 20th, 2012 — Green Construction, Guest Blogger
Today's article is written by Joe Lederman, an Awareness Coordinator at the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.
When purchasing or remodeling a home or building, there are many variables to consider. Homes which were built prior to 1980 have a strong likelihood of containing asbestos materials.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that gained popularity in many industrial applications throughout the 20th century. Used as forms of insulation, piping, roofing and flooring, asbestos' qualities as flame and heat resistant, made it an ideal choice.
Potential home buyers or those seeking to remodel older homes should be aware that asbestos exposure can cause many health concerns. With a steady progression of green sustainable methods of building and technology, there are many different ways to make sure your property is free of this corrosive material.
Although not all asbestos poses harm when left alone, damaged or broken down asbestos can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of asbestos lung cancer. Recent studies indicate that over 2,000 to 3,000 cases are diagnosed every year in the United States. With no mesothelioma cure, workers and real estate's-man all over the world are now receiving the proper indications and information towards the risks they face.
If asbestos is suspected in the home, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed as this can make its fibers go airborne. A professional home inspector can determine the best course of action. If removal is necessary, a licensed abatement contractor who is licensed in handling dangerous materials will perform the removal. The Environmental Information Association has further information in regards to the removal, inspection of asbestos and green sustainable methods of construction.
The implementation of eco-friendly products can reduce annual energy costs in the household by 25 %. Many cities in the United States have begun adapting to the green paradigm in hopes of instilling environmentally sustainable building products that achieve a healthy home. Green alternatives to asbestos include the use of lcynene foam, cotton fiber and cellulose. Cotton fiber is made from recycled batted material and treated to be fireproof. A water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene features no toxic components.
Waste is also decreasing in landfills that used to be eerily contaminated because of these recycled building materials. As education and technology of green sustainable practices increase, the numbers will continue to rise. Living in a world where environmental sustainability is a vital concern to the future of mankind, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation. These asbestos alternatives allow for a healthy, safe home, free of health damaging materials.
Originally posted 2009-02-18 09:36:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 19th, 2012 — Going Green Tips, Green Construction, Home
For a lot of home remodelers, the idea of going green can be absolutely overwhelming. Luckily, there is a wealth of information out there, and just because you are not already implementing these ideas, that does not mean you're too far behind to make some leeway. According to leading remodelers in the industry, the best way to handle green remodeling is not to allow yourself to become swamped, as long as you take things one step at a time. Do not try to take everything on at once, but rather, pick one or two things to green up your projects and go from there. You do not have to go to the extreme in order to have a green remodel. Keep these small and quick tips in mind and you can green up your remodeling project without overwhelming yourself in the process.
Low-E Windows filled with Aragon Gas -
You may not immediately think of it, but one of the easiest ways that you can go green is through the use of these windows. They allow you to significantly reduce heat gain because they reflect light during the summer months, and they help to keep heat inside during the winter months as well. If you make these windows your standard replacement windows, you can actually save money for homeowners and can reduce their reliance on artificial heating sources that produce harmful greenhouse gasses.
High Efficiency Furnaces -
Another area that you can easily sell to homeowners is high efficiency furnaces because of the energy payback. If a homeowner has to replace a furnace anyway, why not pay a little bit more if it means getting significant savings in return? Because utility bills are continuing to go up, anything that cuts the use of energy in the home is usually a big seller with homeowners who are looking to remodel.
Paints and Finishes with Low-VOC Ratings -
This one will cost more rather than saving any money for the homeowner, but it is all about improving their general comfort and health instead. These paints do not have any volatile organic compounds in them, preventing home owners from having negative reactions to them.
Dual Flush Toilets -
These are toilets that offer two flushing options; one for liquid waste and one for solid, and they use the bare minimum of water required for each, saving the homeowner a significant amount of money in the process. They offer significant savings over toilets from earlier than 1992, going from the standard of 5 gallons per flush to 0.8 to 1.6 gallons for liquid and solid waste respectively.
Low Flow Fixtures -
There are many faucets and showerheads that exist to reduce water, offering a savings of as much as 25 to 60 percent.
Reconfigure First -
Can you find a way to offer what the homeowner is looking for without requiring additional space? Sometimes the clients believe that they want more space, but really all they require is a space that is more efficiently designed. Smaller homes can use fewer materials and will require much less energy for heating and cooling.
Purchasing Locally -
Increasing how much you buy locally will significantly reduce your impact on the environment, even without changing anything else. One of the biggest ways that a product has an affect on the environment is the transportation of those materials across the state, country or even across the world.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-02-02 05:46:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 19th, 2012 — Going Green Tips, Green Construction, Home
Green construction has to be neither cost prohibitive or complicated, according to experts at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference. According to these experts, building homes that are green and energy efficient does not have to be rocket science at all, but rather you can build a very efficient home at a very low cost. The following is a collection of building practices that are attainable and sustainable that can help you make your building projects greener without requiring a lot of money.
Energy Efficiency -
In most green building certification programs, energy efficiency plays a very large role. Consumers want homes that offer reduced costs of operation. Begin by building the home to require less air conditioning in the first place, and make sure that the air conditioning unit is charged properly otherwise the system's SEER may drop out. When installing insulation, make sure to use the thermal bypass checklist by Energy Star, which shows common insulation installation mistakes and how they can be avoided. The most cost effective features for saving energy tend to vary based on the climate for your local, for example tankless water heaters are excellent for climates like San Diego where you do not need much heat or air conditioning.
Durability -
Install backer board that is resistant to moisture, such as DensShield Tile Backer by Georgia Pacific, because standard gypsum board is an excellent breeding ground for mold, which needs to be avoided. Concentrating on the initial design is the best way to provide the biggest bang for the amount of money that you are spending. Another thing worth implementing is to avoid roof pitches that intersect with vertical wall planes, because this can cause problems relating to moisture management. Remember the basics when it comes to durability, most of all. One tip that was recommended was to avoid reverse shingling house wrap, which can cause enormous problems in the long run.
Water Efficiency -
Aim to install high efficiency fixtures and appliances, as high efficiency dishwashers can use only 5 to 7 gallons of water per load rather than 12 gallons for example. Other high efficiency fixtures are also useful, such as toilets, showers, washing machines and faucets, many of which can provide savings of up to 50%. You should also work to install water conserving landscaping, avoiding invasive species and only using low flow irrigation systems, drip and bubbler systems along with smart irrigation controllers for the best results.
Resource Conservation -
You should avoid using plants in your landscaping that require a lot of shearing, because green waste like this can take up a lot of space in local landfills. Instead, include a built in recycling center so that recycling can be made easier for homeowners.
There are many building practices that can create greener homes without requiring much more money in the process.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-02-04 05:50:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
March 18th, 2012 — Going Green Tips, Green Construction, Home
Are you looking to save the environment, but you cannot afford costly options like solar panels? Are you looking for a way to cut down on your energy costs, but are not all together sure about installing wind turbines in your back yard? Don't worry! There are plenty of things that you can do to go green that are easy and affordable, allowing you to make big changes while staying within your budget.
Here are some basic green living tips that will allow you to stay within your budget while conducting eco friendly home and yard makeovers for greener living.
Start by performing a home energy audit, checking to see first if your local utilities do this kind of service or finding another service that may. The auditor needs to make a complete inventory of all of the appliances in your home that use electricity or water. Performing an energy audit is an excellent way to find out how efficient or how inefficient your appliances are, and if there are any ways that you can make your heating or cooling systems more efficient.
You should aim to replace any incandescent light bulbs in your home with more efficient CFL or Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs, as these will last longer and will utilize less power in the process.
Some modern shower systems spew out an incredibly wasteful amount of water, at approximately 80 gallons of water per minute. By using a water-saving shower head, you can reduce this to 1.75 gallons per minute instead, saving thousands of gallons a year!
Composting toilets are capable of turning human waste into natural fertilizer, and they are an excellent way to conserve water use. However, this is a pretty large step for many people. There is no shortage of other ideas to consider when it comes to going green in the bathroom. Consider using chlorine free, recycled toilet paper, organic cotton bath towels and other linens, and even a shower curtain that is free of PVC.
Your home carpet is a magnet for many things, like toxins, animal dander, fungi, dust, dirt and bugs. Not only is your carpet a reservoir of dirt and other nastiness, but it was probably also made from a petrochemical synthetic material like nylon for example. Instead, choose area rugs that are made from natural fibers, and choose rugs that are stitched rather than glued.
Rather than drowning your lawn in dangerous chemicals and pesticides, you can make your own weed and bug repellent using water and hot peppers. Take out the grass, which soaks up water like a sponge, and replace your lawn with rocks, wild flowers, gravel and other native plants; these are all elements that do not require fertilizer or lawn, which saves you on chemicals and on water.
There are plenty of other things that you can do to significantly reduce your carbon footprint, saving on money in your utility bills at the same time.
Bonus Tip: Another handy post-makeover tip is to hire a junk removal service. Companies like this will haul away all your leftover debris and rubble from any project, from basement finishing to new flooring in the kitchen.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-01-23 05:05:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
