GREEN.What is
Green?Why is a product Green?Because a product is Green does that make it
better for me?What about the cost?What products should I buy?
These are common questions we hear from our clients about
the much publicized Green movement.Most
of our clients want to go green, but don’t know where to start since just about
everything in the market today is advertised as Green.What further complicates the issue is that
most people relate energy efficiency to Green.While an energy efficient system can be green, it isn’t always.True energy efficiency only occurs when you
have a full building envelope – HVAC, insulation, windows, doors, walls, attic
etc.Think of a building envelope as a balloon
that encompasses the structure maintaining a desirable climate inside.All the systems have to work together to
provide true energy efficiency.
While going green is important, it isn’t always cost
effective for all applications.Here is
an example:
Just
about any building supply store has a carpet that is made from recycled
water bottles.By using those
bottles it keeps them out of the landfills.This is great for recycling and because
many plastics don’t decompose quickly – it adds to the
sustainability.These carpets are
typically 80% recycled materials.This is a very Green product.However, that carpet is typically three times as expensive as
standard carpeting.
Now, let’s
talk about energy efficiency – an energy efficient building envelope can
add about 10% to the overall cost of a new home. However, a well designed
building envelope can save as much as 50% or more off your energy bill
when compared to structures that do not have a true building envelope.With this in mind, the return on the
investment or ROI can be 5-10 years.
With
both scenarios in mind, which one makes sense for your project?Most clients don’t have an unlimited
budget and have to choose.While
some may choose true green products because of their recycled aspect, most
choose a more energy efficient design in order to get a return on their
investment.
Another area of concern with understanding Green is an
industry term of “Greenwashing”.This
means a product that has very limited recycled content but meets the legal
minimum or sometimes just false advertising altogether.As consumers are gravitating to Green
products, companies are marketing more of their products as Green.However, with all types of marketing – if it
sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
So how does the average person know if a product is energy
efficient or Green or both?The simple
answer is you don’t.This is where Robert Klob Designs comes in – we
spend a substantial amount of time researching products and procedures for you.We give you the good and the bad of our
research so you can make an educated decision of what is right for you and your
budget.If you have a product in mind, let
us research that product for you to help determine its qualifications.
Robert Klob Designs, Inc. is a leader when it comes to
building green and energy efficiency. We specialize in utilizing alternative
building materials in our designs. We would enjoy the opportunity to work with
you to find what system would work best for your project.
Here are a few products that RKD endorses for both Energy Efficiency and Green
ICF - Insulated Concrete Forms
ICF's are rapidly gaining popularity due to their structural
integrity, ease of use and energy efficient design. ICFs are a sandwich of Foam on the outside and a concrete core, typically 2" of foam and 4-6" of concrete. They are used for the exterior walls of the home and have a mass that prevents air from transferring thru the wall. Most ICFs are made with substantial recycled products. In fact the foam can be made with a discarded by-product of the petroleum industry.
See our page dedicated to ICFs for more information - click HERE
Clad Windows
Windows can be the single most inefficient item in a
home. We like vinyl clad windows because the vinyl on the outside doesn't
transfer heat or cold as easily as aluminum. The wood on the inside helps
dissipate temperatures plus wood adds an elegant look that can be painted or
stained to match any decor. The cladding combined with a high quality
Low-E tinted glass makes for some of the best windows available.
In addition to their high energy efficiency, they are green
too. Typically the wood comes from forests that are fast replenishing and
not old growth trees. The vinyl is also a recycled and recyclable
product.
Aluminum clad windows can be a good alternative; however
there can be issues with heat/cold transferring thru the metal
frame. This can be minimized with what the industry calls a "thermal
break".
Every year the window industry creates new technology to
make their products better.We work
directly with manufacturers to stay up to date on the latest trends and
materials in an effort to help you make the best choice for your project.
Expansive Foam Insulation
Expansive foam insulation is some of the best insulation (also some of the most expensive) available. The foam is sprayed on and expands to fill all voids and crevaces in the wall or ceiling. It can seal around pipes, electrical fixtures and duct work. It's important to note that 5" of expansive foam is the same as about 9" of fiberglass insulation. Some of the foam manufacturers are able to use recycled materials in the foam compound.
Strange enough, fiberglass batt insulation is a very good alternative (and much less expensive). The key is the installation. The Department of Energy did a study a few years ago and found that the majority of batt insulation is installed incorrectly thus lowering the r-value to a fraction of rated value. If you are paying for it, you should get the full benefit.
There are many other products and materials we endorse - Let Robert Klob Designs help you choose the best building materials available for your home!
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