Science Exploratory Spring 2008

Research Webquest

GreenHouse – How to make a low-carbon footprint home

Why greener? Cost-saving benefits Better for personal environment Sustainable for future Improves resale value of home Implementation can be gradual

http://www.dmhabitatrestore.org/

Construction materials

Recycled metals Reclaimed lumber Concrete – more than

foundations Waterproofing Recycled insulation Build within land type

& not against it

Construction materials websites: http://www.reclaimed-lumber.com/index.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Parks_Recreation/parks_lumber/par

ks_index_lumber.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_adhesives/build_adh

esives_titebond.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_deckin

g_evergrain.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_deckin

g_ipe.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_deckin

g_ipe.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_deckin

g_ipe.htm http://www.cement.org/homes/ch_buildsys.asp http://www.aquasealusa.com/waterproofing-products.htm

HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) Hot water heaters: gas or electric? Hot water heat: timed or reserve? Furnaces, A/C, heat-pumps A/C w/o HCFC Heated floors

HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) websites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_heating http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_pump http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/ren

ewable/geothermal.html http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/HVA

C/high-efficiency-air-conditioners http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/publi

c/documents/pub/phtv_se_he_bu_000589.hcsp http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/publi

c/documents/pub/phtv_se_he_bu_000593.hcsp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underfloor_heating

Wiring Recycled metals New alloys Minimize amount necessary Think to future tech advances Avoid going up walls;

instead flow down to

lowest level Wireless power?

Wiring websites

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/03/ultratouch_recy.php

http://www.bldgdesign2020.com/news/down_to_the_wire.html

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21871209-2703,00.html

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/wireless-0607.html

Plumbing

Metal or non-metal? Grey water redistribution:

sink to stool to septic Unify locations vertically Appliances: minimize water

usage; plan for this in plumbing

Plumbing websites

http://www.innerlineplumbing.com/services/usgbc-leed/

http://www.buildinggreen.com/menus/headings.cfm?SubtopicID=24

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_water_system

http://www.waterwall.com.au/

Walls and coverings Movable wall systems Design for ventilation

& heat distribution Mold prevention Paint or paper? Wall insulators:

hidden treasures

of the past

Walls and coverings websites http://www.kwik-wall.com/products/glass/default.asp http://www.milkpaint.com/path_walls.html http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200503/hiddenlife.a

sp http://www.limepaint.com/home.htm http://www.sprig.com/home/flow-wallpaper/ http://www.sprig.com/tags/wallpaper/ http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/wall

paper/new_products http://www.amicusgreen.com/v1/products.htm

Septic and sewer Grey-water re-distribution Laterals and sewer lines Size matters: pipes and waste Passive water systems:

cisterns Composting Waste treatment at home

Septic and sewer websites

http://www.oasisdesign.net/design/consult/specialties.htm

http://www.econova.com.au/detail.php?ID=2 http://www.compostingtoilet.org/ http://www.waterless.com/ http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/gray-water-rec

yclng-a-nice-way-to-conserve-water/

Insulation Recycled: good for people & environment Reused: shred Know your R’s Let it breathe Too tight? Look to the past:

use local ecosystem

as sample insulation

techniques

Insulation websites:

RECYCLED:http://www.hopeiowa.org/hope_bargain/index.html#Anchor-Recycling-37516http://www.aip.org/dbis/stories/2006/15161.htmlhttp://www.nuwool.com/http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/03/ultratouch_recy.phphttp://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_insulation/build_cotton_insulation.htm

Roofing

Asphalt Shingles Solar Shingles Metal roofs Roof vents Traditional methods Hot and cold: finding

a happy medium

Roofing websitesASPHALT:

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Asphalt_Shingles-Asphalt_Shingles-A1464.html

http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_decking_ipe.htm

SOLAR:http://www.oksolar.com/roofhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_shingleshttp://www-personal.umich.edu/~bgoodsel/solar/blog.htm

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/bp_mechanical/article/0,2617,HPRO_20151_4243877,00.htmlhttp://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/sunslates_solar.phphttp://www.treehugger.com/design_architecture/

METAL:http://www.newenglandmetalroof.com/http://www.hometips.com/cs-protected/guides/metal_roofs/metalroof_benefits.htmlhttp://www.coolmetalroofing.com/content/about/

Windows and doors

Know your gasses Insulation is a must Recycled: metal and wood Vinyl and the seasons Styles: folding, sliding, and pocket Windows to the inside: resurgence of the

pass-through Use your assets and look to the stars

Windows and doors websites

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/pac_ctnt/text/0,,HPRO_20196_33653,00.htm

http://www.greenconcepts.com/producttips/buildingcomponents/window.html

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_anat_window

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/understanding-energy-efficient-windows.aspx

http://www.bpa.gov/energy/n/energy_Tips/weatherization/stormwindows.cfm

Flooring

Recycled: glass, bamboo,

cork, carpet, laminate Reused: lumber, bamboo,

tile Are you jelling? –

cushioning and

underlayment Sealants

Flooring websites http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/ecotimber/wood/build_fl

ooring_ecotimber_wood.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/ecotimber/bamboo/buil

d_flooring_ecotimber_bamboo.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/cork/build_cork_index_

cork.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/linoleum/build_linoleum

.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/build_flooring_pet.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/build_flooring_wool.htm http://www.simplefloors.com/products/Laminate-Flooring/category3.aspx?g

clid=CMXg3vHkuZECFQQjPAodJ3AhCg http://jonapanels.wordpress.com/ http://www.eco-buildingproducts.com/product/ecosurfaces/ecosurfaces_ec

osilence_floor_underlayment_4mm_thickness http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/index_build_finishes/build_finishes_o

s_hardwax.htm http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/productlist.shtml http://www.amicusgreen.com/v1/products.htm

Countertops, sinks, lavatories Recycled glass composites Multi-composites: looks like the real deal

Countertops, sinks, lavatories websites http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/co

untertops/ http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/p

roduct_detail/411/C158 http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/p

roduct_detail/287/C158 http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/p

roduct_detail/704/C158 http://www.theswancorp.com/

Durable goods (big-ticket items) Energy-efficiency:

Front-load washers Dryers that use latent heat for hang dry items Side-by-side vs. top stack refrigerators Convection microwaves Toaster ovens – keep it simple LCD v. plasma Chest freezers

Durable goods (big-ticket items) websites http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=clotheswash

.pr_clothes_washers http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/np_supplyhouse/article

/0,2623,HPRO_22396_4762438,00.html http://www.sunfrost.com/refrigerators_main.html http://www.getwithgreen.com/2007/10/13/eco-friendl

y-tv-which-37-lcd-televisions-are-the-most-efficient/ http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=1

3183

Lighting Efficient bulbs LED accent lighting Multi-use ceiling fixtures Natural light and window placement Soak up the sun: outdoor solar lighting Solving seasonal issues

Lighting websites http://www.eco-lights.com/facts.html http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.p

r_cfls http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/i

ndex.aspx http://www.siliconsolar.com/solar-landscape-li

ghting.php http://www.solarhome.org/solarlighting.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-af

fective-disorder/MH00023

Furniture Formaldehyde finishes – watch it Recycled and reused items Multi-purpose items: bookcase desk, storage

ottoman & table, daybed couch, stair chairs Less is best; keep it simple Get the good stuff: fiberboard & landfills Personalize with color, fabric, finish & theme

Furniture websites http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/product/

C124 http://www.grist.org/biz/tp/2006/03/02/makower/ http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/recycled_green_fu

rniture_manufacturers.htm http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_moneysaving_recycle/

article/0,,HGTV_3131_1384865,00.html http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_furniture_other/article/

0,,HGTV_3445_3547325,00.html http://www.nextag.com/convertible-chair/search-html

Landscaping

Build to your ecosystem Choose native species for plantings Terrace for water and energy conservation Use passive water collection for watering; homemade

irrigation system using rainwater & eaves Use ground as a building material Build to the sun: design home to take full advantage of this HouseZen: use all four elements in landscaping: water,

rock, fire, wind Build with habitat in mind: be a good neighbor Trees: Mother Nature’s A/C; going native (species)

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/treeptg.html

http://www.iowadnr.com/forestry/pdf/nativetrees1.pdf http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/

IAN303.pdf http://www.cascadeforestry.com/information/

article_detail.php?article_id=20 http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_design_other/article/

0,,HGTV_3566_1370513,00.html http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/

terrac.html http://www.lid-stormwater.net/raincist_specs.htm

Landscaping websites

Supplemental powerUse the terms below and complete your own

search using Google, Yahoo, or dogpile Solar: roof panels, wall panels, external panels Wind: local turbines / rooftop turbines Geo-thermal heating & cooling Burn baby burn: wood, pellet,

and corn burning stoves Bio-mass suppliers Steam Turbine Water Turbine Buying & Selling back to the grid