Thursday, 23 June 2011 00:00

Selecting material that has low embodied energy can do more than we think when reducing the global warming potential (GWP) of the built environment.  The USGBC typically says 40% of the CO2 or CO2e (equivalent gases) in the U.S. comes from building operations.  That is a LOT of energy in heating, cooling, lighting and running our ever-present computers and other equipment.  But the new 2030 challenge by the AIA and affilated groups is offered up to reduce the embodied energy of MATERIALS by asking manufacturers to reduce the amount of energy and redultant emissions it takes to make their awesome sustainable products.  Even though materials only make up about 8-12% of GHG emissions, they are "front loaded" by being released even before the building is on the drafting table.  It makes just as much sense to begin to reduce those emissions as it does to commit ourselves to more efficient buildings.  In fact, we should owe as much creedence to the goal of embodied energy reductions as we do in the goal of reducing the energy consumed while the building is operating.

Read The Clock Is Ticking article by GreenSource Magazine here. 

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 00:00

A new book that (admittedly) I haven't read is featured this month at Green Building Pro's website.   We at INDIGOGreen find that indoor air quality doesn't get enough attention in the sustainability realm, so it is nice to see such a book out.   From Green Building Pro:

Finding solutions to indoor air quality problems is often a complex, multifaceted endeavor. This practical desk reference serves as a guide and informational resource - both on treating existing indoor air problems effectively - and on preventing costly IAQ problems from occurring in the first place. A single discipline approach unfortunately tends to narrow both the control and the treatments options. This book cuts across professions to offer those concerned with the total facility a broader, more comprehensive approach to managing indoor air quality and mitigating indoor air quality problems. The third edition is extensively updated and edited in response to the rapid pace of changes and advances in the IAQ industry.

Four facts you maybe didn't know about indoor air pollutants?  click here

Tuesday, 21 June 2011 00:00

Converging energy, information, buildings, and vehicles from the Greenbiz group is having a virtual conference today.  Should be some interesting things to find there:

VERGE 

Friday, 17 June 2011 00:00

Here's another reminder that green cleaning matters.  Early last year, the president's cancer panel reinforced what many of us already know: we should be concerned about chemicals in our cleaning products when it comes to children.

From the Healthy School Campaign:

• Children are especially at risk because of their small body mass and rapid growth and development of organs. 
• In adults, most contaminants are not able to cross the blood/brain barrier, but environmental contaminants can cross the placental barrier -- increasing risks to developing children. 
• Children's metabolic pathways are also not yet completely developed, making them slower to rid the body of environmental chemicals, meaning that toxins stay active longer than in adult bodies. 
• Another important factor is the latency period of diseases. Children have more time ahead of them to develop disease, so diseases with long latency periods are more likely to develop in children than in adults

Thursday, 16 June 2011 00:00

Suspected for years, formaldehyde's recent classification by the National Toxicology Program as a carcinogen was blocked by formaldehyde manufacturers and their supporters for some time.  30 years, in fact.  

Since our inception at INDIGOGreen, we've always looked for those better building products that limited urea formaldehyde or contained zero of the nasty stuff.  Everything from paint, flooring, countertops and cabinetry, either the products steer clear of it, or we don't carry it.  period.

Here's the latest from Healthy Building Network on the recent formaldehyde decision and the case to look at brominated flame retardants in the same light- that they are the next absetos and formaldehyde:

http://www.healthybuilding.net/news/110616-toxic-flame-retardants.html

Wednesday, 15 June 2011 00:00

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 15:41

So you have your dream green home.  You have your plan.  You have your architect, you have your contractor, he/she has their sub contractors and you have your green rater and or energy rater and your  local green building supply store, INDIGO Green of course.  But are they all on the same page?  If you are building your house the old fashioned way, probably not.  

That is where integrated design and the "charette" comes in.  This is where all the parties involved are talking and are on the same page:  the owner, the architect, the builder, their subs, and us.  This is also where green design will cost less in the long run, because it can eliminate mistakes, call-backs and give you the house you planned, not the house you settle for. 

Call INDIGOGreen to find a list of contractors, subs, architects and green raters and energy raters that are down with green and have been involved in integrated design.

Now here's a really helpful article from Green Building Advisor on how integrated design works.

Monday, 13 June 2011 15:17