Wednesday, 05 May 2010 18:40

Here you will find Part 2 of our 4-part Green bathroom remodel reprint from greenbuilding.com: 

Step Three: Green Bathrooms 101Below you’ll find all the basics you need to know before you design the green bathroom of your dreams. Enjoy.

An Important Note about Structural Walls
If you are considering tearing out walls as part of your remodel, we highly recommend that you work with a trusted professional who can help you distinguish between load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls. Load-bearing walls are walls that do just that. They literally hold up the weight of the house.Load-bearing walls can be altered but you must proceed with caution. A new structural analysis will be needed and you will probably need a new beam supported by posts on either side of the room. You will probably need to install temporary wood frame walls to support the structure above while the new wall is built.Non-load-bearing walls can be easily be torn down without the roof falling in, but you should still be cautious of disrupting existing plumbing or electrical wiring within the wall.When it comes to knocking out walls, plan and plan again. Looking for obstacles ahead of time will avoid unnecessary hardship and expense. 

Opening Walls is an Opportunity

Opening up walls in the bathroom gives you the chance to: 

• Redo bad wiring (an electrician may be needed)
• Repair leaks that might have gone unnoticed
• look carefully for mold
• check to see if you have adequate insulation in the exterior walls
• seal cracks or penetrations through the wall to stop air leakage

Green Deconstruction Practices for Bathrooms 101 

When it comes time to deconstruct your existing bathroom, be mindful that many of the materials may be either reusable or recyclable. Challenge yourself to seek new and interesting ways to use old materials. This can both save you money and prevent unnecessary crowding of landfill space. Look for items like old lumber, door and window casings, and baseboards. Remove these items with care and with a little clean-up or repair, these materials can easily be reused.When reusing old materials is not possible, they can often be recycled. Your local city or county recycling agency should have information on Construction and Demolition Recycling.

Green Deconstruction Checklist

• Carefully remove materials for reuse
• Recycle as much material as possible

Green Plumbing for Bathrooms 101 

Save Energy with a Water Heater Jacket

Putting an insulating jacket on you water heater should be your first step in saving energy in your new bathroom. Inexpensive and easy to install, a water heater insulation jacket can significantly reduce standby losses of your water heater. 

Save Energy by Insulating Water pipes
Water pipes often run through areas where heat is easily lost. Crawlspaces or basements, for instance, may not be insulated and when water pipes transverse those spaces, water loses heat along the way, wasting energy and taking longer to heat up at the faucet. The solution is to insulate all hot water pipes across the entire length, from water heater to fixture. 

Flush Less Water Down the Drain

Nearly one third of the water consumed in US homes is used to flush toilets. While water may seem plentiful now, diminishing access to fresh water can be expected in the future. The time is now for installing a low-flow toilet.There are several options available on the market and we encourage you to shop around and replace the old existing toilet even if it is still functional. You’ll want to look for toilets that use less than 1.6 gallons/flush. Federal regulations require all new toilets to adhere to that standard.High-efficiency toilets use even less water. Through the use of pressure-assist technology some toilets use as low as 1 to 1.28 gallons per flush. Dual-flush toilets allow the user to choose between two modes – one uses 1.6 g/f, the other uses less than 1 g/f.Your old toilet may be valuable to someone. That robin egg blue toilet may have sentimental value but it is time to recycle it. Be sure to look for a way to keep it out of the landfill. 

Save Water by Installing Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucets

Low-flow bathroom faucets and showerheads produce an adequate flow but use 60 percent less water by combining the water with air pressure. Look for showerheads that use 1.5 – 2.5 gallons/minute. Bathroom faucets should flow at no more than 1.5 gallons/minute. 

Filter Your Showerhead for Better Health

Chlorine is absorbed six times more easily by our skin than by our digestive system so filters are an important consideration. Some low-flow showerheads also contain a charcoal filter that filters chlorine. For those with sensitive or dry skin, a filter can make a big difference. 

Stop Waiting for Hot Water

We’ve all done it – held our hand under a faucet for 10, 20, 30 seconds or maybe even a minute or two waiting for hot water to make its way from the water heater to the faucet. The wasted water is significant. The solution is to install an “on demand” hot water circulation pump.An “on demand” system sends hot water to the shower or sink only when needed simply by pushing a button or walking into the bathroom. CLick here to learn about the D'mand recirculation pump. 

Consider Replacing Your Water Heater

When choosing a water heater, pay attention to their Energy Factor (EF). This is the measure of the water heater’s overall efficiency. The higher the EF, the more efficient the appliance. Look for a model with an EF of at least 0.60. Electric water heaters tend to have higher EF ratings than gas-fired water heaters but heating with electricity can be more expensive.California “builder model” water heaters tend to be more efficient for a small increase in price. Look for Title 24 compliant models. It may be a special order in different parts of the country.Another option is a tankless water heater which runs only when someone turns on the tap. Water is heated as it flows through the heater so there are no standby losses. Tankless water heaters result in significant energy savings despite their initial high up-front costs.

Green Plumbing Checklist

• Install a water heater jacket
• Insulate all water pipes
• Install a high efficiency toilet (1.6 gallons/flush or less)
• Install low-flow faucets and showerheads
• Install a charcoal filter on your showerhead for healthier water
• Eliminate the wait for hot water by installing an instantaneous hot water circulation pump
• Upgrade to a more efficient water heater and consider a tankless water heater 

Tuesday, 04 May 2010 00:00

In the process of remodeling my own bathroom (at home not at INDIGOgreen), I happened upon a site that is dedicated to teaching the process of green remodeling.
I thought that we would feature their information on the next couple of blogs.  Here is step one and two and tune in tomorrow for steps 3 and 4 from greenbuilding.com:

Project: Remodeling the Bathroom

Congratulations. You’re considering remodeling your bathroom and you’re looking for advice about how to go green. You’ve come to the right place. At greenbuilding.com we’ve set an ambitious goal. We want as many people as possible to see that green building does not have to be complicated or confusing. Instead, building and remodeling green can be simple and straightforward and we’ll show you how.

Green building has the following benefits:

• Greater comfort
• Lower operating costs
• Healthier air
• Less need for maintenance
• Longer-lasting investments
• Greater connection with the world around you

Let’s get started.

Step One: Asking the Right Questions

Before you run out the door and start shopping for a low-flush toilet (don’t worry, you’ll get to do that soon), you’ve got a little bit of preparatory work to do.

First, it’s important for you, the other users of the bathroom and any other interested parties to express what it is you’re looking for in your new bathroom. It can be helpful for each person to answer these questions individually then hold an informal meeting where everyone is able to share their visions for the new bathroom. Here are some basic questions to get you started: 

Users and Function

• Who uses the bathroom? What times of day?
• Are there special needs which need to be addressed (disabilities, children) now or in the future?
• Will the bathroom need to accommodate changes in the family/occupancy in the near future?
• Do visitors use the bathroom?
• What activities need to be accommodated and how much storage space is needed?
• Is the bathroom used for other, non-traditional, functions (laundry or washing your pets, etc)? 

Feel

• How do you want to feel when showering, brushing your teeth, etc. Instead of focusing on a particular product (like I want new tile in the shower), try to focus on the experience you wish to have in your new bathroom. This will leave you open to products that suit your needs but that you may not have otherwise considered.
• What quality of light are you seeking? For what tasks and what time of day?
• How do you want to feel when it comes to thermal comfort (warmth, cooling) Do you want the area around the tub/shower warmer than the rest of the room?
• What do you want to hear (and not hear) when in or near the bathroom?

Desired Changes

• What aspects of the current bathroom do you desire to change and why?
• Are there fixtures or appliances that are under-performing? What’s not working for you and why? 

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation

• What is your current heat source?
• Are you warm enough?
• What cooling methods are you using? Are they working?
• How are you ventilating? Is there sufficient ventilation to prevent moisture accumulation?

Plumbing and Hot Water

• Are there plumbing problems that need to be addressed in the remodel?
• What do you know about water usage in your current fixtures? How many gallons/flush in toilet? Gallons/minute from showerhead, faucet?
• How old is your water heater? What’s the distance heated water must travel from heater to fixture?

Lighting and Electrical

• Is there natural light?
• Where are the windows currently and might the windows be relocated to better serve your needs for light and beauty?
• What kind of electrical lighting is currently used? Incandescent? Compact florescent?
• Does the lighting suit the uses of the bathroom? (Ambient light vs. task lighting)
• Are there enough electrical outlets in the bathroom? Are they all GFCI (Ground Fault circuit interrupter)?

Finishes

• What finishes cover the wall, ceiling and floor and are they hard to clean and maintain?
• Have the finishes started to deteriorate (chip, peel, crack, mildew, etc.), or have they worn well? 

Step Two: Setting Goals

Now that you have asked the right questions and have given yourself the chance to talk about your vision with other people involved in your bathroom, it’s time to put your vision in writing. 

Bathroom Goals

You should create a one to two-page write-up of what you want your bathroom to be like. Be sure to cover all the following areas:

• Who the bathroom will serve and needs of those users
• What functions/activities the bathroom will accommodate
• What the bathroom will feel like
• Green Building goals (see below)

It is vitally important that these goals be written down. We’ve seen many a remodel go sideways midway through the project because we’ve watched people get consumed by the details and lose the big picture. Your written goals will be your roadmap when things get difficult. Our mantra at greenbuilding.com is Thoughts Make Things. Clear written thoughts are even more likely to bear real-world results.

Sustainability Goals

At greenbuilding.com, we can’t talk enough about the Green Building Tripod. The three elements of the tripod – Energy Efficiency, Resource Conservation and Indoor Air Quality – should be the backbone of your sustainability mission.

Remember Green Building is not an either/or. It is a both/and. With green building you can have it all – a bathroom you love to be in AND one that’s better for the planet and all her creatures.

So what are your Green Building Goals? It’s simple. Just add this to you bathroom goals page:

We want an incredible new bathroom PLUS:

• Greater energy efficiency
• Less use of precious resources
• Healthy indoor air quality

Who wouldn’t want that?

Monday, 03 May 2010 19:33

After The Spill:  The Future of Offshore Drilling Befouled Like The Gulf Waters?

Forty-two miles offshore and nearly a mile underwater our Gulf Waters are being befouled by an indeterminate amount of oil spilling from a BP's deepwater oil rig.  The 4,000 square mile spill is visible from outer space and is twice the size of Rhode Island and is going to ultimately have an impact on not only the fishing and tourism industry but also the fragile ecosystems and wildlife along our Gulf shores from Louisianna to Florida. 
Although there are over 30,000 oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico already only a few hundred are as deep as the well that is currently gushing into the sea.  In fact, this current rig is so deep, BP is pushing the envelope of technology on not only drilling for oil, but the consequent technology needed to quickly and effectively cap a spill in the event of an accident. 
BP is still unclear how the drill snapped then caught fire, killing 11 rig workers and is now unsure how they are going to fix it. 
What this comes down to in the end is how far are we willing to go to get oil and at what cost?  How far are we willing to push the envelope to allow oil companies to contine to post record profits then ironically, contine to profit as the price of crude rises in accordance with "lost" oil?
Unfortunately, I hate to gripe about our dependance on oil, but we have to really consider how much petroleum-based plastic we are going to surround ourselves with, how many times are we going to drive intead of bike, how much oil are we going to use in the construction of our world before we say enough is enough?
While you're thinking about it too, take a moment to contact a few of the Florida Senators who have been key supporters of opening coastal Florida waters to offshore oil driling.  Just check in with them and see what they have to say about it:  http://progressflorida.org/page/s/gulfoilspill?source=email&subsource=firstlink

Now here are a few links  with pictures to keep you fully thoughtful and let's not say depressed, but impressed at our conveyance to the burning oil rig:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-oil-disaster-chemical-cleanup-20100502,0,6337561.story

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/us/03fishing.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/02/AR2010050201748.html

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/bp-gulf-oil-spill-timeline.php?campaign=daily_nl

Friday, 30 April 2010 16:47

Thursday, 29 April 2010 15:12

Have you ever buried a time capsule?  You know, where you dig a hole and leave a message or belongings or thoughts for another generation to discover?   If you've planted a tree you have buried a time capsule.  That tree that you plant will most likely, if native or non-invasive and planted in the right spot with some early lovin' and care, outlive your busy human body.  And by outlive I mean by hundreds perhaps even thousands of years.  Celebrating Arbor Day tomorrow by planting a tree can reap benefits in the most sustainable manner by considering our future generations' natural landscape, beauty and energy savings if planted properly around a well-built, sustainable structure intended to exist alongside the treescape for hundreds of years. 
Tomorrow, we can show our support for tree planting locally and get a free native tree just by showing up alongside our County Commissioners. 

The official invite reads:

• Natural beauty, color and shade for neighborhoods
• Energy savings for homes; trees reduce energy bills between 7%-47% when planted to the west and southwest of buildings 
• Absorption of carbon dioxide and release oxygen to breathe
• Habitat for song birds and wildlife

Thursday, 29 April 2010 02:28

Swallowtail Farms is a crew of new generation CSA farmers picking up where our grandfathers left off.  They are doin it right too.  They are doing it sustainable, organic, and they are having a blast in the process of tilling old mother earth.  In fact, they are going to have a party this weekend and we should all attend.  Attend if you will, so you can see firsthand where and how our food IS local and why that is so important.  In fact, they have the good forsight to make it a kid friendly event because it so important to show the next generation that carrots do not actually come from the supermarket.

Here are the details:  

Featuring the Local Food Roadshow from 1-3 pm A sampling of local cuisine prepared by The Jones, Leonardo's 706, The Top, and local chefs & cooks! 

Kick-off event for the Hogtown Homegrown Eat Local Challenge! 

Local Farm & Food Expo - Meet your Farmers, Meet your Food:Slow Food, CSA's, Citizens' Co-op, Comet Farm, The Family Garden, Glades Ridge Dairy, Cognito Farm, Shepherd's Hill, Abundant Edible Landscapes, Gainesville Farm Fresh, Earth Pets, UF Organic Garden Club, and on and on! 

G'ville's best Music - 3rd Stone, Patrick Koch, and a holy host of others for your listening pleasure! 

Kids Fair, with Hoops, Bubbles, Fountains & Hayrides! Raffle - Grand Prize: Sanctuary Yoga Studios 1 yr unlimited Membership!   

This Saturday, May 1st @ The Farm, 12-9pm
ADDRESS: 27431 N County Road 1491, Alachua, Fl 32615 

$10 Suggested Donation to benefit the farm

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 18:24

Monday, 26 April 2010 00:00

By SETH BORENSTEIN, The Associated Press Wednesday, April 21, 2010

WASHINGTON — Pollution before the first Earth Day was not only visible, it was in your face: Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River caught fire. An oil spill fouled 30 miles of Southern California beaches. And thick smog choked many cities’ skies.

Not anymore.

Forty years after that first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, smog levels nationwide have dropped by about a quarter, and lead levels in the air are down more than 90 percent. Formerly fetid lakes and burning rivers are now open to swimmers.

The challenges to the planet today are largely invisible — and therefore tougher to tackle.

“To suggest that we’ve made progress is not to say the problem is over,” said William Ruckelshaus, who in 1970 became the first head of the Environmental Protection Agency. “What we’ve done is shift from the very visible kinds of issues to those that are a lot more subtle today.”

Issues such as climate change are less obvious to the naked eye. Since the first Earth Day, carbon dioxide levels in the air have increased by 19 percent, pushing the average annual world temperature up about 1 degree Fahrenheit, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“We’ve cleaned up what you can see and left everything else in limbo,” said Kathleen Rogers, president of the Earth Day Network.

Improvements took shape in the form of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and changes in the way businesses treat the environment, said Denis Hayes. Those reforms, he added, grew out of the first Earth Day, an event Hayes helped coordinate.

“It is the most powerful, sweeping, society-wide change America has had since the New Deal,” Hayes said. “The air is cleaner despite the fact that we have twice as many vehicles traveling twice as many miles.”

Nancy Sutley, head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said progress in the past 40 years is about more than just laws. It’s also about innovation that made cleaner cars. And that innovation, Sutley said, “is going to be the answer for tackling climate change.”

No place illustrates progress more than the Cuyahoga River.

Cleveland’s main river used to periodically catch fire. On June 22, 1969, trash and an oil slick ignited. The river burned for half an hour, drawing national attention to water pollution nationwide.

People didn’t swim in the river at the time, and anyone who fell in needed to be checked by a doctor.

“The river bubbled like a cauldron. There were all kinds of chemicals in there, and that was what was bubbling at the bottom,” said Wayne Bratton, a boat captain then and now, and the first president of the Cleveland Harbor Conservation Committee.

On Tuesday, Wayne Bratton was aboard his boat, The Holiday. He looked over the starboard side at Collision Bend and described by telephone what he saw: “I’m looking at a lot of gulls, there’s a loon, a lot of black heron.”

People now fish in the river, which holds 60 species. There’s a spiffy amphitheater on the river bank, which never would have been built when the water had a dreadful stench, Bratton said.

It’s not just the Cuyahoga. In 1957, the Public Health Service declared the Potomac River unsafe for swimming. Now Rogers lets her children swim in it.

“I don’t even wash them off any more,” she said.

In Los Angeles in the 1960s and 1970s, the joke was that if you moved in during the summer you wouldn’t notice the nearby mountains until the winter. Now peak smog levels are only one-third as high as 40 years ago, he said.

“Unfortunately, it leads some people to think that we don’t have a problem any more,” said Sam Atwood, spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The region still has 6,000 yearly premature deaths linked to unseen tiny particles in the air that cause heart and lung problems, Atwood said.

In 1970, Ruckelshaus said, about 85 percent of pollution was from places like factories or power plants that the government could regulate. Now such sites account for only 15 percent, with most pollution coming from sources like farms that are harder to control.

That makes fixing the remaining problems politically difficult, said Russell Train, chief environmental adviser in 1970 to President Richard Nixon.

“Back in the ‘70s, people felt the threat of environmental mistakes and misbehavior,” Train said. “There was a real threat to your health and people knew that. Today, people will accept that as a general principle, but don’t feel any immediate threat from climate change or indirect source pollution from farmers.”

Last month was the hottest March on record worldwide. It was 1.4 degrees warmer than March 1970, according to NOAA.

The average temperatures for the last 40 years are higher than the rest of the 130 years of record-keeping, said Deke Arndt, head of climate monitoring at NOAA’s National Climate Data Center.

And, this week, German scientists published an analysis in the scientific journal Nature that says the greenhouse gas agreement reached by some international leaders last December in Copenhagen would lead to a 10 to 20 percent increase in carbon dioxide levels in 2020.

That puts “in dire peril” chances for limiting the effects of warming, the researchers said.

Still, the White House’s Sutley is optimistic.

“The Cuyahoga River is not on fire anymore, and air quality in Los Angeles is not as bad as it was 40 years ago. I think people get those connections,” Sutley said. “People get that something is changing about our climate.”

On the Net:

Earth Day Network: http://www.earthday.net/