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Guide To Green HVAC
Guide To Green HVAC
Environment has been constantly the victim right from the time innovation came into existence trading annihilation of ecological objects for our personal gain and survival. So the question remains as to how to salvage of what remains?
So What is Considered a Green HVAC?
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning trade has seen a steady growth now for years improvising the ecological augmentation with innovative technologies and materials. Green HVAC is promoted by LEED (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by way of conserving energy, saving water, and materials consumed or wasted. Reduction of toxic by products still remains a concern particularly with systems circulating air throughout buildings. The Energy Star Heating and Cooling Device satisfies the criteria set by the American standards making it ideal for installation in average homes and small buildings.
But Then Why Green HVAC?
Green HVAC a relatively novel business endeavor is growing steadily with new buildings in an effort to save energy and cost cutting purposes. Not to mention benefitting from tax exemptions upon installation.
A Quick Look Into the Options and Benefits
The options are aplenty for the adventurous industrialist with the industry growing rapidly, particularly for people in real estate. Few examples would blue roofs that harvest rainwater for cooling, energy and recreation. Installation of carbon dioxide sensors can sustain optimum ventilation in a building. Solar panels a well established know-how is anticipated to supply around 200,000 homes in Australia with electricity on completion.
Installation of energy-efficient HVAC arrangement is being endorsed by building owners open to rebooting their existing HVAC systems. The chiller boiler is a good example and acts like gingerbread house gears for Green HVAC. These systems act efficiently by using water as opposed to air in modulating temperature and be installed as a pre-engineered and mechanic-friendly pack.
Risks Versus Benefits
New equipments are prone to having blips, but experienced organizations are very much up-to-date and familiar with green technology. After all our old friends, elbow grease and duct tape know exactly how to fix these kinks.
Blog Post provided by: HVAC Service Marietta GA
Composting
If your yard or garden is looking a little lackluster, you may want to consider composting as an inexpensive and environmentally safe way to enrich your soil and liven up your greenery. Composting, a process for recycling waste into humus, not only creates rich fertile soil for your gardening needs, but will also contribute to a reduction in the amount of waste that goes into your local landfill. And, with a compact composter, you can process top-quality soil easily and efficiently in your own backyard.
Estimates show that approximately 20 percent of landfill materials are suitable for composting. Not only does composting of this 20 percent save landfill space, but it can reduce fuel use for the transport vehicles of waste, reduce your expense of purchasing fertilizer, return much-needed nutrients to your soil, and minimize the amounts of chemical fertilizer polluting the environment.
Materials that are compost-friendly include grass clippings, leaves, flowers, brush, harvested vegetable plants, wood ash, eggshells, produce peelings, coffee grounds, plain pasta, fruit, and stale bread. Serious composting experts also include bones, meat, and fat in their composting bins. If you want to include these items, make sure you check with your local government to see if this is allowed as some municipalities have ordinances against composting certain items since these ingredients can attract bugs, odor, and wildlife. Also, a good landscaping company should be able to tell you the local laws.
Bacteria are the primary microorganisms that break down the materials you will put in your compost bin. Representing 80 to 90 percent of the working ingredients in your composting mixture, bacteria growth is the most important process that needs to take place in your bin. To cater to this process, you must build and maintain your bin or pile by conscientiously monitoring and maintaining it to create heat, water, and carbon dioxide, with heat being the most important ingredient. (Healthy compost piles will generate core heat of about 140 degrees.)
To begin composting, all you need is an area or bin in which to pile your collected waste materials. To aid in the initial set-up of your composting project, heap materials together after breaking them up into the smallest particles you can manage to encourage the process and generate heat for your microorganisms to begin their work. During this first stage, the mesophilic stage, your compost will settle and begin to sag after a week or so. Next, during the thermophilc phase, you’ll see your compost heat up, indicating that the harmful bacteria have died off and your materials are breaking down. You can assist this process by making sure your compost is damp, by using a garden hose to wet it, and that the core has sufficient oxygen, by turning the pile once or twice for the next three months. At about four months along, you’ll notice the pile begins to cool and see the materials forming into a uniform texture. Once your compost is a rich brown color, is earthy smelling, is free of large debris, and is crumbly, it is ready to use.
If you want a perpetual supply of compost materials, start and maintain several compost piles throughout the year having several composting piles at differing stages of the process so you always have a natural fertilizer at your disposal.
Green Plumbing Ideas
If you want to contribute to the environmental conservation movement, one easy place to start is to initiate some green plumbing practices or install some green-friendly products in your own home. A few simple adjustments in your plumbing practices will have a substantial impact on your consumption of water and energy. Such practices will not only impact the environment, but will save money in the long run by lowering your utility bills as well. In addition, going green with your plumbing needs can have a great impact on the amount of toxins and greenhouse gases in your home, making your home a safer, cleaner place to live.
By taking some relatively simple steps, you can make your home more green friendly. Installing efficient fixtures and appliances, using environmentally friendly pipes and cleaners, as well as some more advanced solutions such as conversion to solar water heaters, gray water recycling, or rainwater harvesting can drastically reduce the environmental impact you make daily. To reduce the amount of water you use, install low-flow and aerator faucets and shower heads, as well as ultra-low flow toilets. And, while these changes may seem pricey at first, they will ultimately decrease your water bill, possibly saving you up to 50 percent on water usage and your bill. Installing faucets that use sensors to shut off while you lather your hands can save up to 70 percent of the water used by manual faucets, saving as much as one gallon of water per usage. Dual-flush toilets with their two handles (one to flush urine and one to flush waste) can save up to three gallons of water per flush.
Another simple practice you might want to incorporate into your green plumbing projects is rainwater harvesting. Rainwater harvesting is accomplished by directing roof runoff into barrels, tanks, or cisterns rather than allowing it to run into gutters, downspouts, and sewers. Rainwater harvesting not only provides a free source of water for your garden and lawn, but will take some of the burden off your municipal storm sewer systems too. And, for even more water conservation and a bit more effort, you can use harvested rainwater for showering, laundry, and toilet flushing. Rainwater harvesting can even be used as a source of free drinking water, though it may require treatment before consumption.
Blog post provided by: Alpharetta Ga Licensed Plumbers
Green Plumbing Practices
In general, green plumbing practices are practices of making use of environmentally friendly, energy efficient practices in your choice of plumbing materials and the use of those plumbing materials. The goal of these green practices is to conserve our natural resources for the future and improve the environment, or at least not destroying it more than we already have. An added bonus to going green in the plumbing arena is that by conserving energy and water, you not only save the environment but you save money as well.
The top five ways you can make your home more green-plumbing friendly are:
1. Repair leaky faucets. One leaky faucet can waste over twenty gallons of water per day. So, if you are not sure that your pipes, sinks, and toilets are leak-free, contact a qualified plumber to check these out for you and have him/her repair any that are leaking.
2. Use high-efficiency toilets. You can save a lot of money and water by replacing your older or larger tank toilets with smaller high-efficiency tanks. Many of the newer water saving toilets allow for a dual flush feature, enabling you to choose a half flush or a full flush for even more water saving.
3. Insulate your pipes. Homes with piping in exterior walls cause water heat loss during cold months. As water travels from an exterior wall pipe to your faucets, it takes the water longer to warm up as it comes out of your faucet than it does with interior wall piping systems. Installing insulation around these pipes will cut down on this heat loss and save you energy and hot water costs as well.
4. Install low-flow shower heads and faucets. By installing low-flow shower heads and aerators for your sinks, you can limit water flow from shower heads and faucets and save water and money.
5. Replace your old water heater with a tankless water heater. Traditional water tank heaters constantly heat your hot water. Tankless water heaters save energy by heating only the water you need at the moment. Estimates show that tankless water heaters reduce energy costs by up to 40 or 50 percent as compared to water heaters with a tank. An added bonus to tankless water heaters is that you may even be able to get a tax credit for purchasing and installing one. Check with a qualified plumber to determine what type of tankless water heater you should purchase and how to take advantage of any tax credits due you for doing so.
By taking some relatively simple steps to change some plumbing features in your home, you can save money and energy and contribute to preservation of the environment.
Blog post provided by: Marietta GA licensed plumbers
October is National Toilet Repair Month
Repair your Toilet and Plumbing in Time for the Holidays
US based Fluidmaster (the largest manufacturer of toilet and toilet tank parts) has designated October as National Toilet Repair Month. Often times toilet repairs are overlooked by consumers making home improvements. According to recent statistics a single leaking toilet can lose up to 78,000 gallons of water per year. 78,000 is roughly the same amount of water required to fill a swimming pool.
Now, lets take a look at some simple repairs that can reduce the amount of water being wasted from your leaky toilet. Toilet repairs are simple and cost effective. Capable homeowners can complete most toilet repairs and even toilet replacement with the appropriate tools, time and effort. If as a home owner the thought of making toilet repairs seems like a task that is above your skill level, then contact a local and licensed plumber that can perform repairs quickly and efficiently with very little expense. Our Decatur Georgia licensed plumbers are happy to help if you are unable to complete the repairs yourself.
Below is a list of four toilet problems that can be easily be repaired. Each one of these repairs will cost less than $5.00.
Faulty or Worn Out Flapper
This problem can easily be diagnosed by a constantly running toilet. Most toilets use a rubber flapper to seal the bottom of the tank, being made out of rubber these flappers can decompose or warp over time, thus eliminating their ability to seal the bottom of the toilet tank. This is an easy repair to make, and a new flapper will typically cost less than $5.00 at your local home improvement center.
Cut, Repair, and Replace Rusted Toilet Bolts
Years of condensation and moisture can often lead to toilet bolts becoming excessively rusted and becoming virtually impossible to remove. In a situation where your toilet bolts are exceptionally rusted, you will need to remove your bolts with a cutting device. Our plumbing professionals have found that a dremel type of device works best, although a grinding wheel and hacksaw could be used as well.
Replace a Toilet Wax Ring
Most individuals recognize that their toilet wax ring needs to be replace when a toilet has a slight wobble, that over time begins to leak water onto the floor of their bathroom. Toilets are mounted to the floor via a wax ring that helps to seal the toilet to the drain. If the toilet had not been seated properly, this wax ring can shift and over time, allow water to seep through. As with most toilet repairs this is an easy fix. Before you begin making your repair, you will need to go to your local home repair center and purchase a new wax ring. Typically a wax ring will cost between $3.00 and $5.00 dollars.
Step One: Shut off the water at the main water line to the home, bathroom, or toilet.
Step Two: Flush the toilet one last time. This final flush should empty both the toilet tank and bowl.
Step Three: Disconnect the water line that connects to the toilet.
Step Four: Remove the nuts that keep the toilet attached to the floor.
Step Five: Pull the toilet straight up off of the floor.
Step Six: Put on rubber gloves, remove the old wax ring.
Step Seven: Place the new wax ring on the floor and then follow the above steps in reverse order to complete the project. Be sure to gently rock the toilet on the new wax ring to properly “seat” it. Additionally, be sure to tighten the bolts that attach the toilet to the floor, but do not over tighten as you can break the porcelain.
Repair or Replace a Broken Flush Handle
Most flush handles are made out of plastic and can easily wear out and break. Broken flush handles typically cost no more than $5.00 and are readily available at your local home repair center. In order to replace your flush handle, simply remove your old flush handle, and then replace with a new handle.
If in the event you start to make repairs on your toilet and you begin to feel overwhelmed contact a licensed plumber that can repair your toilet professionally.
This blog post has been provided by your local Decatur, GA Plumbers.
How can a new garage door save you money?
Is your basement frigid during winter? Does your upstairs have cold floors? Are your heating bills through the roof? If you have an old wood door or an un-insulated garage door this could be one of the reasons why. Your garage door is this largest opening in your home’s exterior and if not properly sealed or insulated it is likely to be costing you money.
A wood door has an R-value of approx 2.00, an un-insulated metal door has an R-value of approx 1.00, a 2” thick fully insulated door has an R-value close to 7.00, and a 2” thick, two sided steel, insulated door can have an R-value close to 14.00. Since we are coming up on the winter season it is important to keep the heat from escaping. A new, high R-value door is a great investment in to the life of your home, it will yield years of trouble free operation, and help save on heating and cooling costs.
Aside from the door itself, you can save money during winter by keeping the cold air out of the garage. A good seal around the door and along the top and bottom will keep out the cold and pesky critters too. A proper seal can be purchased from many home improvement stores or you can have your garage door repair professional install upon request. The trim is called garage door stop trim, make sure to request one with the “rubber flap”. The trim is usually installed on a home with metal doors, but it can be installed on a home with wood doors also.
Now, on the other hand, during summer an insulated door is also very beneficial. If your door has direct sunlight beating down on it then you can greatly benefit from an insulated door. The insulation can greatly reduce the amount of the sun’s heat that is transferred through the door into your home’s interior.
To recap, an insulated is one of the most effective ways to save money this winter, but a good seal around the door can be priceless as well. Hope this helps you save money in the near future.
Post provided by – Garage Door Service Alpharetta GA.
Water Saving Shower Heads
You’ve reduced the amount of time you spend in the shower. You’ve replaced your leaky faucets in both your bathroom and kitchen. You even replaced your toilet that wasted too much water but yet, your water bill still seems to be very high. It may be time for a new shower head. Not just any shower head, you want to purchase a green shower head designed specifically to saving water.
The average person can save around 2 to 2.5 gallons per minute if they change from an older shower head to a more efficient low flow shower head. If you take two 10 minute showers per day on average – you can save 40-50 gallons of water each day. Over the course of a month that can add up to 1,500 gallons of water/per month saved per person in your household. A household of 4 individuals can save over 6,000 gallons of water per month or 72,000 gallons of water per year – WOW!!
A “water saving” shower head saves water by decreasing the water flow while at the same time keeping the water pressure high because the shower head will aerate the water so you keep the feeling of having excellent water pressure.
Changing your water head is not expensive at all; in fact, it can help you save money. Depending on the brand you choose, it is a very minimal investment. It can cost anywhere from $10-15. Once installed, you will start saving on your water bill right away.
Quick Tip: Does your shower water rise in temperature when you flush the toilet at the same time? All you have to do is lower the temperature of your water heater to around 120° F. When all else fails, simply contact a licensed plumber to install an anti-scald valve. This should do the trick for you.
Post provided by – Plumbers Lawrenceville GA.
GREEN BENEFITS OF WATER BASED PRODUCTS OVER OIL BASED RODUCTS
There are many benefits to using latex products over oil. The paint industry has spent a lot of time and money working toward reducing VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and refining latex products. In most cases latex will outperform oil based products in application and durability. Because of the effort to “Go Green”, there has been a focused attempt at improving latex products as they are proven to be more friendly to the environment than oil based products.
One area that has seen significant improvement is Direct to Metal (DTM) products. Traditionally, oil based products were best for metal. That is not necessarily the case these days. Many of your latex products are as good or better. They have fewer VOCs and have better rust inhibitors than oil based products. Water based stains for pressure treated wood are significantly improved as well.
One of the greatest benefits of water based products is their easy clean up compared to that of oil. Water based products are much easier on the environment and do not kill plants. Traditional oil based products that clean up with mineral spirits do a lot more harm to the environment. Any vegetation that comes into contact with mineral spirits will die.
Most venders will carry a “Green” product that will be much improved in terms of VOCs over a regular latex paint they already carry. The price of this product may be a little higher than conventional products, but to most of us it will seem a modest cost to keep our environment healthy.
Post provided by – Atlanta Painters who are interested in being Green!