Fake or Real Xmas Trees- Green or Not

Have you ever wondered are the Real X-mas trees you buy green or is it better to use a Plastic Tree? What's Greener: Real or Artificial Christmas Trees?

Photo: Shutterstock

Have you ever wondered if it's more eco-friendly to buy a real or an artificial Christmas tree? Even the most well-intentioned greenies fall on both sides of the debate. Could it actually be good to cut down a tree? Should you buy something you can reuse over and over? Believe it or not, real trees are always the eco-friendlier choice. Read the reasons why, and try a new type of tree this holiday season.

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First Floor Ceiling Joist Reinforcement-Benton Project

On the Benton Project we found that the Structural Lumber was in good shape for the most part on this stage of the building project.  During the Design Build Demo we removed a staircase that did not meet current building codes and because the area was not framed to current build techniques for proper structural support

Notes:

1.  removed the stair case- and carefully supported the area during with adjustable 'House Jacks'

2. We added additional Support Joists and  Joist Hangers for the ceiling and floor

3.  Added 3/4 in plywood on the floor

4. Built a Laundry Room in place of 1/2 of the Removed Stair Way. Note 2-  The Front Wall of the Laundry Room now supports the Area where the Ceiling Joists needed extra support see photo below. 

5. Because all the 2nd Floor Plumbing, 2nd Floor Laundry Room, was located directly above this Area we ran all the pipes, exhaust vents, etc in the Lowered Ceiling of the 1st Floor Laundry Room and Bathroom Stack Wall.

removed the stair case- and carefully supported the area during with adjustable 'House Jacks'

We added additional Support Joists and  Joist Hangers for the ceiling and floor

Support Joists and  Joist Hangers

• Built a Laundry Room in place of 1/2 of the Removed Stair Way. Note 2-  The Front Wall of the Laundry Room now supports the Area where the Ceiling Joists needed extra support see photo below. 

• Because all the 2nd Floor Plumbing, 2nd Floor Laundry Room, was located directly above this Area we ran all the pipes, exhaust vents, etc in the Lowered Ceiling of the 1st Floor Laundry Room and Bathroom Stack Wall.

See More of the  

Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

How To Save Money And Make Your Business Sustainable

For businesses large and small, there is a continuing quest to make operations more eco-friendly and sustainable as part of the growing clamour to be a leader in social responsibility. In many cases, running a more sustainable operation means that there are also significant money savings to be made. What are the best options available to both large and small businesses, which will reduce their carbon footprint as well as make their bottom line look healthier?

Guest Post courtesy of Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy

Premises

One of the growing trends in building design is that of the ETFE roof. As well as being prominent in many modern designs, the understanding of the impact an ETFE roof can have on a business has seen it become a highly sought after solution by many business owners. Whether it is building their own premises or renting a commercial property, ensuring the building has an ETFE roof can lead to many ecological and financial benefits for a business.

Benefits of using an ETFE roof include:

· Cheaper and greener construction than glass, as well as weighing only 1% of the equivalent area of glass, meaning other environmentally damaging construction materials do not need to be used as much in supporting the roof structure.

· Much higher levels of light transmission than glass, meaning the building can benefit from much lower lighting costs – both an environmental and financial plus!

· An ETFE roof acts as a natural insulator for a building, so similar to the last point, a building will see their heating usage and subsequent bills reduced massively. With most heat from buildings lost through the roof, ETFE could well be the answer you need.

Owners of small business are often paralysed by the feeling that they are unable to have any wide impact on the overall environment; however by choosing a premises with an ETFE roof they will be doing exactly that. The financial benefits also associated with ETFE roofing can also be a huge incentive to new businesses looking to reduce costs.

Alternatives

There are other many widely used alternatives that business owners can use to save money. Building a premises, or renting one, with an ETFE roof is not always possible, so what are the other options available?

· Cut down carbon emissions caused by journeys to work – are any of your team able to work from home? Even considering a property with an ETFE roof, do you need a premises at all?

· Use energy monitoring and saving appliances throughout your business to reduce usage and costs.

· Ensure you recycle as much as possible.

By carrying out these small, simple, yet massively effective steps, you can potentially save your business a lot of money moving forward. Try and affiliate yourself with an environmental awareness group or another that produces certifications, so you can build your credibility as an environmentally aware and friendly business, while all the time continuing to grow profits.

URL: http://www.vector-foiltec.com/
Keywords: ETFE roof


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Green Blog <http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com>

See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

~Improving the Curb Appeal~

~Paint Pro Tip # 36~

Benton Rehab Project-

See the Difference a few Gallons of Exterior Grade White Paint can do!

-Before Painting Benton Project-
Scotts Contracting, St Louis MO Nov 2012

Front View before painting Benton Project
Scotty-Scotts Contracting

After Photo: What a difference a few Gallons of Good Quality Exterior Grade White Paint will do to increase the Curb Appeal- Benton Project- Scotts Contracting-St Louis Renewable Energy

See More of the  

Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab

Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172

Part 14: Custom Flooring Patch Hardwood Floor Repair-Benton Rehab

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Exterior 2x6 Wall Framing-Benton

See More of the  

Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Missouri- court upholds renewable energy rules

Missouri court upholds renewable energy rules [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

By Jeffrey Tomich, St. Louis Post-Dispatch McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Nov. 20--A Missouri appeals court on Tuesday upheld Public Service Commission rules outlining how the state's renewable energy law is implemented.

The opinion from the Western District Court of Appeals reverses a lower court order concerning the impact of the green power mandate on electric rates. Earlier this year, a Cole County Circuit Court judge had declared the rules "unlawful and unreasonable" and remanded the matter back to the PSC.

Tuesday's court decision is a victory both for the PSC, which spent months developing the rules, and renewable energy advocates, who filed a brief on the commission's behalf.

Henry Robertson, a lawyer representing Renew Missouri, said the lower court ruling could have had a "crippling effect" on efforts to advance green power in the state if it had been upheld.

Missouri voters approved the state's renewable energy standard by a 2-1 ratio in 2008. The law requires Ameren and other for-profit utilities to gradually increase the use of renewable energy through 2021, when 15 percent of their power must come from wind, sun and other renewable resources.

The law says the use of renewable energy cannot cause electric rates to rise more than 1 percent from what they would be otherwise. The rate cap provision in the rules was at the heart of the legal battle.

The PSC rules require utilities to use a 10-year average when calculating the 1 percent rate impact to allow for higher upfront costs. Utilities argued for a narrower definition of how rates are affected.

Tuesday's court decision is the latest chapter in a long-standing battle over how for-profit utilities in Missouri must add renewable energy to their generating portfolios. And it may not be over yet.

Ameren Missouri and other utilities that challenged the PSC rules may seek a rehearing or try to get the state Supreme Court to take up the case.

An official with Missouri Energy Development Association, the utility lobby in the state, wasn't available Tuesday afternoon. An Ameren Missouri spokeswoman said the utility had no immediate comment and said the utility was still reviewing the court opinion.

___

(c)2012 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Visit the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at www.stltoday.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services

Headline Story | equities.com





 Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

1st Floor Weatherization-Benton Project

3 Main Energy Efficiency Measures Taken on the Benton Project

1. R22 Insulation installed in 2x6 Wall Framing Members

1. Vapor and Air Filtration Barrier

1. Additional HVAC Cold Air Return Duct

R22 Batt Type Insulation-Friction Fit-
Johns Mansfield No Itch Insulation

Water and Air Barrier

The Above Photo is the Water and Vapor Barrier used to seal the wall frame.  This material is recycled Billboard Sign Material.  The true R-Value of the Material is not known.  We do know that the material is Ten Times stronger and thicker than normal vapor barriers on the Market today. 

I added an additional HVAC 'Return' Air Duct to help
the Efficiency of the Electric Furnace

before Modern Day Insulation they used Hair, Newspaper,
and other Miscellaneous Materials

See More of the  

Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

 

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

 

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

We're hiring, our Festival Kick-off, & more!

November 2012

Thursday is America Recycles Day
and our Festival Kick-off!

Best wishes for the season: Celebrate your accomplishments, be
thankful for life's gifts, & look forward to a bright future!

Applications are now available for Earth Day Action Grants.

Last month we introduced you to our new grant program, funded through
the St. Louis Earth Day Festival. Earth Day Action Grants will allow
us to expand our mission by awarding support to community projects
that promote the values of Earth Day.

Read more and apply online today! -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/f12edc41cd

Deadline approaching for Symposium proposals: December 15th.

We are currently seeking presentation proposals for the 13th annual
Earth Day Symposium - Climate Trends: Impacts & Adaptation, held
March 19-20, 2013.

The Earth Day Symposium provides educational and networking
opportunities for local government officials, community leaders and
professionals from diverse backgrounds in the planning and
environmental fields.

Read more. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/6b72bb3e27
-
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/bd717a3144

We're hiring!

If you are an organized and positive individual who is passionate
about the environment, consider joining our event planning team!

We are currently hiring for two positions to assist in planning for
our St. Louis Earth Day Festival on April 20-21, 2013 and the Earth
Day Symposium on March 19-20, 2013.

Visit our website for details on how to apply. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/920ac4148a
-
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/6b36520936

-
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/10ee798511 -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/ed0f67dd14 -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/cf33ef5986 -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/4511dcb0aa
stlouisearthday | #STLearthday

-
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/10e2600b04

2013 St. Louis Earth Day Celebrations
*Earth Day Eve**
April 20, 4pm – 7pm
*Earth Day Festival*
April 21, 11am – 6pm
Find out more. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/0591176814

Registration is now open!
Participate in a 24-year-old community tradition as a vendor or
exhibitor at the St. Louis Earth Day Festival.
Register online today. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/a663a75ba0

Sponsor the 3rd largest Earth Day celebration in the country.
- Promote your brand, products, and services to an environmentally
conscious audience.

- Highlight what your company is doing to support environmental
stewardship.

- Strengthen your brand's association with environmental action,
education, and awareness.
Find out more today. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/84bc9095c0

Sustainability at the SLIFF.

The 2012 St. Louis International Film Festival started last week and
continues through this coming weekend. We combed through the
documentary listing and found these films that include themes of
sustainability.
See SLED film picks. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/3040a70a6e

ROG season comes to an end.

Saturday will be our last full service event of the 2012 Recycling On
the Go season. Many thanks to our sponsors, partners, events,
volunteers, and staff. We've accomplished great things!
Read more. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/4f6f65633c

Join us tomorrow as we kick-off planning for the 2013 Festival!

Thursday, 11.15.12, 5:30-7:30pm
Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave., Maplewood MO
RSVP online. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/03432c5540/context=create

Join us for light refreshments, compliments of our host, Schlafly.
We'll be sharing what's new at the 24th annual celebration, as well
as taking your suggestions and feedback.

Any and all who are interested in learning more about being a
Sponsor, Vendor/Exhibitor, or Volunteer at the event are encouraged
to join us!

Also, you can take advantage of a last chance to enter our Earth Day
Half Birthday Contest. Prizes will also be drawn for those who
recycled, spotted a Festival t-shirt, or ate at a Green Dining
Alliance certified restaurant this past month. Prizes include:

2012 Festival t-shirtspair of Ojos sunglassesVIP Brewery Tour &
Tasting at Schlafly Tap Roomeco-friendly cleaning kit from Stratus
Building Solutionsa bottle of organic Merlot w/upcycled drink
coasters

-
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/eb4434ad84

Get contest details. -
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/23062ff7ce

-
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?St.LouisEarthDay/2a522080b9/c3e69a3842/de1497f40e

_________________________________________________________________
St. Louis Earth Day sent this email free of charge using
VerticalResponse for Non-Profits. Non-Profits email free. You email
affordably.

St. Louis Earth Day
P.O. Box 190681
St. Louis, MO 63119
USA



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Twitter <http://twitter.com/StLHandyMan> *(314) 669-5598*
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Web Site: http://stlouisrenewableenergy.com<http://stlouisrenewableenergy.com>
scottscontracting@gmail.com
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Green Blog <http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com>

Repairing Water Damge-Exterior Wall-Benton Project

Our Safety was the first thing in order on this stage of the project.

We ensured this by utilizing the Temporary Support Posts seen in the photo below.   Because the water damage to the: 2x6 Wall Framing, Sheeting; was so severe we used 5 Temporary Support Posts in a 6ft Square Area.  One post held up the Buildings Roof and Overhang; while the remaining were used to hold up the 2nd Floor Floor Joists.

1. Add Support Posts 5 Total
2. Carefully Remove Water Damaged Lumber
3. Dig 2 Piers
4. Set Sono Tube and Rebar
5. Fill with Concrete
6. Allow to Cure
7. Fix the 1st Floor Floor Joists and Attach to the New Band Board with Joist Hangers
8. Build the 2x6 Exterior Wall
9. Repair the water damaged floor boards
10. Add Exterior Sheeting 
11. See Upcoming Blog Post on 2nd Floor Framing and Adding Support Beam

In the Photo Below-

What were they thinking? See the Blog Posting by Clicking here.

Exposing the Water Damaged Wood Prior to Repair

Good View of the Support Posts used to Stabilize the 2nd Floor and Roof

Directly above the Ladder in the Photo below- notice that there isn't a Support Beam under the 3rd Floor Floor Joists.[Cantilevered Floor Joists]   Granted the Building had stood for 100+years.  But we decided to add a Decorative Beam across the Entire Rear of the Building.  See Future Blog Posting: Framing the Second Floor.

1st Floor Wall Framed and Sheeted onto the Second Floor. 

See More of the  

Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab

Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172

Part 14: Custom Flooring Patch Hardwood Floor Repair-Benton Rehab

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Paint Pro Tip #35

by Scotty-Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy

*As seen in the following photo: Use an Old T-Shirt to cover the Tank on a toilette bowl before painting for easy clean up. See the Benton Rehab Green Blog Series at:http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2012/10/series-green-blog-posts-covering.html 

Paint Pro Tip #35 by Scotty, Scotts Contracting-St Louis Renewable Energy

* * * I recommend to remove the Tank Lid before placing the T-Shirt around the Tank before painting.  This will alleviate the possibility of breaking an expensive Tank Lid when removing the T-Shirt after painting.

Send your construction tips to scotts contracting and I will gladly post them on this Green Blog.  Build a Green St Louis, Scotty



This Tip was used in the Benton Rehab Project- Total Rehab of a 4 Family Building see the Blog Series via Google + or at http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com

See More of the  

Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room

Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project

Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab

Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172

Part 14: Custom Flooring Patch Hardwood Floor Repair-Benton Rehab

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

What were they thinking?

Fixing A Prior Home Repair Gone Wrong- Instead of fixing the wall correctly they choose to cobble it together.

 I want to point out the 2nd Floor Area.  Note: There are 2 Floors.  Why would the prior no-good carpenter build the double floor this way?  The Answer goes back to the prior photos and a hint in the History of the Building.

• See Photo Above
• Hint: I mentioned a water collection system called a Cistern in the History of the Building.  
• My Definition: Small Water Collection Tank, that is generally attached to a home kitchen area via a "Old Time Hand Pump" which brought the water into the home.
• Though the original plumbing was long gone.  We did find a 200 Gallon Cast Iron Cistern located just off the Corner of the Building.  Directly under the Corner of the Building in the spot where the Pier Footing should be.

We determined that:

1. The Original build of the Structure had started to sink in this area.

2. the prior carpenter had built (flim-flamed) a 2nd Floor above the Sinking Floor.

3. Eventually the corner still continued to sink and when it sank enough for Water to work its way into the building. The Damage escalated.  Once that happens-as you can tell;it is a major renovation project, to fix the water damage.

See More of the  

Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series

Part 1: History

Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair

Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1

Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2

 

Part 5: What were they thinking?

Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35

 

Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall

Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization

Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

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