6.13.2010
Green Poll
Information Provided by:Scott's Contracting GREEN BUILDER, St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri.http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com, contact scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com for additional information
Scotts Contracting-Web Page
Scotts Contracting Green Builder-HandyMan Contractor-St.Louis MO
- Affordable Punctual Experienced
- Handy Man
- General Contractor
- Promotes "Green Building Products & Services" that save You $Money$
- Products- Installation-Construction-Remodels-Rehabs
- "Build Green" and save $Money$
Solar, Solar Systems, Inverters, Installation Guides, Facts, Warranty Information, Deals of the Week
Built-in Reliability & Safety
- integrated design has 70% fewer parts and is factory assembled versus field assembled
- Built-in electrical connections and grounding will not loosen and protected wiring will not get pinched or become abraded
- panels are fully compliant with UL 1703 standards and NEC safety requirements
- requires less roof penetrations than ordinary solar
Wind Power Systems, Inverters, Back Up Power, Wind Turbine, Wind Energy, Portable Wind Power,and more
Create Your Own Electricity with Wind Power Utilize the Following Information to Find the Wind Power Generation System that is Right For You or Email Scotts Contracting and schedule a Free Site Evaluation
Green Information for Your Home and Business Needs:
Green Building Alternatives, Weatherization, Solar Power, Wind Power, Energy Star Products, Energy Saving Devices, Tips, Resources, Government Grants, more... "Build Green" and save $Money$
6.12.2010
ad-June 2010
Scotts Contracting
Green Builder-HandyMan
Contractor-St.Louis MO
* Affordable Punctual Experienced
* Handy Man
* General Contractor
* Promotes "Green Building Products & Services" that save You $Money$
* Products- Installation-Construction-Remodels-Rehabs
* "Build Green" and save $Money$
Solar, Solar Systems, Inverters, Installation Guides,
Facts, Warranty Information, Deals of the Week
Built-in Reliability & Safety
* integrated design has 70% fewer parts and is factory assembled versus field assembled
* Built-in electrical connections and grounding will not loosen and protected wiring will not get pinched or become abraded
* panels are fully compliant with UL 1703 standards and NEC safety requirements
* requires less roof penetrations than ordinary solar
Wind Power Systems, Inverters, Back Up Power, Wind Turbine,
Wind Energy, Portable Wind Power,and more
* Create Your Own Electricity with Wind Power
* Utilize the Following Information to Find the Wind Power Generation System that is Right For You
* or Email Scotts Contracting and schedule a Free Site Evaluation
Green Information for Your Home and Business Needs:
* Green Building Alternatives,
* Weatherization,
* Renewable Energy=Solar Power, Wind Power,
* Energy Star Products & Energy Saving Devices
* Tips
* Resources, Government Grants, more...
* "Build Green" and save $Money$
Green Build Project Job Site Photos
* Start to Finish Photos
* Green Build Project Notes
* Contact Scotts Contracting to Schedule your Free Green Site Inspection for your next Green Build Project
Scott's Contracting Job Site Photos
* Green and Eco Friendly Information
email: scottscontracting@gmail.com to schedule your free green site evaluation
Toilet Water Consumption
Scott's Contracting, Green Builder St Louis RENEWABLE ENERGY
Information Provided by:Scott's Contracting GREEN BUILDER, St Louis "Renewable Energy" Missouri.http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com, contact scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com for additional information
By Flush or Leak, Your Toilet Can Cause a High Water Bill
6/3/2010 11:08:56 AM
By Brenna Long
Tags: conserving water, WaterSense, efficient toilets
toilet
Looking to your toilet to solve your problems might not sound like the best idea. But if you want to save water and money, toilet-water conservation might be the answer.
The EPA estimates that a leaky toilet sends about 200 gallons of water down the pipes a day. That’s quite a chunk of the water bill considering the average family uses 400 gallons of water a day.
Those 200 gallons could be sneaking right through your toilet without you noticing. To check to see if your toilet is releasing water when it isn’t in use, just place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and watch for the dye to end up in the toilet bowl. If your toilet bowl water turns a different shade, you have a leaky toilet situation. (Make sure you flush the color before it dyes your bowl.) All that needs to be done now is to replace the flapper, which is the gate between the tank water and the bowl water. To learn more about replacing or repairing your toilet check out “Fix a Leaky Toilet.”
If you have an older model of toilet, another way to save water is to purchase a low-flow toilet or dual flush toilet approved by WaterSense, an EPA program designed to promote water conservation. Products that have the WaterSense label on them save money and water when compared to conventional products. Replacing your older model with a WaterSense toilet could reduce the flush from 3.5 gallons to 1.3 gallons or less. In addition, the dual flushing feature could continue water conservation. These types of toilets give the user the option of using more or less water per flush depending on what is needed.
I looked to see how many different options of water-efficient toilets were out there, and I was impressed. The WaterSense label graces more than 500 toilets, from A to Z (American Standard to Zurn). American Standard’s website alone offers 34 WaterSense-labeled toilets.
Another water-saving toilet feature is the SinkPositive. We discussed this new toilet innovation back in December in “Toilet-Lid Sink Combo.” The SinkPositive attaches in place of the regular toilet lid. The toilet-lid sink uses the water that runs into the toilet as hand washing water. Besides the touch free faucet and easy installation, the sink encourages water conservation. It can show a leak visually to the owner. When the toilet isn’t refilling and water is dripping from the faucet, the toilet has a leak. It also gives the toilet water a double use, and don’t worry, the sink water is just the regular water that would be used to fill up the toilet. By using this water twice, the daily water savings can be 2 gallons per person. Plus, the running water may wake you up to the amount of water it takes to fill up the toilet.
Plenty of options are available to conserve water via the toilet. And with more than 25 percent of all water usage going to the toilet, it is a good place start.
Photo by ISTOCKPHOTO/James Steidl
Green & Eco Friendly Roofing Options
Eco-friendly Roofing OptionsChoose from a variety of durable and environmentally friendly roofing materials. Let Scott's Contracting supply a FREE Green Roofing Estimate for your next roof.
Scotts Contracting offers Roofing Options that carry a "LIFE TIME GUARANTY" with prices that Start at $5 / SQ FTEmail: scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
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Recycled Shingles
Among the most popular — and perhaps the "greenest" — of all roofing products are shingles made from recycled waste materials, such as plastic, rubber or wood fiber. Some products are made from clean post-consumer waste (waste from homes), others from post-industrial waste (factory waste). Recycled-content shingles are amazingly durable, and they look nice, too. You'd never know they were made from "waste" materials!Recycled-content roof shingles help divert waste from landfills and reduce our need to extract and process raw materials, which lowers energy consumption and reduces pollution. Some of these products are recyclable, too, and many come with amazing 50-year warranties. A few even carry fire ratings that could lower your insurance rates.
Wood Shingles and Shakes
In many parts of the country, wood shingles and shakes have long been a popular choice among builders and homeowners. Unfortunately, conventional wood shingles are made from old-growth western cedar. Although the amount of energy it takes to produce this product is relatively low, the harvest of old-growth trees is not sustainable in the long run. These shingles are also quite combustible and can no longer be used in areas where there is a risk of brush and forest fires.If you would like to install wood roof shingles and local building codes permit them, consider a product made from reclaimed lumber. The Armster Reclaimed Lumber Co. in Connecticut, for example, makes roof shingles using wood reclaimed from mills, bridges, old water and wine tanks, and a number of other sources. This company acquires old wood throughout the country and makes an effort to process it locally — close to where you purchase the product — to reduce costs and transportation energy.
Another environmentally friendly wood shingle is produced by Maibec Industries in eastern Canada. The company harvests sustainably grown (certified by the Forest Stewardship Council) eastern white cedar trees to produce shakes and shingles. These are most commonly used for siding, but they can be used for roofs, if installed according to the company's recommendations.
If you'd like a roof that will outlast a conventional asphalt shingle roof and is made from environmentally friendly roofing materials, consider the products outlined here. Many of them are virtually immune to hail. Green roofing products are many and varied, ranging from recycled-plastic shingles to recycled-metal roofs to sustainably harvested or reclaimed wood roofs. The best option for your home depends on the design of your home, local building codes and price considerations.
Slate and Clay Tiles
Slate is a natural material and produces an extremely durable roof tile — one that can last hundreds of years. Several companies offer slate tiles, and one company offers a 100- year warranty, a deal that will expire long after most of us.Mining slate and transporting it to market is an energy-intensive process, but several slate roof tile manufacturers offer salvaged slate and clay roof tiles. Durable Slate in Ohio sells both. Clay tiles also are a highly durable roofing material, although they won't last as long as slate.
Metal Roofing
Many metal roofing products include at least some recycled material, but one advantage of metal roofing is that it can be recycled at the end of its life. Because metal roofs can last up to 50 years, roofing replacement is less frequent, which means less waste in the long run. They offer exceptional durability and fire-resistance, and they're ideal for those who want to collect rainwater from their roofs to water gardens (or for household uses). You don't have to worry about chemicals that might leach from a conventional asphalt roof. Standing-seam metal roofs work nicely as the base for thin-film photovoltaic panels, too.Metal roofs are great in snowy climates because they allow snow to slide off, which prevents ice dams from forming. (Ice dams can damage roofs of improperly insulated homes.) To protect walkways from snow sliding off the roof, you'll need to install snow bars or a similar device over walkways, garage doors and entryways.
Another recycled roof material is reinforced rubber shingles made from old steel-belted radial tires. The material is coated with ground slate for texture and comes in a variety of colors. A big advantage to this material is a long life and a 50-year warranty, including against hail and other extreme weather. Verify with your local building department that rubber roofs are permitted in your area before choosing this option.
Roofing Tips
Roofing is not a job for the inexperienced. It involves working at dangerous heights — possibly on steep slopes — and lifting heavy materials. Roofing requires a considerable amount of knowledge and skill, too. So, unless you've done this kind of work before, are skilled in carpentry, and perhaps have guidance from a professional roofer, this is a job best left to the pros. Read up on safety precautions before you consider doing any roof work, and never work alone.There's a wide variety of eco-friendly roofing products, so compare your options carefully. Be sure to check the materials' fire ratings, hail ratings and warranties. Call your insurance agent to see whether the product you're considering will qualify you for a discount on your homeowner's insurance.
To re-roof your home, you'll likely need to obtain a building permit and pass an inspection. Be sure your building department approves the shingle product you've selected before you lay your money down!
Although the products discussed in this article offer many benefits, they do have some downsides. Some of them are not as widely available as conventional roofing products, so you may have to shop around to find the option you want. Many green building material outlets sell roofing products. Green Building Products: The GreenSpec Guide to Residential Building Materials provides a helpful listing of environmentally friendly products and manufacturers.
You may also have to shop around to find a roofing contractor who is familiar with the product you're interested in using. Some of these products are relatively new to the market and, although they've been tested, not many roofers have experience with them. When shopping for an environmentally friendly shingle, try to talk to roofers who have installed it, not just to a salesperson. Also ask your roofing contractor whether your old asphalt shingles can be recycled. Some companies grind asphalt shingles to create products for roadway maintenance and repair.
Additional Notes: If you're interested in a slate or clay tile roof, either new or recycled, remember the framing of your roof needs to be strong enough to support the weight of these tiles, which can be substantial. You may need to consult with a structural engineer or with your building department to determine whether your framing is up to the task.
The Cost of a Metal Roof vs. Other Options
Eco-friendly roofing products typically cost more than asphalt shingles — sometimes two to four times more — but you most likely get a product that will outlast two or three conventional roofs, saving you substantially over the long term. You may also qualify for lower insurance rates. These benefits add value to your home, whether you stay there or sell it, and you're also helping promote a healthier, more sustainable world.
Metal roof cost estimate: Installation of standing-seam metal roofing on 2,500-squarefoot, two-story house (area of the roof estimated at 1,500 square feet), does not include cost of removing old shingles:
Cost for materials only: $6,300
Contractor's total, including materials, labor and markup: $9,800 (about $6.53 per square foot)
Other options, per square foot installed:
Laminated, asphalt, 30-year shingles: $3.15
Cedar shingles: $6.65
Clay tile: $9.20
Costs are national averages and do not include sales tax.
Cool Roofs That Reduce Air-Conditioning Bills
Consider a cool roofing material if you live in a hot, sunny climate. Cool roofs reflect heat instead of absorb it, which helps make your home more comfortable and reduce air conditioning costs. Check with your local building department or neighborhood association for possible roof color restrictions.Let Scott's Contracting supply a FREE Green Roofing Estimate for your next roof.
Scotts Contracting offers Roofing Options that carry a "LIFE TIME GUARANTY" with prices that Start at $5 / SQ FT
Email: scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
Human Powered Generators: Cheap and Easy Renewable Energy
Renewable energy. Energy-efficient homes. Green vehicles. It's all about energy.
Human-powered generators cleverly derive electricity from something we already use in abundance — human movement — offering an easy way to tap renewable energy for anyone interested in a low-impact lifestyle. In the past, a few dedicated individuals have used contraptions like bicycle generators to help power their homes, while campers and disaster-ridden populations have long depended upon hand-crank appliances, like radios. These contraptions convert the force of human motion into renewable energy, which in turn powers your appliances. Capturing this free and abundant power source for electricity continues to become increasingly streamlined and efficient with time. Here are a few creative ways others have turned everyday movement into energy powerhouses.
Children's Playtime Energy Powers Gadgets
Every day 200 schoolchildren in Essam, Ghana spin around their favorite toy, a merry-go-round, as they simultaneously light up their school building's LED bulbs. Empower Playgrounds develops playground equipment that converts the energy of children's play into electricity for rural African villages. In 2008 the non-profit sponsored students from Brigham Young University to help Ghanaians 
A few adventurous individuals have taken the idea a step closer to home by making their own motion generating swing sets.
And if you're tired of replacing batteries for your children's toys, SONY sells a line of motion-powered toys for children called ODO, which includes video and still picture cameras and headphones. These gadgets, created with recycled materials or Bioplastic, power themselves with simple actions like cranks or buttons.
Human Power Revolving Door Powers Train Station
Consider every object you move in a day — every door you push through, every button you press, and every time you turn the steering wheel. What if you captured all of the energy that you routinely spend and turned it into electricity?
Boon Edam, a revolving door and turnstile manufacturer, wondered the same thing. Thus, the company developed a revolving door that generates electricity from the commuters who push through it every day. The first one, created in 2008, beckons customers into the Driebergen-Zeist train station in the Netherlands. The energy generated by the door (approximately 2.5 times greater than the energy usage of the average European), powers the LED lights in the ceiling, which can switch to an alternative energy supply in case too few passengers travel through the door.
Boon Edam claims that the energy conserved by their revolving doors worldwide has exceeded 735,000 kWh to date, more than the small island of Monhegan uses in two years. That translates into a reduction of over 730,000 pounds of CO2 emissions.
Photos courtesy of Brigham Young University and Boon Edam
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Scott's Contracting
314-243-1953
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com
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