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.

Twitter          (314) 669-5598          Facebook

Web Site: http://stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scottscontracting@gmail.com
Job Site Photo Album 
Green Blog

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


________________________________________

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