Indoor Air Quality Checklist Maggie Leslie Ensuring healthy indoor air quality in a home starts with the very foundation. Many simple building techniques, from radon-resistant construction to drainage planes, can prevent unwanted air-quality problems in the future. To prevent unwanted moisture and contaminants from entering, it is very important...
Article Category: Technical Checklists
Checklist: Choosing a green builder
Checklist: Choosing a green builder By Hans Doellgast on 03/22/2010 As people become educated about the benefits of building and owning a green-built home, more builders are advertising themselves as "green" builders. For the most part, this is a good thing. For those of us who have preached environmentally sensitive building...
Top 10 signs of greenwashing
Top 10 signs of greenwashing By on 03/22/2010 Fluffy language: Words or terms with no clear meaning (e.g. "eco-friendly"). Green product vs. dirty company: Such as efficient light bulbs made in a factory that pollutes rivers. Suggestive pictures: Green images that indicate an unjustified green impact (e.g. flowers blooming from exhaust pipes). Irrelevant claims: Emphasizing...
Technologies explained
Technologies explained By Elizabeth Koenig on 03/22/2010 What are carbon offsets? First calculate your "carbon footprint" by using one of the many online tools (simply perform a search for "carbon offsets" using any search engine). To get an accurate number, you will need to know your utility usage and fuel consumption....
Green-building glossary
Green-building glossary By Maggie Leslie on 03/22/2010 Advanced Framing: Framing techniques that use less lumber, thereby reducing material cost and use of natural resources, and increasing the level of insulation as a result. Also known as Optimum Value Engineering. (9) Air Barrier: A rigid material installed around a building frame to prevent or...
Checklist: Installing Insulation the right way
Checklist: Installing Insulation the right way By Maggie Leslie on 03/22/2010 There are many types of insulation. The most common type is batt, or blanket-type insulation (typically fiberglass). This is the least expensive but requires careful installation to ensure 100-percent coverage. Blown types, such as fiberglass, cellulose (made from recycled newspaper)...
Checklist: Indoor air quality
Checklist: Indoor air quality By Maggie Leslie on 03/22/2010 Ensuring healthy indoor air quality in a home starts with the very foundation. Many simple building techniques, from radon-resistant construction to drainage planes, can prevent unwanted air-quality problems in the future. To prevent unwanted moisture and contaminants from entering, it is very...
Checklist: HVAC
Checklist: HVAC By Maggie Leslie on 03/22/2010 A home can be heated or cooled using electricity, gas, geothermal energy, solar energy or a combination of energy sources. Radiant floor-heating systems are an inherently efficient way to heat, since there is no heat lost through ductwork, but a forced-air heating system can...
Checklist: Energy-efficient retrofit
Checklist: Energy-efficient retrofit By Maggie Leslie on 03/22/2010 The average American family spends about $1,500 a year on utility bills, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute. This could be reduced dramatically by making a few adjustments and improvements. Some energy-saving measures are simple and inexpensive, while others are more complex and...
Checklist: Air sealing
Checklist: Air sealing By Maggie Leslie on 03/22/2010 Air sealing is a crucial part of building a healthy, energy-efficient home. Below is a checklist of items to use to ensure proper air sealing when building or renovating a conventional stick-frame home. A leaky home will decrease the R-value of your insulation...