When you are trying to build or remodel, one thing to consider is the amount of carbon dioxide that went into the atmosphere to create that product. You can get some determination by considering the 'embodied energy' that went into a product. (how much energy did it take to create the product and get it to me)
Say you're re-doing your floors. You've got a slab concrete floor and your looking at some options:
Here are some things to think about-
1. How far did this product travel to get to me?
2. How much processing went into creating this product?
3. How long will this product last?
You can stain your concrete floors (minimal product).
You can use a quarried stone flooring which is created locally. (minimal processing)
You can use a ceramic tile (heat fired to high tempuratures equals higher embodied energy)
You can use cork (renewable resource)
You can use hardwood (lower processing than laminate, and you can refinish them later)
You can use wood laminate (less expensive, less trees)
You can use a rug (less expensive, but needs to be changed out more often than the other options, making it the least preferable option)
This is your green realtor signing off!
Stay warm and stay green!
Patty Sylvana, green Realtor
patty@austingreenrealtors.com
(512) 297-5658
Monday, December 10, 2007
Building Green and Embodied Energy
I recently attended the Affordable Green Home building conference held by America Youthworks. This sharp group has a educational program for youth which trains them on all aspects of green building from the ground up! They have worked with SIPS panels, Strawbale and many other products.
One new player to the scene is a company called Flexcrete. This is a pumice stone type of material made of concrete, lots of little air bubbles and some other secret stuff. Because it is not cured by heating it up, the embodied energy is lower than many other products. It is also fairly local- the company is out of Houston. You can get it in cinderblock like sections or in larger sheets. Ideal covering for it would be stucco. This material is not just an affordable option, it is a great local green option! There are some very sharp high end homes built with it.
You can check them out at www.flex-crete.com
One new player to the scene is a company called Flexcrete. This is a pumice stone type of material made of concrete, lots of little air bubbles and some other secret stuff. Because it is not cured by heating it up, the embodied energy is lower than many other products. It is also fairly local- the company is out of Houston. You can get it in cinderblock like sections or in larger sheets. Ideal covering for it would be stucco. This material is not just an affordable option, it is a great local green option! There are some very sharp high end homes built with it.
You can check them out at www.flex-crete.com
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