Green building systems

[Rod]

I am reviewing some of the alternative green building systems and thought I'd share some of the information that I've come up with:
SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) Structural Insulated Panel Association - Energy Efficient Building Design and Construction for wall, roof construction.
Superior Wall Systems Superiorwalls.com - Precast Concrete Wall, Basement, Insulation Panel, Energy Efficient for foundation, basements, and walls.
Ground Source Heat Pumps IGSHPA - Down to Earth Energy energy efficient heating/cooling in most any situation.
Photovoltaics NREL: Learning - Photovoltaics for converting sunlight into electricity.
Residential wind turbine info What do I need to know to purchase a residential wind turbine?
I'm working in Colorado and these systems generally qualify for rebates or tax incentives. Most states allow the residential home builder to recieve some sort of cash incentive for implimenting green technologies.

[TheAllusionist]

Good stuff Rod, thanks for sharing, we have a sustainable type thread around here that I will try to transfer here as well.

[Rod]

Ever wonder where all those worn out blue jeans go? Bonded Logic - Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation
Here is a green inslulation product envrionmentally friendly made from those jeans. Used this in a house i'm building right now, very user friendly, no itchiness stuffing the stuff into cracks.

[TheAllusionist]

I imagine it has some sort of funguside and mildew inhibitor? Sorry, didn't have time to read through the literature, and you don't have to answer, just thinking outloud!

[Rod]

The insulation is treated with a borate type fire retardant this application also acts as a pest, mold and mildew inhibitor. It also recieves LEED credits.

[Rod]

First LEED Certified MLB Stadium [Nationals]
Looks like the concept is becoming reality. Good for the Washington Nationals.

[vkirchner]

I am currently assisting Engineering support for the design and analysis of an inexpensive compressed earth block machine. The base design is not my own, but I believe in alternative building materials for a greener earth so I volunteered my assistance.

Factor E Farm Weblog Blog Archive CEB Phase 1 Done

I have even gotten approval by the Wife that she would live in a home built with dirt, the straw bale and papercrete were a little too much for her to agree to.

Regards
Vince

[Rod]

Rammed earth is an efficient way to go no doubt. I don't know if the market is quite ready for it. I'd be concerned that if I were to have to sell the daggon house that I'd not have a very wide buying public. Given the right circumstances where out buildings and the like are included this would be quite handy. We have several straw bail and rammed earth houses around here. A geodesic dome or two as well. All of which I have seen for sale, for years.... I'm a proponent of the method and given enough time the concept may take hold. It's a very labor intensive operation as well and the end product could be expensive. I understand daily turning of the bricks are required for a long time for the sun dried method. For an individual it may work if ya like to play with mud on the weekends <g>

[vkirchner]

I know that New Mexico has a CEB building code established, but I am not aware of any other state that has accepted or been a proponent fo such a building code. I spoke with our County Engineer, and he stated that any material that passes the structural guidelines he was approve. But your comments are valid for the resale of such a home.

My parents have retired to an apartment right next door to our home. my Dad struggles every year with the rising cost of fuel to heat and air conditioning the house. He has told me many times over build the most efficient home you can afford when you retire, so that is what we are planning. A very efficient small home for retirement, hopefully capable of off the grid if necessary but efficient none the less.

I spoke with a few people that have built straw bale homes, the owner built must pay particular attention to sealing the home at the end of the build where the WAC method people (write a check) did not have the worry. No papercrete around here, straw bale within 120 miles of us. Surprising several underground and cord wood houses within 5-10 miles.

Vince

[TheAllusionist]

This is pretty cool stuff, I saw and add or something the other day that gave stats on what percentage of the world lived or worked in earth based shelters and the percentage was actually quite staggering, it is quite prevalent throughout the world, just not here in the States.

My Uncle who is an architect is working with 'Green Roofs' of another kind and that is with moss, it's roots don't penetrate if you prepare the surface correctly, and debris that falls on the roof is absorbed as nutrients by the moss, it is self watering, repairing and feeding in the proper climates. Of course it is only feasible in wet climates like the Pacific Norhtwest and rain forest, but you don't have much load on the structure because you are not providing a bed of dirt for it to grow in.

I personally always wanted a cave home with the opening overlooking something interesting and facing the south so that I could capture and redirect the light inside, but for the most part it would maintain a constant temperature inside.