Greening Your Home: Sustainable Options for Every System in Your House Book

Preface     xiii
Material Changes
Environmental Impact     3
Getting More from Less     3
Making a Sandwich     3
Choosing Ingredients     4
Features and Advantages     4
Using Structural Insulated Panels     5
Putting It Together     6
Resources     6
Health Impact     7
Covering the Walls     7
Changing the Formula     7
Clearing the Air     8
Comparing Products     9
Other Surface Treatments     9
Resources     10
Availability     11
Setting Priorities     11
Seeing the Benefits     11
Common Features     12
Estimating the Costs     13
Comparing Products     13
Measuring Performance     14
Resources     15
Maintenance     17
Reducing Operating Costs     17
Using Common Terms     17
Adding Up the Points     19
Comparing Features     19
Resources     20
Durability     21
Making Sound Investments     21
Controlling Light and Heat     21
Other Environmental Benefits     22
Exterior and Interior Uses     23
Designing with Glass Block     24
Sustainability     25
Building Better Blocks     25
Trash into Treasure     26
Properties of Fly Ash     26
Benefits of Using Fly Ash     27
Who Uses Fly Ash Concrete     28
Resources     28
Renewability     29
Sustaining Growth     29
About Cork     29
Cork Floor Coverings     30
About Bamboo     31
Bamboo Floor Coverings     31
Buying Tips     32
Recyclability     33
Creating New Standards     33
About PEX     34
Finding and Buying PEX     35
Using PEX     35
About Polypropylene     36
Simplicity     37
Following Tradition     37
Benefits of Using Cedar     37
Cedar as a Construction Material     38
Cedar Siding     39
Finishing Cedar     40
Efficiency     41
Reducing Waste      41
Choosing an Insulating Material     41
Reducing Waste     42
Protecting Health     43
Hidden Hazards     43
Installing Loose Fill     43
Finding Your Number     44
Technology Changes
Electrical 1     47
Keeping Tabs     47
Getting the Big Picture     48
Seeing the Details     49
Predicting the Future     50
Electrical 2     51
Improving Safety and Security     51
Photo-Controlled Switches     51
Indoor Timers     52
Outdoor Timers     53
Power Failure Lights     53
Motion Sensor Switches     53
Home Automation Controllers and Modules     54
Now and in the Future     54
Plumbing 1     55
Slowing the Flow     55
Having WaterSense     55
WaterSense Basics     56
Certified Products     57
High-Efficiency Toilets     57
Bathroom Sink Faucets     58
Showerheads     59
Resources     59
Plumbing 2     61
Supply Meets Demand     61
Saving Energy     61
Energy Factor     62
Saving Time     63
Saving Space     63
Choosing the Right Model     64
Resources     64
Heating     65
No More Cold Feet     65
Traditional Space Conditioning     65
In-floor Heating Systems     66
New Construction     67
Remodeling     67
Retrofitting     68
Resources     68
Ventilating     69
Keeping in the Heat     69
How an HRV Works     69
Differences between HRV and ERV     70
Benefits in Comfort and Health     71
Installation Options     71
Reasons to Use an HRV     71
Finding the Right Model     72
Before You Install an HRV     72
Resources     73
Air Conditioning     75
Keeping Your Cool     75
Energy Efficiency     75
Health Considerations     76
How Air Flows through a House     77
Calculating Air Exchange Rates     78
Features and Options     78
Resources      79
Insulating     81
Benefits beyond Warmth     81
Other Properties of Insulating Materials     81
Common Insulating Products     82
Spray-Foam Insulation     83
Managing Indoor Air Quality     83
Saving Energy and Money     84
Back to Basics     84
Resources     85
Cooking     87
New Methods for Old Chores     87
Understanding Induction Cooking     87
The Biggest Differences     88
Additional Capabilities     89
Potential Drawbacks     89
Definite Advantages     89
Resources     90
Washing     91
Getting More from Less     91
How Front Loaders Work     91
Increasing Availability     92
Benefits of Horizontal Axis Washers     93
Choosing a Horizontal Axis Washer     93
Choosing a Clothes Dryer     94
Resources     94
Lifestyle Changes
Personal Choices     97
Changing Habits     97
What "Carbon Footprint" Means     97
Consumption Affects Emissions     98
Global Causes, Global Effects      99
Past, Present, and Future     99
Decisions, Not Sacrifices     99
Everyone Wins     100
Resources     101
Energy Sources     103
Discovering Your Choices     103
Changes in Recent History     103
Market Deregulation     104
A Good Place to Start     105
Same Utility, Different Source     105
Renewable Energy Certificates     105
Evaluating Green Power Sources     106
Buying Power for Buying Power     106
Resources     106
Financial Incentives     107
Investing in Futures     107
Federal Tax Credits     107
Limitations and Conditions     109
Energy Star and Tax Credits     109
Getting Over the Threshold     110
Energy Efficient Mortgages     110
Conventional EEMs     110
FHA EEMs     110
VA EEMs     111
Conclusion     111
Resources     111
Cooperative Buying     113
Shopping Locally     113
Origins of CSA     114
Philosophical Roots      115
Subscription and Shareholder Models     115
How a CSA Works     115
Growing Variety     116
Resources     116
Agricultural Independence     117
Taking Charge     117
Choosing a Container     117
Know What to Grow     118
Seeding and Transplanting     119
Growing Conditions     119
Soil     119
Light     119
Water     120
Fertilizer     120
Plant Health     120
Resources     121
Eliminating Waste     123
Organic Alchemy     123
The Composition of Decomposition     123
Ingredients for Success     124
Items to Avoid     125
How Composting Works: Five Parts     125
Nutrients     125
Particles     125
Water     126
Oxygen     126
Temperature     126
Benefits of Using Compost     126
Composting Methods     127
Resources     127
Reducing Waste     129
Saving Two Ways     129
A Definition of Graywater      129
Basic Requirements     130
How Graywater Is Collected and Used     130
Economic and Environmental Benefits     131
Using Graywater-or Not     131
Resources     132
Washing Up     133
Cleaning House     133
Health, Safety, and Comfort     133
The Basic Ingredients     134
Recipes for Special Cleaning Jobs     135
In the Kitchen     135
In the Bathroom     135
Everywhere     136
Resources     136
Second Chances     137
More Goods, Less Garbage     137
A Packaging Paradox     137
Alternative Buying Tactics     138
While Shopping     138
At Home     139
At Work     139
Resources     140
Getting Outside     141
Reinventing Landscapes     141
Perceptions and Misconceptions     141
Seven Principles of Xeriscaping     142
Saving Resources, Saving Money     143
Planning a Xeriscape     143
Preparing the Soil     144
Irrigating the Site     144
Resources      145
Index     147