Science Exploratory Spring 2008
Research Webquest
GreenHouse – How to make a low-carbon footprint home
Why greener? Cost-saving benefits Better for personal environment Sustainable for future Improves resale value of home Implementation can be gradual
http://www.dmhabitatrestore.org/
Construction materials
Recycled metals Reclaimed lumber Concrete – more than
foundations Waterproofing Recycled insulation Build within land type
& not against it
Construction materials websites: http://www.reclaimed-lumber.com/index.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Parks_Recreation/parks_lumber/par
ks_index_lumber.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_adhesives/build_adh
esives_titebond.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_deckin
g_evergrain.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_deckin
g_ipe.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_deckin
g_ipe.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_deckin
g_ipe.htm http://www.cement.org/homes/ch_buildsys.asp http://www.aquasealusa.com/waterproofing-products.htm
HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) Hot water heaters: gas or electric? Hot water heat: timed or reserve? Furnaces, A/C, heat-pumps A/C w/o HCFC Heated floors
HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) websites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_heating http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_pump http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/ren
ewable/geothermal.html http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/HVA
C/high-efficiency-air-conditioners http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/publi
c/documents/pub/phtv_se_he_bu_000589.hcsp http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/publi
c/documents/pub/phtv_se_he_bu_000593.hcsp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underfloor_heating
Wiring Recycled metals New alloys Minimize amount necessary Think to future tech advances Avoid going up walls;
instead flow down to
lowest level Wireless power?
Wiring websites
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/03/ultratouch_recy.php
http://www.bldgdesign2020.com/news/down_to_the_wire.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21871209-2703,00.html
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/wireless-0607.html
Plumbing
Metal or non-metal? Grey water redistribution:
sink to stool to septic Unify locations vertically Appliances: minimize water
usage; plan for this in plumbing
Plumbing websites
http://www.innerlineplumbing.com/services/usgbc-leed/
http://www.buildinggreen.com/menus/headings.cfm?SubtopicID=24
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_water_system
http://www.waterwall.com.au/
Walls and coverings Movable wall systems Design for ventilation
& heat distribution Mold prevention Paint or paper? Wall insulators:
hidden treasures
of the past
Walls and coverings websites http://www.kwik-wall.com/products/glass/default.asp http://www.milkpaint.com/path_walls.html http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200503/hiddenlife.a
sp http://www.limepaint.com/home.htm http://www.sprig.com/home/flow-wallpaper/ http://www.sprig.com/tags/wallpaper/ http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/wall
paper/new_products http://www.amicusgreen.com/v1/products.htm
Septic and sewer Grey-water re-distribution Laterals and sewer lines Size matters: pipes and waste Passive water systems:
cisterns Composting Waste treatment at home
Septic and sewer websites
http://www.oasisdesign.net/design/consult/specialties.htm
http://www.econova.com.au/detail.php?ID=2 http://www.compostingtoilet.org/ http://www.waterless.com/ http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/gray-water-rec
yclng-a-nice-way-to-conserve-water/
Insulation Recycled: good for people & environment Reused: shred Know your R’s Let it breathe Too tight? Look to the past:
use local ecosystem
as sample insulation
techniques
Insulation websites:
RECYCLED:http://www.hopeiowa.org/hope_bargain/index.html#Anchor-Recycling-37516http://www.aip.org/dbis/stories/2006/15161.htmlhttp://www.nuwool.com/http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/03/ultratouch_recy.phphttp://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_insulation/build_cotton_insulation.htm
Roofing
Asphalt Shingles Solar Shingles Metal roofs Roof vents Traditional methods Hot and cold: finding
a happy medium
Roofing websitesASPHALT:
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Asphalt_Shingles-Asphalt_Shingles-A1464.html
http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_decking/build_decking_ipe.htm
SOLAR:http://www.oksolar.com/roofhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_shingleshttp://www-personal.umich.edu/~bgoodsel/solar/blog.htm
http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/bp_mechanical/article/0,2617,HPRO_20151_4243877,00.htmlhttp://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/sunslates_solar.phphttp://www.treehugger.com/design_architecture/
METAL:http://www.newenglandmetalroof.com/http://www.hometips.com/cs-protected/guides/metal_roofs/metalroof_benefits.htmlhttp://www.coolmetalroofing.com/content/about/
Windows and doors
Know your gasses Insulation is a must Recycled: metal and wood Vinyl and the seasons Styles: folding, sliding, and pocket Windows to the inside: resurgence of the
pass-through Use your assets and look to the stars
Windows and doors websites
http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/pac_ctnt/text/0,,HPRO_20196_33653,00.htm
http://www.greenconcepts.com/producttips/buildingcomponents/window.html
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_anat_window
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/understanding-energy-efficient-windows.aspx
http://www.bpa.gov/energy/n/energy_Tips/weatherization/stormwindows.cfm
Flooring
Recycled: glass, bamboo,
cork, carpet, laminate Reused: lumber, bamboo,
tile Are you jelling? –
cushioning and
underlayment Sealants
Flooring websites http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/ecotimber/wood/build_fl
ooring_ecotimber_wood.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/ecotimber/bamboo/buil
d_flooring_ecotimber_bamboo.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/cork/build_cork_index_
cork.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/linoleum/build_linoleum
.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/build_flooring_pet.htm http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/build_flooring/build_flooring_wool.htm http://www.simplefloors.com/products/Laminate-Flooring/category3.aspx?g
clid=CMXg3vHkuZECFQQjPAodJ3AhCg http://jonapanels.wordpress.com/ http://www.eco-buildingproducts.com/product/ecosurfaces/ecosurfaces_ec
osilence_floor_underlayment_4mm_thickness http://www.ecoproducts.com/Building/index_build_finishes/build_finishes_o
s_hardwax.htm http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/productlist.shtml http://www.amicusgreen.com/v1/products.htm
Countertops, sinks, lavatories Recycled glass composites Multi-composites: looks like the real deal
Countertops, sinks, lavatories websites http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/co
untertops/ http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/p
roduct_detail/411/C158 http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/p
roduct_detail/287/C158 http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/p
roduct_detail/704/C158 http://www.theswancorp.com/
Durable goods (big-ticket items) Energy-efficiency:
Front-load washers Dryers that use latent heat for hang dry items Side-by-side vs. top stack refrigerators Convection microwaves Toaster ovens – keep it simple LCD v. plasma Chest freezers
Durable goods (big-ticket items) websites http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=clotheswash
.pr_clothes_washers http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/np_supplyhouse/article
/0,2623,HPRO_22396_4762438,00.html http://www.sunfrost.com/refrigerators_main.html http://www.getwithgreen.com/2007/10/13/eco-friendl
y-tv-which-37-lcd-televisions-are-the-most-efficient/ http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=1
3183
Lighting Efficient bulbs LED accent lighting Multi-use ceiling fixtures Natural light and window placement Soak up the sun: outdoor solar lighting Solving seasonal issues
Lighting websites http://www.eco-lights.com/facts.html http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.p
r_cfls http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/i
ndex.aspx http://www.siliconsolar.com/solar-landscape-li
ghting.php http://www.solarhome.org/solarlighting.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-af
fective-disorder/MH00023
Furniture Formaldehyde finishes – watch it Recycled and reused items Multi-purpose items: bookcase desk, storage
ottoman & table, daybed couch, stair chairs Less is best; keep it simple Get the good stuff: fiberboard & landfills Personalize with color, fabric, finish & theme
Furniture websites http://www.greenhomeguide.com/index.php/product/
C124 http://www.grist.org/biz/tp/2006/03/02/makower/ http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/recycled_green_fu
rniture_manufacturers.htm http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_moneysaving_recycle/
article/0,,HGTV_3131_1384865,00.html http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_furniture_other/article/
0,,HGTV_3445_3547325,00.html http://www.nextag.com/convertible-chair/search-html
Landscaping
Build to your ecosystem Choose native species for plantings Terrace for water and energy conservation Use passive water collection for watering; homemade
irrigation system using rainwater & eaves Use ground as a building material Build to the sun: design home to take full advantage of this HouseZen: use all four elements in landscaping: water,
rock, fire, wind Build with habitat in mind: be a good neighbor Trees: Mother Nature’s A/C; going native (species)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/treeptg.html
http://www.iowadnr.com/forestry/pdf/nativetrees1.pdf http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/
IAN303.pdf http://www.cascadeforestry.com/information/
article_detail.php?article_id=20 http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_design_other/article/
0,,HGTV_3566_1370513,00.html http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/
terrac.html http://www.lid-stormwater.net/raincist_specs.htm
Landscaping websites
Supplemental powerUse the terms below and complete your own
search using Google, Yahoo, or dogpile Solar: roof panels, wall panels, external panels Wind: local turbines / rooftop turbines Geo-thermal heating & cooling Burn baby burn: wood, pellet,
and corn burning stoves Bio-mass suppliers Steam Turbine Water Turbine Buying & Selling back to the grid