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........you'll find it here at our tnc blog!
"Green building" is a term that we in the construction industry are very familiar with and the desires for a "green home" are becoming more and more popular if not required!
From the simplicity of installing a "tankless" water heater to more complicated innovations like "greywater" plumbing systems, we're all looking for ways to make our "footprints" less noticeable whether out hiking through a pristine natural environment or through our day to day living within our homes. The technology for green building and living continues to grow with new and amazing products for both the commercial industry as well as our homes. On the commercial end take for example, "self-healing concrete". What? "Healing concrete"!!!?? Yes! At Bath University in the UK "researchers are aiming to develop a novel self-healing concrete that uses an inbuilt immune system to close its own wounds and prevent deterioration." (the link for this article can be found here: http://www.bath.ac.uk/research/news/2014/12/03/micro-capsules-and-bacteria-to-be-used-in-self-healing-concrete/ and the youtube.com video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7frDSx9js8) AMAZING! When you think about the real problems we're having here in the US (and the world) for failing infrastructure, this new concrete is a game changer world wide! Take a look at the video, you won't be disappointed. So, how does this translate down to you and your desire to update your existing home or the construction of an entirely new home? Well, it's all about "ZNE". What's "ZNE" you ask? California is aggressively pursuing a goal of Zero Net Energy (ZNE) for all new residential construction by 2020, and they are reaching this goal by implementing a stricter set of building codes with tighter regulations for energy efficiency this year. As California charges towards their ZNE goal, the Golden State will be leading the way for other states to follow. Which means that ZNE building will soon be the standard for all construction in the years to come. So how does this effect you the homeowner? Two things. 1) the costs to implementing some of these requirements can add to the cost of construction in the beginning........ 2) The savings in your monthly energy bill and quite possible the income you can make by selling your "unused" power back to the grid (not to mention the possible tax write offs) are well worth the added costs. Under these new standards, builders must install a list of mandatory energy efficiency measures (minimum features that all buildings must include) and can choose one of two design and construction methods - the prescriptive or performance approach - to achieve the remaining energy efficiency requirements. Here's how that breaks down: The prescriptive approach is a set of additional features (cool roof, insulation, floors, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning [HVAC] and so forth) that meet the minimum threshold for energy efficiency in each of California’s 16 climate zones. The performance approach determines annual energy performance based on design features of the proposed building/home. I know all this can sound rather daunting to you the homeowner when considering your construction needs, but don't be alarmed. From the start you'll want to make sure that your Contractor is aware of the new requirements and can help you in determining what applications are right for you, your project and the costs involved. Below are just a sampling of some of the green building products and applications that you can use in your home: Cooling roofs and green roofs Recycled steel Reclaimed lumber Cement alternatives Natural insulation from wool, hemp, foam and recycled denim Greywater plumbing systems Smart windows: thermally broken, triple-glazed, or dynamically changing tints Eco-friendly flooring from bamboo and recycled materials Air purifying and zero-VOC paints Counter tops and cabinets from recycled, salvaged, and sustainable materials Efficient lights with fixtures made from recycled materials Low-flow faucets and shower heads and compostable toilets ENERGY-STAR approved smart appliances Whole-home energy monitoring systems and mobile apps Xeriscaping - landscaping with low water plants All in all these products/applications will be a benefit to both you the homeowner as well as our "blue planet". So don't let the thought of ZNE scare you! Just make sure whomever you chose as the Contractor for your project is not only aware but understands the new ZNE requirements and can guide you in making the right decisions. Here at TNC, we know exactly where to make your dollar stretch when it comes to ZNE building requirements/codes and practices. With TNC as your Contractor we're right there with you every step of the way. It's an exciting new path we're all on together to make our world an even better place to work and live.........and we'll get there together.
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