Under Floor Heating a Green and Economically Smart Solution

If you’re looking to renovate your home, or plan to build a new residence, a major portion of the planning process should focus on energy efficiency and long-term economical benefits. In cooler climates, installing under floor heating is one of those economical and environmentally smart options that should be seriously considered.

Underfloor heating systems are generally constructed as either electric systems or warm water circulation systems. The heating elements are built directly into the floor, and provide a gentle, constant warmth from the ground up. Typically, these installations are more efficient than traditional forced air and radiator systems, making them less expensive over time and better for the environment. The reason is that your room’s air is heated more evenly and at a lower temperature, yet still provides the same level of comfort as a higher temperature setting would in traditional systems. No more cold spots in the room!

One additional benefit of underfloor heating is that it can improve the air quality for people with allergies. Because there is no circulation of air and no fans in this system, you can prevent the circulation of dust and other allergens that is all too common with forced air systems. Just another way to improve your living environment.

“Going Solar” Affordably

The focus of government programs encouraging the individual use of alternative energy sources focusing primarily on high end systems, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, although well-intentioned, may ultimately end up ineffective for the most part. Programs that result in significant numbers using at least some solar, geothermal or other alternative energy sources are infinitely more valuable than ones that are more expensive but are only utilized by a small “elite” of environmentally aware AND financially well off consumers.

While strong majorities of Americans believe that all new home construction ought to offer consumers a solar option, and most state that they would be willing to pay a premium of 10% more on a new home, very few Americans currently own solar home installations.

No doubt part of the reason for that lies in the fact that most people are only aware of PV and, to a somewhat lesser extent, solar hot water systems. PV systems are often out of reach for most Americans because of high initial costs. Solar hot water systems, while not as costly, are still out of the reach of a lot of consumers, and often have performance, maintenance and installation issues.

Fortunately there are a number of additional alternatives for “going solar,” all of which are significantly less costly than PV systems. Also many of these systems are passive and thus have no moving parts or major maintenance issues.
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Green Apartment Trends: Coming to a Community Near You!

As the green movement marches on, apartment buildings are starting taking notice. Green building has been largely focused on houses and remodeling, leaving the renter out of options for greening up their home. In fact, living in an apartment or shared housing situation decreases your carbon footprint greatly versus having a house.

As a renter of a house, I’m continually frustrated at the helplessness I feel at not being able to remodel my house to be more energy efficient. Yes, we recycle, limit water use, and use green products, but the house still has a long way to go before it is environmentally-friendly. The fact is that I don’t have the money to remodel a place I will move out of in a year or two. Most people don’t want to invest the time and money into making a place sustainable when they’ll leave eventually.

The Green Apartment Trend
Green apartment complexes are springing up to meet new demands for a sustainable place to live for renters. These complexes vary in their execution of what they consider to be green, but generally they are more energy efficient through building materials or alternative energy. They also will tend to encourage environmental practices, like having safe bike storage or offering free electronics recycling. Some places will even donate a percentage of their property management fees to an environmental cause.

The Boutique Apartments in Denver, Colo., is one such green apartment company that is trying to change the face of renting. They own eleven buildings throughout the city—each with a different theme, all with the same commitment to green living. They install energy efficient kitchen appliances, water heaters, and boilers. They use white roofs instead of black ones to keep the buildings cooler in the summer, thus using less air conditioning. Bamboo floors were installed instead of oak floors, as bamboo is a more sustainable resource.

Green AND Beautiful
The aesthetics of green, sustainable apartments in general are also unique and beautiful. I’ve always been depressed by the uniformity of giant apartment complexes: white walls, identical floor plans—boring. It seems as though the leaders in the green apartment business are interested in making beautiful spaces for their tenants with recycled art, funky appliances, beautiful low-VOC paint on the wall in an actual color. It’s these little touches that will make the green apartment trend blow up.

Some states are starting to give incentives to those that build apartments in a sustainable fashion. Even without the incentive, these buildings will eventually pay for themselves through energy savings. Renters are looking for the X factor when scouring complex after complex, and this is it.

Home Staging: It Gets Results and It’s Green

Despite the down economy, home stagers are busier than ever, as today’s realtors insist that staging is the most cost effective way to maximize home sale profits. It also happens to be one of the most sustainable ways to attract buyers.

Home staging is not tasteful decorating. In fact, when potential buyers walk into un-staged but tastefully decorated homes, the personal style of the existing homeowner distracts them from envisioning the space as a home of their own.

Home stagers, like retail display designers, aim to enhance a product’s appeal. Although the scale is different, the principles are the same: maximize the space, eliminate distractions and increase the traffic flow.

Sustainable Ways to Successfully Stage Your Home

Approach the big purge with mindfulness and commitment.
De-cluttering is an essential step that cannot be missed. Homeowners usually find this phase of the process tiresome, tedious and frustrating but it is a critical one, nonetheless. Trimming ship is the first step towards punching up profits. I advise my clients to reduce everything on display by half and then to recycle unwanted items by selling them or donating them. Three worthy, tax-deductible recipients are Goodwill, local homeless shelters and the public library. Also keep in mind that animal shelters and vets love used linens!
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Green Real Estate Search and Ratings: GreenHomeFinder.com

The growing percentage of buyers and renters looking for sustainable real estate, to date, have only been served by generalized listing sites like Craigslist and local online classifieds. Now, GreenHomeFinder.com provides a “one stop shop” for a new niche – listing and rating the green features of properties online.

With databases set up to provide prospective renters and buyers with links to everything from the prospective neighborhood’s bamboo flooring contractors to the eco-friendly dry cleaners, Greenhomefinder.com is poised become the most comprehensive green property search engine in the United States. Property owners and managers who take advantage of this opportunity can now get properties listed at no cost for the next year and listing packages, products packages, services packages and advertising space is available for various reasonable fees.  Owners and property managers wanting more exposure can also purchase a “Branded Listings” package that enables the lister to add more photos  and information.

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Going Green in Obama’s Greensburg – Video

Greensburg, Kansas is rebuilding green two years after it was devastated by a tornado. The Wall Street Journal’s Andy Jordan notes that decision was based on a complex calculus that included tax breaks and PR, as well as altruism and a concern for the environment.

Building Green in Sin City

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, the ever-morphing city typically known for consumption and excess.  Now, the city is taking the lead in green development with one of the world’s largest environmentally-sustainable urban communities.

CityCenter, the latest addition to the Strip, is a cutting-edge destination, with an urban core that intends to blend world-class residential, hospitality, retail, gaming and entertainment elements into a synergistic hub of distinctive character.  The $8 billion venture between the MGM Mirage and Dubai World is located between Bellagio and Monte Carlo, and aims for LEED certification.

Here are their eco-friendly features, according to City Center’s website:
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