Energy Efficient Home Renovation Resources

[Amy Martin]

Hi Friends,

I'm not sure if this is the best place on the website to post this, but I'm looking for internet resources that will help me renovate my home in the most energy efficient way.

Key concerns are toxic-free insulation & paint... though I'm sensing I'm just at the tip of the iceberg!  Or black hole!!!  

Thanks for your help.  :)

Amy

Email:  [e-mail]

[Heather K]

Hi Amy! Let us know what good links you find in your online search for energy-efficient & low toxicity insulation & paint.

I'll list some ideas I know of, though I don't recall there being a summary list anywhere on our TW site.

You could also check in with my friend Shannon M owns Light Source Residential Design, and who sponsors the local monthly Solar meetings, and puts out the Garden E-News.
She has helped many folks with planning & designing at reasonable rates, and I have great trust in her judgement & skills.
http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/ShannonMaris

Our family has experience working with Sustainable Connections, having recent visits from their 'Community Energy Challenge' employees.
I can share my impressions with their service and their $100 fee for their 'Energy Analysis Report'
– but best if its done over the phone.
Their website: http://sustainableconnections.org/energy/energychallenge
They do some referrals to businesses that fill out their application, though there are also other great local businesses that are not part of their network.

I've found the local business Mold Busters to be helpful. Talk to Kevin. http://www.deadmold.com/

Rebecca M listed some links on her homeowners TW group at:
http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/group/transitionadusforhomeowners...

We did find some low odor paint a few years back, although I don't believe any type of oil or latax-based house paint could be considered 'toxic-free'. Some of the newer blown-in insulation materials are advertised as 'green', although I don't know if they have long-term studies to back this, or how they effect allergy & chemically sensitive people. The Re-Store & ReSources recently renovated their store, so you could check with them.

Hope you'll take the time to share with us all what you learn...either on this discussion or consider sharing on your own Transition Whatcom blog. Hope this helps!

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

Reply by J. C. Walker,Jr. on August 22, 2010 at 7:31pm
I had this idea so long ago, it's sad to say. I've installed a 240 volt timer on my hot water tank. It turns on at 6:30 PM off at 8:00 PM, on again at 4:00 AM off at 9:00 AM. No time(er) like the present. The tank has a blanket and I have something to cross off my procrastination list. Feel the joy.

[Amy Martin]

Thank you Heather. This is most helpful.



Heather K said:

Hi Amy! Let us know what good links you find in your online search for energy-efficient & low toxicity insulation & paint.

I'll list some ideas I know of, though I don't recall there being a summary list anywhere on our TW site.

You could also check in with my friend Shannon M owns Light Source Residential Design, and who sponsors the local monthly Solar meetings, and puts out the Garden E-News.
She has helped many folks with planning & designing at reasonable rates, and I have great trust in her judgement & skills.
http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/profile/ShannonMaris

Our family has experience working with Sustainable Connections, having recent visits from their 'Community Energy Challenge' employees.
I can share my impressions with their service and their $100 fee for their 'Energy Analysis Report'
– but best if its done over the phone.
Their website: http://sustainableconnections.org/energy/energychallenge
They do some referrals to businesses that fill out their application, though there are also other great local businesses that are not part of their network.

I've found the local business Mold Busters to be helpful. Talk to Kevin. http://www.deadmold.com/

Rebecca M listed some links on her homeowners TW group at:
http://transitionwhatcom.ning.com/group/transitionadusforhomeowners...

We did find some low odor paint a few years back, although I don't believe any type of oil or latax-based house paint could be considered 'toxic-free'. Some of the newer blown-in insulation materials are advertised as 'green', although I don't know if they have long-term studies to back this, or how they effect allergy & chemically sensitive people. The Re-Store & ReSources recently renovated their store, so you could check with them.

Hope you'll take the time to share with us all what you learn...either on this discussion or consider sharing on your own Transition Whatcom blog. Hope this helps!

[Amy Martin]

Thank you J.C. When you say your tank has a blanket...are you serious? I'd like to hear more about how you attached it, the type of blanket it is. Has the timer also helped you save much energy?

Can't wait to hear your answers :)

[Travis Linds]

hot water tank blankets are a good idea, especially if the tank feels warm to the touch.
Ones like this, http://www.amazon.com/Thermwell-Products-Heater-Blanket-Accessories...
you can buy at Hardware Sales for like $20 and install very easily.

[Shannon Maris]

Note the free download for Remodeling Guidelines in the upper left
http://www.regreenprogram.org/case-studies/remodel-project-deep-ene...

After doing reading/Internet, the next step would be call Sust. Connections for a super low cost energy audit, that will give you the baseline info on how your house is performing now as far as air leakage/enegy efficiency/air quality (since air quality is partly based on where the air is coming from in your home, and then what products you have in your home that might be contributing to the air quality like mold, formaldehyde, etc.

Would be good to set a budget for what you would like to put towards your goals, and the Community Energy Challenge Program thru Sust. Connections has some amazingly low rate loans available.

-Shannon

[J. C. Walker,Jr.]

The timer seems to be saving energy use considerably, and the blanket, like Travis is saying, is $20 at Hardware sales . The salesman said sweating could be a problem with more energy efficient models, but I went with one anyway because I'm turning mine off 3/4 of the day.


Amy Martin said:

Thank you J.C. When you say your tank has a blanket...are you serious? I'd like to hear more about how you attached it, the type of blanket it is. Has the timer also helped you save much energy?

Can't wait to hear your answers :)