Tag Archive for 'green living'

The Vieger House

taylor published on September 26, 2008 in Uncategorized. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Hiya! Recently my wife and I got an older house in a neat-o neighborhood built in 1957. We were blessed with the chance to renovate it and turn it into something spectacular. With this great opportunity came an important and fun responsibility of making sure the final product was something not only built with environmental awareness and efficiency in mind while it was being built but also in it’s use, everyday. We kept blue orby care, enjoyment and living all in mind.

Here are some products we offered to the house. It accepted!

Ranai Tankless Water Heater

Eurofase Low Voltage Lighting

Kohler Low Flush Toilets

It has “Dual Flush Technology” which includes a 1.6 gpf and also an eco-friendly, 0.8-gallon flush option. The daily devotional derriere domicile saves as much as 6,000 gallons of water annually over a traditional 1.6-gallon toilet. However, we still use the practice, “If it’s yellow…

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs 6500 K

K.I.S.S. Below Flow Sprinkler System

Succulents and local grasses

Radiant Barrier Paint and Radiant Barrier Insulation In attic and underneath Pier and beam foundation

Jenn Air Refrigerator-it has an alarm that goes off if the door isn’t closed all the way. It says” Hey you! Stretch! Close me, I’m wasting energy! but I still love you”

All the major points of entry front, back and side doors are double sealed. They make a great “Psshhhhhhhunk!” sound when you close them! Ooooooooh space crafty!

And we went with Green Mountain Energy. They would ensure we get our power from wind and solar~ Thank you wind!!!Thank you sun!!!

This whole project has been quite an outstanding sophomore class in building right and right living. We loved it!

and we’re getting better at it everyday~

Love,

TV

The amazing Mr. Donnachadh McCarthy

julius published on September 1, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

This is Mr. Donnachadh McCarthy. A citizen of London who is engaged with the environment. Not just for a bit. McCarthy wrote multiple books on how you can be more sustainable yourself and related topics.

Now, I fancy architectural projects that feature houses that are sustainable, make their own energy and such. Which is good obviously, but what do we do with all those old unsustainable, energy consuming houses dating from the 19th century or maybe even earlier?

This is where McCarthy comes in. He lives in a house built in the 1840′s down in the South of London. And as an awesome SmartPlanet feature illustrates he managed to make it fully sustainable! McCarthy did this in multiple ways. He for example burns wood for heating which he uses for his home but also to boil water in a kettle he got on eBay.

My favorite green application used in McCarthy’s home is the rain barrel he’s got on his roof. Thanks to the force of gravity the rain that’s collected in it directly fills the sink of his toilet after every flush. And as a bonus the barrel is also connected to a small tap inside his home. Where you can tap fresh rain water (not to drink of course) but for purposes like watering plants.

Donnachadh McCarthy is an admirable man which could be an example for all of us. Check here for a comprehensive overview of the things he did to make his house greener.

-jdh