Practical Eco

Fiber optic daylighting - a revolutionary technology

Sunlight Direct, a company in Tennessee,  has created a way of capturing sunlight and piping it indoors exactly to where it's needed. They even integrate sensors into light fixtures that dim bring on electric lighting as skies darken and therefore provide a constant light level for the indoor spaces.

A solar tracking mirror collects the light and concentrates it. Light is then carried via 127 1/8th inch plastic fiberoptic lines. Two lines offers the equivalent of a 50 watt bulb. 

At the ends of the fiber optic lines are hybrid luminaires that integrate the natural light with either fluorescent or incandescent lighting.  A sensor maintains a constant amount of combined illumination regardless of sky conditions.

The complete system can save building operators considerable money and energy.  Not only are there direct savings in electricity and indirect savings due to less heat output from the lights but there is a considerable advantage to having more natural daylight as it dramatically improves occupant moral and health.  For retail customers this system can improve sales - according to this study conducted by the California Board for Energy Efficiency.

Green Building for Dummies

The fabulous "For Dummies" series of books now includes one on Green Building to complement the Solar Power for Dummies that was already out. 

I only just learned of it though the wonderful Inhabitat site which carries an excellent write up on the book and the author Eric Corey Freed. Who, as it happens, is teaching at my alma mater, UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design.

The book is available on my Amazon Astore.

ACTech Panels revolutionize construction

One of the first things ACTech's COO Tony Francel says about their product is that it's a building system, not just a panel. And that makes sense when you look at it closely.

The key benefits of the system for the builder are speed, simplicity and competitive cost. For the building owner the benefits include durability, a warm/cool environment, a tight envelope which means better air quality, and energy savings.  Not only are there savings in in energy consumption but also pest control and insurance as well as lower finance costs due to speedier construction. Less immediate but also important is the fact that better air quality and pest resistance means a healthier happier family or occupant and fewer medical bills.

The panel system is comprised of two-foot wide panels cut to length including gable end angles, channels to mount the panels into, channels to close off window and door openings, trusses for roofs and floors, and angle brackets to connect roof to wall panels. They provide all of these components as well as self tapping screw fasteners by truck to the building site.  From there a three or four man crew can assemble a 2000 square foot house shell in a couple days. All that's left is to frame interior walls (though panels could be used for some), finishing the interior, external finish of your choice, mechanicals and roof shingles. Time savings on a medium sized house can amount to nearly 2 months. There are also savings through using a less skilled crew and fewer subs and suppliers overall.

Then there's the durability angle. The movies on their website show air cannons firing studs at different types of walls and basically destroying them. When fired at the ACTech panel with it's 24 gauge steel skins the 2x4 fired at over 100 mph just dents the wall and bounces off. Any damaged panels can be replaced comparatively easily. I was told of one house in Florida that has survived three hurricanes over its 14 year life.

What I found really amazing is that while you can use the system for commercial or residential construction it's very cost effective. Builders are using this system to construct affordable homes that are selling for $85 per square foot completed!

I'm excited about this system and plan to use it for my next house. Anyone have a plot of land available in Chapel Hill or Durham to get started on now?

Dragonboard sheathing alternative

Dragonboard is a magnesium oxide board, or MgO board. It is a sheathing product that can be used for wall and ceiling linings, fascias, soffits, tile backing and underlayment among other things. It's a fantastically versatile, durable, non-toxic, fire resistant material that is also resistant to mold and mildew. What's not to like about it?

Dragonboard is available in various thicknesses, sheet sizes and finises.  It comes white, beige or light gray in color, and has a hard sound when tapped.

Though it's very popular in Asia, not much MgO board is used in North America - yet. But with its advantages such as fire rating, versatility and mold resistance, it is certain to catch on quickly.  One wall system manufacturer I represent, E-Wall, has recently begun using Dragonboard for its external sheathing component and they are very pleased with it.

• Fire-Proof (UL 055 and ASTM-Tested and A-Rated)
• Waterproof (Freeze/Thaw-Tested for 36 months)
• Mold/Fungus/Bug Free (Non-nutrient to mold, fungus, insects ASTM G-21)
• Impact-Resistant (ASTM D-5628)
• NYC Approved (MEA # 359-02-M)
• Silica/Asbestos Free
• Florida Hurricane Tested
• STC-Rated 53-54
• Ready for all 2007 ICC criteria
• Ideal for Flooring (3/4" = 2 1/2" poured concrete!)
• Substantial Cost Savings

Low flow showerheads

I don't usually get excited about shower heads. In fact my excitement about this one is second hand, but the source is excellent.  I've been clued on to the Delta H2OKinetic shower head technology by a friend and builder.

Apparently this low flow shower head, delivering only 1.6 gallons per minute (gpm), also delivers an uncompromising shower experience.  It's all in the science. By controlling the water’s shape, velocity and thermal dynamics, Delta Faucet Company claims to have "reinvented the showering experience." They also say that their 1.6 gpm actually feels like 2.5 gpm. Aside from wondering how 2.5 gpm feels and wanting to rush to check my own shower's deliver I'm impressed. Now if I hadn't just replaced my shower head less than 6 months ago I'd be tempted.

On a related note, I was brushing my teeth and thinking it wasn't that long ago that I used to let the water run when brushing or shaving. Wondering how much water I'm saving I did a calculation. Based on a 1.5 gpm bathroom faucet and two 2-minute brushings per day that's over 2000 gallons per year. Looked at another way it's almost 4% of my total consumption. Hey, 4% for a minor behavioral change sounds like a pretty good return. Looked at yet another way 2000 gallons is about half of our average monthly use, which with bills around $45 per month, I figure I've also saved about $20 each year.

Hycrete named one of 2008 Tech Pioneers by WEF

Last week the World Economic Forum selected Hycrete Inc. as one of 39 Technology Pioneers for 2008.
 

Hycrete manufactures a water-based chemical admixture that integrally waterproofs concrete, preventing corrosion of reinforcement bars. This system of waterproofing can eliminate membrane and coating methods of waterproofing, which improves the recyclability of the concrete.

Hycrete is Cradle-to-Cradle certified, meaning the concrete remains a recyclable and sustainable building product. When demolished, Hycrete treated concrete can be readily crushed into coarse aggregate, to be reused as a component in new concrete. Usually the waterproofing membranes are permanently bonded to concrete rendering it unsound for use as an aggregate so a lot of concrete ends up in landfill.

Hycrete has also won other environmental recognition such as one of the Going Green 100 top private companies for 2007. "

The company's CEO, David Rosenberg, describes the business as, "It's a water-based molecule that repels water.

The molecule consists of a water molecule with a long hydrocarbon attached that links up to metallic ions in whatever it's mixed into. In the right circumstances, the molecule behaves like an oil and pushes water away.

So far, contractors have mixed the substance into 53 major projects, including sound barriers on a freeway in New Jersey. In the future, the company may mix its material into drywall to prevent moisture seepage. You could also mix it into roofing material and then put a green roof on without worrying about trickle down.

Strategic Water Technology Conference - Dec 14

The North Carolina State Energy Office and The Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance are organizing a Strategic Water Technology Conference to be held December 14th at NC State's McKimmon center.  The aim of the conference is to inform and educate participants on products, programs and practices to reduce water consumption on a long-term basis.

Presenters will address topics such as:
- drought tolerant planting strategies;
- infrastructure monitoring;
- new technologies;
- water efficient design for new buildings;
- retrofits of existing buildings;
- water reclamation and reuse, and
- training and certification of personnel for water efficiency.

Fees will be:
$30.00 for those registered before December 14, 2007 $60.00 on the day of the conference.

Register online here

The excellent line up of speakers includes:

• Mike Nicklas, President, Innovative Design
• Lloyd Hathcock, Chairman, National Water Conservation Committee
• Cindy Shea, Director, Sustainability Office, UNC Chapel Hill
• Ralph Daniels, President AWOIS LLC
• Gary Klein, GreenPlumbers, Sacramento, CA