TurningHoustonGreen

It occurred to me while I was watching the trees sway back and forth during Hurricane Ike that the most common attribute of Green Building is the one that gets the absolute Least amount of publicity.  It is the QUALITY of Construction and how the home performs structurally.

What made me think about this?  Well, that would be the sobering thought of all the trees that would likely be in people’s homes by the end of the night, the water damage or mold that is brought out by the storm, roofing and siding that may not be there in the morning, etc.

But what makes that Green?  Driving down the streets in any community right now in Houston and surrounding areas there are heaps of Carpeting, Sheetrock, Tree Debris, Roof Shingles, you name it.  All of that ends up in the landfill.  It fills up our limited space to ‘dump’ and then promotes the off gassing methane as most dumps do.

One of the most important parts of Green Building is using products that last a long time with low maintenance required to help prevent this from happening and protect the homeowner and your investment.

So this brings up the idea that right now is the PERFECT time to make GREEN upgrades to your home.  Item by Item I will post about some of these, but for now here are some things that will help your home stand up to Hurricanes in the future.

• If you are rebuilding completely in the Coastal Areas, consider using Insulated Concrete Forms.  Not only do they sustain over 200 mph winds, they are energy efficient like you wouldn’t believe.  The rumor of a 2/3 discount on Wind Coverage because of it is a bonus too.
• Windows- Double Pane, Low E- we are getting used to hearing those terms.  For a little more you can upgrade to a stronger window that will not only help with winds, but baseballs if you have kids.
• Weather Stripping around doors and windows- This helps your home to be energy efficient as well by keeping air from going in and out but it also helps to keep out water when the yard is not draining well.
• Products that do not promote mold- Consider using products in your home that don’t soak up water.  Maybe an alternative to sheetrock?
• Roofing-  Composition Shingles are common but there are other options that not only have an insulated value but stand up to mother nature, not to mention that they last longer in this hot and humid climate.
• Carpet- Get rid of it.  Use a flooring that promotes healthier indoor air quality and is easier to get water off/out of.  Don’t forget to buy local.
• Permeable areas outdoors-  Decking and Concrete can look nice outside, but it prevents water from draining well.  Try some permeable pavement or some of those cool new pavers that not only look neat but help get the water in the ground quicker.
• How about Solar?  Being without power for 8 days has seriously made me consider it.
• Fencing-  I have no idea.  But if anyone has another option, please share. 

As mentioned, I will be posting about all of these and what other GREEN options there are.  If you need to know now, shoot me an email steph@turninghoustongreen.com and I will try to help you out and lead you in the right direction.

If I left anything out and you have an idea of something that can help out, let us know.  If you are doing extensive remodeling or rebuilding you may also want to consider the ASID and USGBC ReGreen Guidelines.  Information on that is coming soon also.

I hope that everyone is safe and weathered the storm ok.  Ike turned us upside down for a while and my thoughts are out there for everyone closer to the coast as they make their way back home to check it out.  My heart also goes out to anyone around the Houston area that may have incurred damage to their residence over last weekend.

Now that things are somewhat starting to get back to normal in the Houston area I wanted to put out a couple of helpful resources.  Insurance adjusters are cutting checks, homeowners are trying to get their homes back to normal as quick as possible but be careful of who you choose to get it all done!  You may need the repairs done quickly, but be careful none the less.

Here are a few suggestions:

• If you hire someone to do repairs to your home, make sure that you have a contract that specifically states the work that is expected to be done.  Don’t leave any room for misunderstandings.
• Personally, I question the contractor when they ask for all money BEFORE starting the work.  It gives them the opportunity to take it and run, quickly!
• Take time to research the contractor.  Ask for references.
• Check out the Texas Residential Construction Commission Website.  -TRCC- They have great information on Contractors
• Try the Greater Houston Builders Association website also.  -GHBA- For information on local Houston Contractors and other repair people.
• If you are having extensive work done, you may want to make sure that the contractor puts the home back in ‘building code’ condition.  Older homes are not to code, but for the sake of selling later and safety it should be put back to current code if possible.
• Ask a lot of questions if you need to.  Make sure you understand the work that is being done and what to expect afterwards.  Again, make sure you are all on the same page.
• Try to find contractors that are insured with their work, just in case.

Although these are just a few tips, try to take as much in to consideration as possible when getting your home repaired.

If you have a couple of questions that you would like to ask that may help you, feel free to use the ‘Ask the Expert’ tab at the top of the page.  Myself or one of the other experts around town will do our best to help answer your question.

A while back I heard of a neat tool that was available to builders.  It’s an Environmental Report where you can search any address and find out what kind of Environmental Concerns were around the property.  For example, you have a property that is near what used to be a gas station and want to know if there are underground storage tanks, or you want to know if there is any known toxic dump sites nearby.  If I recall, this report was pricey.  Being the Queen of cheap, I put it to the back of my mind.

Well, I went on the Houston Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors website and noticed an updated link.  Actually it was a feature that I have had my eye on for about a month now because it was coming out.  It says “Get a FREE Property and Environmental Profile on any domestic property“.   Well, I hopped over and put in a random address to see what came up and sure enough.

A small report similar to the one that I thought was too pricey is now available for FREE on the Prudential Gary Greene Website!  The address I put in found nothing of interest within 1/3 of a mile but it does give you the option to purchase a more extensive one that goes further away.  Want to check it out?

Here is how you do it.  First go to www.GaryGreene.com and on the right of the page you will see what I quoted above.  For the rest of it, here is a screen shot.  Oh, and to go directly to the page, just click here.

Here is the screenshot for the page that comes up, and how to get the report.  It is instant, no waiting:  Below the first picture is what it looks like after you hit the submit button.  This one, as I said, has nothing in the immediate area.

If you decide to check it out, let me know how it goes.  Need some help with it?  Shoot me an email and I’d be more than happy to walk you through it or help out with anything else you may need.

There is so much that going on in Houston that is Green, it’s easy to miss when something exciting comes out.  Just for fun, I thought I would start putting some updates on here so you can stay current on what is happening.  Here are a few items that you may want to know about:

Green House Gallery:  This is one that I am really excited about.  A group of artists have joined to create a Green Art Gallery in the heart of Montrose on W. Alabama.  Their goal is to have a Gallery that will not only educate people on environmental topics, but support the Green Community in Houston and having a place for people to visit.  Their Gala will be in September and a ‘must attend’ event! The date will most definitely be added to the calendar on this site.

Commute Solutions:  They are a compilation of different companies and organizations that are raising awareness about Public Transportation in town and other communte solutions.  If you go to their website and make a non-monetary ‘pledge’ you will get a FREE Certificate for Jamba Juice!  I got mine in the mail today.  ;0)  Really cool site, check it out.

Houston Solar Tour:  Many of you are probably aware of this annual event, and it is really coming together for this year!  It will be Saturday October 4th with tons of great Solar Projects on the tour and a Picnic at Discovery Green at the end of the day that you won’t want to miss.  This event is on the Calendar as well, and will keep you updated as more information comes available.

The Woodlands Green Sustainable Speaking Series: Another fantastic Community oriented idea here!  The Woodlands Green, starting in September, will be doing monthly speaking events for residents in the area to learn more about Sustainability and other Green Topics.  On Monday, September 15th I will be speaking along with Ann Baker Ronn on Green Investing.  They have a few months of amazing topics lined up.  Check out their site and click ‘Going Green’ to find out what else will be out there.  And…it all speaking events will be on the Calendar.  Also, in November Michael Strong with Greenhaus Builders will be speaking about Green and LEED Homebuilding/Remodeling.  If you have not had the opportunity to hear him speak, you will defiinitely want to be there.

These are the topics that I have been meaning to post about for some time now.  I will keep you all updated on changes and other new events!  Very exciting GREEN things happenin’ in Houston over the next few months!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the Calendar feed if you want to stay up to date on items that I place in there.  Also, if you would like to subscribe by email or Text Message, I will be sending out reminders.

I was just thinking and remembering a poll I did about a year ago on another website that I contribute to which made me think- I really do enjoy polls.  It is so interesting to see the responses from people, how people think about certain topics..

And sometimes, they help me with marketing and to keep builders and developers updated on what area residents are looking for.

First, I’ll share a poll I did about a year ago.  I was curious to know what would make people build green.  The way I worded the responses was also designed to help educate people on the benefits of homes and also see the driving factor to build green for the people, that were at the time, wanting to go Green in their homes.  The results were quite interesting.

Now, that poll was done on a website that gets visitors from around the globe.  This site is more designed for Houston so I would like to know what your thoughts are.  The topic of discussion in residential Real Estate around the area is: “Do Homebuyers see the benefit in buying a LEED Certified Home and exactly how much more would they be willing to spend?” Because LEED is quite costly right now because of materials that are needed and not so easy to find..and due to the custom aspect of construction some builders are not taking the dive to Go LEED.

Personally, I believe that a large handful of Homebuyers in the area would spend more to get a home Certified because the benefits of owning a LEED Certified home are so amazing, I thought I would put a poll out there to see if I was right! So, Would you spend more for a LEED Certified home?  If so, how much more would you spend?

I am leaving the option of Other so that you can explain why if your answer is No. I usually post the results in the format of a new blog post once I get to atleast 25 votes.

Up and coming on Turning Houston Green to continue the seris on how to Buy Green in Houston will focus on certain loans available to Homebuyers and how to use them in the Houston area.  To start, myself and some of my experts will be putting together some ‘hypothetical’ Remodels to help folks looking to buy because of location and ‘fix up’ some homes.

If any of my readers have a home, ideally built prior to 1985, and are curious as to what it would take to fix it up we would love to hear from you.  Here is a breakdown of what we will be looking at:

• What it would take to ‘green’ it up
• Cost to do so
• Loans available as though you were going to purchase it

Now, if you would like us to use your home we would like to take some pictures as examples and of course there is no obligation to do any work but it could be a good opportunity to find out how your home sizes up if you are considering something like this.  Maybe you are thinking about selling your home and would like to advertise it this way?

Here are some others that we are looking for also if your home is newer:

• Green Kitchen or Bath Remodels
• Whole House Rehab- basically to gut it almost to the frame
• Energy Remodels

We would love to use your home as an example, with no names or address included of course!

Again, this will all be hypothetical-no work will be done but an estimate of cost will be available.  Will any of you let us borrow your home for an hour?

One evening while on the computer doing some research I ran across an update from Michael Garfield about him doing a Hybrid Tour Across Texas with Dan Bryant and thought it sounded interesting so I clicked over to see what was going on.  It turns out that the two were going to drive around the State for an estimated total of 879 miles to see if they could do it on one tank of gas in a Toyota Prius.  What!? I’ve got to see this.

Watching the Tour, I personally found it interesting and amusing (if you watch some of the videos on his site) and thought I would share some of his tips with my readers.  When everything was wrapped up Michael Garfield, The Hybrid-Tech Texan himself, agreed to do an interview to talk about the tour to talk about the benefits of Hybrid Vehicles and what they found out.  During this entire tour they used Hypermiling Techniques to squeeze as much gas per gallon as possible.

So, first off  and to get everyone up to speed I wanted to know what exactly the Hybrid Tour was all about?

The Hybrid Tour Across Texas was to spread awareness about fuel efficiency and the effect that driving behavior has on it. I wanted to see how much money can be saved by driving a hybrid car around the state and at the same time compare mileage to a “hypermiler” driving the same type of car. Dan Bryant is a Houston-based hypermiler who uses certain techniques to maximize his MPG.

What was the number one thing you learned on your journey?

I learned there is a lot more interest in this topic than I’ve ever seen before. In the topic of what MPG you achieve in your car was generally about as exciting as discussing tax code. People seem much more tuned in with the price of gas.

What exactly is Hypermiling?

Each car (not truck) sold in the US has to pass an EPA inspection and rating system. As part of that each car is given an MPG rating for the city and highway. These numbers are on the window sticker of all new cars (not trucks). A hypermiler is simply someone who’s daily MPG is above the EPA rating for their car (window sticker).

Have you calculated an estimate of savings with the Hybrid Prius during the trip?

Best case vs worse case? I had a friend that claimed to get 15 mpg on the highway. So the difference between my friend driving their car and Dan driving his over the same 844 miles comes out to about 44 gallons (Dan used 12.3g, my friend would have used 56.3g). That’s $176 between driving the wrong car poorly and driving the right car correctly.

What was the main difference between the Mpg between you and Dan?

The main four factors were Driving style (about 15 mpg), Driving speed (about 9 mpg), Passenger weight (about 2 mpg), and Accessory Load (about 2 mpg). By far driving style and speed had the biggest effect. Hypermilers employee dozens of different techniques to increase efficiency, some for hills, some for windy days, and some for flat roads, but they all work. In the simplest since, what Dan concentrated on was keeping engine RPM and vehicle load constant. There are minor (very minor) inefficiencies involved with increasing or decreasing an engines RPM. Although minor, they are very frequent, so keeping a steady RPM helps significantly with efficiency. Keeping speeds in the 55-60 mph range is also significantly more efficient than 65-70 mph range due to the effects of wind resistance.

What is something that most people would not know about Hybrid vehicles?

In many studies Hybrids are projected to have a smaller repair bill than conventional cars. For example, there have been Prius drivers that have gone over 100,000 miles on the original brake pads since they Hybrid Synergy Drive does most of the braking. The transmission is also substantially simpler than a conventional car. There is no starter or alternator either, and since the car operates for extended periods without the gas engine, the wear on the gas engine is substantially less. Even starting and stopping the engine is less stressful in a hybrid since the control system primes the engine for each start and stop.

What is the biggest misconception of Hybrids?

Battery Life. A Prius has two batteries, not one. The 12v (car) battery that all cars have, the Prius has as well. It is used for certain start-up procedures. It is just like any other 12v battery and can be found under $100 and has a similar life span to any other 12v battery. The “other” battery is called the “traction” battery and it’s used to power the electric motors that assist in moving the car. The “traction” battery is designed to last longer than most conventional cars. In California it comes with a 100,000 mile warranty. Prius taxi cabs with over 300,000 miles still have no significant wear on their traction batteries. In actuality it is probably one of the least replaced components of any vehicle on the road today.

What do you feel the Future holds for Hybrid Vehicles?

If gas prices continue as they have for the last 5 years, it could be over $9 / gallon in 5 years or even over $20 / gallon in 10 years. I think most people are going to require cars that get at least 40 mpg, and right now most of those cars are Hybrids. The cars that are built and designed today will be the ones that are still in use in 10 years. So if gas prices continue to climb, I expect any car getting 40-50 mpg will be highly sought after. Hopefully there will be many models getting that mark, but most of them on the road will probably be the Hybrids being designed today.

I learned a lot by following the Hybrid Tour and reading through Michael’s Blog.  Did You?  A huge Thank You to The Hybrid-Tech Texan for taking some time to answer these questions for us.  All who stopped by, don’t forget to check out his site for more information on hypermiling (which by the way he says some can also work on Non-Hybrid cars) and just some fun videos about it.  Here’s one I thought I would share with you all.

If you are wanting to hear more from The Hybrid-Tech Texan make sure to tune on Saturdays from 11a-2p on 950am!

Hybrid Tour Dallas from Ray Cortez on Vimeo.
Pictures and Videos property of Michael Garfield The Hybrid-Tech Texan.

Hello All!

First I want to say that I am thrilled to have been invited to participate on TurningHoustonGreen.com. I only hope that I can live up to the expectation that all of the readers expect out of the site as created by Stephanie. She has done a great job, thank you for providing this forum for us all!

My topic of choice is American Clay Earth Plasters. I was introduced to this plaster over a year ago by a builder who thought it had some great potential. At the time, I was not convinced as it seemed just a little too “easy”. Now, a year later, I am a convert.

Now, you may be asking; “What is American Clay”? Is it Native American Indian clay pottery? Is it a new product line launched by American Idol and Clay Aiken? No, and most assuredly, NO!

American Clay Earth Plaster is a fairly new product to the Houston market, and while it is fairly new, it is wholly Green! It is one of a few products that almost totally addresses not just one, not two, but possibly three or more tenants of Green Building. (Depending on whose tenants you are considering).

American Clay Earth Plaster is a wall plaster that combines the great qualities of natural earth materials, near limitless color variations of natural pigments, and depth and individuality of texture while having some pretty amazing qualities. American Clay marketing materials list that the product is Fire-resistant, non-toxic (no VOCs), fade resistant, mold resistant, dust resistant, non-dusting, temperature and humidity controlling, and more. The clay plaster is a finish coat to many possible substrates, commonly, new drywall, concrete walls, brick, and others. It is both a new construction product as well as a great remodeling product.

The clay plaster is the finish coat, the texture and the color all in one. It has qualities that paint does not have; clay plaster “breathes” – it takes in and gives off moisture, so walls in a steamy bathroom do not sweat and the room de-humidifies faster; clay plaster has a negative ionic charge, which reportedly makes people feel better, and it also repels dust and fingerprints/oils; the mass of the plaster and the moisture absorption qualities have a moderating effect on temperature in the room, called “latent heat flux”.

Now, the “latent heat flux” can be a little complicated, and a flash back to high school science, but the thing to remember, is that the plaster “breathes” moisture in humidity control, and that “breathing”, or evaporation, along with the qualities of stone/sand to moderate temperature changes makes for an extremely comfortable living environment. These “breathing” qualities also absorbs odors from the living space. Many a decorator familiar with American Clay will specify its use in a home with pets or previously occupied by smokers! Phew, now a solution for “fluffy” and “puffy”!

Now, a quality above, not as easy to explain is the “negative ionic charge”. Here is what the manufacture publishes on their website. “Natural clay maintains an incredibly dense molecular structure and shape, giving it the capacity to produce a self-generated negative charge upon hydration. Even the simple evaporation of water from clay has the capacity to produce negatively charged particles in the air. This means that when your walls breathe, or hydrate slightly with changes in humidity and slowly dry out, your interior space is being steeped in negative ions. The capacity of clay plaster to “breathe” and release negative ions is unique and not found in any other wall covering on the market today. Concrete, Gypsum, Marble, Lime, and decorative acrylic plasters do not release negative ions, breathe with changes in humidity, or resist dust. American Clay is unique in its ability to literally alter a space for the benefit of those inhabiting it!”

So, given all these great qualities, of no steamy bathrooms, no grungy fingerprints around light switches, absorbed pet odors, and absolutely beautiful walls, what is the next step? Figuring out how to get that stuff on our walls! The clay plaster is, well, a plaster. Most applicators trowel it on using a bucket and a plastic or steel trowel. It’s applied in two coats and then finished with a final compression step. The applicator, or do-it-yourselfer, can select a texture, a color, and an application technique that will offer limitless options. The clay plaster can also be applied using a spray technique, but this requires a thinner, pourable consistency, and then will be a smoother, less textured surface. If a commercial level of durability and speed in application is desired, a sister product to American Clay, called Enjarre is available. This too is sprayed on and back-troweled for texture. Many large commercial applications are using a combination of Enjarre for larger surfaces, with an American Clay color pallet selection for an accent wall.

The clay comes in three textures, a glassy smooth Porcelina, a molted crushed-sea shell Marittimo, and a very popular Loma. The applicator selects one of the 40 colors for the clay plaster, or two or more colors, depending on the look desired. The applicator then can apply the plaster with a super smooth finish, with a rough textured finish, or even add additional texture with additives like straw or more.

The colors range in depth from warm taupe, tans, golds and red, through cool greens and blues. Like many paint companies, American Clay too has fun with their color names like Tucson Gold, Austin Blush, Chocolatta, Painted Desert and Napa Olive. Just reading the color chart is like the blend of a map and a visit to the spa. Striking rich colors are available in the Natural Depths series. And, surprisingly, the clay plaster itself is a great fresh white color without any added pigment, great for contemporary looks or traditional white ceilings. Of course, one can pick from the 40 colors available. If a custom color is desired, the company has a color creation service for matching unique and custom colors for clients. They have already reported matching several Sherwin Williams paint colors for clients who want to maintain a specific pallet but want the qualities of the clay.

One question that I frequently get is: “Where should I start? The bathroom? Dining? Which room should I do first?”. This question is easy, it depends on YOU! The bedroom is great as it helps with temperature, dust and those awesome negative ions at work during the whole time you are asleep. The bath is great too! No foggy mirrors, no steamy clingy clothes! And the dining room? What better way to show off your great taste in food and décor! The reality is, many people start as do-it-yourselfers in powder baths, and quickly graduate to “whole house” American Clay converts

So, I think that pretty much “covers it” (opps, sorry another pun) We’ve covered the properties, the colors, the application, and the commercial Enjarre. Additionally, for those needing to know, American Clay qualifies for up to 5 LEED points for recycled content, construction waste, and low emitting content. Price points depend on color selection, application technique, and qualifications of applicator. American Clay publishes an “average application cost nationally of “$3 - $7 a square foot for American Clay and $2 a Square Foot for Enjarre”

I hope you’ve enjoyed this product post and I look forward to sharing some information that I’ve learned on the next product… hmmm… should it be paint, insulation, house wrap, or something really off-the-wall.

Angelique Grado
Green Builders Source
www.GreenBuildersSource.com

References for above article and more photos: www.americanclay.com

I am passionate about Feng Shui and Green Building and my goal is to create homes and master planned communities that incorporate the principles of both of these systems for the masses.  It is a marriage between two concepts that has culminated after a lengthy engagement!  For starters, let me teach you how to pronounce it.  Repeat after me: “Fung Schway”.  Feng Shui is the Chinese Art of Placement that is steadily becoming the method of choice for design control. 

Feng Shui is an ancient system of aligning a home’s design with the invisible life force known as Chi.  It was practiced in China for over 3,000 -5,000 years, before the Communist regime made it illegal.  It is a tool, that homeowners in America and all over the world are discovering as a way to improve their lives.  In Feng Shui, a home can be divided into nine life areas.  These include our Work, Relationships, Family, Health, Money, Service, Children, Knowledge, and Fame.  When people begin to discover that taking control of their lives means taking control of their surroundings, they are going to need options that include Feng Shui and Green building. 

Much emphasis has been made recently among builders to incorporate Green building into their home designs.  In fact, I suspect that pretty soon, it will be difficult to sell a new home that has not been designed with some level of Green building.  However, if a home is built with attention to the “Green” details, but ignores the importance of Feng Shui principles, there will be an overall lack of design harmony and this can lead to all sorts of problems.   

You may be asking yourself why “harmony” and balance are so important.  These are two words that start to sound pretty generic unless we add some real life examples to your understanding.  We have to take a step back and consider the impact of how a place makes us “feel” when we enter it.  This is essentially what Feng Shui is about.  Does it feel inviting, peaceful and pleasant or does it make you feel like your brain is being scrambled?  How could your financial success be impacted by one versus the other?  How about your love life or even your health?  If you think that these things are immune to the design of your surroundings, think again. 

How does a newly married couple with no debt experience a home that is missing two life areas that relate to money and love?  Two failed businesses and a divorce in less than six years might sound coincidental unless you recognize the impact of the home’s design flaws.  Even though the house was built with the highest attention to energy saving that was available at the time, it was not enough to save the businesses or the marriage of the couple.  My point is that building Green and not fusing it with Feng Shui principles is a mistake.  Divorce and business loss may be on the rise, but the marriage between Green building and Feng Shui is one that is poised to stand the test of time.

For more information about Logynn and building homes using Feng Shui and Green building, go to www.greenfusionfengshui.com or call her directly at 281-235-2382.

As a way to stay in touch with everything that is happening in the world of Green, I spend my time in the early morning catching up/reading some websites that have amazing information.  One article that I read today blew me away.  Free Green ‘Custom’ Home Design?  What?

I decided to go over to the site.  You know how it is.  You have to become a member to the site, so I do so.  Cruise around for a minute checking out what the company is all about…It’s rather impressive.  Their plan is to try and make Green Home Design Free for everyone. How?  I didn’t get that far.

I then hopped over to sign up to try and Win a Custom Green Home Design. Wow!  These guys are serious.  Now THAT is impressive.

They want to know details on your lifestyle, which we all happen to know is important in green homes.  They want to know a little about your Medical Background, Pets, Kids, Lot Size, Location, Topography, Budget, Oh my goodness!

I’ll have to think about this and get back to it.  I stopped when I read the section, what would make your home so special?  And then a really big box to write in.  If you are wanting to Custom Design a Green Home but don’t have the budget for the Design part of it?  You may want to join this group and try to win.  There are some restrictions such as land, time frame to build, etc.

Just thought I would share this with all of my readers.  If any of you sign up, let me know how it goes! I’d love to stay posted.