Friday, November 7, 2008

U OF I TO GET ALL GREEN DORMITORY

We are proud to publicize that a $23 million residence hall under construction in Champaign will be the first at the University of Illinois to be certifiably green.

The eco-friendly features of the 262-bed Presby Hall include a geothermal system to heat rooms and water, water-saving plumbing as well as environmentally friendly lighting and paint.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony of the building expected to be the first U of I residence hall to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, is planned for this summer.

The Champaign-based McKinley Presbyterian Church and Foundation, which owns the property, took the initiative in pushing for a green hall, the private foundation’s director said.

“We wanted to be responsible. We wanted the building to be sustainable,” said Heidi Weatherford.

Three are construction challenges; one is the installation of the pricey $650k heating system which will use ground source pumps to keep the building warm. To install pumps and may miles of tubing some old trees along a nearby street must come down, though new trees will be planted to replace them.

Weatherford said while the geothermal system is expensive the costs will be recouped by the $40,000 in annual savings.

“The upfront costs are significant,” she said “But the financial payback is almost immediate.” Factoring in the energy savings, Weatherford said, the heating system could pay for itself in about 10 years.

The Illinois Clean Energy Foundation recently awarded the foundation $100,000 to help pay for Presby Hal’s green features.

The university has said it plans a major renovation of a cluster of its residence halls called Six Pack, saying it hopes that project also will get the green certification.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

BUILD A GREEN KITCHEN

Choose Some of the Eco-Friendly items for your Next Kitchen Renovation










HABITUS cork mosaic tiles are made of the remnants of bottle stoppers; are water proof and install like ceramic tile, http://www.habutusnyc.com/














GREENLIGHT CONCEPTS pendant lamps are made from old traffic lights that were being thrown into landfills, http://www.greenlightconcepts.com/













DURAT makes sustainable sinks from 50% recycled material, http://www.durat.com/



VIKING PROFESSIONAL SERIES induction/radiant rangetop harness magnetic energy to heat the pots while the stovetop actually stays cool. It’s twice as energy efficient as an electric stove, http://www.vikingrange.com/







BOSCH evolution dishwasher reduces energy usage up to 25%, www.boschappliances.com

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Everyday Greening Tips!

HERE ARE SOME EVERYDAY GREEN LIVING TIPS FROM GREEN BOY!



Windows- Larger windows which face South help bring in natural light for warmth in the winter.


Appliances - Turn off the dishwasher after the rinse cycle and allow dishes to dry on their own.



Lights- Utilize dimmers, light/time sensors to not only conserve energy and the life of light bulbs.


Rain Water- Rain barrel's are great to capture rain water and reuse for plants and flowers in the yard.


Click Below on the link to the City of Chicago for getting rain barrels and more, take a look!


Environmental Resource Event Flyer (English)


Cleaning Agents- Clorox has a line of green works cleaners, www.greenworkscleaners.com.



Paints- Use Low-VOC or No-VOC paints and stains.



Monday, August 25, 2008

Warmboard flooring for Heating your Home

http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42078We've begun a renovation of a first floor bath and kitchen and eliminated an adjoining wall between the dining room and kitchen, that had two large baseboard raditors. In our quest to find a solution to heat the kitchen without radiators, we decided to use a product known as warmboard.



Warmboard is a subflooring material that is 1 1/8" thick and has grooves for 1/2" PEX tubing routed into it in different patterns corresponding to different ways you might wish to heat a floor. It also has a layer of aluminum that helps spread the hear evenly. In terms of raw cost per sqft. it cannot compete with standard 3/4" tng plywood but it has some interesting properties that make it far superior to all other staple up radiant options and in some jobs superior to radiant slab a well. This was one of those projects where it really did make sense.



In order to keep the finished tile floor flush with the existing wood floor, we had to remove the original subfloor to be replaced with the thicker warmboard. We then ran the 1/2" PEX tubing in the preformatted grooves and terminated the beginning and end of the tubing at the existing boiler so that we can add a manifold system at a later date.

While we were doing this we took the liberty of leveling the floor joists so that we have a level floor for the new kitchen to be installed later. We then layed 5/8" durock over the warmboard for our tile installation. This application will not only give us heat for the space but also provide a nice warm tile to walk on in the cold winters.

There is a cost increase in working with the warmboard system, but now that we have done it, we really believe that is the way to go and will strongly encourage clients to consider it. For example a typical 4x8' 3/4" sheet of plywood is about $35.00 and a similar warmboard sheet is $225.00. Factor in the cost of manifolds, tubing, and miscellaneous labor, the overall costs can add up. But when we are dealing with a $100,000 kitchen we sure don't want to see radiators.


visit www.warmboard.com for more information on there products.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Hey friends, I'm guilty of blog neglect! Been crazed busy, but will pledge to check in at least weekly. See below for info on generating your own power.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008


CENTER FOR GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Center for Green Technology

The City of Chicago for Green Technology (CCGT) has been educating the public and building professionals alike about green buildings sustainable design since it open in May 2002. Managed by the Department of Environment CCGT offers nearly 400 free public seminars two or three times a week the building and campus at 4445 N Sacramento Blvd, are open six day a week guided and self-guided tours. Housed on a 17-acres sire that was once a construction and demolition scrap yard, the Center’s 40,000sqft building was one of the first to receive the highest award (Platinum) of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program. Its significant green features include solar panels, rainwater collection irrigation, recycled building materials, smart lighting, a vegetated roof, and a geothermal exchange system. Also located on the site are WRD Environmental a sustainable landscaping company, Greencorps Chicago, the city’s community gardening and job training program and Whitney Wood Works, a sustainable wood and cabinet company.

Green Permit Program

The City of Chicago Green Permit Program, administered by the Department of Buildings, allows building projects form single-family home to high-rise office building to qualify for fast permit approvals by meeting certain green guidelines. It takes an average six weeks to obtain approval for a green permit while traditional permits can take 12 or more weeks to be approved.

Through September 2007, the City had issued a total of 158 green permits. For smaller projects, such as single-family homes the Green Permit process can also be helpful in guiding the owner to other City departments for technical services. Projects qualifying for green permits fall into one of three tiers. Each tier require a certain level of certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating program, plus one or more “extras” from a menu administered by the Department of Buildings. Some or all consultant review fees may be reimbursed for Tier II or Tier III projects.

If you are interested in utilizing the program visit www.cityofchicago.org/buildings.

Plan for green permitting early in the design of your project.

Focus on team coordination-the designer, contractor, subcontractors, and other who will be involved in the project.

Chicago Green Homes Program

Chicago Green Homes is a voluntary program managed by the City of Chicago, to encourage the building of healthy and environmentally responsible single-family and multi-family homes in the city. Both newly constructed and renovated homes are eligible.

To participate start by downloading the Chicago Green Homes Programs Guide and the Chicago Green Homes Checklist from the Department of Environments website at www.cityofchicago.com/enviroment. These documents provide details regarding the materials and procedures needed to build a green home.

The Green Homes Program is modeled on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes national certification program but, is specific to Chicago. Like LEED, Green Homes uses a point system. Specific green features may earn a certain number of points in the following categories sustainable sites, energy efficiency materials, health and safety, resource conservation, homeowner education, and innovation. Based on the number of points earned, homes can achieve a one, two or three star rating.

Approved projects will receive a Chicago Green Homes Certificate. Certified Green Homes will also be recognized on the City of Chicago website. Homes in the program may also be eligible for an expedited Green Permit from the Department of Buildings. The Chicago Green Homes Program is partnership of the Departments of Housing, Buildings and Environment. For information visit www.cityofchicago.com/enviroment

GENERATE YOUR OWN JUICE!

CONSIDER REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT….and slash utility bills at the same time. With rebates and tax incentives in some areas, renewable resource costs can be offset. Find more info on rebates at: www.dsireusa.org and www.engerytaxincentives.org

SOLAR…You will need 400 sqft of solar panels per 2,000 sqft of house to provide 4-5 kilowatts of energy. Cost of these panels is around $40-60k, before rebates and credits. Check out www.findsolar.com to see about the viability in your area.

COMPONETS…So called inverters allow you to sell extra electricity back to your local utility company. Average cost for a good component is $2500. See Xantrex www.xantrex.com.

WIND…Good turbines last 20 years or more, once you make the investment, wind can give you free energy for decades, of course you will need to check your local zoning ordinances. Generally these will run between $30-70k but the more wind that can be harvested the sooner you recapture your investment. Go to www.firstlook.3tiergroup.com to help find how much wind hits your property; the generating capacity you need in your turbine depends on your wind strength and consistency. A turbine will have static noise; look for a bigger turbine with a low tip speed ratio (TSR).

GEOTHERMAL…These systems use the Earth’s near-constant temperature to eliminate the need for carbon-intensive, oil-base heating. It can also cool your home in the summer. Geo is better on larger lots and is cheaper if it’s part of a house’s original construction. New construction cost is around $25k. Retrofit would run $40k based on a 2,000sqft home. For more info go to www.geoexchange.org.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Bungalow Restoration in Norwood Park

I have just started a new project on a Bungalow in Norwood Park. This home must have had a craftsman as a previous owner. The walls on the second floor are made of 1/4 inch plywood with curves and details. The entire back room is completely tiled (including the ceiling) with plastic tile. All the cabinets are built in with an old school style. The bathroom is blue!

My client wants to renovate his kitchen as well as the bathrooms on the 1st and 2nd floors. He is undecided about what to do with the old 2nd floor kitchen. He has two older sons that visit him from time to time. He wants to make it new and cool, utilizing it partly as a office, but still wants to keep the vague aspects of a kitchen and the functionality of an in law apartment. I plan to document this process for you. Stay tuned for further developments.


Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Go green with your Appliances!

For those seeking a green solution to kitchen appliances, I am publishing this article written by a friend and esteemed colleague, Joe Oliver, otherwise known as "The Pie Guy". For more details or information on restoring chambers stoves, you can reach him at 773-973-5330 or thepieguy@sbcglobal.net


The ultra eco-conscious stove:

It seems ironic, in these days of carbon consciousness, high fuel bills, and “Energy Star” rated appliances, that a fuel conservation technology perfected in the late 1800’s seems to have been all but forgotten. “Retained Heat Cooking” was widely employed in American kitchens for decades, but only one major manufacturer integrated this technology into a practical stove. For over 50 years, the Chambers Range Company, with the sales pitch “Cooks With the Gas Turned Off”, promoted Retained Heat cooking as its primary selling point. Despite their popularity, the Chambers company folded in the 1980’s.

Vintage stoves have become a hot item among eco-conscious homeowners: there is significant environmental value in saving any appliance from the scrap heap. But with a unique and timeless design and super-efficiency, Chambers ranges stand out among all the rest. However, we’re not just talking cute and practical here. Chambers ranges offer fun and useful features that modern manufacturers seem to have forgotten, like a full-size griddle and pop-up broiler on the stove-top. Constructed with commercial grade components and made in a wide variety of colors, Chambers not only look great, they work great!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

SNOW WAY

Like there is snow way this actually happened. As a general contractor and snow plow"er" in Chicago, every day is full of adventure. I've been told many times I should write my memoirs. Mrs. McCarthy, here is chapter 14 (chapter 13 was when the cockatiel got stuck behind the drywall).



This is one reason why snow plow operators get paid what they do. Not only do we have sleep deprivation, but it is a toll on our bodies and equipment. The other night, the snow/slush stopped around 6:00 p.m. My accounts do not need snow work done until later and I was spending a little time with family and friends. One account calls me and asks if I can clean their space by midnight. I know I have a slow leak on my driver's side tire, but I haven't seen the truck in a couple of days. I also know that I am low on fuel. So, I have to factor in time to allow for both of these. I'm pretty tired from a long week and decide to rest a little before I head out. Well, I woke up at 11:30pm. I race through the house waking my wife up in the process. "Is there a herd of elephants stampeding" she asks sleepily. "Shhhh," I respond. Off to the plow truck a block away only to find my tire nearly flat. I know I can't make it to a gas station and those 50 cent pumps cannot fill up the 80 psi that I need. My compressor happens to be at my house so I limp the one block back to my house on three full tires, plug the compressor in (WHAAAAA) it starts up at 11:45 P.M. with my whole family asleep as well as the neighborhood and I proceed to air up my tire. Now I 've really lost some time. So I can't get fuel before I clear my accounts driveway. By the time I finish with them, I am nearly out of fuel. I drive to the nearest fuel station and find the station closed. I rack my brain for the next closest. I barely make it to Ashland and Addison and fuel up. I Drive back to the commercial account on Ravenswood and Irving to continue the clean up. I need to shovel the walk whick takes about an hour of heavy work, then need to clean all the parking spaces. As I finish, I hear a clunk, squeek, and misc. other noises. I get out the truck, can't locate the problem and drive on (does this surprise anyone?) I hit a couple of other accounts and the noise is getting worse. By the time I get to one of my last accounts, I turn into the driveway and completely lose my four wheel drive capacity. Well, when you have had as much snow as we have, you need all 4 wheels pulling in order to move a big pile of snow. I shift into two wheel drive and find my rear wheels spinning on the ice. It's 2:30 in the morning and I am stuck. Blocking the driveway. In the process of trying to get unstuck, my rear end has fishtailed over so that I am wedged 1" away from one of the parked cars. I try leveraging the truck over,with a long 2 x 4 I found in the Sears parking lot, but to no avail. So happens I am only about 8 blocks from my house - where my other truck is parked. I figure if I get a chain, I'll be able to pull my truck rear end over to get out of this situation. So I leave my truck, plow and all, completely blocking the way for anybody to get out and start the walk of shame. I get to the corner of Lawrence and Wolcott, and lo and behold, here comes a little 4 wheel drive Jeep with a plow on it. I flag him down and ask the favor. He follows me over, I drag a chain out of the back of my truck and he yanks my rear end over far enough to be able to get out of my predicament. Many thanks to that unknown angel. Needless to say none of my other accounts were plowed that night. I think it was 3:45 before I nestled into my bed. The next morning, I wake up at 6am and help get kids ready for school. Breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed etc. My daughter takes ice skating lessons at McFetridge two days a week at 7am. My wife and daughter leave shortly before this, leaving me with the other two. I get my son to school and get a call on my cell phone. The wife says, "I have a flat tire at Montrose and California." I retrieve them, drop off my daughter at school and my wife at home. I still have mentioned nothing of the previous evening. I load my compressor in the back of my truck, drive back to my wife's car, air up her tire and get her car home. Then I get my plow truck, drive it my house so that I can remove the plow, which often times is not an easy process. Well the gods granted me a favor this day and she popped right off. Now I have to slowly drive my rig to Montrose and Pulaski with a man behind me following. Thom's Four Wheel Drive & Auto Service at 4118 N. Pulaski is an awesome place. Thom is one of the most interesting and informative guys I have met in the business. I highly recommend him. It turns out the left front tire was about to fall off. She is still in the shop at this writing and it is supposed to snow Monday night. It's now 11:oo am and I still have not plowed three of my accounts. I call a buddy of mine from Queen of Angels Parish and school who does snow plowing - Robert Brooks of Autumn Ridge Landscape and Design came through big time for me. Many thanks Robert. Well, that about concludes my story. Wish me luck and God Speed.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Tankless Water Heaters

Do you realize you are paying to heat water 24 hours a day? You are if you have a standard water heater. A tankless water heater is a much more energy efficient way to heat water and it provides an endless supply of hot water for your entire home. You don't have to heat and reheat a reserve of water sitting in your hot water tank.

Tankless water heaters are up to 50 percent more energy efficient than a traditional natural gas water heater and up to 70 percent more efficient than an electric water heater. They turn off automatically when hot water is not needed. The units are great space savers too because they are small and mounted to the wall. One of the products I am most familiar with is Rinnai. They are easy to install and my clients have been extremely happy with them. This is an excellent first step toward adopting a "Build Green" philosophy in your home.

Green your home with Solar Panels

A solar hot water or heating system is an excellent investment for home owners. It can utilize your current water heater or furnace, but the energy is generated by pollution-free solar panels on your roof rather than through gas or electricity.

Solar energy is also becoming more price competitive. For example, a $12,000 investment can place 2 solar panels on your roof to heat your hot water. Government programs can help subsidize this cost and offset it by almost $5,000. As energy prices continue to rise, this option will save in utility expenses over and over as well as reduce our dependence on natural gas and electricity.

Snow Removal in Chicago


We're out snow plowing Chicago's streets, parking areas and sidewalks.
For Chicago snow removal, contact us. We'll help dig you out!