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Austin Contemporary Green Homes Makes National Finals

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:05:41 +0000

Austin builder David Martin is not one of those “Green Builders” trying to make a quick bucks by using a few green building materials and tossing out some energy efficient buzz words.

Vote for Las Casas Verdes to win the 2010 Green Home Challenge. Select #9, “David M”!

David is the real deal… He’s as green as they come. In fact, for the past 5 years, David and his wife have lived aboard their 42′ sailboat. Sustainability and conservation of water, energy, and fuel is a daily routine for them.

David’s been designing buildings for over 30 years and is the developer behind Las Casas Verdes. Las Casas Verdes is the first all-solar, “eco-friendly” subdivision in the Southern United States. The contemporary green homes are designed to maximize energy efficiency and utilize residential solar energy systems.

Help make Austin the “Greenest”!

Vote for Las Casas Verdes to win the 2010 Green Home Challenge. Make sure to vote for #9, “David M”!

What are Insulated Concrete Forms?

admin2 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:49:05 +0000

We’re talking about insulated concrete form live on Home Energy Solutions Radio. Here about how we are building a 5-star energy efficient home out of ICF, and what we are putting on the exterior.

This is what ICF, Insulated Concrete Forms look like being installed.

Listen to us live at http://GetRatednow.com/radio.

How to make your HVAC system run more energy efficiently.

admin2 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:11:33 +0000

We continue our series demonstrating how Streetman Homes of Austin, TX builds energy efficient houses that make a difference. Earlier we demonstrated how Agribalance foam insulation outperforms traditional fiberglass insulation, and we took you into an attic to show you what an open cell foam insulated attic looks like.

In this video, Bob Brock and Craig Bushon tell you exactly why it is so important to properly insulate your attic, and explain how this will help your HVAC system run better, cleaner and more efficiently.

Tell us what you do to make your home more energy efficient.

What does a foam insulated sealed attic look like?

admin2 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:43:01 +0000

Streetman Homes in Austin, TX uses Agribalance, an environmentally friendly open cell foam to insulate some of their most energy efficient homes. Sealed attic systems with foam insulation have many advantages of traditional fiberglass batt systems.

Take a look inside the attic of one of the Streetman Homes in Mueller, as Craig Bushon demonstrates why this is a great way to build your new home.

Tell us what you do to make your home more energy efficient.

Cool Demonstration of Foam Attic Insulation

admin2 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:01:58 +0000

Bob Brock from Streetman Homes in Austin, TX explains to Craig Bushon of Home Energy Solutions the advantages of using open cell foam insulation in the attic. Bob uses a machine to demonstrate how the foam not only keeps the attic cooler, but also prevents air drafts that are common in traditional fiberglass insulation systems.

Tell us what you do to make your home more energy efficient.

How Streetman Builds Energy Efficient Homes in Austin, TX

admin2 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:11:39 +0000

Craig Bushon from Home Energy Solutions visited with Streetman Homes at Mueller in Austin, TX and reviewed all the ways that Streetman is building quality homes and helping homeowners take a chunk out of the utility bills.

Tell us what you do to make your home more energy efficient.

Do Not Fall For These Replacement Window Contractor Bid Tricks

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:37:01 +0000

When it comes to getting a replacement window contractor bid, you may feel like you’re way back in the Wild, Wild West!

Most areas do not regulate companies selling windows. You are going to meet people that make all kinds of promises about how much they will lower your utility bill, how their double pane window is better than a 366 glass triple pane window, and on and on and on…

The bottom line is: you must do your homework. Learn the facts that are important to your environment. If you’re in a warm climate, you want to know about Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. If you’re in a colder climate, U-Value will be important to you. Visible Light Transmission tells you how dark the glass is.

Finally, make sure to pay attention to how much Ultra-Violet Light (UV) the window blocks out. Keeping UV out will protect your furniture, window coverings, wood floors and more.

Don’t just accept the lowest bid on windows. Take all these factors into account to measure your true Return on Investment.

Home Energy Solutions windows, exclusively from BMC West, feature Cardinal 366 glass as a standard feature and many other features that make it the most energy efficient window on the market. Email: jhodge@bmcwest.com for more information.

Shrink your Energy Bill, Save Money and Earn a Home Tax Credit all at Once

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:28:18 +0000

The Solex Attic Fan reduces heat gain! The Solex Attic Fan can vent up to 1,275 cfm of hot air during the summer.

By reducing the amount of radiant heat that is conducted by the ceiling, heat gain within the interior can be dramatically reduced.

Attic temperatures can reach 170° F or more in the summer. That translates to ceiling temperatures of 100° F or more.

By venting heat within the attic before it is conducted by the ceiling, ceiling temperatures can be lowered by 10°-30° F. Interior room temperatures can be lowered by 5°-15° F.

Lower room temperatures also increase the life of wall coverings, floor coverings, furniture and other home furnishings. Over time, lowering home maintenance expenses can save you money as well.

There is also a tax credit for energy efficient homes. Remember: heat is the enemy-except when you’re cold.

BMC West is the exclusive dealer for Solex Attic Fans. Contact your BMC West salesperson, or steve.rosenbaum@bmcwest.com today for more information.

So, What Exactly is "Green"?

admin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:34:28 +0000

There is a lot of confusion about what exactly constitutes “Green Building”. Builders and remodelers are faced with choosing between competing certifications such as the National Association of Home Builders’(NAHB) new National Green Building Standard, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system.

While LEED has been around for longer, it was initially designed for commercial buildings and is being updated to include residential. The NAHB program, however, was designed specifically for residential builders and is better suited for their needs. The Pro Builder website has 2 great articles explaining the programs and summarizing the differences.

Make sure to read Green Goods: What’s in a Key Section of NAHB’s New Green Building Standard and Green Goods: How LEED for Homes Most Affects Dealers.