“Windows are the weak link, thermally speaking, in most building envelopes. Modern windows are much better than old single-pane windows and store-fronts, but they still represent a compromise—we accept their mediocre thermal performance because we want the daylight, views, and ventilation they offer…” - excerpt from “Reducing Heat Flow Through Windows” post at BuildingGreen.com
Many buildings constructed within the last decade have already experienced major failures due to water damage and air leakage across the building envelope that caused condensation and mold growth. Now, building scientists are emphasizing the benefits of using effective air barriers for homeowners and trades. Air barriers significantly reduce random air leakage, conserving up to 40 percent of a building’s energy loss and improving indoor air quality, when combined with mechanical ventilation. Air barriers also extend the life of a building by minimizing the flow of airborne moisture that can breed condensation, mold growth and decay.Icynene delivers high-performance solutions for efficient building envelopes, thermal comfort and a healthy living environment – all of which are integral components of green building and design. Icynene can also contribute points/credits to LEED for Homes + the NAHB National Green Building Standard. - excerpt from Icynene.com
According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), buildings in the United States account for 70% of our nation’s electricity use. Find more Green Building Research click HERE.
“The Sustainability Institute is embarking on a new project to make green building a little easier. The institute has launched the S.C. Green Building Directory, on online resource that lets users search for products and services that further green building efforts. Companies register on the site at no charge, and the institute approves each company before adding it to the directory. Users can search by company, product, service, LEED credit or construction topic. “Overall, the goal is that it (the directory) really promotes green commerce in South Carolina,” said institute Executive Director Bryan Cordell. “We hope it turns into a green building exchange.”
About 120 companies have registered, and Cordell said he hopes to quadruple that number.
The project is funded through grants from the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Commerce and Energy Office”. - Excerpt from SC BIZ Magazine
Click on the link below for more information on the SC. Green Building Directory.
“Washington, DC—The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has just published a monograph on the field’s hottest topic: building green. Sustainable Design II examines important new developments, tools, and techniques in sustainable design that have occurred since the publication of NCARB’s Sustainable Design in 2001.
Increasing concern about global climate change has raised public awareness about sustainable design and now requires architects to address these critical issues. “Sustainable design has entered the mainstream as a significant environmental and economic force in building design, construction, and development,” according to authors Muscoe Martin, AIA, LEED and Gregory Franta, FAIA. Sustainable Design II takes an in-depth look at the emergence of green building rating systems, most notably the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification. It also examines the costs and benefits of green buildings and integrated design strategies.
Successful completion of the Sustainable Design II quiz earns 12 professional development units (PDUs) and/or AIA learning units in health, safety, and welfare. The monograph’s price includes the monograph, the web-based quiz, the score reporting process, and one free retest if needed. Online, fax, or mail orders are accepted for all NCARB monographs.
Order online or visit the publication section of NCARB’s web site at
http://www.ncarb.org/publications/index.html to see other available titles.
Sustainable Design II
By Muscoe Martin, AIA, LEED, and Gregory Franta, FAIA
138 Pages
Regular Price: $275
NCARB Record holders: $175
NCARB’s monograph series provides a convenient, low-cost way for architects and other design professionals to learn about new developments in the industry and meet continuing education requirements. Current NCARB Record holders may earn multiple PDUs in health, safety, and welfare for less than $16 per unit— one of the lowest continuing education unit costs available today. All passing scores are reported to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at no extra cost.” - Copied from www.NCARB.org.
Click on the link below to find out more about this series.
After the tornado.
Artist rendering of the new Greensburg.
Last May, the small Kansas town of Greensburg was almost demolished by an EF-5 tornado. Twelve of their residents died and 95% of the community’s structures were lost.
This May we see that the small town is “rebuilding as a model green community, focusing on energy self-sufficiency and other principles of sustainability, with the aim to become the greenest community in America”. - Excerpt from www.GreensburgGreenTown.org.
Click on the links below to read more about the rebuilding of this community.
“There’s No Place Like a Green Demo Home”
Matt Cheney is trying to make it easy and cheap to go green. His firm, MMA Renewable Ventures (MMA), helps companies build solar energy systems, cut their electricity bills, and lock in rates for decades-all with no money down. The San Francisco company has erected some $300 million worth of solar panels for clients ranging from Denver International Airport to Gap (GPS).
MMA’s approach brings together evergy users, builders, and financiers. Essentially, MMA is the middleman. It contracts with companies to install the solar panels, which it owns and operates. Customers then pay MMA for the power the panels generate-like a traditional utility but with cheaper rates.” - Excerpt from www.newsweek.com.
Click on the link below to read the entire article.
Click on the link below to listen to the last part of our interview with Anthony Coppedge.
Click on the link below to hear the third part of our interview with Anthony Coppedge.
“When it comes to spewing out carbon dioxide and other agents of global warming, some of the biggest offenders are mundane construction products like drywall. Serious Materials in Sunnyvale, Calif., says that manufacturing it accounts for 1% of all the energy used by U.S. industry, and thus a comparable percentage of all industrial emissions. The company will soon market a product called EcoRock that could drastically shrink drywall’s carbon footprint.
In the traditional production process, gypsom and other raw materials are combined in watery slurry that must be rolled flat and dried, guzzling energy. Serious Materials’ new recipe combines chemicals that, when mixed, react to create much of their own drying heat. The company was voted the top prospect at a recent green investment forum, and in November, it snared $50 million in venture capital. CEO Kevin Surace argues that industry must find a way to improve on traditional building products.” - Excerpt from www.businessweek.com.
—By John Carey. Edited by Adam Aston
In a previous post, we told you about Kid Konnection software. This post has an interview with the volunteer coordinator of Oak Pointe Church in southern Greenville county.
Click on the link below to listen to the interview.
For some people, going to church isn’t the same as it use to be. No stained glass windows, no pews, no choir, in fact, no church building. Many new churches, called church plants, meet where ever they can find available space. Some people won’t come to a traditional church for various reasons so these churches go to the people. Many of them meet in schools or store fronts. They still preach and teach God’s word but just in a different setting.
The set-up at these churches is quite different. When I say “set-up”, I really mean to set up. Every week, volunteers come in and set up for the preschool department, the children’s department, the band, and any other area that is needed to “have church”.
One area that is kind of new is the children’s “check-in” station. When you come in, someone will be there to greet you and to “check” your children in for their classes. You give the volunteers a unique security code for your child that only you know. In order to get your child after service, you must give them this code. This is one way that the church provides you with peace of mind while you are in the worship service.
Most of the software that is used at these “check-in” stations is very expensive but we have a solution to that.
Kid Konnection is “check-in” software that is easy to use and is very affordable for those churches that want “big church” resourses but have “little church” funds.
Brendan O’Gorman, owner of BrenWaves LLC, created this software when he saw how unorganized their church “check-in” had become. All it takes is a laptop computer and a label printer.
Click on the link below for more information.
“David Rowe’s aim through his Holy Smoke business is to help churches attract more families and children.
Holy Smoke Studios is a new company that builds and creates biblically themed worship environments for children’s church spaces and day cares.
Its offerings include custom-designed 3-D murals, panoramas, life-sized cut outs, puppet theaters and rooms.
“Anything the mind can conceive, we can build,” Rowe said. “From a Bible village to a Western town — you name it.”
Clearview Baptist Church on State Park Road, Holy Smoke’s first South Carolina project, chose to have Bibleland created in nearly 2,000 square feet of the church’s old main sanctuary.
The Rev. Dr. Christian Hall, pastor at Clearview, said, “We’ve always had a goal of making the children’s hour the most exciting hour. That’s why we went with something so different, that’s more of a biblical scene with a town in there, bright colors.”
The scenery includes a tree house that will allow puppets to come out of windows in multi-levels. And instead of pews in the main auditorium, children can sit on risers.
Hall said the church wanted a facility that would also draw kids, keep their attention and show parents “how important they are to us.”
Rowe’s concept for Holy Smoke began in his heart more than three years ago.
After being in the ministry for 25 years, Rowe said he noticed declining attendance in a lot of churches.
“Their congregations are getting older, and a lot of them are not reaching out to kids and young couples,” he said. Rowe saw the impact that companies similar to his own, but larger, were having on churches in other areas of the country.
He cited, for example, North Point Community Church in Georgia which has “Upstreet,” a hallway converted into a city street “to create the feel of a neighborhood where children learn how to study the Bible, worship through singing, and build quality friendships with other kids and adult leaders” according to its Web site.
“I saw how these churches stepped out by faith and did something for their kids, how it affected their church for growth,” he said. “So, I think we’re on the beginning end of a wave of the future of what churches are going to need to do to reach the next generation of people.” - Excerpt from The Greenville News, Sunday March 2, 2008 by Angelia Davis.
For more information on Holy Smoke Studios, go to their website at http://www.holysmokestudios.com/.
“A low odor, low VOC, 100% acrylic latex flat that provides high hiding, excellent touch up, and a uniform flat finish. Eco Spec Interior Latex Flat (219) is ideally suited for commercial, facility management, and residential applications. Eco Spec Interior Latex Flat (219) does not have the odor of conventional paints that contain ingredients known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)”.
Recommended For: New or previously painted interior wallboard, plaster, ceilings and masonry, as well as primed or previously painted wood and metal; use Eco Spec Interior Latex Primer (231) as a first coat when a low odor, solvent free Primer / Finish system is desired. - Copied from www.benjaminmoore.com.
Click on the link below for more details.
The following post was taken from http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage as reported by Angelia Davis, Business Writer.
“Leonard Brown Jr. believes no church has to play second fiddle to a secular venue when it comes to quality sound and video.
“Our message is the most important message in the world,” he said. “I think it stands to reason that we should use the best tools at our disposal.”
Brown, through his eight-year-old company, Advanced Media Systems, helps churches enhance their worship experience by installing multimedia projection systems, high definition displays, intelligent lighting and digital sound equipment.
The Berea-based company is already nationally recognized for its work. Among its honors is its being named one of the Top 50 Systems Integrators in the U.S. by Systems Contractor News Magazine.
The company is reaching yet another milestone with the installation of its 200th church multimedia system at Grace Church in Powdersville.
Brown believes his own church, Forestville Baptist, north of Travelers Rest, is the first area church to go completely high definition.
The 125-year-old church embraced high technology two years ago, with the completion of its new sanctuary. It has 15 flat-panel displays throughout the facility, a computer-operated lighting system, and high-definition projectors and video.
“To bring a church out here in the cow pastures up to this level of technology was like pulling teeth over a long period of time,” Brown said. “It’s a pretty high-tech situation out here in the country.”
Click on the link below to read the entire article.
Berea electronics company is bringing new sights, sounds to houses of worship
For more information on Advanced Media Systems, go to their website at http://www.advancedmediasystems.net/
Annual savings: $50 to $150 on electric bills per machine.
Up-front cost: About $500 to $1,500 per machine.
Quick Fix: Compact fluorescent bulbs (costing about $5 each) could save you about $5 each annually. The biggest problem with fluorescents is that their bluish light can make even the healthiest homeowner look ready for his last rites.
To minimize the operating room glare, says Jeff Miller, president-elect of the International Association of Lighting Designers, buy only name-brand bulbs that are labeled “soft” or “warm” light. Keep in mind that wattages are different than you’re used to: The GE 26-watt compact fluorescent bulb, for example, gives off as much light as a 100-watt regular bulb”.
Add insulationAnnual savings: About 5% on your fuel bills (if you have some insulation already) to 25% (if you have none).
Up-front cost: About $1,000 to insulate the attic and foundation yourself; about $2,000 to $4,000 for a handyman to do it.
The credit: 10% of the cost of materials (credit cannot exceed $500).
Quick Fix: A Smart Power Strip (costing about $30) could save you $30 per strip a year. Most electrical devices gobble energy even when they’re shut off and unplugging them is a hassle. Plug in your printer, speakers and other peripherals and they’ll get power only when your computer is on. Same goes for TV and stereo equipment. Each strip will pay for itself in about a year”.
In the attic, look for gaps around anything that comes through the floor, such as pipes, fan ducts and electrical lines. Use an expanding-foam spray or paint-able caulk to seal cracks.
Annual savings: Up to 10% on your fuel bills
Up-front cost: About $100 if you do it yourself; $500 or more if you hire out the job.
Tax credit: 10% of the cost of storm windows (credit cannot exceed $200).
Quick Fix: A water heater blanket (about $20) could save you $34 a year for a gas heater; $54 for an electric one”.
Excerpt from Money Magazine
Up-front cost: About $50 if you do it yourself; $500 to $3,000 otherwise.
If you have not started recycling yet, then today is your day. It’s America Recycles Day 2007. It just takes a little effort to recycle and it can be fun too. Make it one of your family chores thus you will be teaching your children how to be a good recycler. If we start teaching our children now, it might just change the world! Come on! Do your part!
Click on the link below to read about Recycling Day. There’s a lot of good information on the website.
“We believe the optimal green coating should do two things: minimize the impact on air quality and deliver maximum performance. So we’ve developed the GreenSure symbol to help you identify the products that meet our highest green coating standards.
Going further than most third-party certifications, the GreenSure designation takes into consideration product performance and other criteria that impact the environment.” - Excerpt from sherwin.williams.com.
Click on link below for more details.
#1 Event for Church Facilities & Technology Teams!
“WFX is dedicated to helping growing churches reach their ministry objectives… This unique event provides unparalleled learning… Join thousands of your peers from across the world to study, share ideas, gain inspiration and lean… ” - excerpts from www.wfxweb.com.
“The act of building has significant effects on our regional and global environments. Resources are consumed, natural habitats are altered and the ecological systems are affected. This has been the case throughout human history, but as the world’s population and pattersn of consumption have increased, the impacts have become more critical.
Building and fire safety codes and standards establish the benchmarks for what government, industry and society deem acceptable for the public welfare.
As with life safety code requirements, energy efficiency requirements set out minimum acceptable levels of performance. The important difference is that the adoption and enforcement of a code like the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has a cumulative benefit of not only reducing evergy consumption within the given jurisdiction but also minimizing global impacts.” - Excerpt from the Building Safety Journal On-Line.
Click on the link below to read the entire article.
“The temperature atop Chicago’s City Hall building on an average summer day is usually 14 degrees to 44 degrees cooler than the county office building across the street. The reason: the county building has a typical black-tar roof, while City Hall has a green roof planted with grass, plants, and flowers.
The idea of planting grass or other vegetation on the roof of a building or house may seem like a holdover from the ’60s counterculture movement, but proponents say such roofing systems are the solution to a wealth of environmental problems plaguing cities and jurisdictions across the country.
“Green roofs reduce resource consumption and are restorative in nature,” says Steven Peck, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a Toronto-based nonprofit industry association and research network. “They clean the water, clean the air, and contribute to the health of a city.” - Excerpt from residentialarchitect.com.
Click on the link below to read the entire article.
Green power is electricity generated from renewable sources. It includes solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and small hydro. Renewable sources are more environmentally friendly than traditional electricity generation. Unlike fossil fuels they emit little or no air pollution and leave behind no radioactive waste like nuclear. Most importantly, they are naturally replenished by the earth and sun.
Solar: Converting energy from the sun into electricity using photovoltaic panels and solar thermal plants.
Wind: Harnessing the power of the wind using turbines (wind power is the fastest growing renewable energy technology).
Geothermal: Use of steam that lies below the earth’s surface to generate electricity.
Biomass: Releasing solar energy stored in plants and organic matter by burning agricultural waste and other organic matter to generate power.
Small Hydro: Use of flowing water to power electric turbines
(small hydro plants are less than 30 megawatts in size)
Click on the link below to find out more about green power here: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/
IT SAVES ENERGY.
IT CONSERVES WATER.
IT PROTECTS NATURAL RESOURCES.
IT REDUCES BUILDINGS’ IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.
IT CONTRIBUTES TO A SAFE, HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENT.
Click on the link below to read more about green building material.
“Mauldin Middle School has become the first in the Upstate to earn the title of “Green Power Solar School.”
Laurens Electric Cooperative and Santee Cooper have installed a 2-kilowatt solar power system at the school, according to a press statement from the Cooperative.
The system is designed to provide a teaching, research and hands-on demonstration opportunity for sixth-grade students at the school.
“Today is the beginning of a dynamic educational project that I know will make a difference in our students’ future,” said R. M. Singletary, Sr. Vice President of Corporate Services at Santee Cooper during Monday’s announcement. “I thank Laurens Electric Cooperative and Greenville County Schools for their environmental leadership.”
Mauldin Middle has been provided an Internet based monitoring system that provides real-time access to information regarding the system’s performance from any Internet-enabled computer.
“This partnership is a great opportunity to bring together the community, the school, and local businesses to show how important it is to invest in our future, our students,” said Mauldin Middle School’s Science Department Chair Gwendolynn Shealy.” - Excerpt from http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/NEWS01/70918016.
“Contrary to a common misperception, today’s vinyl siding, the nation’s most popular choice for exterior cladding, is being recognized for its environmentally friendly benefits. When evaluated on attributes such as global warming impact, environmental performance, economic performance, transportation issues, recyclability, resource and manufacturing efficiency and durability, vinyl siding is concluded to be a sustainable product that leaves a small environmental footprint.
Throughout the manufacturing process, on the home and even after it has fulfilled its useful life, vinyl siding scores well on tough environmental tests”. - Excerpt from http://www.vinylsiding.org/
Click on the link below for more information.
“A lot of products claim to be “green.” A lot of building methods claim to be environmentally friendly. For most of us, being green starts with using less energy. Others see green as better indoor air quality.
Deep greeners are focused on the political agenda, where environmental concerns include workers’ rights and the rights of indigenous peoples.
Every builder — including me — has had to consider what being “green” means. Sorting out the truly green from just marketing can be very tough”. - Mike Holmes
Click on the link below to read the entire article.
Mike Holmes is the host of
Holmes on Homes on HGTV.
For more information, go to
“Small companies are donating a protion of their sales to environmental groups through 1% For the Planet
Jeff Goldberg was looking for a way to tie his passion for the environment more closely to his work. After spending four years in San Diego’s biotech industry, the avid surfer and outdoorsman found an answer: bamboo. It’s the fastest-growing plant in the world, good for building, and grows naturally without requiring extra water, energy, or fertilizer. Even better, from a business perspective, the market for building with bamboo was almost nonexistent in the U.S., he says, so there was lots of opportunity. And so Cali Bamboo was born to market the plant as a sustainable resource”. - Excerpt from Businessweek.com.
Click on the link below to read the entire article.
Click on the link below to learn more about Cali Bamboo