ooopie
Registered Users
Posts:8
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| 04/24/2008 6:32 PM |
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I'm trying to build a nice but inexpensive green home.
anybody have any suggestions on ways to save money going green?
I'm tracking my thoughts (design right now) on a blog at:
http://theopenhouseproject.blogspot.com
thanks
-jon
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vhehn
Registered Users
Posts:104
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| 04/24/2008 8:02 PM |
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| http://www.buildingscienceconsulting.com/resources/articles/2005-06_small_house.pdf |
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Green1
Registered Users
Posts:11
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| 04/24/2008 9:09 PM |
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| Looked at your site on your ideas,SIPS for your structure ,would be your 1st step,Since I live in Florida I would not Know What would be the best heating and cooling for were you are at.but you can do it by recycling from your local area,and finish it off with solar power............Ralph........www.Flagreenbuilder.com |
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Joe Westfall
Registered Users
Posts:8
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| 04/28/2008 11:41 AM |
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| seek a green-friendly banking relationship; some banks offer a small savings to use gren materials and they come at with a .25 pt. savings, IF you shop around ALOT. There are federal tax incentiives and in some markets state and/or local goverment incentives that are out there also. Do your research on the financial pc. NOW not later ! |
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surpriseaz85379
Registered Users
Posts:1
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| 04/28/2008 1:46 PM |
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| I built a home in Phoenix, AZ where the sun and heat are major issues. I would take a look at www.jeld-wen.com as they have many green friendly products available. I used their premium wood windows and and doors in my green home. Hope that helps. |
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hayes8705
Registered Users
Posts:3
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| 05/05/2008 9:48 AM |
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Hi Jon,
I've checked out your blog before--you're pursuing a very similar project to mine! We're also trying to prove that green does not necessarily have to cost more. You can see our blog at www.greenhousevt.blogspot.com. I don't have any particularly novel ideas re: saving money and you've probably already considered these before. But here they are for what they're worth...
-Sweat equity. Help out however you can with the actual construction, where you feel qualified to do so. For example, we plan to do all the interior painting and to install kitchen/bath cabinets ourselves (from IKEA). Also, we're planning to build a full ICF house, the materials for which are more expensive than traditional stick framing. But our primary subcontractor (we're acting as our own GC) said he can help teach us how to do some of the installation, thus saving on labor costs.
-Simple house design. We're going for a modern barn/farmhouse look so a simple rectangle helps us achieve our desired aesthetic and is cost effective.
-Finding the right builder or primary sub. Our builder, Al Rossetto, is 100% committed to our green ideals and to helping us complete our project on budget. I think he is our greatest asset going forward. If you can find a builder or primary sub who understands your vision and your cost constraints, he/she will be able to help you to find innovative ways to save money. So definitely choose wisely!
-Use craigslist.com! I search the "materials" section daily and see lots of great deals. We're not quite ready to purchase stuff yet because we're not breaking ground until the summer of 2009...but definitely check out online resources like craigslist for good deals. Also, see if there are any architectural salvage shops where you live...you can sometimes find great deals there on products for your home. Plus, recycling and re-purposing is definitely green!
Hope this helps--and best of luck with your project!
Susan
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james23
Registered Users
Posts:2
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| 05/05/2008 3:09 PM |
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It all depends on how green you would like to go. I would deffinately check out a company called Integrated Green Incorporated. They manufacture a build it yourself green home kit for only $ 14.00 sqft. There located in California and Louisiana. You can call (909) 356 - 1900.
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hayes8705
Registered Users
Posts:3
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| 05/05/2008 6:39 PM |
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Okay, I've been thinking about this all day and have a couple other ideas...
Passive solarity...make sure your house is sited to receive as much southern exposure as possible.
Solar hot water. Photovoltaics (PVs) are out of our price range at the moment but with incentives, etc. it seems like solar hot water is feasible--the costs just aren't as high. And when you're designing your house, you can be thinking ahead to features/systems you might add in the future like PVs.
Rainwater catchment system. Also, there are inexpensive in-house grey water systems available that take grey water from your sink, filter it, store it and then use it to flush your toilets. So cool. I think they run in the neighborhood of $200-$300.
Solar tubes. We are planning to put several of these in our home. They allow natural light into your home but don't require a large opening/hole in the roof. The amount of natural light they attract reduce the need for artificial light. And they're not too expensive...depending on the size you want, I think some can run as cheap as $250-$300.
Concrete floors. I know, I know--their embodied energy is quite high. But you can replace up to 50% or more with fly ash (a by product of coal production that actually makes the concrete stronger and reduces the need for cement which is so energy-rich to produce). Concrete floors seem to run cheaper than other floor types, especially if you don't stain them (which can get expensive). Also, they provide a great thermal mass so that if you have a lot of southern light exposure, they can trap heat during the day and release it at night (in the winter) and keep things cool in the summer. Plus, they are a great base for embedded radiant heat floors.
Okay, I think that's all I have for now...I'll keep thinking. I think threads like this are really important! I know I need all the help I can get! |
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zazeem
Registered Users
Posts:3
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| 05/14/2008 10:35 PM |
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the all time best, very affordable and unsual but cool eco home design that i have seen is this one:
http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm
He tell you how to make it too right on the site
I am lookng into makig one in Maine, USA. The only thing that bothers me is the waterproofing i gues it would work the way they have it but i would modify that part.
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vhehn
Registered Users
Posts:104
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| 05/15/2008 10:37 AM |
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| lol. you want to live in a cave? |
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Brock
Registered Users
Posts:201
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| 05/15/2008 12:29 PM |
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| It looks really neat, not something I would choose. The first thing that popped in to my mind was a home inspection, ummm that’s not going to pass. If you never plan to sell it or don't have inspectors in your area, good luck. |
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Green Bay, WI. - geothermal heated indoor pool with a small solar setup |
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Jelly
Registered Users
Posts:268
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| 05/16/2008 2:46 PM |
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Posted By james23 on 05/05/2008 3:09 PM
It all depends on how green you would like to go. I would deffinately check out a company called Integrated Green Incorporated. They manufacture a build it yourself green home kit for only $ 14.00 sqft. There located in California and Louisiana. You can call (909) 356 - 1900.
I can't seem to find their website - do they have one?
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james23
Registered Users
Posts:2
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| 05/16/2008 3:02 PM |
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| They dont have one up at the moment. I can email you some of their .pdf brochures. That goes for anyone whos interested. |
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Jelly
Registered Users
Posts:268
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| 05/17/2008 3:01 PM |
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Posted By james23 on 05/16/2008 3:02 PM
They dont have one up at the moment. I can email you some of their .pdf brochures. That goes for anyone whos interested. Thanks that would be great - I'm planning to build in Louisiana. I sent you a private message with my email, but I'm not sure the PM system works here.
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williamnaegeli
Registered Users
Posts:5
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| 05/18/2008 3:23 PM |
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| florida ? with all the great weather you better DIY and use ICF...good luck...check on the insurance in your area...see what is easier to insure SIPs or ICFs..let me know. |
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