tion, but you can still make small but
taking on a larger project, you choose sal-
geothermal heating and cooling systems
rewarding efforts to make your home
vaged or secondhand materials or reuse
because they use the natural constant
greener, says Brash. Some of the simple
and repurpose as much of the materials
ambient temperature of the earth to
but powerful adjustments you can make
from the existing structure as possible. In
heat in the winter and cool in the sum-
include the following:
a recent green renovation for a home in
mer. “Quite simply, in the heating mode,
• Replace older fixtures with new
the Enright Ridge Urban Ecovillage, in the
geothermal systems take heat from the
water-conserving fixtures
Price Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati,
earth, transfer that heat to a refrigerant,
• Use no or low Volatile Organic
Schelly used recycled and unusual ma-
then distributes the heat into the struc-
Compounds (VOC) paints, finishes and
terials to turn a tiny one-bedroom home
ture,” Griffin says. “In the cooling mode,
carpets. VOC are emitted as gases and
into a comfortable three-bedroom home.
the system takes heat from the structure,
can have a negative impact on health if
“We wanted to add a bedroom, but
transfers the heat to the refrigerant, then
inhaled.
could really only go up,” Schelly said.
transfers the heat back to the ground
• Select air filters with high Minimum
“The client didn’t need that much space,
loop fluid.” This process works the same
Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)
so instead of building a second floor
as that of a standard air conditioner, ex-
scores. (MERV is a standard used to
over the entire roof, we only did half of
cept a geothermal system uses the loop
measure the overall efficiency of a filter.
it. We used the rafters from the roof for
fluid at a constant temperature instead of
Higher MERV ratings mean fewer dust
walls and salvaged wood from an old
varying outdoor temperatures.
particles and other airborne contami-
amusement park to create a warm feel-
“This gives the heat pump the
nants pass through the filter.)
ing in the home.”
energy efficiency advantage of using a
• Select recycled content and renew- small amount of electricity to tap into
able, healthy and environmentally
pursuing the greenest of
existing heat rather than warming cold
friendly materials
green endeavors
air by burning fossil fuels,” Griffin says.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with
If you’re interested in making changes to
“In other words, it’s like heating and
compact fluorescent bulbs. They last
your home that cost a significant amount
cooling your home when it’s 50 degrees
seven or eight years and use less energy,
of effort and money upfront but yield
outside—all year long.”
saving about $100 per year in electricity.
big long-term dividends for both your
Green building or renovating, or
• Instead of night lights, install motion
bank account and the environment, your
even incorporating a few green elements
sensors, photocell controls or timers so
best bet is to focus your attention on
at home, are growing trends worldwide,
outdoor lights are on only when needed.
energy conservation. Increased concern
because people everywhere are finding
• Install weather stripping around doors
over rising prices of fossil fuels and their
that even the smallest efforts yield ben-
and caulk cracks around windows to
effects on the environment is boost-
efits — they save money, protect your
prevent energy-wasting air leaks.
ing the popularity of alternative energy
health and nurture the environment (and
• Use your bathroom and kitchen ven-
sources at home. Among your options
at the very least, they limit the strain of
tilation fans to keep mold at bay. (Fans
are solar or wind power and biomass,
civilization on the planet).
need to vent to the outdoors in order to
though geothermal energy has garnered
be effective.)
a lot of attention recently because it uses For more information contact LJS
Brash says that customers of Duke
the free, renewable energy in our own Designs at 513-235-6172; Duke Energy
Energy Ohio can also participate in the
backyards, plus the technology has been at 513-421-9500 or visit Duke-Energy.com;
GoGreen program, which allows them
around for decades. Geothermal Solutions at 513-228-4900,
to nominate blocks of their energy use
Brian Griffin, executive vice presi- Info@WrightSolutionsGroup.com or
at $2.50 per block; the funds are used to
dent and COO of Geothermal Solutions, visit WrightSolutionsGroup.com; and
purchase renewable energy credits that
a division of Wright Solutions Group the U.S. Green Building Council at
support research and development in the
based in Lebanon, Ohio, recommends USGBC.org or GreenHomeGuide.org
renewable industry.
being Creative with
what You have
Interested in doing more than switching
out light bulbs and making other simple
changes? “Don’t be afraid to think out-
side of the box,” advises Schelly. “Creat-
ing a green home, especially a green
remodel, may mean rethinking the floor
plan. Instead of adding on to a home–
thus creating more space to use more
energy–knock down a wall, add more
windows or relocate rooms.”
Schelly recommends that when
January 2009
25
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