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August 7th, 2010 | 
Author: Eco Friendly Property Doesn’t Cost the Earth…………
In fact, quite the reverse. There is a widely held conception that anything green, whilst good for the environment, ultimately costs more in monetary terms. ECO friendly properties are cheaper and quicker to construct, and cheaper to run on a day to day basis.
One of the main factors behind this is build time. Traditional build times are generally between twelve and eighteen months for a decent size three bedroom villa. Using systems such as ICF (Insulating Concrete Form), Thermocellit build blocks or Ytong, reduces the build time to between 60-90 days, dependant on the size of the build. This has numerous environmental benefits. The use of electric, water and even transportation costs and emissions for the builders is significantly reduced, and the end result is much more efficient building than its traditional comparatives.
Originally developed in Canada (where concrete home building is standard) ICF systems have been used successfully around the world for more than 40 years. Tens of thousands of ICF homes have been built in recent years throughout the United States and Canada. They have proven successful in every region and climate, from Orlando to Calgary. ICF systems are accepted by all the major model codes in the U.S. and by the National Building Codes in Canada. Several major European countries are now building with this system on a massive scale. It is recognised in Spain and most of Europe and passes all necessary regulations.
Here are some key ICF Advantages for the Homeowner:
ICF Homes are Sound Dampening
Escape for the noisy outside world – The solid concrete walls of ICF homes greatly reduce outside noise making your home more peaceful and relaxing. ICF homes can reduce unwanted outside noise by up to 87%
ICF Homes are Fire Resistant
Have peace of mind that your home will still be standing even if fire threatens your neighbourhood. ICF homes have a fire rating of up to 4 hours.
ICF Homes are Energy Efficient
Splurge on the finer things in life with the money you’ll be saving each month on your utility bills. Buildings built with ICF exterior walls can require 50% less energy to heat and cool than comparable frame houses. These energy efficiencies also allow economic efficiency by allowing smaller HVAC units to be installed.
ICF Walls are Pest Resistant
Be confident that your home will be protected against termites, roaches and rodents. – Your home’s concrete walls will be impenetrable to pests.
ICF Homes are environmentally Friendly
Be satisfied in the fact that Solid Core ICF homes are built using Inert, Non-toxic concrete that is often manufactured locally. And the fire-resistant insulating foam is CFC free. The Rebar, Webs & Ties, EPS foam & concrete are recyclable. Building a 2,000 sq. ft. ICF home can save up to 47 trees.
ICF Homes are economically Friendly
Get the financial benefits of lower insurance premiums. Insurance companies recognize all the strengths of ICF homes and offer a discount on premium for ICF homes. One ICF homeowner reported a 20% savings on his insurance premiums.
ICF Homes are Draft Free
Enjoy the comfort of a perfect environment – The solid core walls of ICF homes eliminate air infiltration through the wall and virtually eliminate hot and cold spots.
ICF Homes are Allergen Resistant. Get the relief you deserve – Most mould and mildew problems are caused by moisture. A fibre glass insulated wall develops condensation within the wall where warm and cold air meet. The solid core walls of ICF homes eliminate air infiltration so there is no moisture to feed the growth of moulds and bacteria.
ICF Homes are Beautiful
Live in style – while the walls of the home are sturdy concrete, the design can take on any style you desire: Modern, Victorian, Colonial, Adobe.etc etc.
ICF Homes are Affordable
ICF homes are priced very competitively with traditional “stick built” homes. And when you take into account all the additional benefits they have, the true value of ICF homes simply can’t be matched.
Having your own Eco friendly villa built gives a wealth of options to the degree of environmentally friendliness you want. Solar panels, Geo thermal heating, energy efficient and water saving appliances are just a few further ways to go green, saving you money and also doing your bit for the environment at the same time.
For further information visit http://www.1st2spain.com
By: K.Towers
About the Author:
Authors web site: http://www.1st2spain.com
Posted in Environment | 
Tags: Eco Friendly House, Eco Friendly Products, ways to go green | 
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Carbon neutral source
The way wood pellets work is that they release exactly the same amount of carbon dioxide as what the growing plant would have used. So that means whatever amount of carbon dioxide gets consumed by the growing plant ultimately gets released into the atmosphere when the wood gets burned. This is why this is a very balanced and eco-friendly energy source. There is no excess amount of carbon dioxide that gets emitted while burning this energy source.
Even more carbon savings
As compared to other alternative environment friendly sources of energy such as solar energy and wind power it is the wood pellets which save up the maximum amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Another attraction for this energy source is that one can extract a lot more from a single tree than is possible with other sources. For example as little as 30% of a single tree is used in making wood pellets. The remaining portion is used in making and cutting up wooden planks. From just this 30% of the tree one can manufacture 3 tonnes quantity of wood pellets. These can be sufficient to warm 200 homes for a duration of around a week! That is a lot of energy coming from a single tree!
How it gets made
The wood pellets are made by breaking the wood into sawdust and then drying it up. This sawdust is then forced through die to compress into wood pellets. These pellets then get cooled and then stored in special containers. However the process can be tedious and painstaking as just one single particle of wood will take around 2 hours to get transformed into a pellet. However, every amount of time taken will be worth the effort as this environment friendly source of energy is here to stay and is particularly useful in saving the environment.
Planting new trees
The good thing about wood pellets is that they can always be manufactured as trees can be planted anytime. This is unlike other alternative energy sources like solar energy and wind power which depend on the elements of nature. The wood boilers are also considered to be much cheaper in cost as compared to other eco-friendly sources like wind power. For example wind turbines have been found to be much more expensive than the boilers used for heating wood pellets.
Using up forestry waste
Wood pellets can be very useful in eliminating landfills. There are plenty of forests all across the world and the wasted wood from these can be put to very good use. If such wood is left standing then it can result in the production of methane gas which again damages the environment. Instead if it gets used in the manufacture of wood pellets then we can see some significant advantages. It is in essence almost like recycling waste.
By: Michael Beikircher
About the Author:
For more details please contact Michael Beikircher at michael.beikircher@gruenland.it. The offical website address is http://www.pelletdilegno.com.
But the world has changed dramatically and more people than ever are not just facing up to fears of climate change but are looking to do something practical about it. In early 2006, More Than insurance conducted a survey that revealed that up to one in six people would consider switching to a hybrid car. Since then, sales of hybrid cars have doubled in the UK. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMM) show that 6,538 hybrid vehicles were purchased in 2006 to 2007 – while in 2005 to 2006, just 3,117 cars with auxiliary batteries as power sources were sold. Meanwhile, the SMM figures also reveal that sales of sports utility vehicles dropped by a not insignificant 12%.
Car insurance companies have wisely responded to the switch in consumer behaviour by offering ‘eco-friendly’ policies. CIS was one of the first companies to offer ‘ecoinsurance’. The policy offsets 20% of your car’s CO2 emissions by investing in projects like reforestation, renewable energy sources and third-world education schemes. It also offers a 10% discount for cars in tax band A – those that emit less than 100g of CO2 per kilometre. It also appoints repairers that only use recycled materials – a package of incentives that should rightly please the more environmentally minded.
More recently, other car insurance companies have come out of the eco-friendly woodwork. More Than offers all new customers free carbon offsetting for the first 3,000 miles, if you buy your insurance online. Drivers with hybrid, electric and alternative fuel vehicles are also offered a discount of up to 15%. Newly launched Ibuyeco also enables drivers to offset 100% of their carbon emissions. It offers two quotes – one for your premium and another to offset your emissions.
Although you need to look at all premium payments carefully before making a decision on your insurance, it also seems that some of the eco-friendly policies are competitively priced. CIS, for example, offers a good premium on a quote for a 35-year-old teacher driving a 2004 1.5l Toyota Prius (£307.83 compared to £339.15 with Tesco or £347.55 with Direct Line).
Most of us have been moved to consider environmental issues in recent years and it is good to see that insurance companies are responding to consumer pressure by providing policies that encourage motorists to go green. “Drivers are becoming more and more concerned over the impact they are having on the environment. By providing eco-friendly insurance policies, companies are giving motorists a real incentive to become environmentally friendly without having to sacrifice their cars,” said Sophie Neary, product director at BeatThatQuote.com. Neary also added some words of warning, however: “Some drivers may be spending more than they need to on car insurance – for example, opting for third party, fire and theft cover when a fully comprehensive policy can be cheaper. It is great to look at insurance incentives that suit your way of life, but be sure to remember your premium costs and to continue to compare policies carefully for the best deal.” Quite simply, eco-friendly policies may be good for the heart and the head, but don’t let a passion for the environment stop you from seeing the bigger picture in getting the best deal you possibly can for whatever car you decide to drive.
By: Caroline Poynton
About the Author:
Caroline Poynton is a financial journalist who writes for Beat That Quote about loans and other personal finance topics.
Posted in Insurance |
Tags: Climate Change, Compact Vehicle, hybrid car, Renewable Energy Sources |
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- Save energy
- Save water
- Less gas
- Eat smart
- Skip the bottled water
- Think before you buy
- Buy smart
- Keep electronics out of the trash
- Make your own cleaning supplies
Set your thermostat lower in winter and higher in summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) once your incandescent bulbs burn out.
Wash clothes in cold water as much as possible. Up to 85% of the energy used to clean clothes goes into heating the water.
Use a clothesline or rack to dry your clothes to save the energy used during machine drying.
Take shorter showers to reduce water use.
Install a low-flow showerhead. They’re inexpensive and the savings on your bill will pay for itself in a short time
Walk or ride a bike to school/work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work.
If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat is expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can.
Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
Wear clothes that don’t need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxins and is a growing environmental problem.
Recycle your cell phone.
You can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
Many don’t think twice of using high quality non-recycled paper, or tossing ink cartridges and old electronics in the garbage. Leaving a computer on overnight seems innocent enough until you multiply that energy use by millions of households.
The three main home office offenders are energy waste, paper consumption and hazardous waste. Here are some tips to make your home office a little more eco-friendly.
Put your electronics to bed at night. Connect your computer, speakers, fax, printer, etc. to a power bar and turn them all off with the flick of a switch at the end of the day. It’s a common misconception that you should leave a computer on all night. There is a peak in the power when you turn it on, but nothing compared to what it uses over a 24 hour period.
Opt for a laptop. Not only do these have the benefit of being portable, laptops consume one-eighth the power of a desktop computer. Imagine if everyone in a household all had their own computers, they still wouldn’t use the energy of one bulky desktop.
Go for the flat screen. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or flat screen monitor uses less than half the energy of the traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors. Not to mention that they are easier to read, lighter and cause less eye strain.
Reuse & recycle. I had a friend who used to save any of her junk mail that was still in good condition and when doing simple printing jobs, she would use the blank side of those pages. It was such a simple concept that made so much sense, and worked great for those quick map or recipe print outs.
Save and reuse paper clips, elastics and push pins, and use rechargeable batteries and refillable toner cartridges.
For your garbage paper, keep a recycling bin next to your desk for handy use. Keep another bin nearby for expired rechargeable batteries, old inkjet and toner cartridges, or electronics. Once you have a collection built up, take them back to any Staples Business Depot for recycling.
Dead batteries should be saved and dropped off at your local waste depot for safe disposal. That corrosive acid they contain will seep out into the environment if left in a landfill site.
When buying paper, read the labels. What most people don’t realize is that much of the paper we use every day comes from old-growth forests. When you read the labels on the packages, look for: 100% recycled ( your 1st choice); or minimum FFC certification, which means the paper was made from trees grown in a sustainably managed forest.
Switch to fluorescent bulbs. A fluorescent bulb uses 2/3 less energy than a common incandescent bulb. When you add up all the bulbs in the house, that energy savings translates into saved dollars!
By: Matt Barker
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