Sustainable housing

Local foods - GIS Mapping Project: Local foods in Minnesota

Admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:39:26 GMT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Annalisa Hultberg Email: hultb006@umn.edu

GIS Mapping Project: Local foods in Minnesota get a boost with creation of statewide infrastructure map

The University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Land Stewardship Project, and the Minnesota Project are pleased to announce a first-of-its-kind project “Mapping Minnesota’s Local Foods Infrastructure.”

GIS ...

Solar panel - Minnesota

Admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:38:19 GMT

You can download the PDF created from the next two messages on solar panels here:

http://www.box.net/shared/rjv0zsj6ue

Minnesota solar panels info

In Minnesota our primary source of green electricity is wind power, but Minnesota also has a historical connection with solar energy. Minnesota was home to the founder of modern solar energy usage, Dr. Farrington Daniels. If he were alive today, Dr. Daniels would have encouraged the use solar energy because Minnesota is endowed plenty ...

Solar panel - general links

Admin — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:27:03 GMT

Homepower magazine: http://www.homepower.com

http://www.dancingrabbit.org/energy/electricity.php

Seller:

http://www.realgoods.com/category/solar+power.do

Co-housing network website

Admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:09:37 GMT

Co-housing network:

http://www.cohousing.org/

"Cohousing is a type of collaborative housing in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of their own neighborhoods.

Cohousing residents are consciously committed to living as a community. The physical design encourages both social contact and individual space. Private homes contain all the features of conventional homes, but residents also have access to extensive common facilities such as open space, courtyards, ...

"Energy Affordable Home" ideas from Houston Habitat for Humanity

Admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:03:57 GMT

Houston Habitat for Humanity's "Energy Affordable Home"

* An energy-efficient HVAC system: 12.0 SEER air conditioner, programmable digital thermostat, upgraded duct insulation, and duct sealing with mastic.

* Improved insulation: R-30 ceiling and R-16 wall insulation. Exterior rigid foam with taped joints. Insulated exterior doors with weatherstripping and airtight thresholds. Insulated, weatherstripped attic access ladder.

* Energy-efficient appliances: Refrigerator, ...

Green Buildings -- Affordable Housing links

Admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:02:49 GMT

Smart Communities Network website with some links on Green Buildings -- Affordable Housing:

http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/buildings/affhousing.shtml

(Unfortunately not all the links work!)

'Garbage Warrior’ Turns Trash Into Green Homes”

Admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:54:25 GMT

“Garbage Warrior“ is a new film about controversial architect Michael Reynolds, who has been building radically sustainable architecture and off-the-grid energy communities for 35 years. Our trash is his muse ““ everything from old tires to plastic bottles to beer cans “ all transformed into energy independent eco-homes he calls“ earthships.

http://blogs.takepart.com/2008/04/01/garbage-warrior-turns-trash-into-green-homes/#comments

www.garbagewarrior.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KYJ0dsd-x0

Michael ...

Re-doing kitchen

Admin — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:17:41 GMT

Going Green - Advice about how our columnist redid her kitchen.

RECYCLE

Donating or selling old cabinets, flooring and appliances counts for green points. Craig's List, Habitat for Humanity, RecycleMyOldFridge.com and the Building Materials Reuse Association (ubma.org) are places to start.

USE LOCAL TALENT

It reduces gas consumption and pollution output. Greendepot.com and nahb.org have programs to locate green tradespeople.

AIR QUALITY

Use water-based paints and finishes. ...

Sustainable housing (Brisbane - Australia)

Admin — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:43:12 GMT

Sustainable housing

Sustainable housing is all about ensuring your home is energy efficient, comfortable and cost effective. There are plenty of ways to start turning your current home into a sustainable house, and if you’re building a new home it’s easy to incorporate sustainability into the design.

If you have an existing home there are things you can do right now to improve the sustainability of your home – and help save the planet as well as your hard earned cash!

Install ...

Energy - links (local)

Admin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:39:57 GMT

There ared some links that can be useful for the house (local links):

Xcel energy - Energy saving tools:

http://www.xcelenergy.com/Residential/SaveEnergy_Money/Pages/Energy_saving_tools_by_InfoSmart_from_Xcel_Energy_sm.aspx

Xcel energy calculator:

http://www.energyguide.com/ha/hvacqcCalc.asp?bid=xcel&referrerid=164&sid=472&zipcode=55401&sys=heat#hvac005