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!)

http://www.greenlivingtips.com | Published 12/31/2008 |

Save energy and money with ceiling fans and roof turbines

Heating and cooling are some of the most energy intensive applications in a home and also the most costly in terms of electricity, gas, oil or even wood.

Ceiling fans - summer and winter

While you may be familiar with using a ceiling fan during summer, have you considered using it in winter also?

Heat rises and most of the heat you want is close to the ceiling during winter. A ceiling fan on a low speed can help push that heat down to where you are. Additionally, it can help reduce the instance of condensation on your windows.

During winter the fan will need to run clockwise, which is the opposite of the direction you want it running in summer. The reason for this is that as cold air is denser, running the ceiling fan clockwise draws that cold air up, pushing the warm air close to the ceiling aside, which then travels down the walls to the lower level of the room.

So when shopping for a ceiling fan, ensure it has a clockwise/anti-clockwise feature so you'll be able to use it all year round.

Using as little as a hundred watts, an ultra-efficient ceiling fan can shave up to 10% off your heating costs.

Ceiling fans really come into their own over summer though and work particularly well in dry areas. By moving the hot air around, it promotes evaporation of perspiration on your skin which has a cooling effect - making you feel up to 8 degrees cooler.

I've used fans in temperatures of over 42C (107F+) hundred degrees indoors and while it was certainly warm, I didn't even break a sweat. Ceiling fans can also be used in conjunction with evaporative air conditioner to further promote the air conditioner's effectiveness; allowing you to set the thermostat lower.

Roof turbines

Also known as whirligigs or spinaways, roof turbines are lightweight spinning vents that suck air out from your roof cavity. Waterproof and requiring no electricity, the roof turbine will start spinning in even the lightest breath of air and most can also withstand hurricane type conditions.

During summer, the space between your ceiling and roof gets incredibly hot - up to 50 - 60 degrees Celsius (122F to 140F). Even if you have insulation in your roof area, some of this heat will still make its way into your living space.

A roof turbine is relatively easy to install - even I was able to do it - and that's saying something. Let's just say I'm like lightning with a hammer; I never strike twice in the same place .

The blast of hot air I felt when cutting a hole in the roof for the turbine was incredible - it was like opening a door to a furnace. Much of that heat is now being whisked away and the difference is certainly noticeable.

During winter, depending on whether you use roof insulation, leaving the roof turbine vent open can help reduce moisture buildup in your roof area. This not only helps protect timbers, but your insulation. Damp insulation is nowhere near as effective as when it's dry.

So there you have it - summer and winter, ceiling fans and roof turbines can help cut your energy costs; and that means less greenhouse gas emissions and more dollars back into your pocket!

Michael Bloch - Green Living Tips.com[center]

Green roof insulation

If you can afford the initial outlay, roof insulation is an absolute must for all houses. Roof insulation can reduce heating cost by approximately 13 percent; saving you money and greenhouse gas emissions. A well insulated roof can also substantially contribute to keeping your house cooler during the hotter months.
In one of our earlier houses, we had the standard fibreglass batts installed. They worked well, but I often felt guilty about using such a horrid, toxic substance. On one occasion when I was working up in the roof, I had troubles breathing for days afterwards and my skin was terribly itchy.

Fibreglass batts can incorporate adhesives that contain formaldehyde, a carcinogen. While fiberglass batts don't burn easily, when they do, the fumes are quite toxic. The actual production of fibreglass is also very energy intensive.
Here's some more environmentally friendly options:

Recycled cellulose fiber

In our new house, we opted for recycled cellulose fiber which is made from newspaper and other paper products. It was more expensive, but it has far better insulation quality than normal batts; therefore, over time there will be substantial cost savings - it's also a greener option.
Recycled cellulose fibre comes in sheets, but in roof applications, it's usually sprayed on using compressed air.
The insulation is treated to make it fire retardant - so fire resistant that if you scoop up a handful and apply a blowtorch to it, it won't flame, just go black and your hand won't be burned. Of course, this is something you should have the sales rep demonstrate .
This fire retardant behavior gives recycled cellulose fibre the added value of helping to protect your house in case of a roof fire - it can slow the fire down. In most cases, as in ours, the flame retardant used is environmentally friendly (boric acid) .
Another benefit of recycled cellulose fibre is that it's treated to be a vermin repellent - no more mice and bugs in your roof! Finally, it also helps to deaden external sounds - particularly attractive if you live in a flight path.

Recycled denim

Another trash into insulation treasure is denim and cotton waste. In most of these products, the recycled content is around the 80% mark. Like recycled cellulose, the denim is treated with boric acid to give it fire retardant properties and repel vermin.
One of the advantages of the denim insulation over recycled cellulose is that it's a little easier to handle. Whereas the cellulose insulation is blown into the roof and is loose, denim insulation comes in rolls - and is totally itch free.

Soy insulation

You can eat it, wear it, create biofuel from it - and insulate your roof with soy. Is there nothing it can't do? Made from soybean oil, the insulation is sprayed into the roof area where it expands, filling cracks etc. before hardening. It will char but will not sustain a flame and will last the life of the building.

Sheep's wool insulation

Wool insulation (sheep, not mineral wool) is considered one of the best (but most expensive) insulation options.
- R-value 10 - 15 percent higher than fiberglass
- moisture doesn't affect it's insulating abilities
- it is not a respiratory irritant
- is naturally flame retardant
- has excellent sound deadening qualities
- requires the least energy in production
- is mechanically bonded, no adhesives
- acts as a filter, traps toxic substances
- has a long life and can be reused
- can be composted

Borax may be used in wool insulation to discourage moths.

While fiberglass batts have ruled the insulation roost for many years, it's great to see other more environmentally friendly options such as the above becoming more broadly available, economical and the choice of increasing numbers of builders.

Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com
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