Increasing the energy efficiency in your home can also help with moisture on window panes, decorating paint and mold. More and more people are finding using green roofing solutions for their homes can save them time, effort, and money in the long run as well as help protect the environment.

Moreover, metal re-roofing can put over the original roof which saves removal costs. Metal roofing is also heavy-duty material. It contains amount of recycled material. Metal roofing is fire resistant and can withstand strong winds too. When metal roofing needs to be replaced, it can be recycled. You can use for old home and new home as well.

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Log homes are the original green building solution made directly from the earth’s natural resource. This abundant, beautiful and renewable natural resource is 100% green. Since we spend much of our time indoors, it is critical that our indoor environment is healthy and safe. Many building products today are made of man-made chemicals and emit high levels of volatile organic compounds.

Health experts are becoming increasingly aware and alarmed that these man-made chemicals are showing up in our blood and lungs. The logs are most natural and don’t emit other pollutants. Soil, water and air combined with the energy from the sun, in a miraculous process of photosynthesis, are everything needed to make a tree grow.

From an ecological point of view, solid wood is the only building product that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient and extremely beautiful. Logs and other solid wood, as basic building components, generate the least amount of air and water pollution, emission of greenhouse gases and solid waste. For example, steel and concrete require 2.4 times and 1.7 times more energy than wood to produce and 1.42 times and 1.67 times more airborne emissions with potential toxic or negative health effects.

With energy costs on the rise and no end is sight, it makes good economic sense to design and build with conservation in mind. There is a great deal of documented evidence supporting the energy efficiency related to the construction of log homes. Studies conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and other testing organizations have compared log homes to other types of construction such as conventionally framed and masonry.

Test results prove the energy efficiency gained through the thermal mass of solid wood walls. Log walls better utilize the available energy in both summer cooling and winter heating. Most people building log homes plan to own and live in them for an extended period of time. Their log home may be a family retreat or a retirement home that they intend to own for the rest of their lives. The turnover rate of log homes is much lower than the average conventionally built house.

With such a long term outlook, the decision to build and live in an energy efficient log home makes good sense for the health of the environment, you and your family. In the long run, sustainable building products that are ecologically friendly are the only viable answer to a cleaner environment. Advances in forestry practices have steadily increased the supply and growth of plantation and private forests. In North America, the growth of new forests has outpaced the demand and can remain at a sustainable rate.

Photos: loghomebuilders

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Why would I consider alternatives to traditional air conditioning?

Traditional air conditioning uses hydrofluorocarbons which are in the process of being phased out because of the damage they cause to the ozone layer. According to the US Department of energy, controlling the temperature in buildings year round emits over half a billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding to the expanding global warming situation.  We are also generating about 24% of the nation’s sulfur dioxide through temperature control, which is a major component of acid rain. From a green stand point, the less air conditioning used, the less damage we will cause to the environment. Even newer air conditioners approved by the EPA emit harmful gasses, although they are less harmful than their predecessors.

There are some health considerations as well. Re-circulated air can increase the level of mold spores and chemicals in the air that your breath. People who are constantly in temperature controlled environments are shown to be more susceptible to upper-respiratory illnesses and sinus problems.  Socially, individuals who are accustomed to air conditioning may chose to avoid activities that expose them to the natural environment making them less likely to spend time outside and participate in outdoor activities.

How can I cool my house without air conditioning?

There are many ways to control the temperature of your living environment without relying on any system that mechanically cools air. Some of these may seem labor intensive or expensive at the beginning, but a larger investment now may save a significant amount of money in the future, not to mention considerably reducing your carbon foot print. Below are some of the more popular methods:

Landscaping – Adding trees in strategic areas around your house can significantly reduce energy costs every year. Deciduous trees placed on the south and west sides of your property can create a wind break, shade in the summer and allow light and radiant heat through in the winter. Vines and shrubs can also provide shading and cooling and may grow more quickly than trees.

Drapes and Blinds – Placing light-colored fabric that allows light through over your windows may help reflect much of the sun’s heat but still allow light through. Closing blinds on the windows that are getting direct sunlight during the day can also significantly reduce the sun’s effects.

Paint – The color of your house can also be a significant factor. Houses painted with dark colors will absorb much of the radiant energy during the day and transfer that heat into your house. Painting your house a lighter color can actually cut down the temperature and reflect the heat away from your house.

Insulation – Making sure that your house is properly insulated not only can keep your house warm in the winter, but also help keep it cool in the summer. Improving insulation and making sure all the nooks and crannies are sealed can prevent warm air from seeping in. Attic insulation can keep hot air from radiating down into the lower floors. You can also install a radiant barrier on the underside of your roof. This foil paper is stapled to the roof rafters to help reflect heat from the interior of your house.

Fans – One of the biggest ways to help cool down your house is to utilize a fan. Ceiling fans are some of the most effective as they create a draft throughout the room that creates a cooling effect. Window fans can also be very effective in many climates. Place a fan in the window facing out, close all of the nearby windows and open all of the windows at the other end of the house. The fan will pull hot air out of the house and cool air into it through the opposite windows. You may also want to look into getting a house fan. These fans are installed in the top floor ceiling and pull air up through your house and into the attic. These fans can create a draft through the entire house and pull cool air in from all open windows and doors.

But what if I live in a very hot area, or want air conditioning?

If you are in the market for an air conditioning system to cool your house, there are several new and ‘green’ options to explore available to the everyday consumer.

Evaporative Coolers – These are more commonly called swamp coolers and work very well in dry and arid areas. They cost less to install and use about a quarter as much energy as a traditional air conditioner. They do require more maintenance but it is not difficult or expensive. Evaporative coolers should not be used in humid climates as they will only add to the humidity in the room. Because they continually use water in the process, it is also not suitable for areas where limited water supplies are a concern.

Radiant Hydronic Cooling – This method uses the floor and ceiling to absorb the heat from the rest of the room. This is done by placing panels under the floor or in the walls through which chilled water is circulated. Unfortunately, for homes in humid areas, this method can cause condensation to build up in the house and is therefore more suitable to arid climates as well.

Geothermal Cooling – One of the up and coming green ways to cool your house, geothermal cooling is achieved by running a pipe into the ground, much like a well. Water or an anti-freeze/water solution is pumped through the pipes, pulling heat from the building and cooling it underground. These systems can be 20% – 40% more efficient than traditional air conditioners and can cut your energy costs by up to 50%.

If you think that going ‘green’ may be the best decision for you, contact a local contractor with HVAC training who specializes in alternative and green systems for the house. They will be able to provide professional advice for your specific situation.  You can also talk to a landscaper designer or local nursery for more information on the best plants and locations to utilize for shading and wind management. No matter how much or little money you have to spend, there is a green option that will fit in your budget.

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In the United States, backyards are filled with millions of different things. Many homeowners have pools, barns, work sheds, or garages. If you already have these items inside your yard, you may want to think about remodeling them. Remodeling projects are ideal for those who wish to update or expand their backyard structures. Summer is the perfect time to complete many remodeling projects, especially those that are outside.

While many homeowners make the decision to remodel, there are others that choose to build. If you don’t have a barn, garage, or work shed, but you would like to have one, now would be the perfect time to start construction. In most areas of the United States, summer has the prefect weather conditions for many backyard projects. The first step in building or remodeling a backyard structure is to develop a plan.

If you already know what you would like to build and how you would like to build it, you are well on your way to a completed project. However, if you are unsure what you would like to build or how to build it, you may want to think about doing a little bit of research before you start your next home improvement project. Perhaps, the easiest way to get ideas or directions on how to build a garage, work shed, or barn is to visit your local library or book store.

In these locations, you should be able to find a number of books that will not only offer you suggestions, but give you directions on how to get started. Libraries are nice; however, you will only be able to keep the materials for a short period of time. If you are interested in saving your resource guides for another project, you may want to consider purchasing your own books.

Once you have decided on a structural design, you will need to obtain the necessary building supplies. The supplies that you need will all depend on what you are building or remodeling. Despite the fact that different projects will require different supplies, there are some supplies that are common among all backyard building or remodeling projects. These supplies may include wood, metal, saws, and many other common household tools.

As previously mentioned, summer is ideal for most construction projects. Even though the weather will most likely be cooperative, it may still be a good idea to check your local weather forecast. If you are doing a project that requires perfect weather, such as roofing or painting, you will want to plan your project around the projected weather forecast. With projects that require more than one days worth of work, you may want to wait until the weather forecast predicts steady weather. This will prevent you from having to stop your building or remodeling and then startup again later.

Although building and remodeling projects are great backyard activities, not everyone is able to do them. If you are inexperienced in construction, you may find it difficult or impossible to do the work yourself. If this is the case, professional assistance may be just what you need. Completing your own home improvement projects will save you money, but only if you know what you are doing. Poor building or remodeling jobs may not only need additional, costly repairs, but they may also be unsafe.

With something as large and important as most home improvement projects, you are advised against taking any unnecessary chances or risks. Whether you make the decision to perform your own home improvement project or sit back and watch a professional do it, you will still be outside, enjoying everything that your backyard and the beautiful weather has to offer.

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By using under floor heating, your home can see better, stronger heat for a lower cost and using less energy. Moreover, the heated cables can come from warmed water versus burned fossil fuels, reducing emission quantity too. The under floor heating system can be used with concrete floor or wooden flooring and with different types of floor covering, such as tile, laminate wood, carpet and more. Under floor heating is a great choice for any type of structure commercial or domestic as well. It can be fitted as complete systems in major remodeling projects.

We can also help the environment and you will know the importance of everyone trying to and reducing their carbon footprint. By installing the under floor heating you can help the environment. Anyway you will not only help the environment but also help yourself as well, because this system will help you cut down on your electricity bills and improve your green living home also.

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