The cost of energy is rapidly increasing all over the country. However, rates in California are higher than most areas of the country. As a result, people living here are dealing with the need to save money in any way possible. Anyone that is straining in order to make ends meet should consider some simple ways to slash their energy bills and save money. Contacting these solar energy los angeles professionals would provide a simple solution to anyone that would like to eliminate a large portion of the amount of money going into their energy bills. Reducing consumption means that you will keep money in your pocket and reduce the financial burden that is currently placing a strain on your back. These solar energy los angeles professionals offer many different solutions designed to limit the amount of electricity that you are using. During the day, the sun would provide you with a source of energy to power your home. When you allow this to eliminate a portion of your electrical consumption, you will be able to enjoy a large portion of the cost that currently makes it difficult for you to power your home. There are many affordable solutions provided to anyone serious about saving money.
Why Green Remodeling?
Cost Saving-Energy efficient and water saving designs and products reduce monthly utility bills. The most efficient new
appliances typically use 50% less energy than the most wasteful models. Choosing a high-efficiency washing machine can save up to $90 on energy bills and 6,000 gallons of water, every year.
Health -Health-focused designs maximize fresh air and natural light, while reducing the risk of injury and asthma. Using green and low-toxic materials and good ventilation techniques can help to prevent problems like molds, allergens and poor air quality that causes many health problems.
Beauty & Comfort -Natural materials, high quality lighting, and good design details make for pleasing spaces.
Added Value- Universal designed homes that welcome various ages and abilities are marketable to a larger population. Green elements also represent value: 96% home buyer said they are willing to pay more for a home with green features.
Ecological Benefit-By making your home remodeling green, you can be more resource efficient, minimize waste, and recycle what’s left over to reduce the amount of materials ending up in landfills. choosing environmentally responsible products, you can protect forests, wildlife, and air and water quality.
At Green House Home Improvements we find great interest in making our home sustainable for the future. University of Iowa developed a survey study combining universal design and green building. According to them this is the perfect combination for home improvement future. Their goal is to promote independent living, safety, comfort, convenience and conservation of energy and natural resources. These are the main points of their study survey.
Think Family: Try to anticipate the children and adults who might live, own, rent or visit the residence. People come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. So do our pets and service animals.
Think Ahead: Consider your current and future needs, resources, budget and health.
Think Green: Be energy conscious when you design, build and occupy the home. Conserve
heat, water, electricity and energy to reduce your utility bills and protect the environment. Recycle and reuse materials and buy local whenever possible.
Do Not Think Disability, Wheelchairs Or Ramps. But keep in mind that our lives -- and your family’s lives -- could change in an instant without warning because of accident, injury or aging.
ADA, Fair Housing Act Or Other Accessibility Guidelines. Most of these standards do not apply to private homes and address mobility and vision impairments primarily. They provide only minimum standards that too often do not reflect the real world needs of most people with and without disabilities.
Keep In Mind the Magic Numbers. Your home should at least meet the minimum dimensions in these accessibility codes:
36 inches: width of an accessible route, path, sidewalk or hallway
32 inches: width of the interior opening for all doors (clear passage)
30 x 48: space needed for a standard wheelchair expressed in inches
60 x 60: maneuvering room needed for a standard wheelchair expressed in inches or 5 feet x 5 feet
28 to 34: finished tabletop or countertop heights for accessibility expressed in inches
27 to 29: knee clearance measured from finished floor to bottom of desk, table, etc. expressed in inches
15 to 48: minimum and maximum height for controls, outlets, shelves, items expressed in inches
1: 12: maximum slope of ramps expressed in a ratio (1 inch of rise per 12 inches in length)
1: 48: maximum slope of parking spaces, access aisles, etc. expressed in a ratio or a percentage (2%) One Size Does Not Fit All: No two people are alike. We cook, bathe, socialize, study, play, learn and live differently. This checklist is not intended to address how to modify or customize a home, room or feature for a particular person’s disability, special need or functional limitation.
We do complementary consultations on making your home efficient, safer and greener. Please give us a call or email and we will be gladly answer any questions you may have about your future project.
Green House Home Improvements is located in Southern California and is based in Los Angeles.
We welcome all inquiries and offer free consultations and assessments:
Tel: (800) 804-8810
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mention our Blog Coupon: NEWSBLOG and get an additional $100 Off your project above $2,500!
Most homeowners think that kitchen is the heart of the home.Come to think of it, the kitchen is the most busiest place in everybody’s home. Many activities happen in this space such as food preparation, eating, entertaining, recycling station, homework supervision, message centre, budgeting and bill payments, and family meetings.
On the right is one of our completed projects here in Los Angeles, CA.
That is why we often get calls for kitchen remodeling job. Three out of five kitchen remodeling projects that we always do is GREEN KITCHENS.
We make it simple, functionalbut stylish, environment friendly & energy and waterefficient kitchen.
One example is this Los Angeles kitchen project we did last year. Here are some of green practices we integrate in this project.
Recycle functional materials.
Replace old single-pane windows to an energy efficient double-pane windows
Install LED recessed ambient lighting and task lights.
Install water efficient faucets.
Distribute domestic hot water efficiently.
Install wall insulation that exceeds current Title 24 requirements.
Weatherize.
Use No-VOC Interior Paint
Use low-No VOC construction seals and adhesives.
Use environmentally preferable flooring.
Install water and dishwasher.
Install Energy Star Refrigerator.
Install Energy Star washing machine and dryer.
Install lighting control.
Range hood vented outside.
FSC-certified mouldings and trims
Green Homes Are Selling For More In Southern California
Greenly labeled Southern California homes are averaging an increase in value of $34,800 says researchers from UC Berkeley and UCLA.
Now that is money you can take to the bank.
The study shows that when homes are listed for sale with the labels LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Green Point Rated and Energy Star they had an increase in value and had a direct correlation to its final sale price.
Green Point Rated is an independent organization that rates homes with green certification stamps of approval that you should definitely check out.
These improvements included being well-insulated and having energy effcient lighting. Other improvements people looked for were high-effciency toilets with dual flush, high recycled content insulation, energy effcient heating, cooling and ventilation systems also known as HVAC and also solar panels.
Now even if you don't plan on selling or buying any time soon, plans for your exisiting home should be ring bells on what to upgrade when you have some extra cash and would like to bring down the monthly energy bills and have the self satisfaction in being "green".
Updates on exising homes that homeowners can upgrade normally cost on average around the $10,000 range and it depends how green of a project you are wanting to invest in. Give us a call if you have any questions or would like a free quote or consultation on a project you are thinking of.
Today, people are more conscious about how they affect the environment with their activities. People are adopting green lifestyles and this is a welcome trend. When it comes to the use of energy, there is none that is as green as solar energy. The energy from the sun, can be harnessed, and used to power appliances in your home, and thereby conserve the environment. Solar energy is clean, and does not produce any harmful byproducts and pollutants. You can approach solar energy Los Angeles and see how they can help you in putting this energy to good use in your home. There are various methods through which you can harness solar energy. Most methods use solar cells, which have the ability to convert this energy, into electrical energy, which can then be stored in batteries, for use at night. In other parts of the world, people cook, using parabolic dishes which concentrate the suns energy at one point. Research is being conducted in nanotechnology, which will allow solar quantum dots to be added to the paint on your home, to turn your house into a huge solar energy harness. Visit solar energy Los Angeles and see how best they can help you in making use of the sun's energy, to power your home.
Before planning and building a greenhouse, it is advisable to follow some specific guidelines. Always keep in mind that this process does not have to be expensive for it to look perfect. Instead, the type of greenhouse mainly depends on the home architecture, the budget, the sites and growing space. More importantly, the greenhouse should be able to provide the right environment that supports the growth of plants.
Location of the greenhouse
When choosing the right location for the greenhouse, always ensure that the selected area has full access to sunlight. The most preferred location is usually on the south or south-east part of a building or alternatively, shade trees. The eastern side makes it possible for plants to get morning sunlight which is very crucial since it provides the chance for the plants to produce food early, therefore enhancing positive growth. Deciduous tress normally shed off their leaves during the fall season and when this happens, the greenhouse gains from the direct access to sunlight. It is not advisable to use the evergreen trees for the purposes of providing shade for your greenhouse simply because they block direct access to sunlight.
Drainage
This is also another crucial factor that should be considered before planning and building a greenhouse. It is recommended that the greenhouse should be built above the surrounding ground so that in case of flooding, the water flows away easily. The other factors that should be considered include access to electricity and water. The site should be easily accessible by human beings and sheltered from strong wind especially during winter. It will be an added advantage if the site is located near a potting plants workplace and a storage area meant for supplies.
When planning and building a greenhouse, you will have to install frames, coverings, foundations and floors, heating systems, automated controllers and irrigation systems. All these machines and materials are aimed at creating the optimum atmosphere for your plants as they grow. Lastly, do not hesitate to seek the services of a greenhouse specialist for further assistance and guidance on this project.
We sweep our floors, spray our bathroom or even scrub the whole house with a full arsenal of home cleaning products. But what about the part of the house that we don’t see yet breathe into our lung thousand times a day. Here are the top causes of indoor pollution:
1. Old carpets that harbor dust mites and new carpeting can emit VOC’s.
2. Shower adds humidity to indoor spaces, which can contribute to mold development..
3. Many household cleaning products emit harmful VOC’s ( volatile organic compounds) when they’re used and stored..
4. Cooking vapors, odor smoke and grease can contribute to indoor pollutants.
5. Leaky return ducts in crawlspaces can draw contaminants into the house.
6. Poorly flashed and sealed windows, doors and through-wall penetration can allow moisture to enter living space.
7. Unvented combustion appliances such as gas fireplaces, can transfer combustion by-products into the house.
8. A cracked slab can allow radon from soil and moisture into the house.
9. Cabinets and pressed-wood are often made with adhesives that contains formaldehyde, which is emitted into the home.
10. Garage is the most common place to toxic chemicals, car exhaust, and VOC’s that can migrate into the house.
11. Basement and subareas with moisture problems increase humidity levels and promote mold growth.
GH
