g Green Design Center may be just the ticket.

Begun in Massachusetts, they’ve now created a franchise program for the budding ecopreneurist, where someone with the passion can put the backing of someone already doing it, together with what will increasingly become a known name for such stores.

The flagship g store has a host of green building/design services from interior and architectural design to eco events.

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The bad news is Bonded Logic’s Ultra Touch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation is not readily available everywhere yet (Hello, Home Depot? Can you start carrying this product?). The good news is Michigan does have a distributor, Cotton Insulation, Inc, a woman owned and operated business in Comstock Park, MI. Even better news-you can purchase the cotton insulation directly from them.

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As published in the July 2008 issue of Green Building Product Dealer, the survey, sponsored by Plastpro and conducted by Opinion Research Corp, went on to say that 89 percent would pay more for products that reduced their heating and cooling costs.  Also, the homeowners surveyed prefer higher grade materials with a longer life span over cheaper, shorter-lived products.

Franco An, President of Plastpro, a manufacturer of Energy Star rated fiberglass entry doors, says the poll shows that, “homeowners realize that long-term savings far outweigh upfront costs.”  This seems to fly in the face of many in the industry that complain that upfront costs are causing their customers to choose non-green alternatives.

It is important to look at the full life cycle cost of a project before deciding whether to pursue a green or non-green approach.  This cost not only includes the upfront material and labor costs, but also maintenance and energy costs, and the life span of the product.  A cheaper product that has to be replaced more often is not necessarily better than a more expensive product with a longer life, even though the initial cost may be less.  Designers and contractors need to make sure their customers understand this when deciding on the type of materials to use on a project.

As fuel costs continue to rise, energy saving products are going to become more and more attractive to building owners.  Again, designers and contractors need to be ready to provide the full cost data so consumers can make an educated decision.

For more information on the costs and benefits of green building, see:

“Green Buildings Bring in More Money”

“Energy Efficiency Tops with Green Home Owners”

“The Bottom Line - Green Home Upgrades and Home Values”

First of all, the installation went well and was completed in just two days.  The crew was very friendly, knowledgeable, and cleaned up nicely.  There was some inconvenience, in that we had to move furniture and other items away from the openings, especially when the window sizes were being changed.  Also, someone had to be home to let the crew in, and watch the cats.

The installation was well done, certainly in comparison with the original windows.  They are all tight to the outside trim, and the inside and outside are well caulked.  This should prevent air leakage and water intrusion that was occurring before.

As far as energy use differences, it has been hard to tell.  Penguin promises a 40% reduction in heating and cooling costs.  The weather has warmed up considerably since the installation, so the air conditioner is still running as much as it was before.  I will need to compare the costs for the next few months to the same period last year to see if there has been any significant changes.

As a homeowner, I am pleased with the quality of the windows and the installation.  We will have to see if the promised energy savings materialize over the next few months.

The schedule for the release of the videos is as follows:

• Greenstep 1: Water Conservation - already posted.
• Greenstep 2: Smart Controls - already posted.
• Greenstep 3: Radiant Heating and Cooling - already posted.
• Greenstep 4: Vegetation for Sun Control - already posted.
• Greenstep 5: The Whole Building Approach - September 2
• Greenstep 6: Green Tags - September 15
• Greenstep 7: Energy Modeling - September 29
• Greenstep 8: Green Roofs - October 13
• Greenstep 9: Daylighting - October 27
• Greenstep 10: Choosing Green Materials - November 10
• Greenstep 11: Carbon Offsets - November 24
• Greenstep 12: Deconstruction - December 8

Links to the videos can be found at http://www.aia.org/walkthewalk/.

Some of the features of the remodel include:

• Preserving existing teak trim, mirrors, stone vanities and tubs.
• Using Forest Stewardship Council certified wood that adheres to all the practices of the Smartwood Rainforest Alliance.
• 40% recycled content tile on the walls and floors.
• Use of LED lighting custom designed by Eleek Lighting and Design.
• Shower heads that reduce water usage by 10 to 20 percent.
• Toilets that will reduce water usage by 50 percent.
• Approximately 95%, by volume, of the debris from the bathroom demolition was donated to Portland’s ReBuilding Center, the largest non-profit building materials resource in North America.

The Heathman is not new to sustainability and conservation.  It was one of Portland’s first hotels to receive incentives from the Energy Trust of Oregon for energy efficiency upgrades.  It also participates in Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program, purchasing 30 percent of its electricity from Blue Sky renewable sources.  Chris Erickson, the Heathman’s general manager, said, “We are thrilled to team with AMAA (Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects), a company that shares our sustainable values and commitment to community.  They’ve helped to take our existing sustainability efforts to the next level.”

The Heathman’s guests are invited to see, and experience, how luxury and sustainability can coexist.

Homes for Our Troops is a non-profit organization, founded in 2004, that has already completed 28 specially adapted homes across the country for veterans of the current conflict.  Two dozen homes are currently underway, and they plan to build 100 more homes over the next three years.  They raise donations of money, building materials, and professional labor, and coordinate the process of building a new home or adapting an existing home for handicapped accessibility.  All of this is done at no charge to the veteran.

With the current grant from The Sierra Club, new homes will be built with environmental and energy conservation concerns in mind, participate in the Energy Star program, and the LEED for Homes program established by the US Green Building Council.  These new homes will provide long-term economic and environmental benefits to the veterans and their families.

Homes for Our Troops will also incorporate outreach into its new home program, educating the home construction industry and the general public on the benefits and importance of green building.  They hope to promote a greater understanding of the benefits of the green building movement.

As the wife of a (thankfully) healthy returning veteran, I fully support this effort to give back to those who keep us safe and free.  I urge our readers to visit the Homes for Our Troops website and donate to this worthy cause.