Disappearing Window Screens...

Now that the leaden skies of winter are receding a bit allowing us to enjoy the beauty of spring, I’m enjoying looking out my windows more than I have in the past few months. There are two things impeding my otherwise perfect view of my empire. One: I can’t see out the bottom third of my full-lite French doors. Eddy, our dog, while passively window-shopping the bird feeders from the comfort of the living room, she manages to fairly effectively apply an obfuscatory coating on the entire surface of the glass…. and then… after actively shopping the...

How is Energy Efficiency Measured?...

HOW IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURED?* If you’ve read my previous posts on the origin of Passive House, you’ll know it originated out of Europe and the Passive House standards were born of the Low Energy House standards. The chart below references European homes and is in kWh per square meters per year, but you can imagine use patterns are not extremely dissimilar in the U.S. On the other hand, since we are notoriously heavy energy consumers, the energy savings indicated would be that much more graphic! Energy efficiency ratings of cars are measured in miles per...

June 25 Insulating Concrete Forms –...

Insulating Concrete Forms – Installation Training  Thursday June 25th 9am-4pm The is the next course in our Green Building Education Series. Everyone completing the course will receive an Amvic ICF Installation Training Certificate Registration: Contact classreg.ecobuilding@gmail.com or call 360. 754. 6152 Sign-in: Begins at 8:30 Location: Regional Education & Training Center @ Satsop | 150 Technology Way, Building 34 , Elma WA Cost: $95 Class Description: This Construction Course is part of the Green Envelope Series. A one-day seminar on construction using...

How Does a Passive House Work?...

*WHAT IS A PASSIVE HOUSE? The term “Passive House” (not to be confused with passive solar design, though there are overlapping principles) refers to a design and construction standard that aims to drastically reduce heating requirements in homes so that oversized conventional heating systems are no longer necessary. The homes maintain constant temperatures and do not rely on wasteful amounts of fossil fuels to continually heat and cool, therefore passive. HOW DOES A PASSIVE HOUSE WORK? The strategy of a Passive House is to reuse “free” heat...

June 20 Wood Window & Door Restorat...

Wood Window and Door Restoration and Weatherization Saturday, June 20th This half-day workshop will show you how and why to preserve and weatherize original wood windows, doors and architectural details. Presented by Dave King, owner of Eco Woodworks, this hands-on workshop will be held at a member’s residence.  Address information will be provided upon registration. Registration is required: $25 class fee.  To register, contact classreg.ecobuilding@gmail.com or call 360.754.6152. The Northwest EcoBuilding Guild is an alliance of builders, designers,...

June 18-20 Solar PV Design Workshop...

Solar PV Design Workshop, June 18-20th Hosted by: NW Eco-Building Guild Space is limited to 10 participants, so go ahead and reserve your space–email us at classreg.ecobuilding@gmail.com today!   Workshop cost is $250 for all 3 days, with a $50 discount for the first 3 registrants. June 18-20: The Northwest EcoBuilding Guild is sponsoring a 3 day Solar Photovoltaic Design and Installation Class.  This class will present how to design, and install residential-sized, code compliant, battery-less and battery-based grid-tied PV systems. This class will provide...

June 18 Rain Garden Workshop...

NW Eco-Building Guild Rain Garden Workshop, Thursday June 18th Our monthly educational meeting features David Hymel from Nisqually Sustainable Building.  He will give a presentation on construction of rain gardens to control flooding, protect waterways, and provide beneficial habitat. Time is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at the Urban Onion ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE in Olympia.  Please arrive early to order from the menu.  Cost is $5 for non-members and free for members. The Northwest EcoBuilding Guild is an alliance of builders, designers, suppliers, homeowners,...

April 17 & 18 South Sound Green Tou...

The South Sound ECO-Builders-Guild Hosts: The South Sound Green Tour Innovation – Education – Inspiration April 17th and 18th, 2010 A community event to celebrate green innovations through education in sustainable building and inspired living. This year’s tour will showcase the greenest homes and buildings in our area that incorporate significant use of solar or other renewable energies, new and reclaimed materials, low energy consumption and water conservation technologies, and sustainable design techniques. Educational sessions will be held at various...

Chamber of Commerce Event...

Chamber of Commerce After Hours Event Hosted by: The Artisans Group February 18th, at 5:30pm | 1508 4th Avenue : Join us for a casual after-hours wine and hors d’oeurvres party! We will have a raffle drawing for two bottles of renowned Marchetti Wines and a $300 gift certificate for design services at The Artisans Group Design Center. Mingle with others within your business community and tour our tantalizing products showroom! The Artisans Group is an Olympia based Design and Build firm.  We specialize in custom remodel and new construction projects. We have been...

Cellular Shades Qualify for Tax Credit...

I just noted in the latest copy of Dwell magazine (March 2010)  Hunter Douglas is advertising their cellular shade model, Duette Architella, as qualifying for the Tax Credit, up to $1500. In addition to that, they are offering a $25 mail in rebate per unit as an incentive. The shades look much like most cellular shades, although these are double-walled and claim superior air trapping capabilities which reduces the amount of heat that flows from your home by up to 50%. Of course that’s relative to how much heat loss you are currently losing via your windows; the...