Gem Builders, "Going Green"!

      
”Going green in construction what does it all mean?”

This is a very up and coming topic in the construction world and industry. As the current
Government Stimulus package is being defined we are finding opportunities every were
to make a difference, not only the recycled products that make up plastic lumber for
decks and or railing systems that are gaining more popularity even with the higher price
tag for initial cost, These products have been around for several years now and have
some good benefits to them. Also home owner tax rebates for home energy savings are
available.
(see Owens Corning site link at the bottom of page)

With this new emphasis on finding new and better building materials to protect the
planet. In coming years  we can expect to see the befits will be greater and more
available and hopefully the initial costs will be lower.
Solar heating has been around since the 70's to mass produce for residential home
heating.( I wonder why it never caught on. Hmmm on that one)

One of the benefits That came out of those early solar heating systems was the heat
pump,  solar heating is a proven viable alternative and we can expect the cost of these
units to come down some in upcoming years as they gain in popularity.

Wind mills have been in use much longer than that,  Did you know? The first windmills
were developed to automate the tasks of grain-grinding and water-pumping and the
earliest-known design is the vertical axis system developed in Persia about 500-900 A.D.
The first use was apparently water pumping, but the exact method of water transport is
not known because no drawings or designs -- only verbal accounts -- are available.
“ Shhh,  I didn’t know that either , I googled it”  all these things are exciting and most
would expect new products to be developed more rapidly then they have in the past.
Windmills are now being built to power whole factories, the down side they generally are
limited to location and geographic.

Some of the best ways to save money and reduce heating bills have been around for 20
years or more.  One of the first was Vepco's ( Dominion powers) energy saver homes
with more insulation in the walls.  Also replacement windows, insulating more in the
attic, new siding,  sealing cracks around doors. Not new idea's just a new focus.

I have included some interesting Webb sites to check out at the bottom  for resources
and please feel free to email me with any questions or Ideas.

And yes we do Insulation, Siding and windows

Thank you
Sincerely
Robbie Croxton


Doing Business with Michael Bowling

For opportunities and ideas in Virginia
Construction Law Musings- Richmond, VA

http://constructionlawva.com/2009/03/virginia-business-on-green-building.
html


Cutting edge magazine with great articles
http://www.greenbuildermag.com/

Go Pink? Who can forget the pink Panther
Great info on how to save on your energy bills, with new construction Ideas
http://www.owenscorning.com/

Energy Star Ideas & Facts on how to save $$
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.
hm_improvement_methodology