K+BB Green

FSGE chooses solar water heater manufacturer

This is the fifth third installment of our series on Florida's Showcase Green Envirohome (FSGE).

When choosing solar thermal technologies (which convert light into heat) for FSGE's water heater, Nonnie and Mark knew they had to choose wisely. Because up to 30 percent of a typical electric bill is dedicated to water heating, solar water heaters pay for themselves several times over their lifetime and can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,000 lbs. per year.

Three types of solar thermal applications for fluids exist: low, medium and high heat. Solar water heaters fall into the medium- or high-heat categories, but most residential buildings avoid the high-heat category for safety reasons. Nonnie and Mark felt that Alternate Energy Technologies (AET) offered the best medium-heat solution.

Take a photo tour of the solar water heating system.

Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome Installs Solatube Lights

This is the fourth installment of our series on Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome (FSGE).

Solatube lights are currently being installed in the upstairs kitchen, the guest bath, the living and laundry rooms and the downstairs hallway. Solatube was chosen because it provides consistent daylight no matter what the time of day and because its acrylic dome is resistant to scratches and yellowing.

Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome Adds a Chimney

This is the third installment of our series on Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome (FSGE).

The only partial wall left standing on FSGE's site after the original home was devastated by hurricanes
Frances and Jeanne was the chimney.  The home’s owner had fond memories of chimneys from her childhood in New England, but because the house is going to have a positive-pressure building envelope, a
wood-burning fireplace is tricky.  It has to have a damper that is extremely well sealed during the warm
months, and when in use during the cold months, it has to provide a "closed system" or something close to a closed system that either avoids or minimizes taking air for combustion from inside the home (which causes oxygen depletion) while providing maximum energy efficiency, optimal heat transfer and minimum
emisssions (also called a clean burn). View a photo gallery of the work.

Metal Roof Aids in Graywater Reuse and DURABILITY at FSGE

A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome (FSGE).

Since the last post, many interesting developments have unfolded, and Nonnie and Mark are nearing completion of the metal roof, which plays a key role in the home’s Whole House Graywater Reuse and Rainwater Harvesting System.

Welcome to Florida's Showcase Green Envirohome

We are starting a new feature on K+BBgreen: regular reports and photos from Florida's Showcase Green Envirohome (FSGE), an interesting prototype in Florida, which has been covered in USA Today. The site was originally the home of builder Mark Baker’s mother that was severely damaged in two hurricanes. Along with his wife Nonnie, Mark decided to rebuild the house using the latest in ecologically friendly building techniques and products.

In this first post, you’ll learn about its whole-house gray-water Reuse System, which uses shower, tub, steambath, Vertispa and clothes washer water to flush the toilets.