Weatherization Department
The Friday * Report Friday June 27, 1997
From
The National
Conservation Guild.
970-349-0551 fax
970-349-0923 voice
Info@National Guild.com
WebSite
http://NationalGuild.com
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Habitat for Humanity goes for the 'green' house
_________________________BFrom The Denver Post
There are do-gooders, and there are do-gooders who do a little extra good. Put Habitat for Humanity and its sponsors in the extra-good category.
Habitat has found that building homes for the poor isn't enough of a good deed. If it's worth building at all, Habitat says, it's worth building "green." For those who don't live in Boulder or are otherwise unhip,
"green building" refers to the use of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction techniques and building materials.
There's nothing radical about the concept; it's mostly common sense. While resource-efficient building has made inroads with some mainstream builders, there hasn't been much action in the affordable-housing
arena.
That will change this month, when Habitat for Humanity completes its first "Earth Smart" home at 26th Avenue and Franklin Street near Manual High School.
The three-bedroom home has these green features:
An insulation efficiency rating of R-21 with upgrades such as floor insulation and vapor barriers.
Compact fluorescent lighting. Although compact fluorescent bulbs cost more than incandescent, they last longer and use far less energy.
Use of non-toxic paint and carpet made from recycled fibers to limit the release of volatile organic compounds and improve indoor air quality. Solar hot-water heating. For now, it's a demonstration item only on the first Earth Smart home.
South-facing windows for maximum passive-solar heating in the winter, and extended roof soffit
overhangs to provide sunlight in the summer. The beauty of the green orientation is that it not only conserves energy and resources, but also reduces operating costs, making it affordable for families with even lower incomes than those normally served by Habitat for Humanity.
The idea for the Denver home originated when officials of Denver-based environmental engineering firm CH2M Hill and building-material supplier Home Depot met at last year's Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and discovered their mutual appreciation of green building.
The two firms are contributing $ 20,000 each - covering two-thirds of the home's $ 60,000 cost - and are using their employees to help build the house. "Think what it will mean if we can improve the quality of life for the Habitat homeowner, enhance the environmental quality of the neighborhood, conserve energy
and other resources, and ease the strain in the family pocketbook," said Ralph Peterson, president and CEO of CH2M Hill.
Other participants include Public Service Co. of Colorado and its Ideal Energy Home program,
environmental and energy research firm Rocky Mountain Institute of Snowmass, the Golden-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Global Green USA, a Venice, Calif.-based environmental consultant. __________________________
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the results of an indoorair study conducted this winter and spring at Public School 48 (P.S.48) in the South Bronx.
The survey did not find any serious health threats, but did identify a number of areas in which the school can improve air quality. "The parents should be relieved that we did not find high levels of metals and other chemicals that can seriously threaten children's health.
We did, however, find some things that could trigger problems like asthma, allergies and headaches and could add to the discomfort of the children who attend P.S.48 and school staff," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Region 2 Administrator. "Maintaining good indoor air quality is an on-going challenge in many older buildings such as P.S.48, but there are actions that the schoolcan take to improve conditions."
There were reports of suffering from asthma and allergy symptoms, dizziness and headaches prior to the test.
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You must continue to gain expertise, but avoid thinking like an expert.
~ Denis Waitley ~