Environments General Contractors - Latest Comments

Re: IPE Deck | details 2

marciaztx — Tue, 18 May 2010 12:43:42 -0000

Do you have the name of anyone who has worked with IPE, in the dallas, area? Thanks... I want to do siding and flooring.

Re: Busted By The Expert: 3 Green Building Myths!

pamwalton — Tue, 11 May 2010 13:41:19 -0000

If you're thinking about a green remodel, get a great new DVD: "The Forever Home: Going Green." It’s a refreshing look at a SF Bay Area home remodeling project. The planning and architecture consider not only the needs of the home, but also those of the environment and the home's surroundings. A green house for an extraordinary couple. Extras on the DVD include a conversation with Brian Gitt, CEO of BuildItGreen. "The Forever Home" will be broadcast in June in the LA area on KCET and in Boston on WGBX. Watch a preview clip and purchase the 27 minute DVD at http://www.pamwaltonproduction...

Re: Thermal Bridging

energy audit training — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:07:55 -0000

Some good facts written on thermal bridging. But sounds costly.

Re: Our Services | Construction Phase

Energy Audit Training — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:35:38 -0000

Excellent website! I love the design, who did your graphic design work? I've got a great programmer, but finding graphic designers proficient at working with websites isn't easy.

Re: A “sneak peak” into the upcoming Green Built Texas Existing Homes Program

pamwalton — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:14:40 -0000

If you're thinking about a green remodel, get "The Forever Home: Going Green," a refreshing look at a SF Bay Area home remodeling project. The planning and architecture considers not only the needs of the home, but also those of the environment and the home's surroundings. A green house for an extraordinary couple. Extras on the DVD include a conversation with Brian Gitt, CEO of BuildItGreen. Watch a preview clip and order the 27 minute DVD at http://www.pamwaltonproduction...

Re: Reclaimed long-leaf pine flooring | finishing

Marc Kleinmann — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:51:52 -0000

Dana;
Can you tell me approx how may sqft of boards we're talking about. We have an upcoming project that might be perfect for that but I need to know approx available quantities.

Thx,
Marc Kleinmann

Re: Reclaimed long-leaf pine flooring | finishing

therealhellkitty — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:38:58 -0000

I am seeking an individual to reclaim boards from a home built in 1940 in Kyle TX.
All floors, walls and beams are 1st growth LLPine. Can you advise of someone who might be interested in the reclamation of this deserving material?

Thank you for your assistance
Best regards,

Dana Gutierrez

Re: Geothermal HVAC | System installation

LEED Green Associate — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:10:49 -0000

Simple yet tricky you need certain info on how to do it before trying to install it for one mistake can cause a big mess to the installation

Re: Thermal Bridging

BPI training — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:29:55 -0000

test

Re: Our Services | Construction Phase

BPI training — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:50:37 -0000

Yesterday I happened to visit a blog about green construction in t he blog the author had mentioned that the green construction is more expensive than the usual one, well it is his opinion but in reality or should I say for others green construction is much better to use and much more affordable if the engineer or contractor have a certain knowledge about it

Re: Project Management | The efficient way

janebaca — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:00:58 -0000

We live in East Dallas close to the Arboretum on a 1/3 acre plot. We will be putting our house on the market in January as a tear down, although it is still in good shape, it was built in 1949. We would like to stay in the area, possibly Little Forest Hills, and buy a new green home, at least 2000 sq. ft. Any suggestions?

Re: Portfolio Picture Gallery

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:34:34 -0000

More pictures on our Flickr page

Re: About tankless hot water heaters

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:50:34 -0000

Doug;
Thank you for your comment and additional contribution to my post. You are correct, I should not generalize but the fact is that about 90% of the times, plumbing contractors will recommend what they are most comfortable installing, not what might be best for the situation. I know that there are great plumbing contractors out there that are highly educated in their field (I happen to work with a couple of them :-), but at the same time I walk into a lot of situations where clients where sold on new water heaters and the system that was sold to them does not work because it was not the right solution to their problem. Again thx for your contribution and keep them coming.

Re: About tankless hot water heaters

Doug — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:31:24 -0000

It seems to me a contradictory that on one hand you indicate not to generalize what water heater solution would be best in every situation, yet you generalize "not to listen to your plumbers opinion, because they will always recommend gas".

As a plumbing contractor for over 30 years, an instructor for almost as long and now working for greenplumbersusa I have learned, as you have stated, that one solution to differing situations is not the answer.

I also know that there are 'enlightened' plumbers who do know quite a bit about electric tank and tankless type water heaters. You should not generalize.

About electric heaters: While the initial cost is somewhat lower, a standard tank type electric heater will recover at less than 1/2 the hourly rate of a gas heater and usually at least twice the cost per gallon. Tankless electric water heaters work on as little as 30 kWh

As far as hot water distribution is concerned we teach:

1. Improve the Use
2. Reduce the Waste
3. Increase the Efficiency
4. Increasing the efficiency is NOT solely the function of the water heater or the piping system. Flow rates, Delivery times and Individual behaviors play just as big a role

8 truths about water heaters:

All storage type water heaters lose energy in the "standby mode" through the sidewalls and top of the tank even though they are insulated.

A typical gas fired storage water heater also loses energy from the center of the tank through the flue.

*Tankless water heaters can save energy by minimizing standby losses.

*Tankless water heaters can provide an almost unlimited supply of hot water, but do not get heated water to a fixture faster than storage water heaters.

*Tankless water heaters may increase water consumption.

*Tankless water heaters may increase energy consumption.

Minimizing the pipe size and length will reduce energy loses for any hot water system.

Locating the water heater as close to the the demand as possible and insulating the piping adds to the reduction.

*As it relates to tankless water heaters: You have to start with what is the motivation for installing a tankless heater? The potential is there to save energy if the users behaviors remain unchanged. If the users behavior remain unchanged water use will remain unchanged (there will be no water savings and in fact, water use will be slightly increased because there is a no hot water to deliver for several seconds after there is a demand).

If, on the other hand the user’s behaviors does change, because there is now a continuous supply of hot water and they or some other user on the property take advantage of it, both energy and water use will increase.

Re: AMC#1 | Master Closet

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:58:29 -0000

To see all completed pics of this project, please visit our Flickr site.

Re: AMC#1 | Old TV room

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:10:21 -0000

Forgot to mention that the redwood siding you see here will be reclaimed for later use. We will clad a dividing wall in the new room with this material.