Study: European Solar Panel Manufacturing Greener than China’s
A solar panel output may be green, but the manufacturing footprint it has left behind may be anything but green or sustainable. Take the csse of this recent study pitting European solar panel manufacturing and that of China’s. According to a Northwestern University study, China’s manufacturing footprint is far less green than that of Europe. Solar panels made in China have a higher overall carbon footprint and are likely to use substantially more energy during manufacturing than those made in Europe.…
Pressure-Treated Lumber: Safest Options
Those who have built retaining walls or raised garden beds over the past few years may have used pressure-treated 4 ‘ to 8″ wood immersed with CCA, or copper chromium arsenate. A growing number of people have charged that this product, containing inorganic arsenic, can be toxic to people, pets, and even food grown in the garden. Green PTL is now Red PTL Ever wondered why green pressure treated lumber has been replaced by red PTL? Probably because copper replaced…
Guest Post: 7 Benefits of Using LED Bulbs
As compared to traditional lighting, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been getting a lot of publicity for the benefits and advantages as far as energy efficiency goes. LED lighting is by far smartest solution as well as the most power saving compared to other illumination methods available in the industry. The LED revolution is a similar technology step up as going from analog to digital. This is why we at 1lightbulbs.com are passionate about LEDs and offer a vast selection…
Companies & Building Products Worth Watching: Thermo-ply from OX Engineered Products
To better understand the integral quality of home’s structure, inspecting its unseen parts will usually tell the best story. Try structural sheathing, for instance. Is it plywood, particleboard, or some other concoction? What glues or chemicals were used? Does it contain formaldehyde? OX Engineered Products, a division of OX Paperboard, specializes in a line of exterior wall products that warrant examination. Nikki Schroeder, vice president marketing and communications at OX, believes a growing number of homebuilding customers are looking for…
Guest Post: Are Energy Systems Really Focused on Sustainability?
As the focus for sustainability has been gaining strength throughout the last decade, many developers are trying to accommodate the mindset. Standardized rating systems provide a measure for those developers to strive for in order to connect to a growing market need. While some of these rating systems may have some good points to them, are they really focused on the goal of sustainability? A great deal of money can be made just by simply placing a sticker on a…
A Commercial Product Specialist: C/S Corporate
The companies that are the most inspiring are the ones that grew out of necessity for a product and stand the test of time by continuing to grow their product, meet the demands of industry and introduce new cutting edge materials. One such company that has been around for over 60 years is the Construction Specialties or C/S Corporate, started by Ed and Mary Ellen Hallock in Newark, NJ in 1948. It began as a manufacturer’s representative firm for architectural…
Modular Design Lab: Meet the Flat-Packed Honeycombed HIVEHAUS
Here is an interesting way to approach building an easy-to-assemble living space, configured to be as small or large as you wish. HIVEHAUS, a new concept in modular living space – “inspired by nature- influenced by modernism and constructed using unconventional building techniques,” writes the UK-based company. Each hexagonal HIVEHAUS cell is a self-contained unit with low energy LED lighting and 240v electrical sockets installed as standard. A wide range of additional plumbing, heating and electrical options can be installed…
Guest Post: When is the best time to purchase and install replacement windows
The number #1 reason why homeowners pay more As any homeowner will know, maintaining the appearance and integrity of your home can be a demanding task, requiring hands-on application and extensive personal research to find not only the best products for your home, but also the most effective ways in which to apply them. Windows are no exception. The wide variety of styles and visual possibilities can be a bit overwhelming for both new and experienced homeowners alike. Though some…
Zero-Down Solar Leasing for New Homes
Our thanks to Mathias Maehlum from Energy Informative for providing GBE readers with a second informative articles on solar energy leasing. His next article “NREL Sets New World Record with Two-Junction Solar Cell,” will be published this weekend. The solar PV market has been though a lot of changes in the last couple of years. Since Solarcity introduced the model of zero-down solar leasing back in 2006 many solar providers (including SunRun, Sungevity, SunPower and Real Goods Solar) have followed suit. Third-party-ownership has become the…