OK, not too many of us are making plans to build a mansion right now, even a green one as showcased in A glam, glitzy and green Hillsborough mansion by Susan Fornoff (San Francisco Chronicle, July 2008).
Rather than the 'life of the rich and famous' aspect of the story what got me interested was the Green Menu she shares:
"Efficient design: Making generous use of natural light and creating cross-ventilation possibilities reduce the need for electricity.
Geothermal heat pump system: Using the earth's
stable temperatures underground to help cool the house in summer, heat
it in winter. This system – supplied by 88 HVAC ( www.88hvac.com) – also powers radiant flooring in some areas of the house.
Photovoltaic system: Solar panels can virtually eliminate electricity bills.
Graywater system: Water filtered from washers, sinks and showers can be used for irrigation.
Framing, plywood, cabinetry, paneling, siding and doors certified by the Forest Stewardship Council: All FSC-certified wood comes from responsibly managed forests.
Reclaimed wood floors: These save trees by putting old wood and waste wood to good use.
Energy-efficient windows: These help keep a house cooler in summer, warmer in winter.
Eco-friendly paints and water-based stains: They reduce air toxins.
Ultratouch insulation: Made of recycled denim, it does not contain toxins and irritants.
Fly ash substituted for cement in foundation and floors: Saves energy and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by half.
Lime plaster substituted for stucco on exterior: It
uses a quarter of the energy needed for concrete and while emitting
only a fraction of the carbon dioxide, it also reabsorbs it.
Countertops of Richlite, PaperStone, CaesarStone:
The first is tree pulp from managed forests, PaperStone is made of
recycled paper, and the last has high standards for manufacturing.
Dual-flush toilets: They allow water use according to need.
Eco-friendly furniture: For the Rubensteins, this
includes antiques and reuse such as mah-jongg tiles for cabinet
hardware, a vintage pool table in the game room, and a floor-model
sectional sofa in front of the EcoSmart fireplace (fueled by denatured
alcohol)."
That's green and practical!
The author mentions in her piece, Build it Green, a California non-profit whose aim is to "facilitate the greening of 10,000 housing units by the end of 2008".
They are focused on 5 core principles, Livable Communities, Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, Resource Conservation and Water Conservation.
Kudos for their efforts.
Home Green Home for Green Day # 53
Last Week: Clean Your Dry Cleaning! Goodbye Plastic, Hello Green Garmento