eco remodeling


Raleigh N.C. Hot Tubs, Spas, Swim Spas

Raleigh Pool and Spa Eco Friendly IST Spas www.raleighpoolandspa.com

919 876 9494

EnvironmentalIST — IST is a Green Machine
Energy costs are on everyone’s mind, so it’s comforting to know that IST builds each spa to give you the best experience with the least amount of energy. Consider that IST spas are currently evaluated to save up to 30% of energy costs over spas of similar size and water capacity. Add to that the energy savings you achieve by enjoying your spa at home, instead of driving to the health club. A ‘staycation’ is fun, convenient and cost effective. Plus, when the spa party gets going, you’ll be creating a lot of your own energy!

Green Manufacturing
With a steadfast commitment to quality, IST focuses on build-to-demand manufacturing, holding scrap to a minimum and recycling remaining material. No fiberglass is used in production, making for cleaner air and a safer working environment, and the 100% composite construction not only results in a better, longer lasting spa but also requires less use of natural resources.

Low Energy LED Lighting
Optional lighting package uses energy saving LED lights that are brighter at lower wattage than standard lighting.

The IST Difference
With IST, you’re not only getting a great product. You’re also getting a spa that’s environmentally friendly and can save you costs on your energy bill. It’s just one more way that IST is the spa that makes sense.

The IST Enerjacket™
From efficient pumps to thorough insulation, IST is engineered with an innovative Enerjacket™ that efficiently maintains warmth in closed loop energy conservation, making your new spa one of the most efficient ways to have fun and enjoy healthy benefits.

 


Two Stage Heater

Efficiency begins with ‘smarter’ heaters. Instead of turning high-level heat on for short periods, IST two stage heaters use a lower level for maintaining heat during vacancy, keeping your overall heat costs lower and saving energy.

Commercial-Quality Water-Based Foam Insulation
Spa shells and Casement interiors are sprayed with high-density, water-based foam insulation, the same type used in high-efficiency homes. Unlike polyurethane foam, water-based foam does not release CFCs, making it as ‘green’ as it is effective.

High Density 5/3 Cover
IST spa covers keep the heat in, elements out. Constructed of 2 lb. foam, IST covers feature a full five inches of insulation at the peak and three inches at the edges, covered in durable marine-grade vinyl and are tapered for water run-off. Child-resistant safety locks meet ASTM safety standards.

Programmable Energy Controls
IST touch pad controls let you set multiple water temperature preferences for in-use and idle times, saving energy while maintaining water at your desired temperature.

Matched Jet Pumps
Cool running 56 frame pumps are hydraulically matched for each spa model; they’re not oversized or undersized. Three pumps total; one is a low power 48 frame pump for low-cost but effective circulation through the day and night. The other two are pure performance pumps for moving more water.  It’s the thrust you trust.


Tuned JetSTREAM™

Specially designed manifold plumbing system allows water to flow virtually unrestricted to the jets for maximum thrust with energy.

Recycled materials, composite casement and a
smart heating system. That’s what makes a
relaxing and luxurious IST spa. With IST, you
conserve energy and save up to 30%
over the competition, meaning a lower
energy bill and a comfortable,
soothing experience.

Engineering

EnvironmentalIST — IST is a Green Machine
Energy costs are on everyone’s mind, so it’s comforting to know that IST builds each spa to give you the best experience with the least amount of energy. Consider that IST spas are currently evaluated to save up to 30% of energy costs over spas of similar size and water capacity. Add to that the energy savings you achieve by enjoying your spa at home, instead of driving to the health club. A ‘staycation’ is fun, convenient and cost effective. Plus, when the spa party gets going, you’ll be creating a lot of your own energy!

Green Manufacturing
With a steadfast commitment to quality, IST focuses on build-to-demand manufacturing, holding scrap to a minimum and recycling remaining material. No fiberglass is used in production, making for cleaner air and a safer working environment, and the 100% composite construction not only results in a better, longer lasting spa but also requires less use of natural resources.

Low Energy LED Lighting
Optional lighting package uses energy saving LED lights that are brighter at lower wattage than standard lighting.

Wholesale and Retail available at Raleigh Pool and Spa 7101 Cheviot hills dr. Raleigh N.C. 27616 919 876 9494 Raleigh pool and spa Map

Visit your participating Hydropool hot tub Retailer in Mississauga, Ontario, GTA, Waterloo, Oakville, Toronto and others in the U.S.A. now and for a limited time only, take advantage of our Factory Authorized Promotional Offer.

Receive valuable factory option packages while taking advantage of great financing rates or no interest and no payment plans. Let Hydropool™ build you the hot tub of your dreams today.

Current Promotion

Get in on our hot tub and swim spa Green Savings!

Introducing the Hydropool EvergreenECO package that will enhance your life and your backyard.

Ask how you can save even more green with the Evergreen Eco Package featuring Carbon Offsets an upgraded HydroWise Double Thermal Shield Cover and a Hot Tub Monitor.

Offer Valid January 1st to March 31st, 2009.

www.hydropoolhottubs.com

Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill,  energy efficient products for your home

Thermal Guard  Barrier Radiant Insulation actually helps cut you heating and cooling bills by 30% or more. The Radiant insulation is a reflective Barrier installed in your attic that reflects heat and cold keeping your homes heating and cooling systems from working overtime thus saving you alot of money every month on your energy bills. Raleigh Gutterpro U.S.A. Home Improvements offers a no obligation comprehensive energy consumption analysis  for your home just for taking a look at this great product. Raleigh Gutterpro U.S.A. Home Improvements of raleigh N.C. will do the Comprehensive Analysis, supply you with free suggestions on how to save money and energy, measure for the Thermal Guard Ultimate Insulation, Present you a factory direct Price and make a great offer in which you can use your savings to purchase this incredible product originally developed by NASA. If you don’t want to purchase the Thermal Guard Ultimate Radiant Insulation they will leave you a written down to the penny, no surprise Price quote which is locked in for six months. If you have a home with an Attic call today it’s worth the 45 minutes of your time even if you just use the free enegy saving tips the technician gives you.  email gutterguardianraleigh@gmail.com Don’t wait this is a limited time offer!!!!!! Don’t Forget to ask about Bosch Tankless Hot Water Heaters They are super affordable and save a bunch of energy and money.

Serving Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, knightdale, wake county, franklin county, orange county, durham, rtp, and surrounding areas

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There are many new forms of alternative energy but maybe none as interesting as the Cool Earth Solar “Balloon.” The concept behind this design is that they create an “inflatable plastic thin-film balloon (solar concentrator) that, upon inflation, focuses sunlight onto a photovoltaic cell held at its focal point.

The design produces 400 times the electricity that a solar cell would create without the company’s concentrator.” Cool Earth has already began construction on a power plant in Livermore, CA that will utilize this new technology. The plant is modest in size, creating only 1.4 Megawatts but if this plant works as well as they expect it to, they plan on launching a full sized plant next summer. One great thing about this device is that it’s made up of a very common and cheap material. “Plastic thin film is abundant and cheap,” said Cool Earth Solar CEO Rob Lamkin. “It only costs two dollars for the plastic material necessary for our solar concentrator.”

It’s ideas like this that I think will stick. It’s cost efficient. It’s made of an easy to find material and it’s an environmentally sound concept.

Do you think this sounds like a good way to harness solar energy?

To read more environment-related news, please visit the Causecast Environment Page.

Photo: cleantechnica

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ENERGY EFFICIENT WATER HEATERS

There has been a lot of talk recently about how we all need to do our part to make our world a greener place to live in. A great way to start pitching in is by simply making a few changes right in your own home. Changing out your old hot water heater for a newer more efficient version is both simple, eco-friendly, and goes a long way towards helping our environment.

Older electric water heaters consume larger amounts of energy than either their natural gas or oil fired counterparts. More energy usage creates a higher demand on our local power plants. Studies show that a typical family of four using a traditional electric water heater over the course of one year, uses enough energy to cause a typical power plant to emit about eight tons of carbon dioxide into our air. This is almost double the carbon dioxide fumes emitted by a typical family automobile. A family of four using a natural gas or oil fired water heater over the same period of time will only contribute around two tons of carbon dioxide into the air. By switching from your old electric water heater you can save energy, utility costs, and the air we breathe.

Solar water heaters are also a good choice. Several homes have sufficient access to sunlight to have a solar water heater installed with no problems. They can also work in all climates.

Solar water heaters also offer some financial benefits. Although the initial cost is more, between $1500.00 and $3500.00 for a solar water heater versus $150.00 and $450.00 for an electric or gas water heater, you will immediately see the savings in your electric or natural gas bills. The amount you will save in energy bills will pay for the new solar water heater on average in four to eight years.

Solar water heaters last just as long as more conventional water heaters, on average 15-40 years. After the initial time it takes for your solar system to pay for itself, paying zero in energy costs virtually means free hot water for you and your family. More savings can be found by checking with your tax consultant. Starting in 2005 the US government began offering homeowners up to 30% tax credit off the cost of installing their new solar powered water heater. Restrictions do apply, so be sure to check with you tax professional for details.

If you decide that installing a solar water heater is right for you and your family, be sure to hire a qualified professional to help you with this project. Certified installers will be familiar with any zoning and building codes in your area as well as if you will need a building permit for installation. For help finding a professional in your area, check with Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc.

About the Author

Shannon Shimizu is a small business owner of a contracting referral service called Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc.

In addition to running her business, Shannon is a wife and mother to two young children. Juggling motherhood and a full time business can be stressful, but the rewards of being able to work from home and raise her children is well worth the tradeoff.

For more information on Five Star Consumer Referrals, Inc. http://www.5starhelps.com

green-logoindex_01Ontario Canada Hydropool Hot Tubs Goes GREEN

Hydropool Hot Tubs Introduces The Hydropool Evergreen Commitment, The worlds first green hot tub.

Hydropool’s Green Initiative is a first in the Hot Tub Industry. Hot Tub Manufacturing has never been anywhere near GREEN, But Hydropool Hot tubs has changed the way Hot tubs are made in North America. Most Hot tub companies just manufacture hot tubs, spray fiberglass and resins, use plastics and steel without much regard for the environment, except to follow EPA guidelines. Hydropool has changed the way Hot Tubs in Ontario Canada, North America and the world should be made. Hydropool has figured out the Carbon Foot print of the Hot Tub and uses Carbon Offset credits to have a Carbon Neutral Hot Tub.

So now Hydropool has completed the cycle. Years ago they introduced to Canadians and then Americans and Europeans,  The Hydropool Self Cleaning Hot Tub, an industry first. Then Hydropool added a Salt Water Generator option to provide an environmentally friendly sanitation system. The system works by reusing the Salt to Generate the Sanitizer in the Hot Tub, eliminating the need to buy harsh chemicals such as chlorine and bromine.

Now with the Hydropool Ever Green Commitment the Ontario Canada based Hot tub Manufacturer has the Greenest Hot Tub in the World. Go to www.carbonneutralhottub for the full story, it’s a great website. Here’s a sample below evergreen_webpage

Green Remodeling: Eco-Friendly Home Improvements

Nowadays, many homeowners planning to remodel their homes are concerned about the environmental impact of their renovations. Fortunately, you can take steps to make any remodel more eco-friendly. And going green during a remodel does not always cost extra. In fact, green renovations might even save you money.

Plan Your Eco-friendly Remodel

The time to begin thinking about the environmental impact of your remodel is during the planning phase. Consider the environment when you hire professionals, decide what to do with demolished materials, and choose materials.

Hire “green” professionals. If your remodel is a serious undertaking, like redoing an entire kitchen or adding a family room, you most likely will hire a host of professionals, such as an architect to design the project, an engineer to review your plans, and a general contractor to manage the construction.

Hiring the right professionals is your first opportunity to make environmentally friendly choices. Begin by asking friends and neighbors with remodels you like for the names of professionals with experience doing “green” remodeling. When you meet with professionals, ask to see examples of their work and to explain what makes it environmentally friendly. Experts will know more about the toxicity and sustainability of certain products, as well as how to take advantage of natural light and heat, reduce consumption, and lower energy costs.

Consider what to do with demolished materials. While you’re planning how to demolish what you’ve got, think about what you’re going to do with it. The less waste, the better. Consider whether you can reuse or repurpose old materials — for example, by turning the brick from a non-functioning fireplace into a lovely backyard path. Also, figure out how to resell or donate any usable materials.

Choosing materials. The planning stage is also when you’ll decide what materials you want to use. Look for products certified by The Greenguard Environmental Institute (www.BuildingGreen.com.

Look also at environmentally friendly substitutes, many of which won’t cost more that their less friendly counterparts. For example:

  • Linoleum instead of vinyl. According to Greenpeace, vinyl is the most environmentally harmful plastic out there, and it’s made with substances (dioxin and phthalates among them) that can contribute to serious health problems, too. True linoleum, made from linseed oil, is a better choice.
  • Low or no-VOC paints. Regular paints release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but non-VOC paints are now readily available. Also, look for low or no-VOC sealers and caulks.
  • Bamboo, cork, or reclaimed wood instead of carpet or hardwood. Carpet is a particularly bad choice if it emits VOCs, as most do. If you’re planning on replacing carpet anyway, consider eco-friendlier options like cork or bamboo, both of which regrow quickly. These are good alternatives to hardwood too, and costs will be comparable because much of the expense is the cost of installation. If carpet is your choice, seek out products certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label and Green Label Plus programs, which have low VOC emissions.

Special Considerations, Project by Project

Here are a few of the most common remodeling projects, along with some specific advice on what you can do to make them eco-friendly.

Remodeling a Kitchen

Kitchens are high on most home remodelers’ wish lists. If you’re remodeling yours, here are some ideas for making it green:

  • Choose Energy Star rated appliances, which will use less energy and often don’t cost more. Check with your utility company too: you may get a rebate on your purchase.
  • Put in formaldehyde-free cabinetry to avoid releasing environmental toxins. Better yet, go for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which will be sustainably harvested.
  • Install a beautiful alternative to shiny granite: recycled-content glass countertops.
  • Get a water filter as an alternative to buying bottled water.
  • Take advantage of natural light with well-placed windows, skylights, or sun tunnels.
  • Keep the refrigerator out of the sunlight and away from the oven, where it gets hot and must work harder.

Remodeling a Bathroom

Second only to kitchens, bathrooms are another top place remodelers spend their dough. Eco-friendly options include:

  • Replace toilets with low-flow models.
  • Install tiles made of recycled content.
  • Use flow reducers on the shower and sinks so you’re using less water.
  • Put in a fan to keep air circulating and to prevent mold growth.

Adding On

If you’re adding a new room to your home, you can pay attention to these particular possibilities:

  • Don’t add more than you need. Consuming less is always eco-friendlier.
  • Install ceiling fans to keep warm air down in the winter, and to provide cool air in the summer.
  • Install insulation in the walls and attic to prevent heat transfer.
  • Strategically place windows, shades, and overhangs to take advantage of the sun’s heat.

To learn more about “green” considerations when buying a home, remodeling a home, or just living in your home, get The Essential Guide for First-Time Homeowners: Maximize Your Investment & Enjoy Your New Home, by Ilona Bray and Alayna Schroeder (USA Today/Nolo), available September 2008. link to Nolo
Copyright 2008 Nolo