Archive for the 'Green Building' Category
Dec
19
Wanna Recycle More Plastics? Just Ask Comedian Rudy Mancuso [Video]
December 19, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Think you know which plastics you can recycle? Comedian, musician, and online personality Rudy Mancuso says: think again. Plastics Make it Possible partnered with Mancuso to show Americans that we can recycle many more plastics than we might realize – from plastic beverage bottles to bags and buckets to bubble wrap.
A recent Plastics Make It Possible survey revealed that people over 60 years old are among the best recyclers – 15 percent more likely to recycle each day than millennials. And compared to older generations, millennials are less likely to know that common plastics, such as shampoo bottles, yogurt cups, and milk jugs, are recyclable.
To raise awareness and encourage more plastics recycling, Mancuso walked the streets of New York City to test people’s recycling knowledge – and shed some light on how simple it is to recycle more plastics every day.
To learn more about plastics recycling, visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Dec
19
Wanna Recycle More Plastics? Just Ask Comedian Rudy Mancuso [Video]
December 19, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Think you know which plastics you can recycle? Comedian, musician, and online personality Rudy Mancuso says: think again. Plastics Make it Possible partnered with Mancuso to show Americans that we can recycle many more plastics than we might realize – from plastic beverage bottles to bags and buckets to bubble wrap.
A recent Plastics Make It Possible survey revealed that people over 60 years old are among the best recyclers – 15 percent more likely to recycle each day than millennials. And compared to older generations, millennials are less likely to know that common plastics, such as shampoo bottles, yogurt cups, and milk jugs, are recyclable.
To raise awareness and encourage more plastics recycling, Mancuso walked the streets of New York City to test people’s recycling knowledge – and shed some light on how simple it is to recycle more plastics every day.
To learn more about plastics recycling, visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Dec
13
6 green gift ideas everyone can love
December 13, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Did you know electronics left plugged in drain energy, even when they’re turned off? To reduce energy consumption, give battery-operated, cordless gadgets this holiday season. Need ideas? We’ve got you covered with these green gift ideas for ev…
Dec
7
Building a Tiny House with Plastics [Video]
December 7, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Tiny House Nation’s Zack Giffin and builder Paul Baumann built a tiny house in Boulder, Colorado, for Plastics Make it Possible to highlight the environmental benefits of building materials made with plastics. The house demonstrates how energy-efficient plastic building products can help dramatically reduce energy use in any size home.
To seal the “building envelope” and reduce unwanted airflow between the inside and outside of the tiny house, Zack and Paul relied on a variety of innovative plastic building products, such as three types of plastic foam insulation, insulated vinyl windows, a polyurethane and foam core front door, vinyl siding and trim, and a polycarbonate skylight. These plastics not only improve the energy efficiency of the tiny house, but they also make the house extremely durable and water resistant.
This innovative tiny house has traveled around the United States, starting in Boulder, making its way to Los Angeles, and finally to Pittsburgh. Thanks to its sturdy plastic components, it’s ready to go just about anywhere. To learn more about the tiny house, plastics, and sustainability, please visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Dec
7
Building a Tiny House with Plastics [Video]
December 7, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Tiny House Nation’s Zack Giffin and builder Paul Baumann built a tiny house in Boulder, Colorado, for Plastics Make it Possible to highlight the environmental benefits of building materials made with plastics. The house demonstrates how energy-efficient plastic building products can help dramatically reduce energy use in any size home.
To seal the “building envelope” and reduce unwanted airflow between the inside and outside of the tiny house, Zack and Paul relied on a variety of innovative plastic building products, such as three types of plastic foam insulation, insulated vinyl windows, a polyurethane and foam core front door, vinyl siding and trim, and a polycarbonate skylight. These plastics not only improve the energy efficiency of the tiny house, but they also make the house extremely durable and water resistant.
This innovative tiny house has traveled around the United States, starting in Boulder, making its way to Los Angeles, and finally to Pittsburgh. Thanks to its sturdy plastic components, it’s ready to go just about anywhere. To learn more about the tiny house, plastics, and sustainability, please visit plasticsmakeitpossible.com.
Nov
30
4 tips to help keep your home warm, comfortable and energy efficient this winter
November 30, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – With winter comes the holiday season, a time that’s supposed to be associated with “comfort and joy.” But how joyful will it be if pests invade your house, or if your home is cold and drafty? Help stay warm all winter long by addressing factors like air leaks from gaps and cracks that can make your home feel uncomfortable.
“Drafts and heat loss are common problems in the winter, and they affect homes of every age, size and construction,” says Gary Parsons, fellow at The Dow Chemical Company. “Those factors can seriously affect your home’s energy efficiency and how comfortable it feels. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to deal with issues like air leaks and insulation, and doing so can significantly improve your home’s function and livability.”
Parsons suggests these steps to help ensure a draft-free, pest-free and comfy home this winter season:
Seal cracks and gaps
Gaps and cracks throughout the home allow hot air to escape and cold air and pests to enter. Energy Star estimates that homes can have a half mile or more of cracks around doors, windows and sill plates alone, and those aren’t the only places in a home where gaps can exist. Air duct joints, points where piping enters a home, and anywhere wood meets concrete (such as around the foundation) are locations where cracks and gaps can occur.
Sealing cracks can help prevent air leakage, improve a home’s overall energy efficiency and block out pests and insects. In fact, homeowners can save an average of 15 percent on heating and cooling by air sealing their homes and adding insulation, according to Energy Star.
Even do-it-yourself novices can easily and quickly seal cracks and gaps in their homes. Products like GREAT STUFF(R) Gaps & Cracks and GREAT STUFF(R) Pestblock Insulating Foam Sealants are specially formulated to seal gaps and cracks, blocking out air, moisture and even pests. The ready-to-use insulating foam sealants can fill gaps up to 1 inch. When using the product, be sure to follow safety guidelines, including covering all skin, using gloves and safety goggles, and keeping the work area well ventilated.
Check insulation
Insulation is like a blanket that your home wears to help keep everyone inside warm and cozy. If your home doesn’t have the right amount or type of insulation for your climate, it can lose heat, energy efficiency and comfort. About 90 percent of existing homes don’t have enough insulation, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association.
Follow Energy Star’s guidelines for more information on how to check your insulation to see if your home could benefit from adding more.
Take care of the HVAC system
If your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system isn’t working as well as it could, you’re sacrificing comfort and increasing your energy bills. Make sure to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall to ensure they are operating efficiently.
Have the ducts inspected and seal any leaks. Be sure to change air filters regularly, per the system manufacturer’s recommendation for filter type and frequency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, dirty air filters restrict airflow, making HVAC systems work harder and consume more energy to heat your home.
Don’t overlook little things
Things as simple as a forgotten window left cracked in summer months or neglecting to close the flue in your wood-burning fireplace can all affect the amount of heat and comfort that escape your home in the winter.
Before the weather turns very cold, make a sweep through your home and check for these minor but important points:
* Windows – Are all your windows closed? If you’ve recently sealed around windows, you probably opened them for ventilation. Double check to be sure you remembered to close them.
* Thermostat – Is yours properly programmed to optimize energy use by adjusting the temperature when you’re out of the house? Proper use of a programmable thermostat can cut energy bills by nearly $200 per year, according to Energy Star.
* Ceiling fans – you can use ceiling fans to supplement your furnace during the winter, but you have to remember to reverse the air flow. Most ceiling fans have a switch that allows you to reverse the direction of the fan blades to spin clockwise, which pushes warm air down from the ceiling during winter.