Real Estate Blog

One of the best things about the down economy is that it inspires people in all fields to go back to school and attain higher degrees. While jobs are scarce, receiving more education to increase opportunities is always a good use of time and effort. Though the construction industry has not missed a beat in spite of the economic challenges, industry professionals should also follow this trend and take advantage of opportunities to add additional credentials to their resume. The one must-have credential that all modern builders need is the LEED certification, an official recognition of their commitment to green building practices.

The construction industry is going green, and all professionals who really want a flourishing career in this field in the future need to get on the green train. The LEED certification, which stands for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was established by the U.S. Green Building Council in 1994 as a way to continue to educate construction professionals on the latest advancements in eco-friendly building. Today, as political, popular, and cultural focus is all on improving the “greenness” of the American way of life, this certification can make the difference between just working and being successful. Continue reading ‘Why You Need Your LEED Certification’ »

The department for Energy and Climate Change has recently published the UK Renewable Energy Strategy. In this article I take a closer look at what this means for development projects in the UK.

Since the Planning and Energy Act came into force in 2008, local authorities have the power to require that development proposals will meet ambitious energy performance standards. Firstly they can require that the energy performance of buildings is greater than that required by the building regulations. Furthermore the planning authority may require that a proportion of the energy that is used by the new development will be produced on the development site by using renewable sources. Many local authorities have now adopted policies that require that a certain percentage of the energy use of new development will be generated on the site using low or zero carbon technologies. A description of the selected mix of technologies and the rational behind them is laid down in an Energy Statement. Continue reading ‘The Implication of the UK Renewable Energy Strategy For Development Projects’ »

Over the years, several changes has occurred in our surroundings. The planet that was once abundant in trees and various life forms is now slowly degrading. There are evidences of its degradation. Species start to become instinct. Forests are denuded. People’s life expectancy has shortened. However, among the changes that have occurred, the most feared is the global warming.

Global warming is the increase in the atmosphere’s temperature. This kind of phenomenon has plenty of negative effects to the society and the environment. It can lead to flooding due to melting of glaciers and rise in water levels. It could also lead to poor health conditions brought by tropical diseases and food and water shortage. Continue reading ‘How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home’ »

The state of California is a fascinating and diverse place. There are beautiful ocean coastlines, soaring mountains, intensely hot deserts, plus there is a constant threat of earthquakes. Yet, the state has the largest population, thirty-six million, in the country. Added to this fact is the state’s strong belief in protecting the environment. How should the people of California keep themselves safe, secure, and green? The answer is to build structures that are strong and energy efficient, and in southern California, it would also help if the buildings are fire resistant.

It sounds like a very daunting task to build a building in California. But, the task can be completed in a way that will make people happy and keep them safe. If a contractor chooses to use insulated concrete forms (ICFs) to build a commercial building, he or she will be using advanced technology to make a structurally sound building that is energy efficient. An ICF wall is a solid cement wall sandwiched between two pieces of EPS or Expanded Polystyrene. Continue reading ‘Building Strong and Environmentally Friendly Homes’ »

Let’s jump right in and start out with water heating. Whether you heat it with electric, or gas it consumes 10-25% of your utility cost. The best way to cut this cost is Solar Hot Water. There are systems designed for all climates and conditions so unless you don’t get any sun all year it will pay for itself in a short period. To coin an old phrase it has the biggest bang for your buck.

Next let’s talk about insulation. One of the latest products to hit the market is Spray Foam. You may have seen it. When sprayed on it expands filling all cracks and crevices. It’s a great product that won’t sag or degrade over time. This product is excellent for new construction but what if you’re just doing a remodel or an addition? You don’t plan to tear off drywall but you know your walls need more insulation. The answer here is Injection Foam Insulation. Like the name implies it is injected into existing walls to fill any and all voids with foam that does not expand. With a rating of R-5 per inch a 2 x 4 wall will be R-18 with an air seal. Something you don’t get from traditional insulation. 2 x 6 walls will be R-28. This product is also great for soundproofing. If you are remodeling it would be best to find a company that does both, Spray and Injection. Continue reading ‘Things to Consider When Building a Green Home’ »

The construction industry has developed guidelines for certification for the Green building friendly, offered through the U.S. Green Building Council. (USGBC) has a unique scoring system and method to score a building as Green qualified called “leadership in Energy and Environment Design. (LEED) has been considered the industry standard in defining the guidelines for developing high-performance, sustainable green buildings, these are currently voluntary.

LEED is still in the developmental stages so there are revisions and refinements on going, builders have to use their own knowledge of green building practices and then apply for certification through voluntary consensus by others who are in the process of setting the standards. Continue reading ‘How to Certify Your Building As a LEED Green Building’ »