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Disagreements

By
Nathan
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1

I recently spent some time looking through the Green Home Guide website that I told you about last week. I can’t adequately tell you just how much information is available on this website; it really is a great resource if you’re new to the world of green living and design.

Today I started looking at a feature called the “Green Home Checklist.” It was pretty informative, but I ran into a few things that I really disagree with. I realize that there are some very exciting green innovations on the horizon, but many of these products simply aren’t feasible for the average homeowner at this time. So when people start preaching about how everyone should make the sacrifice to incorporate photovoltaic panels, etc., I tend to leave the conversation.

The article I was reading was very good until the author started preaching about how: “The home should generate some of its own energy with technologies like photovoltaic systems” and have a water-conserving irrigation system.

Now don’t get me wrong — I love green design. I think new technologies are very interesting and important, but I can’t stand it when people start preaching that green living is all about expensive, impractical gadgets. Green innovations certainly have a place in our lives, but they should not be our main criteria for judging a green lifestyle. Green living is about simple, clean, renewable, and healthy living.

I hope you’ll forgive my rantings, but I guess this is what a blog is for — ranting. Despite my disagreements, I really do recommend you review the article yourself. Check it Out!

Learning Resources

By
Nathan
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0

As a self-admitted novice in the world of Green Design, I am always on the lookout for websites and organizations that can help me expand my knowledge of green building/living techniques. Well, I think I’ve just hit the mother-lode!

I usually try to find some time each week to surf the web in search of resources about green living. This morning in the middle of my wandering, I stumbled upon www.greenhomeguide.org — a website that is run by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Green Home Guide is overflowing with useful information about green living.

You can find anything from Green Home Checklists to Green Living Guides. It really is a great tool if you’re looking to learn more about anything green. You can bet that I’ll be returning! (In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ll be blogging about some of the stuff I learn there). I can’t wait! Check it Out!

Apologies

By
Nathan
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0

I’m a terrible blogger. I’ll admit it. I have a really hard time trying to decide what to write about. The words just don’t seem to “flow” like they should. That being said, I am going to put forth a greater effort to change my ways.

I hope you’ll accept my apology for my three-month dry spell. Today, I want to tell you about an awesome home design that was recently featured on the homepage of Plan Collection.

This House Plan isn’t necessarily a new house plan. In fact, it was designed over a decade ago; that’s what makes it so great! It was designed primarily to provide a flexible living space that takes full advantage of the benefits provided by the natural environment. This concept is what people call “Passive Solar Home Design.”

This plan and other Passive Solar House Plans are designed to take in energy when it is needed, but block that energy when it isn’t. This can be accomplished in a number of different ways. South-facing windows with long overhanging eaves are a great way to take in sunlight when it is low in the sky, yet the heat and excessive light is deflected by the eaves when the sun is at its zenith. Strategically placed monolithic concrete slabs, masonry walls, or even water tanks can absorb heat from the sun during the day and help regulate the temperature by dissipating that heat all through the night.

Passive Solar Design is a very complex subject. There is way too much science behind it than I can explain in one blog, but I can assure you that this plan was designed by a licensed architect with many years of experience and expertise in the field of Passive Solar Home Design.

Green Living is about Better Living

By
Nathan
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1

Please excuse me if I’m being a little redundant, but I just read an article that I really enjoyed. It was introducing a new type of formaldehyde-free insulation. This article really emphasized the point that green living is all about better living.  This new insulation is all about improving air quality, but it is also sustainable at the same time. If you want to check out the full article, go to BuildingGreen.com (or just Click Here).

Now I’m going to digress a little from biobased insulation techniques to put in my two cents about green living. It doesn’t matter if you’re building, remodelling, or just getting a new appliance; going green is something I would suggest looking in to. I’m not saying that the greener option is always the better choice, but sometimes it is.

Take, for instance, this new insulation – EcoBatt.

 According to the article, “EcoBatt has the same performance and cost as Knauf’s other fiberglass products, with R-values ranging from R-8 to R-38, depending on density and thickness.” So, for the same price, you get the insulation you need, but can avoid exposing your family to the obvious dangers of formaldehyde. And as an added bonus, EcoBatt doesn’t contain any petroleum derivatives. That seems like a pretty good deal to me.

I know there are some other green ideas that are way out in left field (like using a wind turbine to power your home), but the number of practical applications of green technology really is growing. On one hand, you could argue that most green products end up using more green from your wallet. On the other hand, green advocates will point out that many of these investments will pay for themselves in the long run.

My advice is to look into it for yourself. Don’t go and buy something just because it says “green” on it. Take it easy, scope it out, and weigh all your options. As often as not, you’ll find that the green option provides the best benefits. But don’t take my word for it — check it out yourself!

Objectivity vs. Normativity

By
Nathan
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0

I’m sorry that it has been so long since my last post. The holidays sure are great, but I got very behind in my work schedule. I’m just now catching up with everything. I finally have a little time to relax and continue my study of Green Design and Homebuilding.

Sadly, as I’ve been perusing through various websites, I ‘ve noticed a disturbing trend — the dreaded curse of normativity!

It’s probably a good idea to take the time to define two key terms: normativity and objectivity. Normativity is focused on telling others what “should be”. It attempts to force an opinion on others. Meanwhile, objectivity is not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; it is based on facts and is unbiased.

Although it is impossible to completely eliminate normativity from our writing, true advocates for green living need to be as strictly objective as possible. Remember that when opinions are stated, you should make sure your intended audience knows that it is only an opinion. Writers should be aware that they are not trying to force their views on other people.

I recently read an article that listed the top ten green engineering trends of 2008. The headline sounded very informative, but much to my dismay, I was told that I am single-handedly destroying the planet (all because I use incandescent light bulbs, plastic shopping bags, and a gas-powered car). I speak from experience when I say that people hate it when they are told that their lifestyle is harmful to the environment.

That article left a bad taste in my mouth for quite awhile. If I ever start getting too “green-preachy”, please let me know. I love it when I come across an article that just lays down the facts, fair and square. That is far more persuasive than a publication that tries to “guilt” people into green living.

So there you have it. There is my opinion about normative writing. Personally, I think green lifestyles would gain much more popularity if the loudest advocates weren’t so normative or “pushy”. You’re free to form your own opinion. In fact, I’d love to hear what other people have to say. Let me know what your opinion is about anything – especially green living! (it’d be nice to know if anyone actually reads my rantings) Until then, Happy New Year!

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