Living & Building Green Expo

Become a Fan of the Live and Build Green Expo (http://www.facebook.com/LiveBuildGreenExpo) and Qualify to Win Prizes. The 2009 event will be held this Saturday, October 17 at The Canyons Grand Summit Hotel from 10 AM until 3PM.

 You must become a Fan and attend to be eligible to win.

 Our generous exhibitors are donating some great prizes for this year’s Expo Fans
attending Saturday’s Event.

 Some of the great prizes are:

• A diagnostic consultation from Comfort Tech Heating and Air Conditioning, a $99 value.
• A WowGreen box of 5 samples of enzyme cleaning product, with a retail value of $20.
• 4 Gift Certificates of $30 each from Your Valet Green Dry Cleaning, including home delivery in Northern Utah.
• The Grand Prize – courtesy of Dennis Duce of Nielco Roofing – custom made reclaimed copper weaving valued up to $1,000.
• More prizes to be added…

 Good luck and we’ll see you this Saturday.

Expo Teaches Green Living

By:  Liz Yokubison

We all need to live a little greener to breathe greener.  But for many people, it’s hard to know where to start.  Sure, we can recycle at home, ride to work whenever possible and take our own bags to the grocery store.  But what else can we do?

To help solve this dilemma, Recycle Utah and the Park City Board of Realtors are sponsoring the second annual Living and Building Green Expo.  The expo, which is open to the public and includes over sixty vendors and nonprofits, will be held at the Canyons Grand Summit Hotel on October 17^th from 10am-3pm.

An outgrowth of Build Green Utah’s community outreach, the event is designed for “local builders, contractors, architects and people who want to be green and learn more.  It is very helpful for anyone who is thinking that energy conservation is a good idea or is looking for healthier living options,” says Insa Riepen, Executive Director of Recycle Utah.

For a minimal entry fee of $2 (children are free), attendees can learn about everything from geothermal heating and cooling systems to organic clothing and drought tolerant landscaping.  According to Chairperson, Tom Ward, “This is the showpiece of Park City’s Green Month.  With such a variety of vendors and nonprofits, it certainly is worth the price of admission.”

The event creates a venue for people to look, listen and talk to exhibitors, thereby educating themselves on how to be more earth-friendly.  “Green living means the personal choices that you make on a daily basis such as taking public transportation or using a low flow showerhead to conserve water,” says Ward.

A number of green living exhibitors will be available to answer questions and provide guidance.  Utah Moms for Clean Air will help address concerns about air quality and Mountain Trails Foundation will promote Park City’s trail system as a means to reduce our carbon footprint.  For a healthier environment inside the home, Five Step Carpet Care will showcase residue-free carpet and upholstery cleaning that uses a biodegradable process safe for kids and pets.  Thermwise and Energy Star will show how energy audits and ratings can help reduce gas and electric costs with a few simple strategies.  They will also educate consumers on tax credits and rebates when implementing green solutions.

While many assume green building refers only to new construction, green living and green building are very much interrelated.  According to Ward, “Green building is not only about how you build it, but it is also about choices made when remodeling to reduce energy consumption within your home.”  He promises that all aspects of living and building green will be represented at the expo.

One such example is Nielco Roofing, which sells roofing material that reduces air conditioning use by thirty percent and heat costs by ten percent.  The sustainable metal product, which lasts thirty to fifty years, replaces traditional shingles.  Dennis Duce of Nielco Roofing, says, “There is a perception that green means more expensive, but a lot of things are far more efficient and outlast previously used methods.  The green movement is a very real force in our economy and it makes financial sense just as much as it makes environmental sense.”

In addition, suppliers of tankless water heaters, reclaimed and sustainable hardwood flooring and low VOC paints will also be displaying their products.  Certified Green Professionals, general contractors or trades people certified from the National Association of Home Builders, will be on hand to answer questions.  And of course, solar thermal and solar electric suppliers will be in attendance.

Aside from educating themselves on how to reduce energy consumption in their own homes, expo attendees will also learn about what Park City Municipal is doing for the community as a whole.  Mayor Dana Williams will give a brief presentation on Park City’s sustainability efforts and its use of alternative fuel vehicles.

“Last year’s expo was a really good event and this year it’s going to be even better.  People are more conscious of conservation issues and are more willing to step forward and say:  ‘This is my responsibility.  What can I do about it?’  This is just the venue in which they can find out,” says Riepen.

For more information visit www.recycleutah.org or contact Tom Ward at 435-647-3727.

Celebrate Park City Green Month with Swaner

 University of Utah and Swaner EcoCenter Sustainable Lecture Series

Thursday, October 15, 6:30 pm

Is Your House a Hummer?

Ryan Smith, Professor Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah

Kent Udell, Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering, Director U of U Sustainability Research Center, University of Utah

Myron Wilson, Director U of U Office of Sustainability, University of Utah

Advances in architectural design and mechanical engineering can radically reduce the amount of energy your home consumes.  Join us for an evening dedicated to advances in design and energy systems.  One hour presentation and Q & A. RSVP to cheri.daily@utah.edu .

Thursday, October 22, 6:30 pm

Why Energy and Environmental Law Have Nothing to Do With Each Other… And Why That Must Change

Lincoln Davies, Associate Professor S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah

The historical disjoint between energy law and environmental law is made evident by energy law’s overriding focus on securing large fuel supplies at cheap costs and environmental law’s quite unrelated objective of mitigating pollution and health risk.  This talk will discuss how this historical disjoint has been perpetuated, how it fails to make sense, and some ways in which we can begin to change it.  Energy and the environment are really flip sides of the same question.  We should treat them as such and not as though they have no effect on each other.  One hour presentation and Q & A. RSVP to cheri.daily@utah.edu .

Thursday, October 29, 6:30 pm

Actions Count: Moving from Good Intentions to Sustainable Behavior

Julia Corbett, Professor Department of Communications, University of Utah

Description TBA

One hour presentation and Q & A. RSVP to cheri.daily@utah.edu .

Swaner Environmental Film Series

Wednesday, October 21, 6:00 pm

THE GREENING OF SOUTHIE

Directed by Ian Cheney. 

From the co-creators and stars of the Peabody-winning hit KING CORN comes a timely documentary.  This film chronicles the creation of a revolutionary green building and the union teams who bring it to life.  Funny and poignant, THE GREENING OF SOUTHIE is a story of bold ideas, unlikely environmentalists, and the key to climate change.

The evening will start at 6:00 pm with a light dinner.  At 6:30 pm, sustainable architect Soren Simonsen will speak on the challenges of green building and his design of the Swaner EcoCenter. 

Tickets:

Members:  $6.00 adults, $3.00 age 12 and under

Non-Members: $12.00 adults, $6.00 age 12 and under

RSVPs are required to Nell@SwanerEcoCenter.org or 435.649.1767 ext. 103.

 This film sponsored by Swaner Community Series for KIDS

 Saturday, October 24, 1:00 pm

Creepy, Crawly Critters!

October is a great time to learn about all things creepy and crawly!  Join Swaner and Kim’s Cold Blooded Creatures for a fun presentation about snakes, scorpions, frogs, spiders, and lizards.  Learn about reptiles and amphibians from all over the world, their habitats, and unique behaviors.  Meet Candy Corn the tarantula, Norbert the bearded dragon, Sizzle the albino python, Cassie the 8 ft. boa, and many more!  Kids (and parents!) will be able to touch and hold the animals.

Reservations for this fun event are required and there is a $5.00 fee for non-members.  Please RSVP to Savannah@SwanerEcoCenter.org , 435.252.3583, or 435.649.1767 ext. 113.

Visit Kim’s Cold Blooded Creatures at http://kimscoldbloodedcreatures.com to learn more about the animals, parties, and Kim.

Ongoing Programs

Weekly Green Building Tours

Wednesdays 10:00 am

The Swaner EcoCenter offers weekly green building tours in the newly awarded LEED Platinum EcoCenter.  Join us as we explore one of the greenest buildings in Utah.  Learn what materials we used to make the EcoCenter green and why we chose to build sustainably.   

Reservations for the tour are required and there is a $5.00 fee for non-members.  To RSVP, please contact us at Savannah@SwanerEcoCenter.org , Nell@SwanerEcoCenter.org , or 435.649.1767 ext.113.

Sahaja Meditation – Peace you can feel!

Tuesdays 6:30 pm

Sahaja Meditation is a form of meditation developed by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi to promote balance, health, harmony, and well-being.  The word Sahaja means spontaneous and the practice leads to union with the self.  The meditation practice requires approx. 15 – 20 minutes on a daily basis and awakens a spiritual energy, called Kundalini, residing within each individual.  It works in a short amount of time to reduce stress, instill a sense of inner peace, and improve overall wellness.

Tuesday evening classes last one hour and the cost is free.  For more information and to RSVP, please contact pcmeditation@gmail.com . 

DID YOU KNOW?

The Swaner EcoCenter is now open on the weekend!  Please visit us during our open hours.

Sunday – Tuesday: CLOSED

Wednesday – Friday: 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Saturday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

The Swaner EcoCenter is open to the public for individual, group, and private functions.  The 10,000 square foot EcoCenter is designed to accommodate special events of any size.  Please contact us to book your event.

The Swaner EcoCenter is now on Facebook.  Follow us to learn about events, wildlife sightings, building hours, and more! 

Can’t attend? Support from home!

Mountain Mama Massage Special thanks to Maggie Dozier from Mountain Mama Massage for leading our September Community Yoga class!  As a special treat for Swaner friends, Maggie will be offering 10% off any massage 60 minutes or longer and a free 30 minutes Pilates Reformer session with any massage 75 minutes or longer.  Treat yourself this fall!  For more information, please contact Maggie at 336.707.2747 or http://mountainmamamassage.com/.  Mention Swaner EcoCenter for your discount.

 

Bedrock Quartz is a very progressive, high-tech fabricator of natural stone and quartz slabs for use in counter tops, tub surrounds,fireplace surrounds and other interior applications. We are also using a variety of new “green” products with recycled content.

Bedrock Quartz employs a variety of procedures to make production more sustainable and safer for our staff. All cutting and grinding processes are done with running water, which is captured, filtered and reused.  None of this water enters the sewer system. This makes our shop cleaner and healthier for our workers and saves 6 to 7 million gallons of water every year.

 Small pieces that come off the slabs when they are cut are now being crushed for use in landscaping and for roadbed fill. These “fall off” pieces used to go to the landfill. This process is keeping about 800 tons of this material out of the landfill every year.

 We are one of only six fabricators in the western United States to be accredited by the Marble Institute of America.

 Visit our website at http://www.bedrockquartz.com/ to view some of our installations and to take a video tour of our plant in West Jordan, Utah.

 

Bedrock Quartz is a great partner for the “green” projects in your home or office.

ParkCityGreen.org was developed to help the residents, businesses and visitors of Park City and the surrounding communities reduce their energy use and water consumption — thereby lowering the entire community’s carbon & water footprints.

Park City Footprint

Learn how Park City as a whole is improving our carbon footprint by tracking water and power usage.

• Protect your habitat
• Teach your children
• Be informed
• Calculate your impact
• Support your community
• Make a difference

Test Drive the Carbon Calculator at Parkcitygreen.org

You can preview the Carbon Calculator and learn how it works without being a registered user of this site. ParkCityGreen.org focuses on Park City, Summit County & Wasatch County.  No sifting through other cities & states to find what you’re looking for.

• Our calculator focuses on both energy and water, as the scarcity of water will become an even greater crisis in the coming years. 
• We have partnered with our local utilities to provide real data
• One of the few (if not the only) online carbon calculators that includes both carbon & water.
• Most calculators calculate an annual footprint – ParkCityGreen.org can be updated monthly.
• Users can see the impact of their energy & water conservation efforts over time.
• Kids can calculate their carbon footprint (target ages 6-10), and they’ll find games and other kid-focused information.  (Coming soon we’ll have resources for teachers as well.)
• Our Social network offers the ability to friend someone, create and/or join a group, discuss ways to save and volunteer to help a green non-profit will provide a support structure for community members to engage with others on energy & water conservation strategies.

Join Parkcitygreen.org Now!

It’s free and painless, and will grant you access to a personal carbon calculator, allow you to compare your carbon footprint and notes with friends, and track Park City’s progress towards carbon reduction. And come visit us at the Live and Build Green Expo on October 17 at The Canyons Grand Summit.

 

What Is SIREWALL?

For thousands of years, civilizations have been building with rammed earth. Secured wooden forms, filled with damp earth were compacted to create stable walls that have lasted several lifetimes.

SIREWALL^® has updated ancient rammed earth processes with a new global standard for durable, healthy and energy efficient buildings and spaces. Sirewall’s are Stabilized Insulated, Rammed Earth walls.

SIREWALL homes and buildings are constructed with a matrix of local soils strengthened with rebar and a small percentage of cement that surround a core of insulation. A typical SIREWALL is 18” to 24” thick, with 4” of rigid insulation embedded in the center of the wall. From a studio or dream home to a winery or museum, SIREWALL builds beautiful walls with Timeless Distinction.

The soil blend once compacted, creates stable walls that will last several lifetimes without the need for maintenance.

SIREWALLS have a distinctive, visceral connection to the earth that are not only beautiful and maintenance free, they are a strong method of building with a thermal mass that surpasses all others.

Why Build With SIREWALL?               

• Achieve energy efficiency from a combination of heat and humidity retention; and embedded insulation for use in nearly any climate.
• Protect your surroundings with stabilized walls that are virtually fire, water and earthquake proof.
• Build responsibly using sustainable, locally-sourced and ecological building materials.
• Improve indoor air and sound quality with the simple, natural finish of exposed rammed earth walls.
• Safeguard your health in a non-toxic, maintenance free rammed earth dwelling.
• Customized designs to blend with your modern, healthy lifestyle in a community that inspires you.

SIREWALL System

SIREWALL’s inherent beauty is actually the result of our involvement in R&D over the last sixteen years. To improve functionality, the strength of Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth needs to be much better than its un-insulated cousin. The SIREWALL system has also adapted various formulas for hot, cold or wet climates.

SIREWALL formwork has the flexibility of a modular system with interlocking end panels and versatile stretch panels. SIREWALL delivers predictable, cost efficient results with minimal waste since the reusable formwork is easy to assemble and achieves consistent quality.

SIREWALL has been the technological leader of insulated rammed earth development since its invention in 1992 and was the only practitioner for the first thirteen years. In fact, SIREWALL has a patent pending on the specific technology that leads the way in thermal and structural excellence in this emerging industry.

SIREWALL Founder

A builder for over thirty years, Meror Krayenhoff founded SIREWALL with a mission to positively impact the environment and people’s health via the built environment, for now and for the future. He is knowledgeable and passionate about transforming the built environment and creating spaces that nourish our bodies instead of polluting them.

SIREWALL Team

The SIREWALL team has the broadest experience and scope of understanding when it comes to what works for insulated rammed earth in virtually unlimited commercial and residential applications. We have teamed up with award winning Architects to create designs that put ideas into action. SIREWALL Project Managers are well versed at building “green” and are keen to integrate the latest innovations into our designs.

Connect With SIREWALL

• Contact Us: Share your project vision and let’s discuss how we can transform the built environment together.
• Learn More: SIREWALL’s Introduction to Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth course will earn you AIA Learning Units.
• Book our Team: To share this visionary concept for your next gathering or conference.

EarthWall Builders, Inc.

1920 Prospector Ave., Suite 200

Park City, Utah  84068

P: 435.649.7601  F: 435.649.7661

earthwallbuilders@gmail.com

http://www.sirewall.com/

  

 

 

 

 

 www.newleafamerica.com

New Leaf America is dedicated to helping homeowners and small businesses to evaluate and implement cost effective energy saving retrofitting options.  The process starts with a home evaluation. Once completed, a retrofitting plan is presented to the home or business owner.  These recommendations focus on the most affordable, high return on investment, (ROI) energy efficient retrofitting options and include a true “common sense” approach to taking the first steps toward energy saving retrofitting for a home or business. 

These first retrofitting steps (before going solar) focus mainly on exterior and interior lighting through the use of state of the art lighting products, water saving devices, slaying power vampires, and weatherization.  The local contact for New Leaf America is long time Park City resident Eric Miller, a LEED Accredited Professional.  Eric Miller can be reached at (435) 640-3934 or emiller@newleafamerica.com

               

The Swaner EcoCenter, a non-profit organization founded in 1993, is home to a 1200 acre Nature Preserve as well as a new, LEED Platinum, nationally acclaimed green building.  The opening of the Swaner EcoCenter in 2009 has enabled the organization to become something quite unique – a “Green Building that Teaches.”  Our EcoCenter is a living demonstration of green building, and was designed to test new materials and energy technologies.  It houses the Swaner educational series that began long ago as one focused on traditional environmental education and now includes sustainable living topics for learners of all levels.  The Swaner EcoCenter’s deep understanding of “green” began with our restoration of the land.  This, coupled with the first LEED new construction building in Utah, and our green education mission, make us a vital part of the Summit County community.

The EcoCenter design is based upon the same elements critical to our Preserve and a healthy ecosystem – sunlight, earth, air, and water.  Our building’s design enables visitors to view the Preserve from every interior space – keeping the importance of the land, and our connection to it, top of mind.

The four ecosystem elements were incorporated into the EcoCenter as follows:

Sunlight

Optimizing EcoCenter energy performance:

• Rooftop photovoltaic array produces onsite electricity

• Innovative evaporative cooling system decreases annual energy use by 42%

• Solar power heats hot water

• High efficiency glazed windows filled with argon gas for unparalleled insulation

• Radiant floor heating—up to 40% more efficient than forced air

• Deep roof overhangs provide passive shading

• Light-colored roofing and decking decrease building heat gain

Earth

Optimizing building material choices – Renew, Restore, Recycle:

• Sunflower seed composite countertops

• Sorghum stalk composite board cabinetry

• High recycled-content steel

• High recycled-content carpet

• Cementitious siding with post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content

• Toilet partitions made with 40% recycled content

• Recycled cotton insulation made from denim scrap material

• Dense ipe (e-pay) wood durable without the need for stains or sealants

• Rapidly renewable bamboo flooring and cabinetry

• Wood timbers salvaged from the Great Salt Lake

Air

Optimizing indoor air quality:

• Low-emitting materials avoid odors, off-gassing, and harmful chemicals

• Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, primers, and stains

• No urea-formaldehyde

• Passive ventilation through observation tower

• Operable windows provide natural ventilation

Water

Optimizing water conservation:

• Innovative rooftop water collection system collects 40,000 gallons annually

• Cisterns store 15,000 gallons of rainwater/snowmelt for later use

• Stored water utilized for toilet flushing and irrigation

• Low-flow toilets, faucets and shower save water

• Waterless urinals

• Porous pavement allows for groundwater recharge

The U.S. Green Building Council recently certified the Swaner EcoCenter as LEED Platinum, the highest level of certification, and we received all 61 points submitted.  52 points are required for Platinum status.

                                                                                

Ray-Core Inc. is a pioneer in developing energy efficient building materials for today’s energy conscious homebuilder.

The Ray-Core Energy Saving Building System provides a simple construction solution for attaining peak performance in energy conservation. Through its simple to use wall and roof panel system savings are obtained during construction and over a lifetime for the homeowner.

Ray-Core’s superior panel system exceeds any comparable panel or composite wall construction in R-value inch for inch. As an example: Ray-Core’s 2×6 wall system boasts an incredible R-42 value at 50^o. With RAY-CORE you simply frame, insulate and wrap in one easy efficient operation.

Ray-Core is a local inter-mountain company based out of Idaho Falls, ID. Through its sales and service network local builders are supported in their projects from design through implementation.

Local contact information:

Sam Silvey – Utah Area Sales and Service

Phone: 801-367-8880

Email: ssilvey@raycore.com

Website: www.raycore.com

 

                                        

With more homebuyers looking for energy-efficient features, builders and real estate agents can gain a competitive advantage by being ThermWise. This newsletter offers you the most up-to-date information on energy-efficient building trends and energy-efficient home products in Utah.

For participating single and multifamily builders, Questar Gas® offers a variety of rebates for building ENERGY STAR® qualified homes or units, or installing high-efficiency equipment in the homes you build. The decision to build ThermWise is easier than ever!

For real estate agents, we offer the support and training you need to expertly sell the energy and cost-savings benefits of energy efficient homes. We also deliver appliance rebate information that can make upgrading to energy-efficiency appliances more affordable for your clients.

With free trainings and marketing materials, ThermWise helps you meet homebuyer demand for homes and products that use less energy and deliver cost savings. As a result, you’ll stand apart from your competition.

Visit ThermWise for more information or contact a ThermWise Outreach Specialist:

Bryan Taylor 801-324-5659 btaylor@Questar.com

Jami Walker 866-699-6034 jwalker@ThermWise.com

And please join us for these upcoming events:

UVHBA Building and Technology ShowcaseOctober Provo, UT

Questar Gas and Rocky Mountain Power Builder SummitNovember 13th Salt Lake City, Utah

International Builders ShowJanuary 19th-22nd Las Vegas, Nevada

For more information on how ThermWise can benefit you, please email us at builder@thermwise.com . Or come see us at the Park City Green Living and Building Expo.