Living & Building Green Expo

You can still qualify for a tax credit of 30% to all businesses that install solar panels and solar water heaters before December 31, 2016.

President Obama has spoken at great length about the ability of renewable energy to re-power American homes and businesses and to help re-tool American factories and create jobs. To that end, Congress passed and the President signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 providing major tax incentive to both consumers and businesses that, among other things, installed solar panels and solar water heaters before December 31, 2016.

Congress passed and President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 providing major tax incentive to both consumers and businesses that, among other things, installed solar panels and solar water heaters before December 31, 2016.

Previously, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) but most of the tax incentives and research grants went to the gas, coal, and nuclear industries. The law did provide a 30% a Federal income tax credit for the purchase of a solar system by consumers, but the credit was capped at $2,000. Not many consumers rushed out to spend $30,000 on a solar system just to get a $2000 tax credit. And even if they were so inclined; businesses couldn’t take advantage of the law.

All that changed with the passage of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Many new consumer tax incentives were introduced and existing ones were extended or expanded. And this time businesses, corporations, utilities and governments can take advantage of the law.

Like the previous law, the new legislation provides for a tax credit of 30% on the installed price of solar panels and solar water heaters. But the new legislation has no maximum amount on the tax credit allowed. So if you invest $25,000 in a new solar system you’d get a $7,500 tax credit.

Tax credits apply to any solar system installed before December 31, 2016. With a few exceptions, the solar tax credit is not dependent on where the purchase money comes from. The system can be purchased with cash, a loan, second mortgage, or even your credit card. And the tax credit is calculated on the total installed cost of the solar system – including installation charges and interest on any loans used to make the purchase. More good news for your business: your solar investment can be depreciated over 5 years on an accelerated basis based on 85% of the equipment cost.

The new law also allows for the creation of long-term power purchase contracts, limited partnerships, and pre-paid energy services contracts. These unique financing methods are attractive to investors, who would actually own the solar equipment, claim the 30% tax credit and receive the accelerated depreciation tax deduction. Plus investors would receive monthly utility payments from the business using the solar system.

The business leasing the solar system in turn gets to utilize solar energy in their operation and enjoy lower utility costs – all without making a large cash outlay. In some leasing arrangements, the business can pay off the lease using the savings from its lower monthly electric bills, then take ownership at the end of the lease through a buyout arrangement.

Although there are many regulations and guidelines that must be followed to earn the tax credit (as with any new federal legislation), The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a way for almost any business to take part in this solar tax incentive and, in doing so, help with the rebuilding of the American economy. And if that is not enough to inspire you – think of the lower energy bills and tax incentives you’ll enjoy.

But do your research. Economists everywhere are anticipating that the demand for solar systems will significantly increase as a result of the new incentives and predict there will soon be many solar dealers with no prior experience entering the market. Be very careful in selecting a reliable solar dealer who has verifiable installation experience and customer references. The North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP) tests all solar installers at the National level and this certification requires proof of experience and recurring educational courses. States may have their own solar installer and licensing requirements. Contact your state’s Energy Office to locate a certified solar installer for in your area.

Philadelphia is aiming to become America’s greenest city. The City of Brotherly Love has joined other US cities in requiring energy-efficient reflective roofs for new buildings. Philadelphia’s new law follows similar steps taken in Chicago, California, and New York. The law applies to all new buildings with little or no roof slope.  Projects with vegetative roofs and buildings with rooftop photovoltaic panels are exempt.

Research has shown that cool roofs (often painted white) reflect the sun’s rays back into the atmosphere and release absorbed heat. This keeps buildings cooler, reducing the demand for air conditioning by 10% to 30%.  The potential money savings in the US alone is in excess of $1 billion annually. The idea of cool roofs idea has been enthusiastically backed by the US Department of Energy.

Cities such as Philadelphia are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect, where an urban or metropolitan area is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas. The asphalt roads, tar roofs and other artificial surfaces that permeate cities absorb heat from the sun, making temperatures in urban areas on average 2 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 3 degrees C) higher than in rural areas.

Since urban areas are home to most of the world’s population, it’s critical to understand how climate change will affect them. It has to do with a process known as albedo – the amount of light that a surface reflects. Cool roofs could reflect some of that heat back to space and cool temperatures, because lighter surfaces reflect most of the light that hits them, while black surfaces absorb most of that light.

Researchers suggest that if every roof were converted into a cool roof, the urban heat island effect could be reduced by about 20%. A reduction of that size could cool the world’s cities by an average of about 0.7 degrees F or 0.4 degrees C. This in turn would have a major impact on the consumption of fossil fuels, reducing power plant carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases responsible for tour planet’s warming.

The solution to urban heating is not as simple as painting roofs white. But it can be a great first step. Other issues such as the location of the city, the density of roofs, the construction of a building, dust and weathering would also affect how much cooling would occur. As the bill’s sponsor, Councilman Jim Kenney stated, “This legislation is a simple step to reduce energy consumption and is virtually cost-neutral for new construction”.

Often ignored when it comes to greening your life is your dog or cat. This is an especially important issue in an environmentally aware town like Park City. But there are some easy ways to make sure that your dog and/or cat leaves a lighter impact on the environment..

•Rescuing a dog or cat from a shelter gives an existing animal a good home and the possibility of a happy life. And it helps control the pet population. 

•Have your dog or cat spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering pets is an effective way to curb the population of undesired animals. The fact is that euthanasia ends the lives of more dogs and cats in this country than any disease. Each year humane organizations euthanize up to 10 million cats and dogs — and that number doesn’t include animals “put to sleep” by veterinarians or other individuals.

•Your pet’s diet has an impact on our world. But diet is crucial to your pet’s health, and can be very pet specific. Always check with your vet before adjusting your pet’s diet. That being said, one of the fastest growing niches in the pet industry is organic, humane, and sustainably-produced pet foods now available in many stores and online.

•Pick up your dog’s waste with biodegradable bags or consider composting it. The generally accepted wisdom is not to compost dog waste, but that rule is only for compost used on edible plants, such as vegetable. Using compost that includes dog waste for general landscaping is completely safe. If you have a cat, avoid using clay-based kitty litter. The clay is strip-mined, and the dust from the clay can irritate your cat’s lungs. There are now many environmentally-friendly, scoop-able wheat-based kitty litters available.

•When accidents happen (and they are inevitable) and your pet leaves you a present on the carpet, use one of the many eco-friendly pet-odor eliminators currently on the market.

•Choose green pet toys and other items for your dog or cat. Most stores now carry more sustainable varieties of scratching post, leashes, collars and toys.

Water conservation is not just for drought. Rain or shine it’s important to conserve water. Conserving water is simple and inexpensive and it is something any family can practice.

What can you do to use less water? The following provides an easy-to-follow approach any family can follow to successfully implement its own successful water conservation program.

•  Commit your family to water conservation

For any program to be successful, the commitment to conserve water must be present from every member of the family. Everyone should understand that water conservation is necessary and must be fully committed to its support.

•  Determine how and where you use water

Know how much water is being used for each of your family’s needs. The installation of sub-meters can help you in determine how your water is being used.  

•  Learn more about conserving water in the business environment

Your local Water Department and/or Regional Water District should have its own website with tips on conserving water. Check it out. Learn from other local families that have already established a water conservation plan.

•  Check your home for leaks

Leaks can easily be detected by having a temporary shutdown of all water-using facilities. Read the water meter after the shutdown. If the dial on the meter moves, you have a leak somewhere in your home. Locate the leak and repair it as soon as possible.

• Set  water conservation goals

Set realistic goals, but set them high enough to require a substantial effort. Allow these goals to serve as your progress reference points. They’ll illustrate the effectiveness of your water conservation program.

• Educate and involve family members

Make sure everyone understands that conserving not only saves water, but money too. Educated family members will be better able to identify problems and think innovatively about ways to conserve or reuse water within the home. Awareness about water consumption almost always decreases water use.

• Install low flow devices

Use toilet tank displacement devices or install vacuum flush toilets. If you already have these types of toilets, make sure they are adjusted to use the minimum amount of water required per flush. All showering facilities should be equipped with low-flow showerheads. Similar measures should be taken for all faucet fixtures.

• Monitor your results

Your water bill includes a consumption history. You can follow this history and get an immediate idea as to how well you are doing compared to last year during the same months billing period. This allows you to keep track of your conservation progress.

Rebates and other incentives are available for many types of water conservation devices and activities in many localities. Check with your state, city and county water departments to find what rebates and other incentives might apply to your home.

The Park City Green Drinks chapter will be hosting an Earth Day Celebration Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Maxwell’s East Coast Eatery at the Newpark Hotel, Kimball Junction in Park City. Times are from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Green Drinks is an Environment Networking group with active chapters in over 600 cities worldwide (including several in Utah) that has been holding monthly meetings since 1989. Sponsors for this local event include Maxwell’s, The Market Hall and GreenLocals.

Green Drinks members get together each month to drink to the environment and network with other eco-conscious individuals; sharing fun, contacts, info, gossip, inspiration, business and pleasure. Meetings are self-organizing and evolve with each gathering – as everyone brings new people to each event. In fact, attendees are encouraged to invite friends, family and colleagues. Everyone is welcome and there is no cost to participate (cash drinks and food are available).

All those attending are encouraged to bring business cards, brochures, and other eco-resources that they’d like to share with like-minded folk! There will be a small area to display these items.

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.

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/