Are people really buying ‘green’ homes?

Green-rated homes are becoming more popular
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

Builders tried for years to entice prospective homeowners to purchase green materials for their new homes. Not as many people as hoped took the bait. Perhaps it was cost or merely a lack of interest, but now builders have a different approach.

More and more companies are deciding to build greener homes at no extra cost…and it’s working. Houses are outfitted with solar power and other green features which ensure buyers will save on their utility bills and other household expenses.

Markets in Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix and Tucson have seen a rise in interested buyers, particularly because the costs are more reasonable and the promise of cheaper electricity is a significant selling point. KB Homes has noticed a 30 percent increase in interest for green homes now that the costs have remained ‘reasonable.’

In 2010, sales for green homes were at nine percent. Last year, that number rose to 17 percent. The National Association of Home Builders predicts the numbers will reach between 22 and 25 percent by next year.

The Green-certification debate

Green-rated homes, such as the Energy Star rating, have been a hot topic within the real estate market for several years now. While studies have shown consumer interest in green-rated homes, signs have also pointed toward those homes selling for a premium.

A study done in California between 2007 and 2012 showed green-rated homes were worth 9% more than non-rated homes. Researchers were also able to make a link between environmentally conscious people who owned hybrid cars, like the Prius, and the likelihood of paying a premium for a green home.

The designation of a green home can be done through different organizations. Energy Star is a certification started by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. LEED certification was created by the U.S. Green Building Council and GreenPoint was created by Build It Green, a non-profit organization.

Though the National Association of Home Builders is keen to continue on this green trend, particularly now that it's gaining traction, the National Association of Realtors has tried to limit green labeling as it feels this will adversely affect resale values for non-certified houses.

What do you think about this debate? Are you in favor of green labeling? Would you pay more for  a green-rated home, even if it'll help the resale value?

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times

Making green homes greener

Electrocorp's AirRhino AH
can easily be integrated into
an HVAC system

Environmental consultants and experts are often involved in the construction of green homes. Though some people are not willing to pay extra money for 'smog-eating' tile, as they can't always see the benefits of such an investment, an air cleaner is often a more welcome addition.

Electrocorp provides several types of air cleaners for the home. As HVAC systems are common in new homes, an air cleaner such as the AirRhino AH can be attached to the central air system, thereby cleaning the air throughout the house. This unit has a medical-grade HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter which help remove particles, chemicals and gases from the air. 

For more information on Electrocorp's air cleaners, contact us.

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Manufacturers can now make ‘green’ jeans

Making denim results in significant water and air pollution.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

Every year approximately 2 billion jeans are made worldwide. 

The manufacturing of just one pair of jeans entails the use of 2,500 gallons of water, one pound of various chemicals and a whole lot of energy. It is therefore no surprise that the denim industry contributes a great deal to both water and air pollution.

 

At a recent Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference, however, a more eco-friendly manufacturing process was introduced. 

The Advanced Denim process offers several alternative options during production. Jeans can now be made with 92 percent less water and 30 percent less energy. The amount of cotton waste can be reduced by 87 percent and instead of using 15 dyeing vats full of harmful chemicals, this new process uses only one vat and replaces harmful chemicals with more eco-conscious liquid sulfur dyes.

The history of denim-making

Denim is made from a rough kind of cotton called rugged cotton twill. Up to 10 percent of the world's pesticides are used for treating cotton. Literally tons of water is used to grow the raw material. And in order to make denim what we know it to be, indigo dye is used to color the jeans blue. 

Today, indigo dye is, for the most part, produced synthetically. Chemicals, such as aniline, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and sodamide are used to make the dye, all of which can have negative health effects. Some are skin and respiratory irritants, while others are carcinogenic.

Studies have lead scientists to believe that if the Advanced Denim process was used to produce only 25 percent of the jeans made worldwide, 1.7 million people would have their water needs met every year. In addition, 220 million kilowatt hours of electricity would be saved, reducing corresponding carbon dioxide emissions.

Is it surprising to know how many jeans are made every year?  What do you think about this new Advanced Denim process?

Source: ACS

Improving air quality within manufacturing facilities

The RAP series is just one of
Electrocorp's air cleaners
for chemical plants

Though there are many benefits to using this new Advanced Denim process, it will take time for companies to apply this system to their factories. In the meantime, a lot of harmful chemicals are used to make the blue dye we so love in jeans.

It is the companies’ responsibility to ensure their employees are working in safe environments and good indoor air quality is part of that health and safety. As long as chemicals are used, chemical exposure and fumes are a risk. It is in the best interest of the companies to provide an air cleaning solution which will keep employees breathing easy.

Electrocorp manufactures air cleaning units for the industrial sector. Our units can range from small air cleaners which can be placed close to the source of the harmful chemicals or fumes, to large units that can be attached to an HVAC system, cleaning the entire central air system.

To find out more about our air cleaners, contact us or speak to one of our IAQ experts at 1-888-667-0297.

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IAQ policy a good idea in libraries and archives

Libraries and archives can expose
people to poor indoor air quality.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When you think about libraries and archives, do the words “bright”, “fresh” and “green” come to mind?

Probably not.

Many libraries and archives are large, dust-filled rooms stacked with books, papers and other materials.

They can be cluttered, dark and dingy – and many of them also have a problem with their indoor air quality.

In fact, IAQ is such a concern that some libraries and archives have implemented an indoor air quality policy.

In the case of the University of Florida library, the policy was introduced after people complained about health concerns, including eye and lung irritation, headaches, skin irritation, exposure to diseases and more.

Since there can be many different reasons for indoor air pollution (the most common are faulty HVAC systems, construction and renovation projects, forbidden smoking, the use of chemicals and mold), the policy addresses various issues and the best ways to handle them.

How to handle IAQ problems in libraries

The IAQ policy stresses the importance of communication, which will allow all sides to take action towards better air.

First, the people who are affected by poor indoor air quality or who notice it should be reporting it promptly.

Most universities have an environmental health and safety department, and there should also be a contact in the library itself.

Second, all staff members have to be informed in a timely manner of planned renovation or construction projects and the possible risks associated with them. Everyone should work together to minimize those risks and find safer alternatives.

Third, the library and archive facilities should be inspected regularly, and any types of problems need to be addressed.

What do you think of the indoor air quality at your library? Let us know what your area is doing right and how it can improve.

Source: George A. Smathers Libraries

Remove indoor air pollutants in libraries

Electrocorp's I-6500 series combines
particle and chemical filtration.

The right types of air cleaners can help remove indoor air pollutants such as chemicals, particles, odors, dust, mold spores, bacteria, viruses and fumes.

Electrocorp’s air cleaners for libraries and archives feature the most comprehensive filtration system to deal with the pollutants listed above.

The units feature a deep-bed activated carbon system for gases, chemicals, odors, fumes, even tobacco smoke and mold mycotoxins, a HEPA filter for fine particles, dust, allergens and pollen and optional UV germicidal filtration to neutralize biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and mold.

As an industry leading supplier of industrial and commercial air cleaners, Electrocorp works with university administrations, government buyers, environmental consultants and many other contacts to make sure that IAQ problems are addressed correctly.

For more information, please contact Electrocorp at 1-866-667-0297.

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When school grounds are contaminated...

Some schools have been built on contaminated land
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

Schools are often newsworthy topics because of the importance they carry in our society. We all want our children to grow up in healthy, educational environments and yet mold infestations and other health hazards often plague these institutions.

Over the years, many studies and reports have come out about schools being built on contaminated grounds. As school boards rarely have much money, they sometimes choose to purchase land that has previously been used for industrial purposes. 

Some school boards may also form partnerships with companies to provide them with a dumping ground in return for the construction of different sports fields. Controversy around this very thing is the most recent story to develop.

Earlier this month, an extensive news article was written about a small New York town that has suffered from what seems like a break-out number of cancer cases in its high school students. Briarcliff is only 30 miles away from New York City, but its 8,000 people are close-knit. Boasting one of the best high schools in the country, Briarcliff is a prized location for parents seeking a quiet life with a good education system.

Unbeknownst to them, however, parents were sending their kids to a school where sports were played on contaminated grounds. Up to eight students fell ill with cancer and at least one died. 

Today, parents want some answers. Though there is no direct proof their children's illnesses were connected to the grounds, speculation abounds.

A short history

In 1998, the fields in Briarcliff were used as a dumping ground for a construction company. Though what was dumped was considered safe, many now doubt that claim. 

One year after the dumping took place, testing was done on the fields and high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found. Some PAHs are known carcinogens and exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion or touch.The levels were deemed safe at the time, however, so nothing was done.

The fields your children are playing on
may be contaminated.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

In 2007, parents started to complain that their children were finding broken glass and nails on the fields. Students were also exposed to a lot of dust and were having trouble breathing. One student spoke of the dust tasting like chemicals. 

The fields were finally closed in 2010, and remain that way today. The school is waiting for soil remediation to be done before re-opening it.

Some parents are considering a lawsuit against Briarcliff, but everyone knows it will be difficult to make a direct correlation between the cancer cases and the land that, though containing several different chemicals, was considered safe for use.

As a parent in this situation, would you bring forth a lawsuit? Let us know your thoughts.

Source: The Huffington Post

Controlling vapor intrusion in the school system

Though there is not much else to do besides soil remediation when the bulk of contaminated land is out on playing fields, many more schools have been built on or near toxic waste sites. Ideally, the schools should be moved, but that is not always possible.

When dealing with vapor intrusion and chemical exposure, the best option for indoor air quality is air cleaners. Not only will they adsorb chemicals and gases with activated carbon filters, but units fitted with our UV technology can also help keep mold from forming. Our medical-grade HEPA filters will add another level of cleaning by removing airborne particles, such as dust and pollen.

For more information on Electrocorp’s air cleaning units, visit us on our website or call 1-866-667-0297 to speak to one of our IAQ experts.

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