Insulating the area behind a "knee wall" can help save on energy costs. Note the new vapor barrier installed on the interior of the stud wall.

Many historic homes in Des Moines were constructed before air conditioning was invented. Prior to the age of freon, people used various "passive" methods for cooling themselves during the hot months of the year.

The "Natural Living Des Moines" blog has a great post on some easy ways to stretch your cooling dollar. Here are their ideas (with some commentary by me):

• Open the Windows - In addition to what they say, if your windows are the double hung type (both the top and the bottom sashes are operable) open the bottom one halfway and pull the top sash down halfway. This will allow hotter air to escape out the top and cooler aire to enter through the bottom openings.

• Keep the Air Moving - Ceiling fans are a great low impact alternative to lower the air temperature at your skin. Air moving over your body facilitates the cooling effects of evaporation.
• Don't Make the House Warmer - Avoid running appliances that create heat like ovens, light bulbs, computers, stoves, and dryers (your refrigerator actually creates heat in the kitchen, but don't unplug that one). Try grilling your dinner outside and hanging your clothes to dry in the sun.
• Close Off Unused Rooms - No use wasting energy conditioning rooms that you're not in on a regular basis.

Confusing Terms

Even professionals often confuse the term "vapor barrier" with the term "moisture barrier". Here is the difference:

• Moisture Barrier - Moisture barriers (like Tyvek, for example) are properly installed on the exterior of a frame wall, directly on top of the sheathing, and under the siding. Moisture barriers help prevent water from entering the wall cavity.

• Vapor Barrier - Vapor barriers, typically a polyethylene plastic sheeting, are installed on the inside of a frame wall between the studs and the drywall. Vapor barriers help prevent water vapor from the interior of the house filtering through the wall and condensing on the warm side of the insulation. Wet insulation is a no-no.

From the Green Des Moines web site:
Our goal is to focus on all things green going on in Des Moines and the surrounding area. From what the City is doing, to highlighting notable efforts, to news & events, and what you can do – we hope you’ll visit often and get involved.

The Mayor and City Council have made assuring that Des Moines is a Sustainable Green Community one of their twelve City Goals for the next five years. To accomplish this, the City Council established a Stewardship Policy, and the City Manager appointed a Sustainability Team.

Many building materials like drywall, lumber, plywood, even siding make wonderful food for mold when wet. Bleach is the first solution that usually springs to mind when dealing with a mold problem.

In general, renovation is "greener" than new construction. The folks over at Jetson Green have published a list of ten reason sprawl isn't green. I don't agree that all of these reasons should be placed in the "anti-green" category - some of them refer specifically to social problems more than ecological consequences of sprawl.

Power up your knowledge of green remodeling with these recommended books. If you follow these links and complete a purchase through Amazon, a portion of the purchase price will go to help support the Des Moines Rehabbers Club and maintaining this web site.

For whatever reason, residential and commercial growth in Des Moines' suburban areas has eclipsed that in the City. I'm not going to delve into the underlying reasons for this disparity (yes, I have my opinions). Let it suffice to say that on Earth Day in particular, it is important to take a step back and examine a couple of the ways one's choice of where to live impacts the environment.

By renovating an existing structure, you start out one step ahead in the "green" race. Even the greenest of new homes still takes a lot of energy just to get to the point where a typical renovation starts.

Here are some key components to a green renovation project.

The folks over at Jetson Green have published a list of the "10 steps to a Green Remodel". Anyone interested in sustainable development and how we can reduce the ecological footprint of our built environment make sure to check out this web site.

10 Critical Steps in a Green Remodel (follow this link for more discussion)

In a typical household, heating and cooling make up well over half of the total energy use. Insulation and sealing up the "building envelope" from outside air can drastically reduce energy consumption. Next in line should be selecting energy efficient appliances and heating/cooling units.

Many older homes come equipped with radiator heat and an older gas-fired boiler, but no air conditioning. Chances are, you will be either upgrading or replacing the HVAC system(s) in your renovation.

Efficiency

Great strides have been made in HVAC efficiency. For air conditioners, efficiency is measured by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) number. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit is (and usually the more expensive the unit is). Purchase the highest rated unit you can afford.

HVAC Types

Forced Air Furnaces
When it comes to heating, the newest energy efficient forced air furnaces approach the mid 90% range - this means that over 90% of the energy created by the furnace is captured for heating your home.