The New Era in Construction

FLORIDA DRY SEASSON.

2011-06-14T13:17:00.000-04:00

IS A MUST!

In a recent Press Release the SFWMD ( South Florida Water Management District) Declares Water Shortage as Regional Levels Continue Falling, and no significant rainfall forecast in the coming weeks. This conditions cause by La Niña, which is a weather phenomenon that often generates below average rainfall during the dry season.
Lake Okeechobee, which is the backup water supply for South Florida, hit 11.07 feet NGVD, 2.68 feet below average, on May 2. Dry conditions have persisted across much of the District’s 16-county region since October and resulted in a water deficit that will not end with the start of the wet season, which typically begins by the end of May. This follows the driest period in 80 years and a dry season deficit that reached at 7.74 inches through May 2.
Lake levels are expected to dramatically decline as temperatures rise and evapotranspiration rates increase.

Why we have to save water:

The water is our most precious natural resource, we have to protect it, using water wisely helps save this vital resource for future generations.

Changes we make at home will add up quickly in neighborhoods across the country. If one in every 10 American homes retrofit a full bathroom with Water Sense labeled fixtures, we could save about 74 billion gallons of water and about $1.5 billion on our utility bills nationwide per year.

If all U.S. households installed water-efficient appliances, the country would save more than 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $18 billion dollars per year! Also, when we use water more efficiently, we reduce the need for costly water supply infrastructure investments and new wastewater treatment facilities.

Ways to save water:

Become a Florida Water Star:

This program recognizes and encourages water use efficiency in single-family homes and is administered locally by the South Florida Water Management District. In addition to improving water efficiency in existing homes, Florida Water Star can be effectively integrated into residential construction projects along with other green certification programs – such as ENERGY STAR®, the Florida Green Building Coalition's green standards, and the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program.

Retrofit your property:

Bathrooms are by far the largest water users in the home, accounting for more than half of all the water that families use indoors. If you are planning to remodel your bathroom consider the advances in plumbing technology. The new faucets, showers, and toilets can use significantly less water than standard models while still delivering the rinse, spray, and flush you expect.

Go green on your next remodeling project, you will save money, the environment and will increase the value of your property.

Epa Water Sense:

The South Florida Water Management District is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to offer you Water Sense. It is a national program that offers a simple way to choose appliances and other products that use less water – and perform as well or better than what you may already have in your home or business.

Florida Friendly Landscaping:

Landscaping the Florida-Friendly way means using low maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices. Include a water sensor on your irrigation system and monitor leaking hoses and pipes, install rain sensors.

Water Savings Incentive Program (WaterSIP):

Public and organizational entities implementing innovative technology based water conservation projects may apply to participate in a cost-sharing program with the South Florida Water Management District.

WaterSIP projects selected for implementation in Fiscal Year 2011 total $298,000 and will result in a combined water savings estimated at 230 million gallons of water per year.

As Florida’s population continues to grow, it is increasingly vital that we take measures to conserve this life-sustaining natural resource, using water more efficiently protecting human health and the environment.

APRIL 22.... EARTH DAY!

2011-04-02T17:05:00.001-04:00

On April 22, 1970 over 20 million Americans celebrated the 41st anniversary of Earth Day .
Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While this first Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year.
Today you can take action and learn-teach-share to help protect the environment, Earth Day and every day.
Environmental action can mean doing different things in different places, but it begins by taking the simple steps where you live. Doing your part means doing what you can do. By choosing five or more of these ideas and sharing your own, you are joining thousands of others who are doing the same. Together we can make the biggest difference, so make your actions count today!

TIPS TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE ON EARTH DAY AND EVERY DAY!

WATER

Use only the water you need, and reuse when possible

Help keep water clean by using biodegradable and environmentally friendly cleaning products

Dispose of solid and liquid wastes and medications safely.

Protect your local water source from pollutants, excess pesticides and garbage

Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.

Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month

AIR:

Use human powered modes of transportation to get from place to place! Walk, jog, skip, ride a bike instead.

Pass on gas! Take public transportation, carpool, plan your day to reduce trips and vehicle emissions.

Make sure your home's air is healthy, learn about indoor air pollutants from indoor energy use and toxins.

Buy locally, or grow your own! Reduce air pollution caused by food and goods transport.

Reduce your potential for exposure to mercury.

Plant a tree. Or plant many trees!

Prevent additional air pollution by finding alternatives to burning your waste.

LAND:

Use pesticides safely! Reduce or eliminate where possible.

Learn about composting, try it out!

Learn about 'Greenscaping'! Try it out at home and promote it in your community.

Learn about the native species and the negative effects of non native plants and animals in the environment. Plant native species in your gardens, encourage important pollinators such as bees and birds by planting gardens full of their favorite plants. Join a team in your community that removes non-native species.

Plant windbreaks, and do whatever you can to prevent erosion

Planting trees make the property warmer in winter and cooler in summer – they also add beauty; improve the quality of the air and water

ENERGY:

Save energy at home. Choose energy-saving appliances if they’re available. Look for Energy Star!

Go renewable! Create your own power from wind, the sun, water, or biofuels.

Find alternate ways to reduce use of diesel and other fuels for transportation, production and energy.

Find out how much of your home's energy is supplied by renewable sources, seek to increase it. Research or contact your local power provider.

Turn off all electronic devices that are not in use.

Clean or replace air filters regularly.

Weather strip doors and windows! Weather stripping is an inexpensive alternative to replacing windows and will save you hundreds of dollars!

Cool your home at 78 degrees or warmer with the thermostat fan switched to auto. For additional savings, raise your thermostat to 82 degrees or warmer when you're away.

Replacing a 100 watt incandescent light bulb with a 25 watt compact fluorescent bulb will save 135 kWh of electricity annually

Replacing a 100 watt incandescent light bulb with a 25 watt compact fluorescent bulb will save 135 kWh of electricity annually

WASTE:

Reduce. Cut back on the amount of 'stuff' that could later end up as waste.

Reuse. Upcycle! Take something that is disposable and transform it into something of greater use and value.

Recycle metals, plastics and paper.

E-cycle. Recycle and/or properly dispose of electronic waste such as computers and other gadgets.

Don't litter! Properly dispose of trash and waste.

When purchasing goods, opt for sustainable, recycled or reused resources. Choose items in less packaging

.COMPOST. Composting kitchen and yard waste not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions and waste collection costs, but also provides a source of garden fertilizer.

SAVE THE PLANET, GO GREEN!

GREEN TAX CREDITS

2011-01-10T15:40:00.001-05:00

If you are one of those conscious people that made smart decisions last year, this is the time to take advantage of the green tax incentives created as a part of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act

This law increase the energy tax credit for homeowners who make energy efficient improvements to their existing homes. Increases the credit rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009.
In addition to federal tax incentives, some consumers will also be eligible for utility or state rebates, as well as tax incentives for the use of residential renewable energy, and automobile tax credits.

Credits for efficient home improvements:
Tax Credit: 30 % of cost up to $1500.00
This credits will help taxpayers that create more energy efficiency homes and will be apply just to their primary residence, new construction and rentals do not relate. This credit refers to improvements such as adding insulation, energy efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems as well as Biomass stove, water heaters. If you purchase Energy Star products, you may also be eligible for credit, but keep in mind that not all Energy Star products will qualify.

Credits for residential renewable energy:
Tax credit: 30% tax credit with no maximum
This nonrefundable energy tax credit will help individual taxpayers pay for qualified residential alternative energy equipment, such as solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines. This credit will apply to new and existing construction, must be a primary residence. Rentals and secondary residence won’t qualify.
The Energy Star program offer credit in for fuel cell products that have the capacity to produce at least 0.5 kilowatts of power may be eligible for 30 % up to $500 max credit per 0.5 kW.
To apply for this credits you have to use IRS Form 5695.

Credits for plug-in electric vehicle:
This law also creates a tax credit for two types of plug-in vehicles — certain low-speed electric vehicles and two- or three-wheeled vehicles. The amount of the credit is 10 percent of the cost of the vehicle, up to a maximum credit of $2,500. To qualify, a vehicle must be either a low speed vehicle propelled by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery with a capacity of 4 kilowatt hours or more or be a two- or three-wheeled vehicle propelled by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery with the capacity of 2.5 kilowatt hours. For more information see IR-2009-44.

Credit for alternative motor vehicle:
If you bought a hybrid, battery electric or alternate fuel vehicle, be sure to take advantage of this tax credit. The tax reduction depends on the particular vehicle you purchase and how efficient the vehicle is.
Some hybrids purchased between April 1, 2009, and Sept. 30, 2009, are eligible for a 50 percent credit and eligible Ford hybrids purchased prior to March 31, 2010 will be eligible for a 25 percent credit. For more information on hybrid tax credit see the IRS 2010 list.

Congratulation, now you are not only getting an smart break through your tax bill, but also a saving on your electrical bills contributing this way to save the environment and leaving a green footprint for others to follow.

By Maria M. Hernandez
H & H Design and Construction.

GREEN NEW YEAR RESOLUTION!

2011-01-05T11:26:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! We begin 2011 full of optimism, hope and new year resolutions.

This year I invite you to make smart decisions, make green resolutions for your health, the planet and your economy.

We all know that one of the most important decisions is to achieve a healthier life, breathe a cleaner air and live in a healthier environment.

One way to protect the health of our loves ones is investigating the presence of Radon in your home, and if is so, remove it completely. Radon is a carcinogenic naturally radioactive gas that you can not see, smell or taste and is of a great danger for your health and your family.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and is the second leading cause of cancer in United States. The environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has designated January as the National Radon Action Month, the aim is to increase awareness about their danger and promote the necessary test for the detection and reduction of the same.

Another Green resolution that will benefit your health is opting to walk or bike to near places instead of using your car. This resolution will help you to be fit and tone up while you help to reduce the negative footprint of carbon emissions to the atmosphere that contribute to the climate change and also will save you money in gasoline.

Among the most important decisions you should take to improve your economy and help the environment without making a big investment we have the following:

Turn off the light when you leave the room, the computers and TV when you are not using it.

Switch to energy efficiency bulbs such as CFL or LED

Using programmable thermostat will allow to cool or heat the home only when needed which would reflect in savings.

A small investment in lighting with motion sensors will provide a safe environment at home without wasting energy.

Another resolution to implement to improve your economy is to seal air leaks in your home. This will have a significant impact on the comfort and reducing utility bills.

Committing to a preventing maintenance on your AC, changing the filter once a month to avoid accumulation of particles that makes the system to work harder that it needs avoiding unnecessary wear and tear and over use of energy.

If you are considering buying new appliances, make the best decision purchasing the Energy Star products that are qualified as energy efficient and on the other hand you will receive tax credit.

Remember, it only takes three weeks to create or break a habit, your best resolution for 2011 is to create habits that represent a green footprint in the planet, your health and a positive impact in your economy.

By Maria M Hernandez

H & H Design and Construction

GREEN SCHOOLS: A healthy heart in our communities

2011-01-01T16:16:00.000-05:00

Schools are an investment for the future is where we prepare the future generations of leaders who will pave the path of innovation and future technology. They are the heart of our communities and it is very important that the communities leaders ensure that these places offer healthy environments for their students and teachers as well as saving energy, water and operational costs which will be reflected in savings to the Tax payers.
Twenty percent of Americans go to school every day where they spend about 6 hours a day, from here the need for a safer place offering more favorable condition than those offered by conventional construction.By promoting green schools, we are making a major positive impact on students health, which results in a better grade, better attention to their teachers, higher attendance, big savings in operational costs and the positive impact to the environment.
Green schools are characterized by a strong emphasis on directional light of day instead of artificial light in a high indoor air quality in an excellent acoustic control in their classrooms, and a large thermal control to maintain a pleasant environment for students and teachers. They have great savings in water consumption and 30 - 50% less energy use compare with the conventional schools.These schools offer a great opportunity to learn and to involve students directly in their conservation and recycling programs creating an awareness of environmental protection and energy conservation by teaching them to understand among other things, the benefit of native vegetation and the role and benefits of solar panels.
I conclude that it is of great importance to promote and require from our communities leaders to implement green schools providing a healthier environment for our children, which will result in an excellent learning potential productivity and health welfare of its students and teachers.
These green schools, not necessarily cost more to build than conventional ones.Since they offer a significant savings in their operating systems, use less water and energy savings that will be reflect directly to all the residents in the community.
A green school can save $ 100,000.00 per year in direct costs. If from now, all schools in America were converted to green, this would represent a substantial energy savings of $ 20 billion over the next 10 years
Green Schools will help to stop the clock on climate change because it will be a direct source of information for their students about this major problem and will give them the tools to face the challenges and seek solutions to improve the environment in our planet.

By Maria M Hernandez
H & H DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

GREEN: THE NEW TREND AND ITS BENEFITS

2011-01-01T15:22:00.002-05:00

Before defining this new trend, it is important to understand some of the main reasons that concerned scientists, architects, engineers, government agencies and construction professionals in general to develop this green movement.

They analyzed the effects of conventional construction and found a significant negative impact on the environment, many health problems caused to workers and occupants and secondly the high operating costs due to the failure of their systems.

Among some of the negative environmental impacts, we note the following:

"According to the Department of Energy of the United States, buildings consume 37% more power and 68% of the electricity produced annually.
It is attributed the 38% emission of Carbon Dioxide to existing buildings.
"In the United States, approximately 340 billion of fresh water are extracted daily from rivers and reservoirs for use in buildings, where only 5 billion gallons of potable water per day is used to lower the toilets.
"The construction and demolition waste constitutes approximately 40% of total solid waste in the United States.
In 2003 is estimated to have been generated about 170 million tons of waste and debris related to construction and demolition.

Among the negative health impacts can include the following:

"According to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, the internal levels of particle air pollutants in a building are 2 to 5 times, and occasionally 100 times higher than external levels.
"In conventional construction, there is the use of materials that emit volatile components such as formaldehyde, among others, found in wood products, glues, adhesives, most carpets, fabrics, paints, etc. Which cause irritation to eyes, throat, nose, causing skin irritation, asthma and even cancer.
"During the construction process, generate large amounts of dust particles. This results in indoor air pollution which is causing respiratory problems and asthma among its workers.

BENEFITS:

From the environmental point of view, the Green building practices can substantially eliminate the negative impact on the ecosystem,reducing the large amount of waste, improving the quality of air we breathe, while preserving natural resources.

Compared to conventional construction, green building, emits 33% less polluting gases into the environment, and

have a power consumption savings of 26%.

Operating costs of systems is reduced by 9% and 13% maintenance.

This construction has increased worker productivity, reduce health risks and the lawsuits associated with them.

It is estimated that property values increased by 10% per square foot compared to the conventional one because it has greater efficiency in their equipment, and provides a healthier place to live or work, with 27% more satisfaction in its occupants.

GO GREEN AND LIVE HEALTHIER!

REDUCIENDO ENERGIA (PARTE 1)

2010-12-30T14:19:00.000-05:00

Uno de los primeros y mas importante pasos de una remodelación verde es el crear una casa mas eficiente en el uso de su energía. Con un mejor rendimiento en los sistemas de calentamiento, ventilación y equipo de aire acondicionado en relación con el comportamiento externo de la estructura.

La estructura externa de su propiedad como las paredes y techo, pueden estar presentando escape de aire lo que hace que su sistema de aire acondicionado este trabajando mas duro generando un mayor consumo de energía. De aquí la importancia de usar sellantes y aislantes térmicos.

Las ventanas y puertas también son un factor contribuyente al aumento de su factura de electricidad, ya que a través de fugas en ellas se puede perder aire caliente o frío haciendo que su sistema de calefacción o enfriamiento trabaje aun mas.

Una de las maneras de evitar este problema es instalando ventanas y puertas de energía eficientes . Las ventanas y puertas ENERGY STAR reducen su energía en un 15 % mientras contribuye a proteger el ambiente. A su vez las ENERGY STAR son ventanas y puertas calificadas para ser elegibles para créditos en los impuestos.

El 17 de Febrero el Presidente Obama, firmo la Ley de Recuperación y Reinversión Ley del Impuesto del 2009. Este proyecto de ley amplia establece los créditos fiscales para las ventanas, puertas y tragaluces (Skylights) establecido en la Ley de Política Energética del 2005.

Estos productos calificados comprados entre Enero 1 del 2009 y Diciembre 31 del 2010 son elegibles para un crédito fiscal del 30% del costo hasta $1500.00, no incluyendo instalación.

Muchos de estos creditos seran prolongados para el 2011.

Para mayor información en este tema y en el área de la construcción, remodelación

y decoración:

H & H Design and Construction

Construye Verde y vive mejor!

THE NEW CONSTRUCTION IS ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE: "GREEN"

2010-12-28T11:00:00.001-05:00

The future of construction is now environmentally aware: “Green” construction will be more efficient, money-saving, and healthier for the environment. Of course, we cannot ignore the economic reality— in March, new construction decreased by 5.9 percent in relation to January and 26 percent compared to March of last year, and new home sales declined as well. Once we are able to overcome these economic difficulties, however, construction will bounce back stronger than before, especially with new efficient and environmentally friendly practices. This new era will bring new markets, professions, technologies, and services, not to mention products that have never been seen in construction before. This potential means we must be at the forefront of the industry revolution.
On March 11, 2010, the International Code Council (ICC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) announced the launch of a new organization that will implement new building codes not only in the U.S. but also throughout the world.
The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) will give the construction industry a new set of codes that will cover more and will help advance the industry with more efficiency in the U.S. and around the world. It goes without saying that the creation of the International Green Construction Code is one of the most significant developments in the construction industry in the last 10 years. I will continue to inform you about the developments in this new green direction that the industry is heading in through these articles. I will talk about the future but I will also explain the past and the negative effects the industry once had. We’ll learn about the different requirements needed to certify a building as LEED.
Finally, I am proud to participate in this intelligent movement that aims to improve our standards of living and supports an economical concept that preserves the environment and works to recuperate the damage already done to our ecosystems. This new movement will touch all areas in construction, remodeling and decorating and will begin to gain more speed as the economy improves. It will soon become the standard in modern construction and will in turn become the motor of the economic recovery in this country.
. Remember: Green construction equals better living!

By Maria M Hernandez

The New Era in Construction: REDUCIENDO ENERGIA (PARTE 1)

2010-12-23T17:08:00.001-05:00

The New Era in Construction: REDUCIENDO ENERGIA (PARTE 1): "Uno de los primeros y mas importante pasos de una remodelación verde es el crear una casa mas eficiente en el uso de su energía. Con ..."

REGREEN: AUMENTANDO EL VALOR PERDIDO

2010-12-13T19:37:00.002-05:00

Actualmente la gran mayoría de los que tenemos propiedades de real state, estamos enfrentándonos a una gran desvalorización de nuestras inversiones, sin tener una idea hasta donde seguirán bajando sus valores. Esto debido a la gran cantidad de Foreclosures y a la inestabilidad económica por la que estamos atravesando. Es un momento de tomar conciencia y entender que estamos al frente de un gran movimiento verde que se esta imponiendo a una gran velocidad y que será entre otras cosas el que revalorizara nuestras propiedades.

A través de una serie de artículos, Quero ser fuente informativa de las distintas técnicas de retroalimentación o REGREEN de nuestras propiedades, estaré dando consejos verdes que podrán ir implementando en sus proyectos. Estos serán de gran beneficio, ya que agregaran valor a sus propiedades, diferenciándolas de las standards, disminuirán los gastos operativos de electricidad, consumo de agua, etc. y proporcionaran ambientes mas saludables a sus habitantes.

Cabe mencionar que ya existe el GREEN MLS que es el listado creado por la Asociación Nacional de Realtors, organizaciones especializadas en real state y el Consejo de Construcción Verde de los Estados Unidos o U..S Green Building Council, en donde se listaran propiedades que presenten características verdes y aquellas que sean certificadas. Este listado, ayudara a los nuevos compradores, y a las personas de bajos y medianos recursos tomar decisiones sobre el gasto inicial vs. el gran ahorro que representaran en periodos largos. Por esto es de gran importancia que cualquier cambio que pensemos hacer a nuestras viviendas, sean enfocados pensando inteligente y pensando verde.

Para mayor información en este tema y en el área de la construcción, remodelación

y decoración:

H & H Design and Construction