IKEA aktiv
The new “aktiv” house by ideabox has all you love about IKEA…with no assembly required. While this pre-fab home is not tiny, it’s under 1,000 square feet and is designed with open, airy living in mind. The 745 square feet aktiv was created by ideabox and IKEA designers from Portland, Ore., built with contemporary corrugated steel and fiber cement and is delivered with everything (except furniture) included. The one-bedroom, one-bath home comes with all of the closets, cabinets, countertops and flooring installed. Both the kitchen and the bathroom contain IKEA appliances which includes an induction cooktop and convection oven, a counter depth refrigerator and dishwasher, a two sink vanity and a front load washer and dryer. Buyers can select their own wall and floor colors and, of course, they can fill it with IKEA furniture. The aktiv is just over 53 feet long and about 14 feet wide with sliding glass doors. Photos courtesy of IKEA and ideabox
Composting Toilets: All You Ever Wanted To Know
Many people have a lot of misconceptions when they hear the words “composting toilets”. Immediately they think “outhouse” or imagine a hole in the ground. Yucky, smelly, and a little drafty. Well, the composting toilets of 100 years ago (the outhouse) and the composting toilets of today are completely different creatures. Today’s composting toilets are sleek, efficient, and entirely odor-free. The Facts On Our Waste Courtesy of EPA.gov According to the Environmental Protection Agency, septic tanks are a big cause of groundwater pollution. You’ve probably never really thought about it, but where does all that water go, anyway? Well, septic tanks are designed to have a “leach field” or “drain field” around them. Most septic tanks are 1,000 gallons or larger. At the bottom is the sludge layer. At the top is the scum layer (no I did NOT make up these terms, that’s really what it’s called). In the middle of those two yucky layers is the wastewater that gets drained out. Courtesy of Envirolet.com
Facilities Management Feature: Green Roofs: A Sustainable Solution for Energy Savings
Green Roofs: A Sustainable Solution for Energy Savings As more of our facility benchmarking clients trend toward environmentally sensitive building practices, we see green roofs growing more prevalent on public buildings. Green roofs are said to be energy efficient but how does that claim stand up to benchmarking energy consumption comparisons? In a recent survey, electrical consumption of thirty-three similar facilities was measured. How do green roofs save energy? Secondly, the plants that make up the outside layer of the system protect the inner roof layers from UV rays. Another money-savings benefit is that a green roof significantly reduces storm water by absorbing and retaining rain water. Green roofs are eco-friendly; they attract wildlife to urban areas by providing habitat and reconnecting wildlife corridors. Plant materials are available in: Any of these options are easy to implement. Adding a green roof is a great way to earn compounding LEED credits such as:
GFA Heating(Gas Forced Air) Vs. Radiant Heating at HydronicHeating.net
One of the biggest questions for homeowners considering hydronic heating systems is how they compare to traditional gas forced air heat. Below you will find a list of the important factors to consider when deciding on a heating system, as well as the where each system excels and lacks. Comfort Providing consistent comfort by way of reliable heating and warmth is the single most important task for your radiant or forced air system. Forced Air - A benefit to forced air is that it has the ability to quickly raise temperatures, whereas hydronic heating can be slow with temperature changes due to the use of thermal mass. Health Health concerns for those who are highly allergic or suffer asthma problems should be considered when picking your heat source. Forced Air – The traditional system has been around for a long time, and modern additions to the system allow for air purifiers and humidifiers, as well as better filters for microscopic organisms pushed through the air. Efficiency Costs
