Green Planet Building

What are VOCs?

2012-03-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs are the part of the paint which release pollutants in the air and which account for new paint's noxious smell. Low VOC paints are formulated differently; basically, they don't stink. VOCs are measured in pounds per gallon or grams per liter. A Green Seal is given to paint if its VOC content is less than 50 g/l for interior flat paint or 150 g/l for non-flat paint.

Misconceptions about Solar Energy

2011-11-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

People often believe solar only works in sunny climates. Not so! Ultra violet sunshine is literally the thing that produces electrical power and furthermore is definitely available in the cloudiest of places. Germany rates lower in sunny days nevertheless is the solar energy capital of the world. A cold solar panel generally yields a good deal more power. Read more about solar

ECO-HOMES BRING IN THE GREEN!

2011-11-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

Preliminary studies show that eco-friendly, or "green," homes fetch a premium on the open market.

Simon Salloom, a real estate agent in Santa Monica with Partners Trust, says homes that can boast any level of sustainability get snapped up quicker and for more than the average house.

"It's just like in the mid-2000s with Viking ranges, people will pay more for homes with green features," Salloom said.

It doesn't always take much. Even putting the phrase "salvaged wood floors" in ad copy has become a must-do Salloom said.

"It adds commercial viability," he added.

The value of sustainable homes comes from the amount of money a seller has to charge to make up for the added cost of green materials and appliances - estimated at 20 percent above and beyond a traditional house - which the buyer justifies with the amount of money they will save on utilities.

"Yesterday, a client wanted a reusable rainwater capture system and solar panels on the roof of a townhouse," Salloom said. "No one's ever asked me that before."

Greenify your home with Green Planet read more.

How does my house look in these Jeans?

2011-11-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Blue jeans are the source of the newest, greenest form of building insulation.

Denim insulation holds heat longer and absorbs sound better than spun-glass insulation. It's also safer to handle and easier to install.

Unlike fiberglass, no formaldehyde is used to manufacture denim insulation, it emits no volatile organic compounds and it has not been linked to respiratory problems.Check out the most up to date green insulation ideas with Green Planet Building read more.

Solar Spooky!

2011-10-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Solar powered Halloween lights have evolved. There is a variety of solar powered lights to choose from. The list includes: pumpkins, gargoyles, witches, monsters and a scarecrow. Some are cute and fun. Others are scarier and gruesome.

Our favorite this year?

Solar-Powered Skull!

During the day, this spooky skull's solar panel charges its battery by way of the conversion of solar energy into electricity. At night, the newly-charged battery automatically powers on the LED light inside. Check out our spooky solar options for solar electricity in your home.

GET YOUR GOAT!

2011-09-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

Across the country, there are folks who will rent a goat (or two or 15 or 50, depending on the size of a project) to help you toil in your garden.

"Many of our invasive plants come from Europe and Asia and are the natural food for goats," said Kim Hunter, who has a herd of 90 goats. Hunter's goats are used in private and public projects, often to restore native habitats. What's more, she adds, the approach "uses no chemicals and leaves a low carbon hoofprint."

Goats can be used for a variety of tasks, from clearing an overgrown spot where you want to put a patio to keeping on top of the mowing.

"Goats will eat for eight to 12 hours a day if you let them," adds Alix Bowman, owner of Durham, N.C.-based Goat Patrol. Bowman takes her herd of 18 goats to urban properties in need of tending for about $250 per day. Other goatherds charge as little as $2 per day per goat with fees based on the project. Check out Green Planet Building's new goat herd! (just kidding) but we've got some great outdoor landscaping ideas that are goat friendly. read more...

L.A. SOLAR REBATE RELAUNCH

2011-09-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Department of Water and Power announced the relaunch of its Solar Incentive Program, which offers rebates to businesses and homeowners who generate their own electricity.

In addition to the solar incentive, the DWP outlined another program, called the "feed-in tariff," that allows customers who do not use all the energy generated on their rooftops to sell it back to the utility. The feed-in tariff will work primarily for larger installations, such as commercial and warehouse rooftops.
"These two initiatives, if approved, will contribute to our renewable energy goal of 33% by 2020," DWP Senior Assistant General Manager Aram Benyamin. Check us out Green Planet Building for your solar project

Go Green and Beat the Heat!

2011-09-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

Check out these tips to keep your house cool while reducing energy consumption:

1. Create a breeze.Use ceiling fans and ventilate the room.Moving air can cool your skin by as much as four degrees, it cools furry skin too.

2. Shade. Keep the sun away from windows, and for older homes, use solar screens and awnings. Also, replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFL) - incandescents require more energy and give off heat, which increases the need to cool a space.

3. Dial it down. Lower your water heater temperature to 110 degrees, or from "hot" to just above "warm."

4. Air sealing and insulation.Target attic floors first, then underneath the home, then the walls. Check out Green Planet's insulation and air sealing: read more

Why Should I Use a Design-Build General Contractor for My Remodel or Custom Home in Los Angeles

2011-08-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

Design-Build Company for Your Custom Home or Remodel in Los Angeles County

2011-08-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

Environmental green residential and commercial construction and remodeling. We are a Design Build Company, from beginning to end, from design through construction and completion, we are a one stop shop!

Solar Water Heater or Power For Your Home or Business in Los Angeles

2011-08-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

Environmental green residential and commercial construction and remodeling. President Harvey Stern presents information on adding Solar Hot Water and Electricty to your home or business. We maximize recycled materials, purchase from local sources, build with renewable and recyclable content, and minimize toxic chemicals used in the building process. We offer ways to protect your home from pollutants in the air and water. We suggest energy saving methods to save you money and save the planet, too.

Why Design Build for Custom Home or Remodeling - Working with a Design Build Contractor

2011-08-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

Premium Prices for Solar homes

2011-07-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Is it smart to install a solar system on a house that might be sold a few years later? The department of energy says yes! According to the results of a study from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory of California Homes Sales, Installed solar electric systems add considerably to the value of a house.

"We find compelling evidence that solar PV systems in California have boosted home sales prices," says the lead author Ben Hoen, a researcher at Berkeley Lab. "These average sales price premiums appear to be comparable with the average investment that homeowners have made to install PV systems in California, and of course homeowners also benefit from energy bill savings after PV system installation and prior to home sale."

HAVE AN ECO-FRIENDLY PATIO

2011-07-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

While most of us may not consider the environmental effects that our patio may have, the production of certain types of outdoor products can produce an excess of the carbon dioxide gases that could eventually have a harmful impact on the environment. Check out these tips for building an eco-friendly patio:

1. Build with sustainable woods that are FSC certified. This wood comes from carefully managed forests to help ensure that clear-cutting and other harmful deforestation techniques are not used.

2. Check out recycled plastic. High density recycled plastic milk bottles are turning into attractive durable outdoor furniture that lasts for years with minimal maintenance.

3. Don't forget reclaimed wood! The process of reclaiming wood for the production of green furniture involves using preexisting wood. The process not only helps the environment but also produces patios with unique character.

HEAT YOUR POOL WITH SOLAR

2011-06-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

A solar heated swimming pool uses the sun to heat the pool water. Traditionally, pool heating systems use natural gas or electric heaters. The utility costs to run these heaters are very expensive, so using solar heating can save you a lot of money. For a pool that is kept heated year round, the price of a solar pool system will pay for itself within a few years.

A solar swimming pool heating system heats water in solar water collectors. The solar water collectors are placed in an area that receives a lot of daily sun. The swimming pool water pump sucks water out of the pool, pushes it into the solar water collector, and brings it back into the pool. The solar water collector is a hollow solar panel that gets hot when exposed to the sun. The water that runs through the collector picks up some of the heat from the collector, which warms up the water to heat your pool!

Green Planet Building Blog

2011-06-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our Green Planet Building Blog!

Our blog is here to give you information about eco-building practices, green technology, and environmental news. We are a green building company based in West Los Angeles. We welcome your questions about green building practices, materials, remodeling, additions, new construction and solar. Stay tuned for helpful articles about solar hot water, eco-fabulous additions, informative videos on the projects that we are currently working on, and more!

Welcome to Our Official Blog

2011-04-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for updates!