Going Green in Florida

GvilleRenovator · 09-03-09, 11:56 AM

Hello All,

I am glad to join this site after finding Ecomodder and getting going on Greaning my world.

Recently moved in with my girlfriend to a house she LOVES. I on the other hand wish it had been built a bit more Eco Friendly.

My first step was to install programable thermostats on the two A/C units and find a water leak.
I have begun the task of sealing the duct work, built out of duct board and flex. All joints were loose.

Tinting huge plate galss windows it next.

Adding cellulose insulation to the kids side of the house which has thin Fiberglass batts.

The second air handler is in the attic which I would love to find a way to put it inside. Probably just box it and insullate along with boxing the duct work and insulating it also.

A Gorund Source loop is now on the list. (thanks to AC_Hacker) Lots of homework first.
(new option would be Earth Tube)

Gray/Rain water for use in toilets.

Paint with Raidiant ceramic on exterior.

Daox · 09-03-09, 12:08 PM

Welcome to the site.

It looks like you have quite a list there! I can relate.

How do you plan to add additional cellulose insulation? Is it just in the attic?

GvilleRenovator · 09-03-09, 02:35 PM

Yes the Attic has MAYBE 4 inches of fiberglass on the kids side of the house.
It is the North side thank goodness.

After reading the thread on your Garage... Uh... no.... I can't even think it.

I need to find out how thick the walls are on this house. I hate doing Drywall work but if they are only 2X4, the Mooney wall may be worth thinking about.

larryrose11 · 09-27-09, 07:50 AM

Gvill,
Welcome!
in my experience, preventing the heat loss / gain is much more cost effective than a green method of producing that heat difference.
Sealing up the house living areas away from the non-living areas from air intrusion should be job 1. In the attic, seal all the wall headers and wire protrusions. The old fiberglass insulation will be your proof: The fiberglass will be dirty where air has been passing through, unless there have been big air leaks, like recessed lights (which are air pumps when the light is on!) use EPDM weatherstripping on the attic hatch, and get the hatch some weight with a 2x4 frame, and fill that with foam board. The list goes on...
here is a good thread on the sister-site:
Attic insulation - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

09-03-09, 11:56 AM	#1
GvilleRenovator Greening Renovator Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Going Green in Florida Hello All, I am glad to join this site after finding Ecomodder and getting going on Greaning my world. Recently moved in with my girlfriend to a house she LOVES. I on the other hand wish it had been built a bit more Eco Friendly. My first step was to install programable thermostats on the two A/C units and find a water leak. I have begun the task of sealing the duct work, built out of duct board and flex. All joints were loose. Tinting huge plate galss windows it next. Adding cellulose insulation to the kids side of the house which has thin Fiberglass batts. The second air handler is in the attic which I would love to find a way to put it inside. Probably just box it and insullate along with boxing the duct work and insulating it also. A Gorund Source loop is now on the list. (thanks to AC_Hacker) Lots of homework first. (new option would be Earth Tube) Gray/Rain water for use in toilets. Paint with Raidiant ceramic on exterior. Last edited by GvilleRenovator; 09-04-09 at 03:13 PM.. Reason: Clarify

09-03-09, 12:08 PM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Welcome to the site. It looks like you have quite a list there! I can relate. How do you plan to add additional cellulose insulation? Is it just in the attic? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-03-09, 02:35 PM	#3
GvilleRenovator Greening Renovator Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In the Attic.... for starters Yes the Attic has MAYBE 4 inches of fiberglass on the kids side of the house. It is the North side thank goodness. After reading the thread on your Garage... Uh... no.... I can't even think it. I need to find out how thick the walls are on this house. I hate doing Drywall work but if they are only 2X4, the Mooney wall may be worth thinking about.

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09-27-09, 07:50 AM	#4
larryrose11 Efficency nerd Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: S. E. Michigan Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gvill, Welcome! in my experience, preventing the heat loss / gain is much more cost effective than a green method of producing that heat difference. Sealing up the house living areas away from the non-living areas from air intrusion should be job 1. In the attic, seal all the wall headers and wire protrusions. The old fiberglass insulation will be your proof: The fiberglass will be dirty where air has been passing through, unless there have been big air leaks, like recessed lights (which are air pumps when the light is on!) use EPDM weatherstripping on the attic hatch, and get the hatch some weight with a 2x4 frame, and fill that with foam board. The list goes on... here is a good thread on the sister-site: Attic insulation - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com