Green Builders Blog

stephmcu asked:


It is flat against the ground. Green removable cover says “Water master irrigation control system” inside there are two openings that look like they may be tubes under the ground, and the inside of this thing has a smaller cylinder on the inside that says “ICS” with a small hole in it. If anyone knows how to use this thing, please advise me.
I just looked outside and the thing actually reads “Water Irrigation Valve” There is no controller for it anywhere in the garage or on the house. the thing seems to stand alone. and everything connected to it is underground piping from what I can see inside of it.I want to fill it with water but am afraid I will break it if I do it wrong.

Bryon

H4YL13 asked:


I’m entering the Siemens “We Can Change the World Challenge” along with 2 of my classmates. I live in a co-op so it shouldn’t be too hard to get people in my building involved, but I still need ideas on how we’re going to help the environment. Our topic is “going green” (I know it’s not very specific, but it’s what our professor assigned us.) Ideas like fliers and stickers are what we’re looking for as well as some ways to get the whole school involved. Thanks in advance! The fliers will be printed on my homemade paper (made out of recycled paper towels)

Jed

Alex asked:


I am building a computer and trying to trim some volume levels as I want to use this computer for recording as well as video editing, 3D sfx rendering, and some gaming. My question is this:

The Caviar Green is a little bit quieter than the black, but is the loss in speed worth it? I am already planning to install rattle proof brackets, and, if needed, soundproofing. The quiet is nice for recording, but the speed is good for editing. I’m stymied. If anyone can help, I thank you.

Ann

Q asked:


I recycle each week now and use the new canvas shopping bags. I have stupid questions like is it better to use paper plates as often as possible to save trees or better to use dish washing liquid that I am not sure can harm the environment. Do you have any tips or websites? I am new to this and want to get my 4 year old son involved now so it becomes routine for him. Thanks for any help!

Ty

9-12′er asked:


• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.”
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wild land fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations

The amtrack is my personal favorite… think that would be there if Biden wasnt in the picture?

How about …
246 million tax break for Hollywood movie investors in big budget movie projects over an 11-year period…job creating?

Keisha

Transformermoto asked:


Is there technology out there….. that can x ray an entire building or a house, to be used by rescue officials to see who is trapped in a burning building ? or even see them in very good details, not just red, yellow, green thermal images.

Susanna

melaniecampbell asked:


hey there

we just bought a home, have a 3 weeks old aby and a 5 yr old. We also have a dog and 2 cats. We have a small SUV (Kia sportage), and my fiancee and I both have about 15 thousand $ of student debt each.

We are looking for some ways to cut down on our outgoing cash— we hardly ever eat out (we live rural), I use coupons when I can find them, we do things around the house like turning off all lights/electronics when not in use, turned down the water heater, I make homemade baby wipes and cloth diaper, etc.
We are also going to start cutting down on our almost daily trips to a coffee shop or local ice cream parlour… which costs us about $5 or $6 a day…

Any other tips on how to be frugal, save some money, and have a simple, sustainable life would be appreciated- I’m off today to buy an indoor clothes drying rack so I can cut down on using the dryer… and I have turned off the heat dry option on the dishwasher…
we plan on replacing the dishwasher (its about 9-10 yrs old) with an energy efficent one within the next 2 years, with money we save into a “Change jar” (money we save from not going for coffee/ice cream!)…

So, any other tips on how to save money on kids, babies, pets, household stuff, our vehicle… anything would be appreciated!

Also, is the book the Tightwad GAzette by Amy Dacyzyn worth buying? Our library can’t get it in for me, so I may have to buy it… online because we live far from a bookstore… thanks!

Jenny

bryce.shands asked:


Imagine designing a new building. What new technologies and efficiencies should be included in making the building? Given that green tech can be expensive, how can you a ( a rich CEO of the company) afford to incorporate these changes in future planning?

Catherine

nina3311 asked:


Im wondering what if anything should I expect wrong? We think as soon as the water is out and pressure washed, and the water treated we should be fine. Any pool contractors that have dealt with this how much have you charged?
I live in florida and not to be funny but the water is very green for all i know there may be a dead body in there…..

Terra

youtestingm asked:


I’m in a relationship with a closeted case. He left for a trip last week and he just got back today. It was his birthday a few days before his trip and I had given him a bday card. He left the Bday card (filled with mushy words, etc) on his desk and a letter I wrote for him there as well. Today, after getting back from his trip, he told me he found his dad’s glasses on top of it. He said it could be that he was using the computer, but I doubt thats the case as I know his dad hasnt used his computer for the past 2 months I’ve been around his place. I’m thinking that I should stop hanging around his house and just stop hanging out entirely because as much as I like him, I just don’t feel like getting disowned in his home for being myself. I just want to be a little cautious. What should I do in a situation like this? I just feel like I shouldn’t need to run and hide like this everytime one of his friend or family suspects something.

Mercedes