Home EV Charging Made Simple (But Do Hire an Electrician)
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Home EV Charging Made Simple (But Do Hire an Electrician)

Level 2 is fine for home EV charging

All electric vehicles, except Teslas, use public and private L-2 chargers via a J1772 connector, also known as the J-plug. (Tesla vehicles come with the adapter that lets you use the J-plug.) An L-2 charger will typically take about 4-10 hours to fully charge an EV. For home EV charging, that usually works.

“Eighty percent of EV charging is done at home anyway, and they charge overnight,” Myers added. “The average mileage that an EV driver drives is around 30 miles a day. People really don’t need to go in and do a super-quick fill up at home.… You don’t run your cell phone until it’s completely empty and then run to go charge again. You use it during the day, and at night you plug it in and then it charges. That’s really how EVs are run. So we kind of have to get into that mentality [with our cars].”

Public DC fast chargers

Even so, sometimes we need a quick charge to get us home. “Where these [DC] fast chargers come in is along major highways, because that’s where you do need it if you’re traveling from here to here: to provide that 15-minute, half-hour stop,” Myers said. “You get some coffee or whatever, fill up and then be on your way.”

FYI: there are three types of DC fast chargers: CHAdeMO, CCS, and Tesla. Again, you’ll find these DCFC stations in public, but not for home EV charging.

  • CHAdeMO (the initialism for charge de move is pronounced CHAD-em-oh) has become the standard for manufacturers like Nissan and Mitsubishi.
  • The more common CCS, or combined charging system, is an open-source standard. In the US, all newly manufactured passenger EVs (except Tesla) will use the CCS connector.
  • Tesla vehicles utilize their own DC fast chargers, but vehicles come with adaptors for CCS.

Reference

7 Simple Steps to Decarbonize Your Home
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

7 Simple Steps to Decarbonize Your Home

By Peter Dull

With carbon emissions reaching an all-time high, it is important to discuss how we, as a global community, can minimize the carbon load of our buildings. As of March 29th of 2019, we surpassed over 410 ppm (parts per million) of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere. To put this into perspective, our sea levels have risen between 0.1 to 0.13 inches per year; and our global temperature rises 2 to 3 degrees Celsius yearly because of carbon emissions. These astronomical figures are the necessary wake-up calls we need in order to help meet the goals of the Paris Agreement*.

*The Paris Agreement is a worldwide initiative that calls for action on the threat of climate change. The agreement consists of two parts: decrease the global temperature by 1.5 degrees Celsius yearly and increase access for countries that require resources (i.e. technology and finance).

What is Decarbonization?

Decarbonizing our homes is one of many ways we can be more conscious of our current lifestyles. Decarbonization refers to the removal of carbon from the environment. In the case of housing, homeowners can reduce energy use and reliance on fossil fuels (i.e. gas furnaces), and choose building materials that require either low amounts of carbon emissions to manufacture and transport, or actively sequestrate carbon by storing carbon that is drawn from the atmosphere. We will address why you should consider your energy and material uses, and how you can develop a carbon-neutral home.

How Can You Decarbonize Your Home?Graphic show three strategies to decarbonize your home

 

Energy Efficiency

When considering how to decarbonize your living space, first think of this in terms of the amount of energy (and carbon) being used. You can reduce your carbon load by losing less energy to leakage, making use of passive heating and cooling, and upgrading the efficiency of your appliances.

Insulate and Eliminate Air Leaks

As Katrin Klingenberg, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Passive House Institute US, says “The greenest energy is the energy we don’t use at all.” A well insulated house which is extremely airtight has an oversized impact on the heating and cooling needs and therefore reduces carbon emissions. If you go for a Passive House standard, you can see overall energy savings as much as 90% on space heating. Innovative new products such as Havelock wool insulation and Aerobarrier have envelope sealing technology that make this easier and more cost effective than ever before.

High-Performance Windows & Doors 

You may ask yourself “aren’t all windows and doors created the same?” While this may sound realistic, there are advantages when you invest time researching these products. Not only can you allow natural ventilation in your home, you also can have a virtually airtight seal when closed.

Natural Lighting and Passive Solar

Using skylights and repositioning your windows at home are some savvy ways to change-up your home. Skylights and windows reduce the need for artificial lighting and rely on more beneficial, natural lighting to lighten up the aesthetics in your home. By repositioning your windows to face southward, your home can be protected with overhangs to protect against the high summer sun and be aligned with the recently-trending design of Passive solar. If you are looking to buy supplies that reduce your sunlight intake, buy some awnings and window shutters to make that possible.

Efficient Lighting and Appliances

Your electric load can be greatly reduced by using LED lighting in your home.

Always look for Energy Star appliances that are certified to use less energy to get the job done.

Intelligence Controlled

As a quick reminder, always remember that when you are not using something, turn it off or close it off! As simple as it sounds, many homeowners seem to forget, resulting in a utility bill higher than their expected value.

Now that we are immersed in the “digital age,” it is easier than ever to control your home through your smartphone and/or virtual home assistants. This type of intelligence can save you money as you can monitor and control your usage from virtually anywhere to reduce energy use. Some innovative products include airtouch and switchmate.

Renewable Energy

Currently, the average American household produces 7.5 tons of carbon dioxide per year. By switching to renewable power sources, homeowners not only save money on their utility bills, but can reduce their carbon footprint. Keeping additional carbon out of the atmosphere takes us closer to meeting goals that correlate to sustainable living.

What does it mean to have “cleaner energy” on the grid?

Expanding your grid is like adding colors to a painter’s palette. As you discover new ways to diversify your power sources, you have more options to work with and it can be easier to construct a house through a variety of styles and sources. By incorporating appliances and innovations that rely on and produce renewable energy, you decrease your carbon output and help reduce the amount of “bad energy” that’s being utilized. In addition, you can install battery storage that helps bridge the gap between times of excess energy generation during the day and times of lower renewable production.

Solar

The most well-known renewable energy solution homeowners are investing in is solar energy. Solar panels, either placed on their roofs and/or walls, are helpful for homeowners in locations where the sun is apparent throughout the year. Solar photovoltaics (or PV for short) increase your grid security and are a very economical source of energy.

The SunPower Equinox system, for example, offers innovation at every level, from its Maxeon solar cell technology to each panel’s individual microinverter to the SunPower SunVault battery. The latter allows the solar panels to remain powered for longer even in times of power outages and shade.

Wind

As much as the term “wind turbine” sounds daunting, there is nothing to be scared of! If you have a large plot of unused land, consider installing a small turbine. These windmill-like structures generate energy through the rotation of their propellers and then transfer that energy to an electricity grid for use. With an average payback of fewer than 13 years (machines last 20+ years), this is a smart investment in the long-run.

Geothermal

Geothermal energy can be an option to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for the home. Although there might not be any volcanoes near your home, modern heat pump technology becomes handy when warming your living space. These systems take advantage of the relatively constant temperatures below ground to transfer heat and apply cooling properties where they are needed. Even though this system may be costly up front, they are a great carbon-neutral option for your home’s operation – even Alphabet is getting in on the action with their spin out Dandelion.

bright metal pot (double with lid) on flat black industion cooktop surrounded by white couterntop and walls of kitchen

Going All-Electric

As your home’s grid takes in more renewable sources, it makes sense for homeowners to switch to all-electric appliances and systems. Modern high-efficiency electric systems such as heat pump water heaters and induction cooktops are more effective and efficient than their gas counterparts – it is all win and no loss. Now that you can cook with an upgraded system, your stoves reduce the output of CO2 to zero and you and your family can keep warm without the worries of fossil fuel. As a bonus, you can also invest in transportation that is dependent on electricity, like hybrid cars and your local train system.

Materials

So far, we have been discussion “operational carbon”. The carbon emissions that are generated in order to run your home.

You should also consider “embodied carbon”. This is the carbon that was used to create, extract, fabricate, and transport the materials to your site.

When selecting materials for your build or renovation, you can ask yourself some basic questions:

  • Is this manufactured and transported in a low carbon manner?
  • Does this store (sequester) carbon in my home by using materials which pulled carbon out of the air?

If any of your answers are yes, then congrats – you are on your way to decarbonizing your home. When you consult with a local construction firm, keep in mind not only the structure of your ideal home, but how different sustainable materials can save you energy and money. You can explore certifications such as the LEED or the Living Building Challenge. You can find information on your product choices through online resources such as the Carbon Smart Materials Palette.

Low-Embodied Carbon Materials

CO2 emissions, which are used to manufacture and transport a material, are referred to as the ’embodied carbon’ of that product. Between 2020 and 2050, it is expected that embodied carbon will be responsible for almost half of total new construction emissions. So how can we work as homeowners to reduce carbon in our materials? Just keep on scrolling down!

Renovate and Reuse

When undertaking a new project, it is almost always more carbon efficient to renovate instead of demolishing and building anew. If you are taking out an existing structure, look for opportunities to donate and reuse building materials instead of sending them to a landfill. By using reclaimed materials for your project, this will result in a net-zero carbon product and will take less labor to start something new.

Avoid Carbon Intensive Materials

With the continued push towards transparency, it is becoming easier to understand the carbon footprint of materials. Databases such as the Inventory of Carbon and Energy provide critical insights that allow homeowners to better comprehend what they are installing for their home. Some carbon-intensive materials (i.e. concrete) can be produced using materials which are waste (such as fly-ash) and other materials (i.e. cork) that are naturally low-carbon or even no-net-carbon.

Consider Materials that Sequester Carbon

If your project uses materials that pull carbon out of the air, aka materials that are natural and undergo photosynthesis, then those materials can be said to sequester carbon in your home. When constructing your home, it is important to consider the longevity of your building and how carbon can be drawn from the air and be safely stored in your home. By supporting sustainable forestry practices in your choices, you will contribute to carbon drawdown and the overall green movement.

New products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) allow wood to replace steel and concrete for many structural applications.

For your consideration

Thanks to programs such as the Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH) and Building Initiative for Low Emissions Development (BUILD), which are both found in California, sustainable living can be a reality for homeowners. These complementary, statewide initiatives facilitate easier access to water and heating equipment at a lower cost and require residential and commercial buildings to cut their carbon emissions by 2040.

Search online to see if your state has tax incentives and rebates to make your greener housing dreams possible.

See how easy this was? Watch as your home becomes more energy efficient by incorporating practices of renewable energy from your own system or the grid. Just as a reminder, you should select products and materials that were created via efficient use of carbon and consider opportunities that store atmospheric carbon with materials within your home. Good luck and happy building!

Reference

5 Powerful Ways Lighting Can Transform Simple Architectural Spaces
CategoriesArchitecture

5 Powerful Ways Lighting Can Transform Simple Architectural Spaces

The A+Product Awards is open for entries, with a Main Entry Deadline of June 24th. Get started on your submission today! 

Good lighting can make or break a well-designed interior project. In addition to optimizing the availability of natural light in a space, selecting the right light fixtures can augment the furniture inside and cement a tone for the entire space. Bright white lights can make writing or chopping easier whereas warm yellow lights can make dinners an elevated experience. Similarly, colored lights can liven up parties and candle-lit wall sconces can be perfect for cozy nights.

Layering a variety of lights can add depth to any space and make it more comfortable. This technique also helps utilize different parts of a space in different ways. The scale and size of light fittings can also help fill up spaces or make them look more spacious.


Natural Light

Apartment in Amsterdam by MAMM DESIGN, Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Image by Takumi Ota Photography

For years, designers have been trying to maximize the amount of natural light within a space. Having an abundance of sunlight pouring into a space can help make it feel bright, airy and comfortable (this is especially due to its soothing tone and physical warmth). Another check in favor of designing for natural light: it cuts down on power use.

Exposure to the sun’s rays also helps regulate the body’s sleep cycles as well as overall health. In addition to windows, skylights have become increasingly popular to draw in light in interior spaces. Some interior designers also use cleverly arranged reflective surfaces throughout the space to help the light bounce off of surfaces and make the space feel brighter. Translucent partitions or latticed screens in homes can also help draw light to interior spaces that might otherwise be blocked by solid walls.


Ambient Light

Lenvix by STIPFOLD

Peaches Rooftop Cocktail Bar by Pierce Widera, Melbourne, Australia

This is perhaps the most important selection of lights for a space. Ambient light refers to the fixtures that are used to brighten the entire space, more often than not in a uniform manner. The tone used for ambient light can also determine the overall mood of the space. Offices tend to use white light to help carry out tasks efficiently under the brightness. On the other hand, warmer lighting schemes are gaining popularity in restaurants and homes for the warm and cozy atmosphere they can create.

Ambient lighting can be designed in a variety of ways. It can range from ceiling lights, track lights, wall lights and chandeliers to recessed circular and strip lights. Using dimmable fittings for ambient light can also help adjust brightness levels for different activities. Now, there are a variety of options and illumination systems that are not only functional but also quirky and trendy.

In Lenvix, STIPFOLD composed a hexagonal pattern on the ceiling using slimmer light fixtures. This not only brightens the space but also adds an additional pattern to the space and helps demarcate the seating area. Alternatively, the Peaches Rooftop Cocktail Bar features a canopy of pink-toned spherical pendant lights hanging from the ceiling to mimic peaches.


Task Lighting

Coil Collection Naturals by LightArt

Casa Cosmos by S-AR, Oaxaca, Mexico

This could be considered a secondary source of lighting. Task lighting is referred to lighting fixtures with a very specific function. Desk lamps, bedside lights, wardrobe lights, strip lights under kitchen cabinets and even staircase guiders can come under this category. Task lighting can help carve out secluded nooks and can also help easy navigation during the night. It is ideal to isolate the switches for task lights from the overall ambient light connection so that they can be used only when needed.

Decorative additions like the A+Award-winning Coil Collection Naturals can make a great bedside companion for late-night reading and can also be used as an additional light source near desks or in hallways. In Casa Cosmos, S-AR used a focused light fixture to brighten the concrete-backed seating area. Unlike the above example, these lights can also help separate the multiple functions within a space without the use of partitions.


Accent Lights

Sticks by Vibia

Hong Kong Garden / Theatre House by Bean Buro, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

The aim of accent lights is to draw attention to a specific object or an element, even when the general lights are on. These can be direct or indirect sources of light that highlight artwork, wall textures, level differences, recesses, false ceilings or other architectural elements in a space. This also adds more dimension and drama to the space. Types of accent lights range from small spotlights to wall-grazing linear lights.

The A+Award Winning Sticks is a modular design that can be used in a variety of ways to either focus on specific objects or illuminate specific areas in spaces. In the image above, the light is used to mimic the space of the doorway to accent not only the passage but also the wall texture. It also becomes an additional spotlight for the sides of a small stepped seating area. Accent lights also help highlight doors and partitions in Hong Kong Garden / Theatre House.


Decorative and Mood Lighting

Lo-Fi by SYNECDOCHE, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Media Plaza by Liong Lie Architects | Image by Christiaan de Bruijne

This category is often more to set a mood as opposed to being functional; it includes candle-based décor, string lights, lanterns, wall sconces and colored lights. These different techniques of illumination act as secondary light sources as they are not bright enough to help carry out everyday tasks without straining your eyes. There are extremely popular in restaurants and nightclubs as they help create an air of mystery and build tension without compromising the functionality of the furniture.

Neon blue and pink lights make up the interior of Lo-Fi in Michigan. The vibrancy of the lights energizes the otherwise dim space and also provides a great backdrop for photos, creating additional interest. In Media Plaza, a strip of blue wraps around the back wall of a projection room that is covered in foils that can change color when needed.

The A+Product Awards is open for entries, with a Main Entry Deadline of June 24th. Get started on your submission today! 

Reference

6 Simple Ways To Soundproof a Space
CategoriesArchitecture

6 Simple Ways To Soundproof a Space

The A+Product Awards is open for entries, with a Main Entry Deadline of June 24th. Get started on your submission today! 

In today’s competitive real estate market, large square footage is hard to come by and highly-priced. Today, smaller square footage is the norm and when living in close quarters, dwellers often pay more attention to soundproofing their tight space. The soundproofing process is rather sophisticated and there are countless products on the market to choose from. From Feltouch’s Make Up Divider panels that soften acoustics, Acoufelt’s SoftenUp Ceiling System that is aesthetically pronounced and softens interior acoustics to TURF Design’s Scanlines acoustic wall panels that double as decoration and noise-control, soundproofing options are abundant. What is more, all pay close attention to the four soundproofing elements: decoupling (vibration), absorption (air), mass (weight) and damping.

However, seeking professional help and investing in high-end products is a large investment and oftentimes off-the-table for those renting or on a budget. Thankfully, there are many inexpensive DIY solutions to help muffle sound, decrease vibration and ultimately, create a more enjoyable living environment. Listed below are six measures that will help keep out noise, keep in sound and improve a room’s overall acoustics.

Make Up Divider acoustic panels by Feltouch

SoftenUp Ceiling System by Acoufelt

1. Rearrange the Furniture and Add Mass to Walls

Rearranging furniture is a simple and inexpensive tool to improve the room’s sound quality. Placing heavy furniture, such as bookcases and large shelves, against walls can help block out unwanted sound. When a substantial mass is placed against a wall, it resists vibrations coming from surrounding rooms and thus reduces sound. This technique won’t completely eliminate sound but will certainly reduce bothersome noise.

Bookshelf House by Andrea Mosca Creative Studio, Paris, France, 2016

2. Choose Soft Furnishings

Sound is transmitted through vibrations and the more vibrations, the louder the noise. Hard objects vibrate more than soft objects, so when furnishing a noisy space, opting for pieces with soft materials can help limit sound vibration and reverberation. For example, tablecloths, cushions and upholstered pieces can help reduce vibration in a room, hence decreasing noise. The reduction of noise isn’t enormous, but neither is the effort it takes to add a few soft furnishings. Therefore, this technique is great for busy people who want to use what they have around the house and keep with their budget.

The Hedonist by Nuno Pimenta, Mannheim, Germany, 2014

3. Curtains and Blinds

Curtains are also a great way to block sound before it gets the chance to vibrate off hard surfaces. Whether it be a curtain or blind, covering apertures can help reduce the echo and reverb in a room. Equally, there are many soundproofing curtains on the market that work to trap internal sound rather than block out exterior noise. Therefore, soundproofing curtains are great if the goal is to create privacy.

4. Rugs, Carpets and Soundproofing Mats

Similarly to adding wall mass, it’s important to address the floor. Rugs and carpets are an easy solution to eliminating the sound of footsteps and pronounced movement. Using thick rugs or even layering carpets can be very effective in muffling noise. Moreover, adding a rug underlay can increase thickness and help absorb echoes. Soundproofing mats are also something to consider depending on the function of the room.

HOME^DOME by idoia otegui_i!arquitectura, Madrid, Spain, 2019

5. Decorate Your Space with Wall Art

Another simple and aesthetically pleasing way to tackle noise is to decorate the space! Think canvas paintings and tapestries. This is a cost-effective and effortless way to muffle sound while simultaneously decorating a room. This technique won’t block out sound but can help reduce the echo in a room.

The Coven by Studio BV, Saint Paul, MN, United States, 2020

6. Tape Your Windows and Sweep Your Doors

One of the most challenging spots to soundproof is windows. If there’s a gap between the window and window frame (often caused by a worn-out seal), noise will travel regardless if the window is shut. One way to easily tackle this issue is to use weatherstripping tape. All it takes is replacing the old weatherstripping tape with the new one. This will help insulate openings and keep out exterior sound. Additionally, adding a door sweep to the bottom of a door will seal the opening and help keep out sound.

These six soundproofing solutions are ideal for those renting, residing in non-permanent housing situations or on a tight budget. They are easy to install, inexpensive and will aid in blocking out the undesired noise of a loud neighbor or roommate. All it takes is a little time, patience and creativity to soundproof a space!

The A+Product Awards is open for entries, with a Main Entry Deadline of June 24th. Get started on your submission today! 

Reference