Archive for category ECH Latest Updates

What is LEED?

Oct 12

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LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system,  providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building lifecycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fitout, and significant retrofit. And LEED for Neighborhood Development extends the benefits of LEED beyond the building footprint into the neighborhood it serves.

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Green Buidling in Lake Tahoe

Oct 12

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Spending time in Lake Tahoe bring to light the importance of preserving our natural resources.  One way we can help is the implementation of green building practices into your construction projects.  Simple thing like the choice of paint and windows and help save money, our health and the health of our planet. green home buidling, green buidling home

A sustainable building, or green building is an outcome of a design philosophy which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building’s lifecycle, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal. Though green building is interpreted in many different ways, a common view is that they should be designed and operated to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

  • Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
  • Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
  • Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

A similar concept is natural building, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics include sustainable design, green architecture, and energy efficient buildings.

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El Dorado County lowers forecast for Home Construction

Oct 12

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El Dorado County lowers forecast for home construction
Sacramento Bee

Buzz up!
By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Sep. 24, 2009 – 12:00 am
El Dorado County officials have scaled back their 10-year projection for new-home construction.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a 10-year residential permit forecast that reflects continuing decline in new construction in the county. The Department of Transportation projects 10,730 new homes will be built in the next decade, down from the 13,000 previously forecast.
Jim Ware, transportation director, said 166 residential permits were issued in 2008-09 and 200 had been forecast. The department projects the number will remain in the 166 range this year and in 2010-11, followed by annual increases in each of the next two years, then leveling off at 1,500 annually through 2018-19.
Supervisor Jack Sweeney predicted it would be more than four years before the county saw 1,500 new home starts per year.

Eben Hood Tahoe Construction Latest Projects

Oct 12

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The latest projects coming soon

Questions To Ask When Hiring A Contractor

Feb 15

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Questions To Ask When Hiring A Contractor

When choosing a contractor, it is important to know as much as you can about the contractor’s qualifications, experience and reliability. These are just a few of the questions you should ask when choosing a contractor for your home improvement or home repair project.

Is the contractor licensed in your state/county/city?

Some states require contractors to have a license, while others will accept trade organization membership, job experience and education credits in lieu of a license. If the contractor is licensed, you can verify their credentials by calling your state licensing board, or by visiting the license board’s website (available in most states). Also, the requirements vary from state to state, so it may be helpful to know whether the contractor was required to pass a licensing exam, or simply pay a fee for the license.

Is the contractor a member of any professional trade organizations?

If so, you can verify that the membership is in good standing.

Is the contractor well insured?

Most states require contractors to maintain certain insurance levels as a condition of the license, and you can often view insurance information on the state’s website (in the same place you verify the contractor’s license information). You should verify that the contractor has at least general liability coverage (property and injury), workmen’s compensation coverage, and automobile coverage.

Is the contractor familiar with current building code requirements?

The contractor should be familiar with building code requirements for your area, and should know what permits will be required.

Does the contractor have references and a portfolio of previous work?

Contacting previous customers is a great way to verify the reliability of the contractor and the quality of work that you can expect. Also, a portfolio of previous jobs with detailed photos can help you see the quality of work that the contractor is capable of.

How long has the contractor been in business?

A contractor that has been in business for several years will generally be more stable, with less risk of sub-standard work or leaving a job unfinished. It can also be helpful to verify the contractor’s financial standing via a bank reference, to insure the contractor will have the m
1000
eans to pay for supplies and materials.

The answers to these questions will be a good start towards finding a qualified contractor to help you with your home repair or home improvement project.

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Make Your Home Warmer This Winter With New Windows From Specialists

Feb 15

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There are many reasons why our homes fail to warm up quickly resulting in high bills and empty pockets. One area to look at before the cold weather sets in this year is your windows and whether they are helping keep the hot air in or contributing to the expensive bills.

There are many companies that specialize in the repair and replacement of your windows in Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Regardless of why you need a quote, they will be able to help you decide on the best design and finish for your home.

There are Birmingham specialists that have provided windows and doors to homes across the West Midlands for over 20 years. They are reliable and pride themselves on their ability to provide honest and professional advice and quotes for any projects that come their way.

There are such companies that also ensure they will finish any projects they take on regardless of size and provide full project management to ensure the job is done correctly and to their high standards.

Windows contribute immensely to the amount of heat that is lost through poorly fitted frames and glass. To ensure that your windows help you save money this winter, it may be a worthwhile investments looking at the double-glazing options provided by those windows, doors and conservatory specialists.

There are so many products to choose from professionals of the industry will be able to advise you on the best range of windows to suit your property. As well as glass, there are a range of frames and hinges that not only look the part, but also ensure they help to keep your home warm and draft free.

So, ensure your property helps to keep your bills down saving you money for more important things by gaining advice from those windows specialists within the West Midlands area.

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