[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Formaldehyde in prefinished hardwood flooring

Thu Jul 6 07:34:17 CDT 2006

Does anyone know about the formaldehyde content of GlueLam structural
lumber?  I expect the worst....

--Lawrence Lile

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Blyth
McManus
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 5:17 PM
To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] Formaldehyde in prefinished hardwood
flooring
Importance: Low

Recently I learned to my shock and amazement that some prefinished
hardwood products actually are treated wtih formaldehyde.  I seem to be
unable to come up with a list of formaldehyde-free hardwood floor
products.  Any ideas for resources here?  Ironic that carpet has gotten
so much better, but hardwood (which the average consumer sees as much
more IAQ friendly than carpeting) is a culprit.

Blyth

On 7/5/06, greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org
<greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org> wrote:
> Send Greenbuilding mailing list submissions to
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> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: Tankless Heaters (barbara deane-gillett)
>    2. Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat pumps
>       (candtcampbell at juno.com)
>    3. Re: Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat pumps
>       (Jesse Klinkhamer)
>    4. Re: [BULK] Experience with Dawn Solar DHW systems? (Lawrence
Lile)
>    5. Re: [BULK] Green and Fuzzy [was: reaching conclusions]
>       (Lawrence Lile)
>    6. Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat pumps   (Stephen)
>       (Danny Aerts)
>    7. Home building blog (Lawrence Lile)
>    8. Re: Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat pumps (Stephen)
>       (Paul Newby)
>    9. economics of radiant floor heating (Paul Newby)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2006 15:56:43 -0400
> From: "barbara deane-gillett" <deaneg at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Tankless Heaters
> To: khmet at earthlink.net, GREENBUILDING at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <BAY105-F1762156961B9464F90844EC3710 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format="flowed"
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2006 22:28:15 GMT
> From: "candtcampbell at juno.com" <candtcampbell at juno.com>
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat
>         pumps
> To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <20060704.152855.10883.345257 at webmail28.lax.untd.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain
>
> Stephen,
>
> I believe HVAC-Calc used to offer a trial run. Go to 
> http://hvaccomputer.com and see if they still do.
>
> Tim
>
> I am starting a house that will have geothermal heat pumps for heating

> and cooling.
>
> I am getting some conflicting feedback on sizing from two different 
> subs. I would like to do Manual J calculations to test the numbers.
> Does anyone know of software available as a demo (or free) that will 
> allow me to do this? I know I can purchase the software for $300 or 
> more, but this will be a one time affair and do not want to pay for 
> that. The demos I have seen will let you do 3 rooms or will not permit

> printing or saving - not terribly useful.
>
> One of the subs is proposing Hydron Module as the manufacturer of the 
> heat pumps. Anyone out there with experience with this brand - good or
bad?
>
> TIA
>
> Stephen Levine
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2006 18:45:37 -0700
> From: "Jesse Klinkhamer" <j.klinkhamer at kleanindustries.com>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat
>         pumps
> To: "'Stephen'" <Stephen at StephenLevineArchitects.com>,
>         <greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
> Message-ID: <001601c69fd4$b704b520$6701a8c0 at office>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
>
>
>
> Dear Stephen,
>
> >From our experience Essential Innovations has exellent equipment and
> service. You can click through using this link.
> http://www.kleanindustries.com/s/Geothermal.asp
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
> [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Stephen
> Sent: July 4, 2006 9:54 AM
> To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat 
> pumps
>
> I am starting a house that will have geothermal heat pumps for heating

> and cooling.
>
> I am getting some conflicting feedback on sizing from two different 
> subs. I would like to do Manual J calculations to test the numbers. 
> Does anyone know of software available as a demo (or free) that will 
> allow me to do this? I know I can purchase the software for $300 or 
> more, but this will be a one time affair and do not want to pay for 
> that. The demos I have seen will let you do 3 rooms or will not permit
printing or saving - not terribly useful.
>
> One of the subs is proposing Hydron Module as the manufacturer of the 
> heat pumps. Anyone out there with experience with this brand - good or
bad?
>
> TIA
>
> Stephen Levine
>
> _______________________________________________
> Greenbuilding email list
> List info:
> http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.
> org List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org Managed by 
> BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
>       publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r) Hosted

> and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 07:56:09 -0500
> From: "Lawrence Lile" <LLile at projsolco.com>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] [BULK] Experience with Dawn Solar DHW
>         systems?
> To: <GREENBUILDING at listserv.repp.org>
> Message-ID:
>
<C3BDACA3AD63A44F8D2BF6788D766B902BA641 at psc-s1.ProjSolCo.local>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
>  Agreed, Steven.  Solar systems of any kind, electric or thermal, 
> still collect energy on cloudy days, just not as much.  It is easy to 
> read on an electric solar panel, you still get a few amps out of them 
> on a cloudy day.
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steven Shepard [mailto:sbtdesigns at earthlink.net]
> Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 10:57 AM
> To: Lawrence Lile; GREENBUILDING at listserv.repp.org
> Subject: RE: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] Experience with Dawn Solar DHW 
> systems?
> Importance: Low
>
> Lawrence,
>
> I feel like I need to bring something to yours and the groups
attention.
> Solar hot water heating systems (more specifically solar thermal 
> heating
> systems) produce heat in two ways.  If and when the proper solar 
> thermal collector is used these devices produce heat by harvesting 
> heat energy from sunlight and from a "greenhouse effect" inside the 
> thermal collector.  In that regard, it is possible to create solar 
> heated water even on cloudy days.  And I do mean water temperatures in

> excess of 120 degrees F.  It is inaccurate to suggest that solar water

> heating is only a good and viable idea in sunny climates.
>
> Now please don't bother asking me to produce reams of data to 
> substantiate this claim.  I am sharing with you the benefit of my 14 
> years of experience in the solar industry and my personal experience 
> as a solar user.  If you require such data feel free to contact Sandia

> Labs in New Mexico.  They have been conducting such research on solar 
> for the last 30 years at the taxpayer's expense.  Besides, as a vendor

> supplying data is not my role and I find that Americans make that 
> request when they are searching for an excuse to not do the right
thing.
>
> Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Lawrence Lile <LLile at projsolco.com>
> >Sent: Jun 26, 2006 3:04 PM
> >To: GREENBUILDING at listserv.repp.org
> >Subject: RE: [BULK]  [Greenbuilding] Experience with Dawn Solar DHW
> systems?
> >
> >I would suspect that your coldest days might coincide with your 
> >cloudiest days.  This isn't always true, but I'd be very leery of 
> >depending on solar electric to produce heating energy.  Unlike 
> >cooling,
>
> >which is likely to be heaviest when the sun is shining.  You also 
> >suffer an efficiency penalty with solar electric versus other methods

> >of harvesting the sun.
> >
> >After conservation (insulation and caulking), passive or active solar

> >is your best bet here.  If you already have radiant floor, then you 
> >are
>
> >a prime candidate for an active solar hot water system to tie into 
> >your
>
> >floor.  Using the huge mass in your concrete to store heat for cloudy

> >days makes sense.  If you make sure the edges are insulated down 
> >below frost line, then you are also using the mass of the earth below

> >the radiant floor to store more heat.
> >
> >Solar hot water is also a good bet, if you live in an area with 
> >enough sunny days.
> >
> >Unfortunately, you'll probably want some form of central heat if you 
> >live in any normal building with plumbing inside.  With a lot of 
> >collector area, you may not need it but a few times a year, but when 
> >your pipes are about to freeze you'll be glad you had it.  It will 
> >work
>
> >the same with hot water, solar hot water heaters work best in the 
> >summer, in northern winters you'll often not have enough sun.
> >
> >You can always use wood heat backup, that might help you sever the 
> >petro-fuel umbilical.
> >
> >Is Propane available in your area?  I wonder if it is a less 
> >polluting alternative to oil heaters?
> >
> >--Lawrence Lile
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
> >[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Irina 
> >Golfman
> >Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:12 AM
> >To: Greenbuilder list
> >Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] Experience with Dawn Solar DHW
systems?
> >Importance: Low
> >
> >Good afternoon,
> >
> >We are evaluating various solar technologies for our remodeling 
> >project
>
> >in Massachusetts. We have about 550 sq feet of South West facing roof

> >at about a 35 degree angle with a small amount of shade in the
summer.
> >In my research I've stumbled on the company called Dawn Solar
> >(http://www.dawnsolar.com/) which uses radiant tubes placed under a 
> >metal rood to collect the solar gain for DHW pre-heat. They also 
> >partner with UniSolar that manufactures PV panels that can fit 
> >between the ridges of the metal roof and contain 32(?) independent 
> >arrays, so that the panel can still function even if a small part of
it is shaded.
> >
> >I wondered if anyone on the list have any experience with Dawn Solar?
> >How does their efficiency and reliability compare to using Solar 
> >Panels
>
> >to heat the water? I know that Unisolar panels are not as efficient 
> >as other solar panels at generating electricity. Does anyone have 
> >hard numbers on this?
> >
> >As a follow up question I would love to hear people comments on the 
> >viability of not having a conventional oil or propane boiler to heat 
> >a house in the NE. We have to install a new heating system 
> >(combination of radiant and forced hot water radiators and base 
> >board). Because of our topology (the house is on a hill and the oil 
> >tank is at the bottom of the
> >hill) we need to invest a serious amount of money to replace the 
> >aging oil line. The thought of investing all this money to heat my 
> >house with
>
> >oil really troubles me. We'd be facing the same piping issues with 
> >propane and natural gas.
> >
> >I've toyed with the idea of on-demand electric heaters to supplement 
> >what we can get off the roof, augmented with a pellet stove in the 
> >kitchen/living room area, but I've been told that this is not a 
> >realistic option for this area where winters can be quite cold. Any 
> >comments on this will be much appreciated.
> >
> >Thank you very much for the help,
> >-------------------------------------------------
> >Irina
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Greenbuilding email list
> >List info: http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding
> >List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org Managed by BuildingGreen,

> >Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
> >      publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r) 
> >Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org 
> >_______________________________________________
> >Greenbuilding email list
> >List info: http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding
> >List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org Managed by BuildingGreen,

> >Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
> >      publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r) 
> >Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org
>
>
> SBT Designs
> 25581 IH-10 West
> San Antonio, Texas 78257
> (210) 698-7109
> www.sbtdesigns.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 08:17:19 -0500
> From: "Lawrence Lile" <LLile at projsolco.com>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] [BULK] Green and Fuzzy [was: reaching
>         conclusions]
> To: "Greenbuilder list" <Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
> Message-ID:
>
<C3BDACA3AD63A44F8D2BF6788D766B902BA64F at psc-s1.ProjSolCo.local>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jun 30, 2006, at 14:57, Michael lough wrote:
> > Surely "Greenness" isnt fuzzy?
>
> It's fuzziness depends on how long you leave it in the back of the 
> refrigerator.  My fridge has several green fuzzy things in it right
now!
> [D'oh!]
>
> But seriously, I agree with Corwyn, greenness is inherently fuzzy,
i.e.
> site specific, client specific, and dependent on multiple factors.  I 
> chose to cut some mature trees off of my land to build a house, 
> because I have the resources and skills to do that.  Most homeowners
would not.
> I could have used greener methods (I own a crosscut saw) but instead I

> used a chainsaw.  I happened to have a recycled one-way mirror that I 
> will incorporate playfully into the design, this would be nuts to do 
> if the mirror weren't free and recycled.  My contractor collects 
> recycled stuff fanatically (he was Green before anyone knew what Green

> was!) and he is always dragging in these materials to use on the 
> house.  Over time, the idea of using local resources and recycled 
> materials becomes more and more automatic.  We are trying to move a 
> whole industry in a new direction, and it will happen incrementally,
not all at once.
>
> --Lawrence Lile
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2006 10:25:36 -0500
> From: Danny Aerts <djaerts at wisc.edu>
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat
>         pumps   (Stephen)
> To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <6.1.0.6.2.20060705102202.01bef290 at wiscmail.wisc.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
>
> We have a Hydron heat pump and have been very satisfied with it. It is

> now
> 2 years old and hasn't had any problems. We do not have the optional 
> water heating component.
>
> At 12:00 PM 7/4/2006, you wrote:
>
> >Message: 3
> >Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2006 12:53:54 -0400
> >From: Stephen <Stephen at StephenLevineArchitects.com>
> >Subject: [Greenbuilding] Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat
> >         pumps
> >To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> >Message-ID: <001401c69f8a$6f224d20$0401a8c0 at NEWPOTATO>
> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Windows-1252
> >
> >I am starting a house that will have geothermal heat pumps for 
> >heating and cooling.
> >
> >I am getting some conflicting feedback on sizing from two different
subs.
> >I would like to do Manual J calculations to test the numbers. Does 
> >anyone know of software available as a demo (or free) that will allow

> >me to do this? I know I can purchase the software for $300 or more, 
> >but this will be a one time affair and do not want to pay for that. 
> >The demos I have seen will let you do 3 rooms or will not permit 
> >printing or saving - not terribly useful.
> >
> >One of the subs is proposing Hydron Module as the manufacturer of the

> >heat pumps. Anyone out there with experience with this brand - good
or bad?
> >
> >TIA
> >
> >Stephen Levine
>
>
> Danny Aerts
> University of Wisconsin
> 608-263-3231
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 10:40:45 -0500
> From: "Lawrence Lile" <LLile at projsolco.com>
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Home building blog
> To: "Greenbuilder list" <Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
> Message-ID:
>
<C3BDACA3AD63A44F8D2BF6788D766B902BA67E at psc-s1.ProjSolCo.local>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
>
> I've started a blog showing the steps we are taking building a house.
> I'd welcome any comments.  As we go along, I'll be explaining some of 
> the decisions we made along the way that were influenced by Green 
> thinking.
>
>
> http://members.socket.net/~llile/buildgreen/buildgreen.htm
>
> --Lawrence Lile, P.E.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2006 12:04:45 -0400
> From: Paul Newby <pnewby at dsl.ca>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Manual J calculations and Geothermal heat
>         pumps (Stephen)
> To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <44ABE31D.4090003 at dsl.ca>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
>
> I ran into this piece questioning the economics of radiant floor 
> heating in a well-insulated home -
>
> http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/Radiant.shtml
>
> Seems like a fairly balanced article and it makes some interesting 
> points - it does seem to be overkill to put an expensive heating 
> system into a superinsulated structure, and many of the major 
> advantages (such as zone heating) may not amount to much in such 
> cases.
>
> Paul N.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2006 12:06:12 -0400
> From: Paul Newby <pnewby at dsl.ca>
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] economics of radiant floor heating
> Cc: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <44ABE374.1080306 at dsl.ca>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
>
> Sorry, I forgot to change the subject line before sending this 
> message....
>
> I ran into this piece questioning the economics of radiant floor 
> heating in a well-insulated home -
>
> http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/Radiant.shtml
>
> Seems like a fairly balanced article and it makes some interesting 
> points - it does seem to be overkill to put an expensive heating 
> system into a superinsulated structure, and many of the major 
> advantages (such as zone heating) may not amount to much in such 
> cases.
>
> Paul N.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Greenbuilding email list
> List info: 
> http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.
> org List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org Managed by 
> BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
>       publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r) Hosted

> and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org
>
> End of Greenbuilding Digest, Vol 1, Issue 5
> *******************************************
>

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