Green Building Product Discussions

Mini Split Cold Weather Design Advice and Guidelines, with Mitsubishi

by Rate It Green Team

Your mini split might work better if you don’t bury it under the snow… In all seriousness, Sean from Mitsubishi chats with Matt Hoots and gives some advice on optimal conditions for mini split compressors and equipment&nb… more...

  Filed under: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Mini Split Compressor Placement in Cold Climates (Think about Snow and Other Conditions)

HVAC,Extreme Weather,Heating,Mini Splits,Snow,Compressors,Weather

by Allison Friedman Rate It Green Admin

It’s important to think about mini split condenser location in cold climates where it’s likely to snow, or really where anything will affect the proper functioning and longevity/durability of the unit.  I hope by sharing, s… more...

  Filed under: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)

rheia's Comfort by Design - Smaller, Energy and Labor Efficient Air Distribution Systems

Energy Efficiency,HVAC,Ventilation Systems,Ventilation,comfort,rheia

by Rate It Green Team

Now that we think about it, thanks to rheia, why is HVAC ductwork so big and bulky, and tangled?  We’ve made changes to electrical and plumbing systems, so why not HVAC ducts? Clearly, it’s time for something new.  How… more...

  Filed under: Ductwork

Green Building Myth Busting: Nope, You're Not Allergic to Wool (Video)

Green Building,Sustainability,Insulation,Green Myth Busting,Green Building Myth Busting,Wool,Wool Insulation,Allergies,Caragreen

by Rate It Green Team

Matt Hoots is always ready to bust a myth.  Recently, he was talking with Daman Dillon and Kristine Hart of Caragreen Healthy Building Materials about Havelock loose fill wool insulation (100% wool and no synthetic mix - it&rsquo… more...

  Filed under: Insulation

Electric Vehicles need to be powered by Solar (not Coal) to be green

by SawHorse, Inc.

Electric Vehicles are NOT sustainable. The argument that Electric Vehicles are not sustainable is only partly true.   Depending on where you live, they can be powered by electricity created by fossil fuels.  How… more...

  Filed under: Solar Energy

"Perfect Wall" demonstration

by SawHorse, Inc.

Several years ago, when the term "perfect wall" was mentioned, I thought it meant a "plumb and square" wall.  Many of us green builders and architects throw around the term as if everyone understands it.  M… more...

  Filed under: Mineral Wool Insulation

Cambria’s Coordinates Collection - 14 Quartz Surfaces Designed in Collaboration with Gensler

Green Building,Materials,Sustainability,Countertops,Cambria,Quartz Surfaces,Coordinates Collection

by Rate It Green Team

Green Builder Matt Hoots recently collaborated with Cambria’s Field Marketing Director Ellie Knips to bring Rate It Green Members and audience this video introduction to Cambria’s new Coordinates Collection.  Inspired… more...

  Filed under: Quartz Countertops

A Conversation about Makita USA's Outdoor Electric Power System

Electrification,Landscaping,Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment,Lawn and Garden Equipment,Lawns,Electric Landscaping

by Rate It Green Team

Green builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. recently met with Ed Sidoruk of Makita USA, who shared some helpful information about Makita’s outdoor power equipment line, which is also the world’s largest outdoor electric pow… more...

  Filed under: Landscaping and Land Management

A Conversation with Patrick Chopson of Cove.Tool: Optimizing Building Performance, Sustainability & Cost through Building Information Modeling

by Rate It Green Team

Whether you’re a BIM expert, or an emerging professional, we think this conversation with Matt Hoots and Patrick Chopson of Cove.Tool is worth a listen.  Patrick gives an introduction to Cove.Tool’s impressive we… more...

  Filed under: Software

What is the future of energy storage with solar? - Free CE Webinar, March 9, 12 pm EST

by Allison Friedman Rate It Green Admin

We will discuss residential solar & energy storage with an introduction & market overview. This will include planning & designing for energy storage system installations with key product features, warranty & additional techn… more...

  Filed under: Solar Energy