The House That Saved The World is coming to Television, DVD and the Web.

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Episodes for The House That Saved The World

 

The House That Saved The World wants to provide people with real tools to take action towards creating a healthy, eco-efficient home. Each episode will center on the main project house in a different phase of construction from the deep green builder’s perspective. Our cameras will look at all the latest technologies, processes and materials as well as tried and true ones that any home owner can take advantage of.  Grab your tools.  It’s time to build The House That Saved The World.

 

EPISODE 101: WHY DEEP GREEN?

We meet the people crazy enough (or smart enough) to build truly green.  The project house is introduced along with pioneers like the builder, the designer and the owner.  Each of them give us their take on the choices.  Experts give us the basic tenets of Deep Green building and why it’s the conscious choice in construction.  In doing so myths about green building are debunked.  We preview the cool design, materials, tools and processes of deep green construction for the first 13 episode season.

 

EPISODE 102: DECONSTRUCTION

We look at Deconstruction pros (less landfill material, less embodied energy in re-use) and cons (takes longer, more labor intensive).  ‘Soft strip’ of windows, trim and fixtures and the un-building the old house is followed all the way through the process.  From lumber salvage to concrete and even carpet recycling our cameras tag along as each chunk, thread and board finds a new place in the recycling world.

 

EPISODE 103: SITE PLANNING and RAINWATER COLLECTION

The basics of proper site selection, groundwork for pervious surfaces, vapor barrier for footings, rainwater collection are all explored.  We visit a coal fired plant to get fly ash for a very cool stand up foundation system.

 

EPISODE 104: THE ENERGY EFFICIENT SHELL

Double wall construction, engineered lumber, green roofs, triple pane windows, window sill pans, insulation, controlling air flow and exterior doors are all examined in detail as we look at the whole house as one integrated system by doing a home performance test.   All these ingredients are crucial when working to build a Net Zero Energy Home.  Our cameras also tour the manufacturers and even visit an FSC forest.

 

EPISODE 105: HVAC

We look at passive solar, radiant heat, cross ventilation, heat pumps, filtration, planting shade trees, living walls and a visit to a community based co-generating heat system.

 

EPISODE 106: WATER CONSERVATION and PLUMBING

If each house in the USA could use 10 gallons of water less per day, in just one day it would add up to saving 500,000 Olympic size pools or 330 billion gallons.

In this episode we look at reduction, drought tolerant plants, hot water recirculation pump, low flow plumbing fixtures, the Green plumber, rainwater cisterns and gravity feed systems.  Then our cameras visit a recycled/filtered water system in Portland, OR.

 

EPISODE 107: SOLAR ENERGY

“You have to eat your energy efficiency vegetables before you can have your
solar energy dessert”.

We explore passive solar, beams for wind control, integrated water systems,
solar PV, helix reflectors and a micro hydro system. Then we visit a wind farm in Ellensburg, WA. 

 

EPISODE 108: INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

A healthy house in made from healthy materials.  The new builder’s parameters for choosing those materials is examined closely in this episode.  We look at low toxic materials, air filtration, whole house ventilation and moisture, long-life materials, low allergenic materials and applications.  Our experts weigh the difference between real wood vs. MDF and look closely at low toxic manufacturing.

 

EPISODE 109: MOISTURE and WATER INCURSION CONTROL

This episode looks at moisture control, ventilation control, optimum relative humidity, rain screens and drain planes, window hose test, flashing, belts and suspenders.  Building science vs. rocket science are compared with a combustion test.  Plus we have a special feature on effective exhaust ventilation and owner operation and maintenance.

 

EPISODE 110: MILLWORK and CABINETS

Off gassing and low toxic materials are both examined in this episode along with where to spend your efficiency dollars.   We compare rain forest lumber vs. FSC lumber.  Then we visit to a low toxicity cabinet maker who explains solid wood vs. MDF.

 

EPISODE 111: FLOORS

Loose your shoes and come on in to The House That Saved the World.   We walk on hardwood, cork, laminate, floating floors, marmoreal, FSC and salvaged materials flooring in this episode.  Our feet compare hard surfaces vs. soft surfaces as our experts explain how to reduce allergens.  Then we put our shoes back on and visit a flooring salvage supplier.

 

EPISODE 112: LIGHTING and APPLIANCES

There are 12,000 models of compact fluorescent bulbs to choose from and our experts will help you choose the right ones and how to recycle.  LED lights are becoming more common too.  We light your imagination on how to choose what light to put where in your new home.

Then we compare appliances as our experts compare and rate devices like refrigerators, front load washers, clothes dryers, hot water systems and furnaces. Plus we visit  a Energy Star appliance manufacturer.

 

EPISODE 113:GREEN ROOF and LIVING WALLS

Plants on your walls and roof?  That’s right.  The House That Saved the World is a living structure.  Our experts show us how to create roofs and exterior walls that are alive!   Plus we learn about the science of creating live areas in-city, heat island effects and protecting salmon habitat.