Courtesy of Rick Byrd
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Planet Green recently interviewed Rick Byrd of Alter Eco and Byrd Development in an attempt to learn more about green home improvement. He was kind enough to answer our questions about eco-friendly home building. Get some expert advice before renovating your home.
PG: In terms of the environment, what do you feel is the most important improvement that everyone should make to their homes?
RB: I feel the most important thing that a homeowner can do (in terms of the environment) is to assess their energy consumption, find out where improvements can be made and make the necessary adjustments. This is why I am launching a whole new division of my company which will be dedicated to the assessment and advisement of the home's energy use in real time. Be on the lookout for this revolutionary launch at byrdla.com
PG: And what is the easiest improvement that homeowners can make to save energy/help the environment?
RB: According to EPA statistics 49% of a typical home's energy consumption comes from heating and cooling. I feel that the easiest improvement one can make is to weather strip the air gaps in doors and windows. Weather stripping is quite inexpensive and simple to install. There are many peal and stick products that can easily be found in any home improvement center.
PG: What eco-friendly technology--one that may not be popular/utilized now--will the at the forefront of green design in ten years?
RB: I think solar PV (photo voltaic) integration will be part of the architectural design process from the beginning. We will see solar PV being integrated into the exterior fabric of the home, even as a structural design element. I believe we will see a day when the roof and exterior walls of a home will be solar power producing elements without compromising the architectural style of the home.
PG: Let's say that a young couple in a remote part of the country is planning to build a green home, maybe not a net-zero home but as green as their budget can afford. What advice would you give them as far as talking to a contractor or a series of contractors who may not be green or understand green concepts?
RB: Planning is the most important. My advice for this couple would be to hire a green architect and spend as much money as they can afford on a good set of plans. The plans should take into account home orientation, solar placement, wind flow throughout, compact plumbing design and gray water for irrigation. I have found that any good contractor can follow a detailed set of plans.
PG: When you go out and renovate, remodel or redesign a home, what are the biggest energy-wasters that you find in preexisting homes?
RB: From experience, I have found pool pump motors to be the biggest energy hogs of a home. Second, old inefficient a/c condenser units and third, water heaters.
PG: Which design of yours are you the most proud of and why?
RB: The Alter Eco home! This home is built using the most advanced green technology known to man. Read all the details of the home here on planetgreen.com and feel free to call my office and schedule a tour.
PG: What is the first eco-luxury that you would recommend to those who can afford it?
RB: Buy a $250,000 Bentley convertible and convert it to ethanol for $1,000.00
Related Reading from the Alter-Eco Vault:
Alter Eco House Slideshow, Part 1
Alter Eco House Slideshow, Part 2
Alter Eco Episode: Work of Art
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