Grist | Topics | 10 Results

RESULTS		Results 1 – 10 of 10
Headline	Author	Published	Section
You Look Radiant On radiant heating	Umbra Fisk	18 Jul 2007	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, We're trying to build a really small house and be really economical as we do it. Radiant floor heating sounds practical for the first floor, although it's expensive. What do you think about radiant floor heating, pluses, minuses, efficiency? Radiantly yours, Kerry Florence, Mass. Dearest Kerry, Thank you for helping me to write about radiant floor heat basics by sending in your question as requested. How I have coveted a ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green building, green living (all these topics)

Heads You Lose On replacing toilets	Umbra Fisk	09 Jul 2007	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I'm selling my house in Los Angeles and my toilet is not low-flow. One of the inspectors is trying to tell me I need to replace my toilet with a new low-flow. Well, I know the old ziplock baggie filled with water trick. But I saw that you made mention of some kits to reduce the flow from 3.5 gallons per flush to 1.6 gallons a flush. I believe in recycling. I don't feel that I have to replace my working toilet. Can I modify ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, ecological footprint, green building, green living (all these topics)

Bamboozled On bamboo flooring	Umbra Fisk	08 Feb 2006	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, We will be putting in new flooring in the very near future. My first choice was hardwood, but I have recently read a lot about bamboo. Because it is renewable, it seems to be a better option. But how is it grown? Who is harvesting it? Are the people in the industry fair to their employees? Is it truly a better option for the environmentally conscious, or just a marketing tactic? Kathleen DiBacco Darien, Ill. Dearest Kathleen, ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green building, green living (all these topics)

I'm Floored On flooring options	Umbra Fisk	06 Feb 2006	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, If I have to replace my old carpet, what are the environmental pros and cons of the different choices? (Ceramic tile, carpet, or the laminate flooring sold at Home Depot seem to be the most common.) And can I recycle my old carpet? Claudia Bloom Mesa, Ariz. Dearest Claudia, I'm going to lay out all the flooring choices of which I'm aware, and I'll talk about some of them in depth in upcoming columns. In terms of your carpet, ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green building, green living (all these topics)

Gardener on the Roof On green roofs	Umbra Fisk	05 Dec 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Our garage is in need of a new roof. We would like to build a "living roof" and are wondering where to start. Our long-term plan is to convert the space into an art studio, complete with insulation, electricity, and finished walls and floor. Do you have any pithy suggestions for us to consider while planning our roof, considering it will cover a finished room eventually? Lesley Victoria, B.C. Dearest Lesley, Not ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green building, green living (all these topics)

Over the Chill On preparing for winter	Umbra Fisk	05 Oct 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, With the coming winter, our local news did a story on how to save on heating. The tips included window treatments, lowering the water heater, etc. But those of us in apartments are limited in what we can do. I can feel the cold air seeping through the cracks, and laying towels on the window sills doesn't seem to help. Any advice? Carol Lafayette, Ind. Dearest Carol, Yar. It's going to be doom and gloom this winter acro ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green building, green living (all these topics)

Sill and Grace On windows	Umbra Fisk	12 Sep 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I just bought an old house and need to replace some of the windows. Are there alternatives to vinyl windows that will still cut down on heat loss? Noah Winer Philadelphia, Pa. Dearest Noah, I hope I've caught you before you've placed your window order, because you are at a moment of opportunity. Window replacement will make a huge difference in your house's energy efficiency. You could be losing up to a third of your heat through t ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green building, green living (all these topics)

Bamboo Ado On wood floors and solid waste	Umbra Fisk	27 Feb 2003	Ask Umbra
Oh Wise Umbra, We'll be replacing our carpeting with wood flooring, probably from one of the major home stores (Home Depot or Lowe's). Are wood floors a really bad environmental choice if they are made from unsustainably harvested wood? Would I be better off going with a (probably petroleum-based) fake wood floor? Also, is there any environmentally responsible way to dispose of my old carpet? If the nice garbage collectors pick ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green building, green living, green products, placemaking, recycling, waste (all these topics)

Burden of Roof On eco-friendly roofs	Umbra Fisk	27 Feb 2003	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Our roof is getting pretty old and starting to fall apart. It's one of those asphalt-shingle roofs that most houses have these days. Before we call the roofing company, I'd like to know what's the greenest kind of roofing material to use. Metal? Cedar? More asphalt? I'm sure lots of other readers would like to know, too! Thanks, Wally Bubelis Seattle, Wash. Dearest Wally, Like other readers, you may need a drink or t ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green building, green living, placemaking (all these topics)

Housecapades On homegrown activism	Umbra Fisk	12 Feb 2003	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I have been changing my way of living in the past year or so to become more environmentally friendly. I have been recycling (my city recycles almost everything) and I started composting. I have been cutting meat out of my life, and I have been surrounding my home with plants and herbs. I buy biodegradable, organic products that haven't been tested on animals. I've also signed online petitions and became a member of Greenpea ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, grassroots activism, green building, green living, placemaking (all these topics)

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