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This Old "Green" House on PBS

Tim
Tim's picture

I just heard that This Old House, PBS' seminal home improvement and remodeling show, has begun its first-ever green renovation. They're using as many environmentally friendly building products and methods as possible while creating a functional home on a budget for a contemporary family. The show is renovating a 1926 Craftsman bungalow in Austin, Texas, adding two bedrooms and a bathroom to the home to accommodate the homeowners' growing family. The renovation looks to be doing a pretty good job of considering the current building and not simply gutting the house and turning it into a hulking home with a few green features; the compact house was built to use natural air flow, high rooflines, and deep overhanging eaves to keep the summer heat at bay without air conditioning. "We don't want a big house; we're not going to gold-plate everything," says Michele Grieshaber, one of the homeowners. "We don't need fancy -- we need functional." Features like photovoltaic cells on the roof, rainwater collection for irrigation, spray-foam insulation, recycled-glass tile and countertops, and formaldehyde-free wood composites are just some of the resource-saving strategies and eco-friendly materials planned for the project, which will be rated by the Austin Green Building Program.

Could be interesting and I'm looking foward to watching as I have an older home that can certainly use some "Greening" Smiling

‹ I'm looking for idea's to make my home energy efficient Plan It Hardware - Green It Yourself ›

Submitted by Tim on Tue, 03/27/2007 - 11:29.

DC
Re: This Old "Green" House on PBS

cdinopassas -- two green options for insulating existing enclosed wall cavities are blown-in cellulose and soy based spray foam.

You can read a little about them at http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/107/soyinsulation.

The problem for you is that you have an older home with very little space between the brick and inside frame for insulation. I'm by no means an expert in this area, but I'm wondering if the cost of adding insulation to that small space between the walls is really going to be worth the expense.

See http://www.askthebuilder.com/610_How_to_Insulate_an_Older_Brick_Home.sht....

If you find that insulating the walls is too expensive given the benefit, there are a lot of other improvements you could make. You could add insulation to the attic, replace your windows, seal cracks and crevices, etc. If I had a house like yours, before I committed to insulating the walls, I would have a home energy audit done to determine the most cost effective ways to increase the energy efficiency of my home. If you decide to add insulation to the attic, I would recommend hiring a licensed professional to do the work -- older homes can have asbestos insulation in the attic that should not be disturbed. Good luck with your home improvements.


Mon, 10/22/2007 - 19:17

cdinopappas
Re: This Old "Green" House on PBS
  • I have a 1952 brick ranch in the Chicago area and would like some
    ideas of how to insulate between the brick and the inside frame of the
    house which is about 1.5 inches?

Sun, 10/21/2007 - 06:45

brentrhenry
Re: This Old "Green" House on PBS

I live in Austin and had the pleasure to view all of the green features of the house in a recent Green House Tour sponsored by the Texas Solar Endergy Society (http://txses.org) and Austin Energy (http://austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Green%20Building/in.... Here is more on the house (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tvprograms/houseproject/overview/0,16542...). They had 6 homes that had great green features in it. I really like how people are using foam insulation so all the ducts are not subjected to cold/hot air. Despite Rachele Begley's opinion, I LOVE my rain barrels Eye-wink


Mon, 07/09/2007 - 13:32

listedgreen
listedgreen's picture
Re: This Old "Green" House on PBS

Hopefully when they get done "greening" that old house, they will list it on Listed Green - Listed Green is a new worldwide internet platform for green, energy efficient, sustainable homes and developments worldwide.

--

"Buy Green. Sell Green. Live Green."


Wed, 05/30/2007 - 10:24

jstack6
jstack6's picture
Re: This Old "Green" House on PBS

I don't watch TV. A few friends taped the green series Living with Ed. It was super, I sure hope it comes back as a weekly series. Ed Begely Jr and his wife Racheele were so funny together with each playing the opposite of each other on green issues. My wife realtes to Rachelle since she is always wondering what project I'll do next.

This week I planted 3 citrus trees at our house. We have a 10 year old 1600 sq ft home. I have added a solar PV grid tied system solar hot water, 2 solar tube lights , radiant barrier in the attic, CFL and LED lights , energy star fridge. My wife found a great front loader washer and an efficient dish washer. I think she's hooked.

Hmmm, I'd love to get better windows since they are always big losers but I want R20 or 30. Maybe in a few years when nano gel come out. My goal is to get to zero energy !

the solar stacks

--

solar stacks


Tue, 05/29/2007 - 01:59

Hayden
Re: This Old "Green" House on PBS

Hi Solar Stacks!

 

You guys have provided soooo much info and I just want to say "thanks!"

 

I see there is a question about an 08 Prius and I've read your other posts on the topic and would be VERY curious to hear what you think - I hope you take the time to answer them and I will read with much interest.

 

Take care and keep up the GREAT work you are doing!

Hayden


Tue, 10/23/2007 - 12:36

Naida
Naida's picture
This Old House

I've been seeing the commercials for the new season of This Old House and am pleasantly surprised to hear about this green-izing of the show. I am definitely interested to see what options they are going to install beyond the "normal" green updates such as solar, fluorescent, gardens, etc. Thanks for the info.


Tue, 03/27/2007 - 14:36