Sustain Design Build

2011-02-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

Sustain Design Build has a new home, we are now located in Jackson hole Wyoming. The transition has been very eye-opening and they're all kinds of new things and new ideas that are beginning to blossom. The business will continue to move in the direction of sustainability and its interaction with construction practices but we are also going to turn and focus more on the direction of design and how we can use recycled items towards creating a high-end modern/Western aesthetic.

Bus we are hoping to start construction on a new shop facility just over the past in the small town of Driggs, Idaho. We're looking forward to getting started and hope you'll visit our blog frequently and contribute whatever constructive comments you may have about our ideas and projects.

2010-07-21T17:51:00.001-07:00

OneZone Energy Monitoring Solutions is pleased to announce we are now monitoring The Sustainability Institute's Green House in North Charleston, SC. The Sustainability Institute is a Non-Profit group that works in the Charleston area promoting sustainability and hosts many workshops on how to make residential homes and businesses work more efficiently and lower utility bills.

Thus our system is a perfect fit for what they are trying to accomplish and we were happy to install a system for their use and we are already seeing great results. Feel free to visit their site or the project in North Charleston to see how you can improve your efficiency.

2010-07-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

Our partners Powerhouse Emonitor just received a great review on how their product works. Please click on this link to see the review:

http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=1be5b4d78b535eed8a4479de8&id=02860fb56a&e=bbf260c152

Just to note that the OneZone system uses Powerhouse as a piece of our complete Utility Monitoring service when in the residential market. We also include water and gas in our monitoring system as well as solar PV, solar thermal, wind power, radiant temperature, moisture detection and many other possible selections so that you can have your home working to the fullest potential possible.

2010-06-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

OneZone Seminar - June 29th

Taking place on June 29th, 2010 at the Pink Garter, 50 W Broadway, Jackson Hole WY. Come drink some wine, snack on some food and learn how to become more sustainable, lower utility bills and have the data to prove it. Looking forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

2010-06-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

Jackson Hole Contractors Project

While in Jackson, we were able to work for Jackson Hole Contractors on a project they have occurring in Wilson, WY. We assisted in working with exterior trim and here are a few interesting details that we assisted in.

Project shows an amazing amount of attention to all details, and JHC should be commended for their level of craftsmanship on this project.

2010-06-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

The Reasons - Why we build Sustainable

Often, when in the middle of a project as things get more and more difficult, i.e. working with new products, complicated clients, payroll, change orders etc., it is good to go do something fun in amazing natural places where we can remember how vital to our well being this planet is. Our actions, our building processes do make a difference.

Hopefully, in the long run, we can continue to protect our natural environment, so that the next 7 generations can experience the beauty and wonder of the wild that we still do today.

Firehole River - Yellowstone National Park - June 2010

2010-06-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

SPP Solar Thermal

SPP Solar Thermal (Evacuated Tube)install on standing seam roof. Solar Thermal is one of the best ways to reduce utility energy consumption in a residential dwelling. Set up as an assist for your main way of heating water, solar thermal units maintain hot water temp in your domestic system while the sun is shining, thus your main method of providing heat, whether gas or electric, is not having to work so hard, and saving you money.

Units can be used in conjunction with Radiant Heating Systems and other items that use hot water within the dwelling.

With a OneZone energy monitoring system installed, we can measure your rate of return and let you know your Return on Investment (ROI) real time. State and Federal incentives are available and if interested we can let you know what the currently are once you contact us.

OneZone Energy Monitoring II

2010-05-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

This is the web based solution that OneZone Solutions offers with the power management installation. The emonitor allows you to see real time consumption (dial on the left), carbon footprint (feet on right) and then offers a complete breakdown of how your power is being consumed circuit for circuit.

There are tabs at the top right of the screen that offer a further analysis of your buildings / house energy consumption. All are valuable tools that allow occupants to adjust their behavior to increase their savings and overall sustainability.

OneZone Energy Monitoring

2010-05-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

Finished Install of the new Emonitor system that can measure real time power consumption. Also gives a breakdown of consumption to the circuit lever, meaning we can see how much the dryer is using versus the AC versus the refrigerator etc.

This install was on an existing home in the Charleston area. Since install, a few things were discovered that lead to instant savings, that by the end of year will cover the cost of the system. A bad window unit on the accessory structure was shorting out and was causing an additional $50.00 to $100.00 per month and had been doing so for the past 6 months.

Other photos in this post are of the inside of the interior main breaker panel and the additional recessed box we installed.

422 Green Roof / Green Roof Outfitters

2010-05-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

Green Roof Outfitters supplied the pre-planted roofing tiles for the 422 Project. Here you can see them set-up on the roof perimeter as the interior is going to be decked and used as an entertaining area.

Requiring minimal water and using specialized soil and rock material, the small extremely hardy plants thrive on the roof-top and are growing each and every day. We have also seen some power savings due to the plants ability to absorb heat from the hot summer sun as well as absorb rainwater which will help decrease run-off.

Eventually the plants grow outward and actually "link" the tiles together so that they act as one "green roof".

422 Progress

2010-05-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

Project 422 is nearing completion. Will continue to update photos as well as keep all informed on how the OneZone Energy Monitoring system is doing. We have already had success in diagnosing a bad window unit which has saved us anywhere from $50 to $100 per month in power bill savings.

Below is a custom SDB Cedar Butcherblock countertop with Viking stove that is the pivotal point of the kitchen. Ikea cabinets and Paperstone countertops complete the basics. Radiant floor system functioned well through the winter and kept our feet cozy during one of the coldest winters on record for SC.

Container House

2010-05-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Intitial design concept for West Ashley Container House Project. Send me your info and I can include those interested at igoogle project so that you can view the project as it develops.

Jackson Hole

2010-05-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

Time to remember what is important (See PIC) and clear the mind that tends to get wrapped up in the day to day of things. Things are moving along nicely and trying to focus on finishing up an MBA in Sustainable Construction, thus quite a few books, all of which are actually very interesting including one titled Natural Capitalism. Everyone should give it a read on the potential for what we can do to make things work more sustainably in this world and at the same time still maintain profitable businesses and create employment.

Current projects that are underway are as follows:

Interior Stair for 425 residence. 3 floors of hand shaped recycled steel stairs with floating treads. Awaiting final plan sets, then will start production shortly.

Jackson Hole WY presentation about OneZone Solutions Energy Dashboard. Visit the link to see what that is all about. We have a location for the presentation now but are still looking to lock in date and time so stay tuned.

West Ashley Container House project, custom for private client. Small 2000 sqft residence either using old shipping containers for the structure and walls or feasibly for cost concerns Eco-Steel for the structure.

Downtown "Sky" project. Another steel project possibly using Eco-Steel for the structural and exterior shell. Everyone keep fingers crossed as we hope to land this project within the next 6 months.

Opening Day

2010-05-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to SUSTAIN DESIGN BUILD LLC's blog. As time moves along we will be updating this site with current projects, our advances, our withdrawals, what works, what doesn't in the areas of sustainable construction from the beginnings with our concepts to the actual construction practices and then finally we will also explore components that SDB uses within our projects. Thanks for visiting and please send comments as the interaction is what makes all of us learn how to improve.