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What is a "water resistant barrier" (WRB), examples and misconceptions

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

A water-resistant barrier (WRB) is a material used in construction to prevent the intrusion of moisture into the interior of a building. It is an essential component of the building envelope, designed

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Filed under: Weather Barriers,

0 replies | 5837 views | Posted on: 04/23/2023 | Last updated: 04/28/2023

What is ACH50, and why does it matter?

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

We have been making good progress on the #1920sMakeoverATL learning house. In some content we created about this project, we have thrown out the term ACH50 without explaining why it matters. &nbs

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Filed under: #1920sMakeoverATL,

0 replies | 12230 views | Posted on: 04/23/2023 | Last updated: 04/28/2023

Clean Vapor Becomes a Land Science Certified Applicator

by Rate It Green Team

Rate It Green Gold Company Member Clean Vapor has become a certified spray-applied barrier applicator for the Land Science family of products. Adding spray-applied vapor barriers continu

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Filed under: Health and Air Quality,

Keywords: Indoor Air Quality, IAQ, Radon, vapor intrusion, soil gas, soil gasses, Clean Vapor, Control layers,

0 replies | 1554 views | Posted on: 04/20/2023 | Last updated: 04/28/2023

Hi-Velocity HVAC System for Modern Designed Homes

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

I worked with a high-velocity HVAC system attached to a ground source heat pump a decade ago.  We had to use this system because the architect did not leave us any room for ductwork, so the

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Filed under: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC),

Keywords: Energy Efficiency, HVAC, Ventilation, Heating, Cooling, Air Conditioning, comfort, Hi Velocity,

0 replies | 4930 views | Posted on: 03/27/2023 | Last updated: 12/31/2023

Buildings need to dry- not breathe!

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

Hopefully, by now, most people understand that "Build tight/ ventilate right" is how most green building programs require you to build.  Less understood is the necessity for buildings t

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Filed under: Rain Screen Products,

0 replies | 3924 views | Posted on: 03/27/2023 | Last updated: 05/17/2023

There are more to toilets than just low flow

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

When low-flow toilets were introduced to the market decades ago, they were a complete failure.  Toilet manufacturers took older models and changed a few parts to be compliant.  I even rememb

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Filed under: Other,

0 replies | 2541 views | Posted on: 03/27/2023 | Last updated: 09/01/2023

Niagara's One Piece Phantom Toilet - Save on Water Bills and Look Good Doing It

by Rate It Green Team

 

Niagara’s Phantom One Piece Toilet with Stealth Technology looks great, flushes quietly, and saves on water bills.  We think Green Builder Matt Hoots may have had &n

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Filed under: Toilets,

Keywords: Water Conservation, Toilets, Niagara, One Piece Toilets,

0 replies | 3799 views | Posted on: 03/27/2023 | Last updated: 04/17/2023

Schneider Electric's Home Energy Management Suite - Controlling Comfort, Resilience, and Energy Efficiency in One App

by Rate It Green Team


Green Builder Matt Hoots spoke to Will Shippee of Schneider Electric  at the International Builders Show (IBS) and got a look at Schneider Electric's impressive suite of home energy man
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Filed under: Energy Management,

Keywords: Energy Management, Home Energy Management, Schneider Electric,

0 replies | 4842 views | Posted on: 03/24/2023 | Last updated: 04/17/2023

Plaex Building Systems, Inc. - Modular, Durable Construction Blocks with over 90% Recycled Materials

by Rate It Green Team


Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc. recently spoke with Matt Durnnian of Plaex Building Systems, Inc at the International Building Show (IBS), and really we kept thinking,

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Filed under: Structural Composites,

Keywords: Building Materials, Construction blocks, Waste Stream, Recycled content,

0 replies | 6441 views | Posted on: 03/24/2023 | Last updated: 04/08/2023

Mitsubishi's Ceiling-Mounted, Mini Split, for New Construction and Renovations

by Rate It Green Team


As David Hazel of Mistubishi shared with Green Builder Matt Hoots at the International Builders Show, mini splits heat, cool, and filter effectively, so customer satisfaction with performance ha

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Filed under: Heat Pumps,

Keywords: Energy Efficiency, HVAC, Heating, Cooling, Mitsubishi, Mini Splits, Ductless Mini Splits,

1 replies | 5579 views | Posted on: 02/26/2023 | Last updated: 04/29/2024

Rheem's Plug-In Hybrid Heat Pump Proterra Water Heater - Energy Efficient and Also Great for Retrofits

by Rate It Green Team

 

Rheem was the first manufacturer to launch a plug-in hybrid heat pump water heater, and Green Builder Matt Hoots got an up-close look and spoke with Scott Cohen of Rheem Water

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Filed under: Heat Pumps,

Keywords: Energy Efficiency, Energy Savings, Heat Pumps, Decarbonization, Electrification, Rheem, Heat Pump Hot Water Heaters, Hybrid Heat Pump Hot Water Heaters,

0 replies | 10317 views | Posted on: 02/26/2023 | Last updated: 03/04/2025

The Benefits of Induction Cooking, with SHARP Home Technologies

by Rate It Green Team

 

Why go with an induction stove? Green Builder Matt Hoots had the opportunity at the International Builders show to discuss the benefits of induction technology with Peter Weedfald with S

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Filed under: Induction Cooktops,

Keywords: Energy Efficiency, Health, Indoor Air Quality, IAQ, Safety, Induction, Induction Cooking, Cooking, Electrification, Kitchens,

0 replies | 8245 views | Posted on: 02/25/2023 | Last updated: 03/04/2025

Top 5 reason induction cooking is safer than cooking with gas

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

Induction cooking is superior to gas in many ways, and manufacturers are realizing this and adapting according. In 2021, Zline added induction cooktops to their appliance offerings. When I met them in

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Filed under: Induction Cooktops,

Keywords: Health, Indoor Air Quality, IAQ, Electrification, Safety, Induction, Induction Cooking, Cooking, Gas Cooktops, Kitchens,

0 replies | 6451 views | Posted on: 02/23/2023 | Last updated: 04/10/2023

"Going Green" is cool again?

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

Observations at the 2023 International Builder's Show.

I noticed a new theme at the International Builder's Show this year.  All exhibitors made a point to tell me about their innovati

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Filed under: Appliances,

0 replies | 2655 views | Posted on: 02/18/2023 | Last updated: 04/10/2023

Free Traffic to your Online Presence

by randhampton // Owner of FootForward, a sustainability sector talent marketplace

If you're a certified or experienced green building professional we invite you to post your profile on FootForward.

Your provider listing is all you need to promote, book and receive payment fo

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Filed under: Energy Auditing - Commercial,

0 replies | 746 views | Posted on: 02/08/2023 | Last updated: 02/08/2023

Why everyone is confused about gas and electric cooktops

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

Twenty years ago, I promoted gas appliances to my clients as the best option.  Gas was and is much better at heating the pot than electric options.  As a green builder, I ensured that t

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Filed under: Induction Cooktops,

Keywords: Indoor Air Quality, IAQ, Electrification, Induction, Induction Cooking, Cooking, Gas Stoves, Gas Cooktops, Electric Cooktops, Kitchens,

0 replies | 5805 views | Posted on: 01/23/2023 | Last updated: 04/10/2023

Sustainable Demolition - Donating Furnishings and Building Materials (Reduce Waste AND Save on Taxes!)

by Rate It Green Team


As Matt Hoots of Sawhorse Inc. reminds us, part of green building is wasting less.  There are quite a few ways to reduce waste, but among the simpler methods are throwing fewer items into l

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Filed under: #1920sMakeoverATL,

Keywords: Demolition, Reuse, Georgia, Sustainable Demolition, 1920sMakeoverATL, 1920sMakeoverATL Showhouse,

0 replies | 7350 views | Posted on: 12/02/2022 | Last updated: 03/04/2025

Rate It Green Featured on EveryDay Green Home Podcast with The Green Home Coach Marla Esser Cloos

by Rate It Green Team

Rate It Green was fortunate to be featured recently on The Everyday Green Home Podcast with Marla Esser Cloos.  An expert green home coach, consultant, and educator, Marla talks with he

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Filed under: Green Living,

Keywords: Everyday Green Home, The Green Home Coach, Podcast,

0 replies | 2051 views | Posted on: 12/02/2022 | Last updated: 04/10/2023

High Performance Residential Vapor Barriers - StegoHome and the #1920sMakeoverATL Renovation

by Rate It Green Team

 
For the #1920sMakeoverATL home, Green Builder Matt Hoots of Sawhorse, Inc shares a great example of how designing the foundation right and using sustainable, durable, and quality product
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Filed under: Concrete Accessories,

Keywords: Passive House, ROCKWOOL, Vapor Barriers, Clean Vapor, Slab, StegoHome, Stego Industries, Foundation Layers, Mastic,

1 replies | 4640 views | Posted on: 11/28/2022 | Last updated: 02/27/2023

Hotels of the Future: How is Artificial Intelligence Changing the Hospitality Industry?

by Arloid

The use of AI in the hospitality industry is still in its relative infancy, but the possibilities for adoption are vast. Though technology will never entirely replace the human touch that is at the co

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Filed under: Green Facilities,

0 replies | 819 views | Posted on: 11/24/2022 | Last updated: 12/21/2022

How to Achieve a Smart and Sustainable Built Environment?

by Arloid

The built environment is the center of human life on earth – responsible for an estimated 40% of global GDP, and where we spend the majority of our work and leisure time. However, the built envi

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Filed under: Green Building Finance ,

0 replies | 789 views | Posted on: 11/24/2022 | Last updated: 12/21/2022

How Can Hospitals Reduce Carbon Footprint?

by Arloid

The healthcare sector accounts for 4.4% of net global emissions. In the US, this rises to 10% of total national greenhouse gas emissions. In the UK, the carbon footprint of the NHS stood at 6.1MtCO2e

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Filed under: Green Building Finance ,

0 replies | 569 views | Posted on: 11/21/2022 | Last updated: 12/21/2022

How to Sell the Value of Green Homes and Features, Online Course by Marla Esser Cloos, Available Live or On Demand

by Allison Friedman // Rate It Green Admin

Online Course:  How to Sell the Value of Green Homes and Features
Instructor:  Marla Esser Cloos, also known as the Green Home Coach

*This course is available in two formats, liv

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Filed under: Online Courses,

Keywords: Green Building, Real Estate, Green Real Estate, Green Home Coach, Selling Green, Selling Green Building,

0 replies | 3997 views | Posted on: 11/01/2022 | Last updated: 11/29/2022

Radon Control starts with a good design

by Matt Hoots // Rate It Green Admin

The need for vapor control below the house

The #1920sMakeoverATL is a Passive House renovation in Atlanta, GA.  Not only does Atlanta have lots of rain and humidity, causing the ground to be w

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Filed under: #1920sMakeoverATL,

Keywords: Radon, Radon Testing, Clean Vapor,

0 replies | 6226 views | Posted on: 10/31/2022 | Last updated: 12/21/2022

Artificial Intelligence in HVAC system

by Arloid

Did you know that with the help of artificial intelligence in the HVAC system, you can reduce the carbon footprint in the building and save on electricity bills?

AI-powered energy efficiency. In Ar

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Filed under: HVAC Instrumentation and Controls,

Related to: Sustainable Communities and Developments ,

0 replies | 609 views | Posted on: 09/23/2022 | Last updated: 11/24/2022

 

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