The NW Green Home Tour: New Social Equity Projects

No matter at what scale you examine the impacts of Climate Change, the people with the least resources are impacted the most while contributing the least to the problems involved. It’s not hard to understand this dynamic. The more impoverished a person is, the more likely it will be that they live in a place with environmental challenges. Yet this aspect of ‘eco-friendliness,’ and sustainability often goes unaddressed by even the most conscientious of efforts to mitigate negative environmental impacts.  

This makes two of the new entries into the 2021 NW Green Home (Virtual) Tour exciting additions: Facing Homelessness’ BLOCK Project and the BIPOC Sustainable Tiny Art House Community (BIPOC STAHC)

Both of these great endeavors incorporate green and sustainable building practices, literal small footprints, and community building. Unlike most ‘green’ building projects, they also address inequities as they apply to sustainability.

Facing Homelessness’ BLOCK Project takes a highly creative approach to addressing the issue of houseless people. Not only do they design and build astonishingly clean and comfortable tiny homes using environmentally friendly materials and techniques, they locate these homes in the backyards of generous neighborhood residents. And they proactively seek the input of the entire neighborhood in doing so.

The actual small footprint of these homes automatically make their carbon footprint low. But it doesn’t stop there. If scaled up to a more ‘normal’ square footage, these homes would still maintain a small carbon footprint. And, on top of that, the project provides homes with all the amenities needed to help break a people out of the vicious cycle that, otherwise, keeps the houseless in their predicament.

Mighty Energy Solutions and Ducoterra are proud to have provided the infrared radiant heating systems for these wonderful tiny homes. And Mighty House Construction is also proud to sponsor this entry into the Green Home Tour. It is an honor to take a small part in this notable approach to the pernicious cycle of homelessness experienced by more and more people.

BIPOC Sustainable Tiny Art House Community (BIPOC STAHC) is taking a similar approach to a slightly different challenge. Seattle is losing artists in droves as housing becomes more expensive. And making art often requires spaces, equipment, and amenities that are also becoming less and less affordable. Most artists already face financial challenges by virtue of the difficult realities of art economics. This situation is made even more untenable when compounded by the social inequities experienced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC.)

Some artists move into vulnerable neighborhoods – partly for the lower costs – and apply their creativity to the betterment of their community. But this tends to lead to gentrification as these neighborhoods get noticed for this creativity and ‘hipness.’ This is a disaster for the existing residents and, very often, the artists themselves as more privileged people move in and drive up property values up – along with the cost to live there.

So, in order to overcome this conundrum, BIPOC STAHC is working to build a non-gentrifiable community of tiny, eco-friendly homes in a healthy setting with access to a larger, shared set of amenity spaces. This will improve the living conditions, affordability, and provide the opportunity to build wealth for disenfranchised artists of, so far, low privilege. Going from renting a tiny, unaffordable apartment in a dirty, industrial part of town to owning an, albeit small, but clean and healthy home in a community of creative people is certainly a move in a better direction for everyone involved. And, since any city planner will tell you, diversity and the arts are significant factors in the health of a city, this project will be a boon to the city and the region as a whole.

We sincerely hope these types of solutions gain traction as we move into a cleaner, more sustainable way of life.

Please be sure to check out the 2021 NW Green Home (Virtual) Tour for all it has to offer. And do not miss the chance to learn more about these amazing Social Equity initiatives:

Facing Homelessness’ BLOCK Project:  Saturday, May 15 |  9 am – 11:30 am
BIPOC Sustainable Tiny Art House Community: Saturday, May 1 |  9 am – 11:30 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020 Northwest Remodeling Expo

2020 Northwest Remodeling Expo

Friday, Jan 24 – Sunday, Jan 26

Washington State Convention Center
Halls 4EF 800 Convention Place, Seattle, WA 98101

GET YOUR FREE TICKETS HERE! (Just print and present at the event.)

The 2020 Northwest Remodeling Expo brings together hundreds of local and regional home improvement companies for one weekend only. Bigger and better than ever– at Seattle’s comprehensive “one stop” home improvement marketplace, you’ll discover new resources and companies to help you update and maintain your home.

Geo Lafontant, from our team, will be presenting at the Expo during the seminar session Big Heat for a Small Footprint to talk about innovative and efficient infrared heating solutions for small and multi-use spaces that tread lightly on the planet at 4 PM on Saturday, January 25 at Stage Left. Click here to register for the seminar.

Come and visit us at Booth #1012!

Mighty Energy Session at Built Green Conference: 9/14

Mighty Energy Session at Built Green Conference: 9/14

Mighty Energy is proud to sponsor this year’s Built Green Conference on September 14th! A great way to end the summer, this event brings together professionals throughout the green building industry. The day includes sessions, speakers, and boundless opportunities to learn and connect with others excited about sustainability. This year’s keynote speaker, Alan Durning of the Sightline Institute, will discuss the intersections of green building, affordability, equity, and building policy/zoning. We’re also excited to announce that Mighty Energy will be hosting a conference session this year!

Heat – It’s Not Just Your Grandfather’s Forced Air Anymore!

This will be an interactive panel discussion on various types of efficient heat and their applications, moderated by our very own, Laura Elfline. From infrared on your ceiling, to radiant floors and heat pumps, industry experts will discuss the best solutions for many situations:

Is a heat pump really the most efficient heat source? Is it cost effective to put radiant floors in remodels? Why put heaters on the ceiling if hot air rises? If you’ve ever wondered about these questions, this session is for you! Our region has a goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. To accomplish this goal we need to complete multitudes of deep green energy new construction and retrofits in our existing residential and commercial building stock. Heating systems are a major factor when it comes to green construction and retrofits, and builders and designers need to stay abreast of the best energy efficient solutions for different situations. Eco-friendly heating solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Remodels often require a completely different heating system from newly-built homes, which are in turn, fully distinct from multi-family projects. In an expert panel compromised of professionals in the breadth of efficient heating solutions we will look at the variety of options for efficiently and effectively staying comfortable and the newest innovations in the marketplace, how to utilize new solutions as standalone or hybrid solutions, how systems perform in a variety of scenarios, and will discuss the best applications for each solution, along with available rebates. Panelists will also share case studies of winning and lasting applications that made a difference for their clients and the community. We hope to see you there!

 

 

September 14, 2017 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

 

Cascadia College | 18345 Campus Way Northeast Bothell, WA

 

Register here.

Spring Radiant Heat Open Houses

Spring Radiant Heat Open Houses

Mighty Energy Solutions will be opening our home showroom to building professionals and homeowners on three Wednesdays this spring: March 22, April 19, and May 17.

Attending an open house is an opportunity to see our Ducoterra SolaRay Radiant Ceiling Panels in action. Even spring in the Pacific Northwest can be tough, but not with Infrared Radiant Heat Panels! These panels provide cozy, healthy, and efficient heat all year long. You’ve got to see it to believe it! Come experience this comforting heat yourself at our open house.

March 22 | April 19 | May 17

3108 SW Webster St, Seattle, WA 98126

Morning Session 7:30-10:30 AM
Afternoon Session 3:00-6:00PM
[or mid day by appointment]

RSVP‘s appreciated, but not required.

NorthWest Green Home Tour: April 29-30

NorthWest Green Home Tour: April 29-30

Join us!

Saturday April 29, 2017 | Westwood Addition at 9323 31st Place SW

11am – 5pm | FREE TICKETS

This Westwood Addition by LD Arch Design, transformed a typical one-story war-box home into one that is intriguing, yet approachable with modern, super-functional design for an expanding family. The project consisted of adding a second story with a master bedroom and bath, a family sized porch, and a kitchen refresh. Features include Infrared Radiant Ceiling Panels and many other DEEP GREEN solutions for healthy indoor air quality and minimal impact on the planet.

The homeowners had an existing single-head ductless heat pump that was re-used to heat the main space, but they didn’t want to spend the extra money to add a second head for the upstairs. Infrared radiant ceiling panels installed in the master bedroom and bathroom were the perfect solution. They were installed in the areas where the DHP would be less effective, providing a super-efficient and cozy heating system for the entire home.

 

Low-profile and out of the way, radiant ceiling panels also seamlessly complemented the exquisite design by Parie Hines (LD Arch Design) to create a warm, bright, and welcoming master suite.

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The tour will also feature Model Remodel‘s Columbia City Backyard Cottage heated with Infrared Radiant Ceiling Panels. It was designed by Sheri Newbold of Live-Work-Play Architecture to maximize low-cost, efficient solutions. RCPs provide efficient, cozy heat throughout the compact space from a simple and aesthetically pleasing source. Read more about the project here.

Saturday April 29, 2017 | 4720 S Dawson St | 11am – 5pm 
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Infrared Radiant Ceiling Panels are also featured at Molly’s Pocket Mansion! This 800sf  DADU was designed and built by  S.A.G.E. Designs NW and LastingNest to maximize ease of living, natural lighting, and quiet in the space.
Saturday April 29, 2017 | 11am – 5pm | 2608 46th Ave SW

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You’ll have another chance to see Radiant Ceiling Panels in action at the Frelard Net Zero Ready House on Sunday, April 30th. Built by Abode Builders, this project showcases how RCP’s can complement your net zero goals! Read more here.
Sunday April 30, 2017 | 355 NW 46th St
11am – 5pm | FREE TICKETS

See you there!