Green Building Impressive Concrete Inc.

Green Building

The concept of green building is being adopted by ever increasing numbers of municipalities, utility companies, professionals and homeowners nationwide. There are many benefits go going green with your building and as the cost of energy delivery continues to wildly fluctuate, change towards alternative energy is being mandated across the country at a vigorous pace.

The first thing to consider is the construction of the building. The second is the heating and cooling source for both air comfort and hot water. The third is the energy source to power the utilities coming into the building. The fourth is the type of lighting, insulating materials and the energy consumption habits of those occupying or managing the building. Below are some of the options now available to homeowners and businesses in and around the Carolinas.

Tilt-Wall Construction

For new construction, building with concrete Tilt-Wall Construction is one of the most efficient ways to begin "going green" and these concrete buildings have exceptional insulating and wind resistant properties to provide the highest in energy-saving advantages - as well as fire retardant properties and in some cases, significant insurance savings! With rising energy costs and the desire to reduce personal and corporate impact on the environment (ones "carbon footprint") has given a lift to the industry of Tilt-Wall construction.

Concrete tilt-up panels have been used for years in the construction of warehouses, office buildings and manufacturing facilities. Their owners have benefited from the speed and lower costs of tilt-up construction, as well as, in many instances, lower lending and insurance rates. Tilt-wall construction offers excellent uniformity in building temperature with its inherent high R insulation rating. This ultimately reduces the energy required to heat and cool the building. Find out more about Tilt-Wall green buildings at our showroom in Myrtle Beach today. Go to our (link to contact database) for an appointment or call us 843-215-2607.

Cooling and Heating

Geothermal or ground source heat pumps work efficiently with warm air ducted heat systems or air handler. Geothermal heat pumps provide a new and GREEN way of heating buildings homes and hot water. They make use of renewable energy from heat naturally stored in the ground and provide one of the most energy-efficient ways of heating and cooling buildings. These heating systems are suitable for a wide variety of building types and are particularly appropriate for low environmental impact or "Green" projects.

Geothermal systems can be installed using a borehole system, shallow trenches or underground ponds. Heat collecting pipes in a closed loop, containing water (with a little antifreeze) are used to extract the stored energy of the earth to heat space and hot water.

Benefits of Geothermal Heat/AC and Hot Water

Geothermal may cut your electric bill by up to 70%! That's a huge savings. Commercial/Industrial buildings and residential homes using conventional heat pumps, oil or gas for central heating and hot water can realize a rapid payback on their ground source heat pump investment. Geothermal is a GREEN comfort solution!

Adaptable.

Heating, air conditioning and constant hot water from the same quiet and compact unit.

Heating comfort.

Geothermal or ground source heat pumps work efficiently with both warm air ducted heat system and air handler systems.

Reliable.

Smooth operation, years of maintenance-free service and attractive warranty packages.

Safe and clean.

No flame no flue, no odors, no fire hazards as with old oil heat or natural gas units.

Low noise and provides comfort and safe operation year after year.

Tax Rebates and Grants

The government, both federal and state, offer special tax rebates for the installation of Geo-Thermal systems in both new construction and remodels. We do all the homework and provide you with the details of what you may qualify for from these sources as well as incentives from your local utility companies.

Solar: True Green Energy

Solar Energy Advantages

1. Saves you money

After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.

The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.

Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost.

If your system produce more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This is called net metering.

It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.

Solar energy does not require any fuel.

It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.

The savings are immediate and for many years to come.

The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.

2. Environmentally friendly

Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.

It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generations does.

Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog.

It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.

It's generated where it is needed.

By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of radioactive waste.

3. Independent/ semi-independent

Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in the event of a power outage.

A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independent, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.

The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events and so contributes to a sustainable future.

Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling local economies.

4. Low/ no maintenance

Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades.

Once installed, there are no recurring costs.

They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells

and do not require you to add any fuel.

More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family's needs grow.

Wind Power

To the right is a wind turbine power generator that is mounted on the roof of Impressive Concrete. This turbine sits atop an 80' tower. Wind Power is becoming a popular way to generate power and to supplement solar panels to achieve a 24 hour source of truly green and renewable power.

This wind turbine is a Bergey XL.1 it combines a number of advanced technical features, including a completely new airfoil, to provide the highest efficiency yet achieved in a small wind turbine at a cost of energy ~ 10% lower than the current price leader. And, the XL.1 carries the industry-leading Bergey 5-year warranty. "We are very excited about the XL.1. We think customers are really going to like this machine" says Tom Baker of Impressive Concrete.

Solar-Thermal Hot Water

Solar water heating systems are generally composed of solar thermal collectors, a fluid system to move the heat from the collector to its point of usage. The system may use electricity for pumping the fluid, and have a reservoir or tank for heat storage and subsequent use. The systems may be used to heat water for a wide variety of uses, including home, business and industrial uses. Heating swimming pools, underfloor heating or energy input for space heating or cooling are more specific examples.

In many climates, a solar heating system can provide up to 85% of domestic hot water energy. See this system in operation at the Impressive Concrete showroom.