DIY Network

Green Me Up Do-It-Yourself Projects Two neighboring families take on a do-it-yourself challenge to green up their lifestyles over the course of a month. From "Special Presentation" episode DGMU-S

(Continued from page 3)

Installing an Insulated Attic Ladder

A great way to help prevent air leakage from your attic is to install an insulated attic ladder.

Note: This particular hatch is best suited for ceilings of no greater height than 8'. Before fitting your attic ladder, take ceiling joist location and direction into account. Note that there should be a minimum of 500 mm (20") clearance in front of the frame. The attic opening should be between 575-585 mm (1'10-3/4" - 1'11") wide and 1120-1130 mm (3' 8-1/4" – 3' 8-1/2") long.

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1. Lift the complete unit and push it into the prepared opening. The fixing springs should be holding the unit in position.

2. Bend the springing clips (figure O) over the frame and secure them to the framing.

3. Use shims (figure P) to position it nice and tight.

4. Secure it to the stud with some screws.

5. Measure for the length of the legs (figure Q) and cut them to size.

Figure O

Figure P

Figure Q

	Figure R
	Figure S

Make the Most of the Energy You Use

A great green way to make the most of the energy you use is to install honeycomb-constructed blinds. With honeycomb construction you get a double cell of symphony cellular fabric that provides the best level of insulation possible.

Installing Comfortex Honeycomb Blinds

Materials:

measuring tape
power drill
hex head and/or Philips Driver bit
pencil

1. Make sure mounting surface is level.

2. Measure to edge of brackets and mark hole locations.

3. Pre-drill window casing.

4. Drill the screws into the bracket holes (figure R).

5. Lower bottom rail about an inch to avoid catching the fabric.

6. Snap the top rail into place (figure S) by hooking the front of the head rail and snapping the back of the head rail into the release bracket.

Air Sealing Your Outlets

Materials:

razor blade/knife
caulk
foam gasket for outlet

1. Clean around the outlet with a razor blade knife (figure T).

2. Run a bead of caulk around the edge (figure U).

3. Place a foam gasket over the outlet to seal it (figure V).

Figure T

Figure U

Figure V

Enjoy these "Green Me Up" articles from DIYnetwork.com's sister sites, HGTV.com and HGTVpro.com:

HGTV.com's "Red Hot & Green: Beautiful and Stylish Green Design" package

HGTVpro.com's "How to Get Started Building Green" article

HGTVpro.com's article on "Eight Green-Building Myths"

HGTVpro.com's "Green Remodeling Offers Smorgasbord of Ideas" article

HGTVpro.com's "Air Filters for Allergy Sufferers" article

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RESOURCES :

Energy Star® Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Sealing (PDF file)
Website: Home Sealing Guide

Blower Test Resources
Websites: Infiltec step-by-step outline
U.S. Department of Energy information
Conservation Consultants, Inc. information
WOW Energy information

Green Cleaning Recipes
Website: Seattle King County Public Health Information

Green Car Information
Website: Green Car Company

Green Car Score Sheet
Website: Green Car University

GE Profile CustomStyle™ Energy Star® Side-by-Side With Integrated Dispenser Refrigerator
Model: PSW23PSTSS
Misc. details: 23.2 cu. ft., stainless steel wrapped
Website: GE Appliances Main Page

GE Profile Dishwasher With Smart Dispense Technology
Model: PDW9980NSS
Misc. details: stainless steel
Website: GE Product Page

GE Profile Spacemaker II® Microwave Oven
Model: JEM31SF
Misc. details: stainless steel
Website: GE Product Page

Caroma Dual Flush Toilets
Featured models: Colonial 270 and Caravelle 270
Seat: Colonial / Tank code: 625070W / Bowl code: 605310W
Caravelle — Tank code: 629435W / Bowl code: 989646W
Color: White
Note: Caroma U.S. distribution by Sustainable Solutions.
Website: www.sustainablesolutions.com/products/toilets.php

Green Fiber Cocoon Insulation
GreenFiber
Model: INS551LD
Note: You'll need to figure out which R-Value is appropriate for your region.
Website: www.us-gf.com

Insulated Attic Ladder
Resource Conservation Technology, Inc.
Model: Energy Efficient Attic Ladder
Misc. details: Ladder for ceilings to 104"
Website: www.conservationtechnology.com/downloads/AtticLadder.pdf

Vida Cork Planks
Vida Cork/Environmental Home Center
Misc. details: Bamboo
Website: Product Page

Comfortex Chordless Ultra™ Cellular Shades
Comfortex Window Fashions
Model: Symphony, Linen Prosa 163L
Misc. details: Also known as honeycomb construction, the double cell of symphony cellular fabric provides the greatest level of insulation possible.
Website: www.comfortex.com/cellular/cellular.cfm

Energy Efficient Lighting Fixtures
Destination Lighting
Model numbers: Energy Star Pinecone Wall Lantern (234352), Two-Light Tiffany Ceiling (233057), Tiffany Sconce (10543), Energy Star Single-Light Pendant (22652), Energy Star Hanging Pendant with Scroll Details (22611), Sconce with Alabaster Glass (8178), Hanging Pendant With Alabaster Glass (20121)
Website: Product Page

GE Profile Harmony™ 4.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity King-Size Washer
Model: WPGT9360EWW
Color: White
Website: Product Page

GE Profile Harmony™ Dryer
Model: DPGT750ECWW
Color: White
Website: Product Page

GE® 8.8 Cu. Ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer
Model: FCM9DMWH
Color: White
Website: Product Page

GE CFL Lightbulbs
Website: GE Lighting Page

Simpson French Doors
Simpson Door Co.
Model: Custom-Built Side Light Doors
Website: www.simpsondoor.com

Custom-Built Fireplace Door
Fireplace Door Manufacturing Co.
Model: Cabinet 2 Door
Misc. details: Aspen Leaf design in Ranch Bronze with Wire Backup Doors
Website: www.fdmco.com

The Green Car Co.
Green Car Co. specializes in the sale and service of alternative fuel and high efficiency vehicles, including Hybrid Cars and the Smart Car.
Website: www.thegreencarco.com

Kurrent (Electric Car)
American Electric
Model: Kurrent NV
Website: GetKurrent.com

GUESTS :

Robert Burns
Peterson Family Green Contractor
Envision Homes
Phone: 206-356-7853
Website: www.ecovisionhomes.com

Steve Fradkin
Willis Family Green Contractor
Fradkin Fine Construction
1737 NW 56th St.
Suite 101B
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: 206-706-1123
Website: www.fradkinfineconstruction.com

Dan Wildenhaus
Air Quality Investigator
Atmosphere Indoor Environmental Management
6835 38th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115-7438
Toll-free: 888-562-7150
Website: www.myatmosphere.biz/contact_us.htm

Susan Fahnestock
Green Car Expert
Green Car Co.
1129 8th St.
Kirkland, WA 98033
Phone: 425-820-4549
Website: www.greencarco.com

Tom Watson
Project Manager
King County Recycling and Environmental Services
Website: www.KCecoconsumer.com