Jim Materkowski's blog

Green Building: Roxbury Welcomes Another Passive House

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 15:57

We are proud to be involved in the construction of a passive house in Roxbury. What is a passive house?  A passive house is one in which a comfortable interior climate can be maintained without active heating and cooling systems. While other houses might employ a passive solar design or use alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power to minimize their environmental impact, the passive house is a specific certified building standard conceived and upheld by the Passivhaus Institut in Germany.

Characteristics of a passive house include the following:

  • Heavy insulation: The most

The Green Cocoon Added a New Addition to It's Fleet!

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 14:30

After much ado, we can finally welcome the newest member of The Green Cocoon fleet. Our new 18' box truck is ready and rearing to go.  It is a member of the cellulose division, and will make insulating much faster and more efficient.   Look for our big blue trucks in your neighborhood!

Insulation Is Important Year-Round

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 19:36

Insulation isn't just for the winter months! Heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. In the summer, insulation keeps the walls, ceilings and floors of your home cooler, which eases the load on your air conditioner and lowers your cooling costs. Ask us about insulating your home today! Give us a call at (978) 462-0082.

The Green Cocoon Supports Lung Cancer Awareness

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 18:48

The Green Cocoon supports Lung Cancer Awareness!  Join us along with Team Lung Love in the fight against Lung Cancer at the 2012 Cox Providence Rhode Race Half Marathon in Providence, RI. If you want to run with us or just tag along to show your support then join us! We know that the cure is right around the corner, so we want to do all we can to help. Together we can conquer anything! If you would like to find out more about The Lung Cancer Aliance of the marathon, follow the link below.  See you in May! 
Tags: 
cancer
support
community
marathon

The Quilt Museum in Lowell is Going Green!

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 20:55

The Quilt Museum in Lowell temporarily closed its doors to upgrade their existing insulation and HVAC equipment.  The roof and walls were insulated with soy-based spray foam.  They also upgraded their geothermal heating and cooling systems and now the building is much more eco-friendly and energy efficient.

The Green Cocoon is proud to be a part of the Quilt Museum's history.

 

NSTAR and National Grid Rebates for Oil and Gas Customers

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 19:08

Oil or Gas?  We can offer you a rebate through the Mass Save Utility Rebate Program.  No matter which type of heating you have, as long as you have an account with NSTAR or National Grid you could be eligible for a weatherization rebate. For more information about the rebate program, give us a call at (978) 462-0082 or send us a note from our website.

Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit Extended Through 2011

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 18:11

Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit Extended Through 2011

The Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit was amended and extended through December 2011 by the Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. On January 1, 2011 several characteristics of the credit changed from their 2010 form.

Tags: 
tax credit
energy tax credit
spray foam
insulation tax credit
green insulation

Massive Ice Dams and Exorbitant Energy Costs Solved

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Tue, 07/26/2011 - 16:47

Retirement facility bombarded with ice dams and insane energy costs

  • 1st Step: stop the air leaks with green soy foam in the soffits.

  • The Green Cocoon installs 4" of green soy foam (closed cell) in the soffit areas to keep out cold air in winter and hot air in summer

 

  • 2nd step: prevent hot air from escaping from the living quarters up to the roof, which casues ice dams and wastes energy

  • The Green Cocoon installs 18" depth (R60) loose-fill cellulose (recycled post-consumer paper treated with mineral borate to attain Class I Fire Rating)

Success!! The facility made it through last

Tags: 
green spray foam
soy spray foam
cellulose
ice dams
exorbitant energy costs

All Invited:Seacoast Green Building Coalition tomorrow night 7pm

Submitted by Jim Materkowski
on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 22:37

SGBC meeting at Jewett Farms Studio

Her company, Kessler McGuinness and Associates has over 30 years of experience in providing customized residential design services for elderly and handicapped clients. This should be interesting to many who have aging parents and are looking for quality alternative solutions to nursing homes!

BYOB + friends, snacks, whatever

Networking with Green professionals

Hope to see you there for our usual fun networking and educational evening1
Peter, Juli & Mike

Tags: 
SGBC meeting June 14th 7pm
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