| Green building is a design process that
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| | energy use by drawing heat from outside
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| grows out of a connection with the
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| | air, using the same technology that air
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| natural landscape. It is a set of
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| | conditioners use to remove heat from
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| informed decisions that considers the
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| | indoor air.
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| site and materials to reduce the cost,
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| | Check with your utility provider for free
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| maintenance, and energy usage of the
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| | diagnostic testing and rebates for high
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| home. Conservation is central to the
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| | efficiency AC systems, insulation, solar
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| green building approach. Green homes are
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| | screens, and weather-stripping.
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| healthier, safer, more comfortable, and
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| | 4) Reduce water needs.
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| cost less to operate. They connect
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| | Native landscaping that is suited to the
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| people to the land and community around
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| | rainfall in your area is fundamental to
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| them. Here are seven green building
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| | building green.
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| ideas:
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| | Keep as much native growth on your lot as
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| 1) Build a passive solar design.
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| | possible.
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| Passive solar design for natural heating
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| | Water pervious materials such as crushed
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| and cooling is practiced throughout the
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| | granite or open paving blocks allow water
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| world under all climate conditions. As
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| | to percolate into the ground.
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| energy costs rise, it is critical to use
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| | Rainwater catchment systems use gutters
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| building orientation, window placements,
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| | and barrels to catch and store water that
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| stone floors, roof overhangs, reflective
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| | falls on roofs.
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| barriers and other techniques to control
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| | Front loading washing machines use less
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| natural solar energy.
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| | energy and water. Some dishwashers use
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| In warm climates, face the broad side of
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| | less water and have no-heat drying. Check
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| the house to the north or south, to avoid
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| | water and energy usage before buying
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| excessive heat gain as the sun rises and
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| | appliances.
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| drops in the horizon. Use deep overhangs
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| | Low flow toilets and shower heads reduce
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| or solar screens to shield glass areas
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| | water usage.
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| from direct sun. Avoid skylights or
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| | Reduce water and fertilizer needs by
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| greenhouse rooms, because they allow too
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| | re-cycling yard waste and leaves for use
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| much heat gain.
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| | as mulch.
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| In colder climates, solar heat can be
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| | 5) Use renewable or recycled materials.
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| captured and stored in materials such as
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| | Consider decks made of waste wood and
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| concrete or stone to be slowly released
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| | plastic, such as Trex or other brands.
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| during the evening.
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| | Medium density fiberboard (MDF), a wood
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| An open floor plan optimizes the effect
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| | product used for interior trim and doors,
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| of passive solar heating or cooling.
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| | does not contain formaldehyde.
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| Doors and windows should be placed to
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| | Fiber-Cement siding, trim, and pipe
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| catch the prevailing breeze and allow
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| | materials (Hardie Board) are very
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| cross ventilation.
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| | durable, rot resistant, and fire
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| Lower inflow windows and higher outflow
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| | retardant.
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| windows keeps air moving, as hot air
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| | Use locally produced, and easily renewed,
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| rises.
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| | materials when possible.
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| A thermal chimney uses a hot zone, such
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| | Consider alternative building materials,
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| as a glass cupola with windows or vents,
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| | such as rammed earth, straw bale or
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| to create rising air currents to pull air
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| | insulated concrete panels.
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| through the building.
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| | Concrete floors utilize the foundation
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| Double glass panes provide an insulating
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| | material as finish floor, saving
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| air space between the panes, reducing
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| | materials and labor.
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| heat transfer.
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| | Recycled wood floors are a very
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| The metal oxide coating on Low-E
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| | attractive re-use of materials.
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| (emissive) glass helps to keep solar heat
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| | Bamboo floors are made from a rapidly
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| out, and interior heat in.
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| | renewable source - bamboo is a grass that
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| 2) Ventilate attic spaces.
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| | can grow several feet per day.
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| In hot climates, attic spaces can
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| | Hard surface floors do not hold dust,
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| accumulate heat, transferring it to
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| | molds, and allergens, and are very
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| living areas below. AC ducts located in
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| | durable.
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| the attic will absorb this heat.
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| | Use materials with recycled content when
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| In cold climates, moisture can accumulate
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| | possible, such as cellulose insulation,
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| in unventilated attic spaces, causing
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| | Thermo-ply, and lumber composites.
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| wood rot or mold.
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| | Plan for a place to re-cycle household
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| Continuous eave and roof ridge vents
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| | trash, such as a storage bin in the
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| will create natural air flow through the
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| | kitchen, and holding bin in the garage.
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| attic. Air enters through the eave vents,
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| | 6) Safeguard your site.
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| and moves out through the ridge vents.
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| | Trees, vegetation and bird habitat on the
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| As heated air rises, it ventilates the
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| | site should be protected during the
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| attic.
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| | construction.
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| Lighter colored roof materials absorb
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| | Native trees, grasses, rock outcroppings
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| less heat.
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| | and natural drainage can be made a part
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| Reflective heat barriers on the underside
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| | of your building and landscaping design.
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| of the roof deck help to reduce heat
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| | Reduce the impact to the building site as
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| gain.
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| | much as possible.
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| High levels of insulation in attics and
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| | Make sure construction waste is properly
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| exterior walls is crucial for comfortable
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| | disposed of, especially paints and
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| indoor temperature in all climates.
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| | solvents. Do not allow them to be buried
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| Some research is being done on building
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| | on the site.
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| sealed, highly insulated attics.
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| | 7) Use safe materials.
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| 3) Optimize your heat and AC systems.
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| | Use products that are biodegradable, non
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| An oversized system will cool too
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| | toxic, water based, and cold water
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| quickly, and leave the room clammy.
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| | compatible.
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| Smaller systems run long enough reach the
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| | Avoid products that contain dyes, ozone
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| desired temperature, and, at the same
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| | depleting chemicals, heavy metals,
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| time, clear the air of humidity.
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| | formaldehyde, or known carcinogens.
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| A smaller system lasts longer, does not
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| | Avoid solvent based finishes,
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| cycle on and off frequently, and costs
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| | particleboard, adhesives, some carpets,
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| less to purchase.
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| | and other products that release volatile
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| Check for leaks in duct work joints, and
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| | chemicals into the air.
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| around windows, doors, attic stairs,
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| | Look for green rated labels on carpets
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| exhaust pipes, recessed lights, and
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| | and other products.
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| electric outlets. Ongoing maintenance of
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| | Remove old-style pressure treated wood
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| central air systems is necessary to
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| | when possible, especially in play
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| prevent air loss.
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| | structures.
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| Use programmable thermostats to regulate
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| | Green building is an approach to design
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| your energy usage.
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| | and construction that respects the
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| Use Pleated-Media Filters in AC
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| | environment and conserves resources. It
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| return-air grills. This filter removes
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| | is a common sense approach that is
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| particles as small as mold spores from
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| | available to all home owners. Green
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| the air that is drawn back into the AC
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| | building techniques create a more cost
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| blower, keeping coils cleaner and
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| | effective, enjoyable and sustainable home
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| improving the air quality in your home.
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| | to live in.
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| Heat pumps on electric furnaces reduce
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