So you've decided that you're committed to "going green" and making a difference to help preserve our planet. San Tan Adobe congratulates you on your choice to help our environment. Learn how to take your worthy desire to places you never dreamed possible, like the construction of your new home. Natural adobe is made from clay, sand and water that require less energy to produce than traditional lumber and brick building supplies. Adobe buildings have existed on earth for thousands of years. The ancients had the right idea when it came making an environmentally friendly building material and didn't even realize it, but their ideals still continue today. Modern technology allows adobe to withstand the test of time and weather conditions (rain, wind, etc.) just like other building materials, while still maintaining its green standard as well.  In Su Casa's Spring 2008 magazine feature on green building, adobe construction professor and president on the board of directors for the Adobe Association of the Southwest, Quentin Wilson stated, "I would say that adobe is the standard by which anything else is measured." Adobe produces only 10% of the environmental impact than that of traditional construction materials; even those claiming to be environmentally friendly like ICF.   While considering what material to use in the construction of your new home you may have come across ICF, or Insulated Concrete Form. ICF boasts its environmentally efficient status, but in truth the manufacturing and creation of ICF has a large impact on the environment unlike adobe. In addition to efficient manufacturing, adobe also produces a smaller carbon footprint in everyday use. A carbon footprint is a measure of the how activities impact the environment, especially in the area of climate change. Factors like the burning of fossil fuels for transportation, heating, electricity and the emissions of greenhouse gases are all considered in calculating a carbon footprint. So why does adobe have a smaller carbon footprint? San Tan Adobe can create all the adobe needed for the average single family home on only 50 gallons of biodiesel. Biodiesel comes from used fryer grease and eliminates the need to rely on gasoline and diesel fuels in constructing your home with adobe. The environmental benefits of adobe extend beyond just the building of your new home as well. In terms of everyday usage, adobe bricks also have a higher thermal mass than other construction materials available. Thermal mass refers to a material's capacity to store heat. Adobe happens to have a very high thermal mass and captures solar energy from the sun to efficiently heat and cool any home. The heat stored in adobe based on its high thermal mass provides a barrier during the day to keep temperatures within the home comfortable and slowly releases the heat from the sun into the house during the course of the evening when its colder which means smaller monthly utility bills as well. Typically going green means spending more, but thankfully not with adobe. Veering away from traditional building materials like wood and bricks doesn't have to break your bank either. An adobe wall is complete when it is laid up and does not need extra steps like insulation, drywall, stucco, painting, etc. to complete the structure thus causing labor and material costs for adobe homes to be comparable to those of traditional, wood framed houses. San Tan Adobe is here to help guide you through the process of creating your green, dream home today. To get started with San Tan please see our Contact Us page. We look forward to hearing from you!    ...read more

Carbon Footprinting and the construction of your home: is adobe really the answer?So you've decided that you're committed to "going green" and making a difference to help preserve our planet. San Tan Adobe congratulates you on your choice to help our environment. Learn how to take your worthy desire to places you never dreamed possible, like the construction of your new home. Natural adobe bricks are comprised of a mixture of clay, sand and water that requires less energy to produce and build with than traditional lumber and brick supplies. The soil component within adobe bricks is also far more sustainable than cutting down trees for lumber. Another consideration in rating the level of energy efficiency is the disposal of a building material. When the life of an adobe building is completed, the adobe simply returns to the soil it came from. In Su Casa's Spring 2008 magazine feature on green building, adobe construction professor and president on the board of directors for the Adobe Association of the Southwest, Quentin Wilson stated, "I would say that adobe is the standard by which anything else is measured." Overall based on the factors above, adobe produces only 10% of the environmental impact than that of traditional construction materials. The green benefits extend beyond the point of construction as well. Combined with energy efficient creation and assembly of adobe, those with adobe bricks in their home enjoy a smaller carbon footprint during the life of their home as well.A carbon footprint is a measure of the how activities impact the environment, especially in the area of climate change. Factors such as the burning of fossil fuels for transportation, heating and electricity are considered in the calculation in addition to the production of any greenhouse gases.  So why does adobe emit a smaller carbon footprint? In a construction sense the energy spent is entirely human as most adobe bricks are created by hand and simply need sunlight to evaporate the water from the bricks. In terms of ongoing usage adobe bricks have a higher thermal mass and enjoy passive solar capabilities unlike other materials on the market.Thermal mass refers to a material's capacity to store heat. Adobe happens to have a very high thermal mass that when combined with its passive solar ability from the sun, creates a building material that provides excellent energy efficiency in heating and cooling a home. The heat stored in adobe bricks based on its high thermal mass provides a barrier during the day to keep internal temperatures down and slowly releases the heat from the sun into the interior space during the course of the evening.When you're looking to "Go Green," turn to natural adobe bricks for an affordable and attractive solution to the one of the largest energy black holes on the planet today-the construction industry. San Tan Adobe is here to help guide you through the process of creating your dream, green home today! ...read more