Q&A: A Forum for Green Building Experts and Beginners

Are there any vinyl siding and PVC recycling companies or centers located in Connecticut? Is there a source for this information because the DEP in Connecticut has absolutely no information as to where or what to do. They only list PVC as a potential recyclable material. This information would be beneficial to many builders and remodelers throughout our state and throughout New England. It should be posted at the State of Connecticut site also. Thanks for your help.
Ed Palma

To all the earnest participants in this Q&A forum:

My last comment about ADJAC on the "Heat-pump water heater vs. instantaneous water heater" thread was admittedly over the top (as follows):

"Can someone put a leash on ADJAC? He's single-handedly lowered the level of discourse on this site to the sandbox. He suffers from chronic verbal diarrhea, and - like a rabid - dog should be either muzzled or shot."

We are putting a small addition on the rear of a home and adding a second floor. We are reusing the entire floor system and subfloor which is diagonal 1x6. We are reusing about 75% of the exterior walls which are 2x4 with blackboard (or gyp board as it is called around here) and an existing brick veneer. The second floor and addition are obviously all new walls and floors - all roof is new. We are trying to seal the house up to achieve Energy Star. We are concerned that we may not be able to achieve this with all of the gaps in the existing floor.

I am huge advocate of building tight homes. Air leaks, to me, represent poor workmanship that wastes a huge amount of energy. But, just for a minute, I want to be the devil's advocate, primarily because I hear this argument all the time. Tight homes need good, dependable ventilation systems or the occupants will suffer and the durability of the building will suffer......whole house ventilation systems, exhaust fans in bathrooms, hoods, sealed combustion gas appliances, etc.