Most people understand that being eco-smart is better for the environment and more efficient than the norm, but without a real standard to compare to, ‘green’ can be very subjective. If someone advertises their product is ‘low fat’ because it has 50% less fat than the original product, but it still has 12g of fat per serving, it is NOT low fat! The same is true with ‘green’ building. It can be subjective, but there are standards that need to be held to that are significantly better than just meeting code. Just because it is code compliant and better than methods from a couple of years ago does not make it green.
The words green, eco-smart or wise, and earth friendly are all ways to say the same thing. Though like the word ‘quality’, they can mean different things to different people, depending on who they are and what they want. A true green contractor will implement methods, strategies, and products that use renewable resources, help use less energy, recycle, make use of recycled products, lessen the product use risk to the health of the user, and overall leave a smaller carbon footprint in their wake compared to other products. There are many ways this can be done to varying degrees, but keep in mind that practically every facet of your home can utilize some or all of these methods. I can’t talk about all in one article, so keep watching for more, but I will address some major methods today.
Several of the easiest to notice and understand ways of green building are the ways to lessen the impact of your house to the use of fossil fuels. Adding solar panel arrays, solar water heaters, rainwater collection, and passive heating and cooling are just some of the methods to get you off the grid. Utilizing the collection of rain is not just practical, but may soon be necessary, and with a well planned system you don’t even need a back up in place. Trucking in water during droughts is not very difficult if needed. Solar panels will soon cost less than power from the grid from a cost per kWh anyway, so why not take advantage of current rebate programs and get some solar power now at highly reduced out of pocket expense. A 4 to 5kW system can be installed for around $5000 after available rebates and cut your electric bills in half!! With that kind of Rate of Return, everybody should be doing it.
Another big noticeable feature would be low or no-VOC paint and glue products. VOC’s are volatile organic compounds that at the least are an irritant and allergen, and at the worst are carcinogens. When I went into the first house that I know of that used no-VOC paint and cabinet products, I could not believe how GOOD it felt to breathe. Low VOC paint products are about double the cost of regular paint, but when you look at the price of the overall cost of the project and the overall benefit to your health and the environment, I don’t know how regular paint is not now looked at like lead-based paint! We should not be using it.
Some more major green areas to look at is the use of FSC wood products. FSC certified wood is guaranteed by the Forest Stewardship Council to be harvested from forests that are using environmentally and economically responsible forestry practices from a sustainable source. Anywhere you use wood in your home these products can be implemented. Making sure that all products, even tile and countertops are not using non-renewable resources is a vital part of being a true green builder. Using LED lighting – or at least CFL’s (compact fluorescents) – for lighting is an absolute must.
There are many other ways to make use of green practices, but without standards in place yet, it is hard to quantify the level your house is actually ‘green’. There are, however, organizations that will measure, score, and even certify your home (if it meets the criteria) so that you have an idea to how green it is. USGBA and LEED are the best to use in the area, but even getting Austin Energy to do an energy audit will help you out. Just remember that saying it is green doesn’t mean much, you need to ask what makes it green and compare it to what is normal practice. Using Low-E windows, radiant-barrier roof decking, and energy-star appliances and plumbing fixtures does not make a house green, that is just code-compliant. Green goes beyond code and makes a real difference in the quality of your home, your health, and the environment around you. So lets all think before we start your next project and we can make more than a nicer home, but a more sustainable and responsible one as well!!
Please feel free to call me any time about any question you have with this tip or anything else on your mind at 512.413.9281.
