"Friendly" Paints, Sealers, Adhesives and Solvents - low-toxic formulas reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.
Extra Energy Efficient Shell - going beyond code, the home provides a quieter, more comfortable interior prized by homeowners.
Recycled-Content Carpeting - looks and performs like conventional synthetic carpeting; is highly resistant to fading, stains, and static shock.
Natural Alternatives to Wood Flooring - in flooring and countertops, bamboo, cork, linoleum, for example, offer a natural look while being more stable and more long-lasting than conventional products.
Innovative Bio-Composite Products - new products add decorative flair to a home on the market.
Recycled-Content Ceramic Tile - performs like conventional ceramic tile.
"Friendly" Insulation - a variety available including low toxic, recycled content, and high density options.
Quality Enhancing Exterior Features
Fiber Cement Siding - lasts 30 years longer than conventional siding products and is easier to maintain.
Drought Tolerant Landscaping - protects and beautifies the site, reduces water consumption and routine yard maintenance.
Erosion Control and Preservation of Topsoil during construction not only protects soil from washing away into streams, but reapplying topsoil after construction helps plants grow better and require less irrigation.
Dollar Saving Features of Built Green
Advanced Framing Technique - provides more insulation while saving lumber costs by 10% or more.
Passive Solar Siting and Design - uses nature's energy, not the utility's, to supplement heating and lighting.
Radiant Floor Heating - generating an ambient temperature of 65 degrees can provide the same comfort as a forced air system generating an ambient temperature of 72 degrees, shaving 20% to 40% off heating bills.
Compact Fluorescent Lighting - uses one-quarter to one-third as much electricity as incandescents and last 10 times longer.
Front Loading (Horizontal-Axis) Clothes Washers - use one-third as much water as conventional washers, reducing water and energy use by two-thirds. They are also quieter and cause less wear on fabrics.
Native Landscaping - reduces water consumption as much as 50%, requires less maintenance and little or no chemical treatments.
Water-conserving Showerheads and Faucets - can cut hot water use in half, saving a family of four 14,000 gallons of water a year and the energy required to heat it.
The federal government is attempting to take lead in endeavoring to move toward Green homes and building via the Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA). First there is ENERGY STAR, which is a joint program of the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
Their site states that if you want to save your life and the environment, in so few words, you should follow these guidelines:
If looking for new household products, look for ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR. They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy.
If looking for a new home, look for one that has earned the ENERGY STAR.
If looking to make larger improvements to your home, EPA offers tools and resources to help you plan and undertake projects to reduce your energy bills and improve home comfort.
In fact, the EPA has become the first federal agency to be powered %100 by green technology. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has closed a deal making it the first federal agency to purchase renewable energy, or "green power," equivalent to 100 percent of its annual electricity needs. The agency signed a contract with 3 Phases Energy Services to purchase more than 100 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in renewable energy certificates, effective Sept. 1. The arrangement extends annual green-power purchases to more than 190 EPA facilities nationwide.
This green-power purchase brings the agency total to nearly 300 million kWh per year, which is equivalent to 100 percent of the electricity EPA uses nationwide annually. It is enough electricity to power 27,970 homes for a year.
(source)One of the simplest ways to save money on heating and cooling is to replace your old insulation with environmentally friendly products. You can purchase insulation made from old denim scrap or recycled newspaper and the costs post-installation range in the $700 area.
There are options out there for people who are ready to get serious about their health, their wallet and the environment. Simply Google searching the term “Green House” will bring 100’s of advertisements for “green” products and contractors not to mention all the news that fit to print in newsletters and papers that don’t make the mainstream news cycle.
If you are planning to build a new home, are interested in just trying to cut some costs, are interested in having a house that isn’t slowly killing you, or are interested in a hot and rising investment opportunity, you should check out what’s new in the world of Green Homes.
