Being Green
This Real Estate Trend has Staying Power.
This week, I learned the Six Elements of Green Building. With a focus on homeowners, here are some basics:
- Design a building to complement a site -- Use the natural topography and orientation, take advantage of natural light to lessen interior electricity consumption, maximize exterior open space with low-maintenance landscaping.
Conserve water -- Pair barrels/cisterns with gutters to recover rainwater for yard use, install water-retaining plumbing fixtures.
Wrap the structure in an efficient envelope -- Take care to seal the portions of the building that touch the environment (walls/windows, roof, foundation), preventing energy leaks and maximizing the efficiency of heating/cooling mechanicals.
Clear the air you breathe -- Make sure fans circulate interior air, maintain humidity levels in the range of 40% to 50%, keep furnishings or materials that have gaseous odors out of the home.
Know what materials you use -- Choose long-lasting material that is consistent with 3 and 4 above. When you have the opportunity, recycling locally-sourced reclaimed material. Today's picture shows recycled wood siding on the wall and ceiling, plus glass tiles and wall panel from a local artist's estate.
Manage to Green -- Tailor heating/cooling use with programmable thermostats, put timers on water heaters, replace regular light bulbs with fluorescents or LEDs, consider getting an energy audit that includes recommendations.
Not everybody will have a green-certified home, but we can all take steps to extend the life and efficiency of our homes, and save some money in the process.