Bringing Green to The Mainstream

June 28, 2008
Lynnsy Logue The Real Estate Lady® and Condo Cando® in Charlotte, NC

Homeowners and builders find going green is a balance of cost and concerns for the environment.
In 1970, Kermit the Frog sang "It's not easy bein' green," and today's homeowners are feeling his plight as they try to balance costs and concerns for the environment. While the initial cost of "going green" is still a significant deciding factor, there are several benefits. Homeowners are doing something positive for the environment, their families and the future by saving
energy and resources. There are also sometimes rebates and credits to encourage people to incorporate green building practices. Many lenders now offer energy efficient mortgages. To learn more, visit http:/f.Nww.dsireusa.org/, the Web site for the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. The database is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (lREC) funded by the U.S.
Department of Energy.
What actually is green building or remodeling?
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), a home can be considered green when energy efficiency, water and resource conservation, sustainable or recycled products, and indoor air quality considerations are incorporated into the home building process. Key components of a green home include:
Energy- Efficient Features
Many energy-efficient qualities of a green home are easy to spot. Appliances, windows, and water heating systems will likely have ENERGY STAR@ ratings. The home should also include efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs. Renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic electricity and water heating systems, further decrease the overall energy consumption
within the home.

Water-Efficient Features
Fixtures and appliances such as low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets -along with ENERGY
STAR@ dishwashers and washing machines -all conserve water. Programmed, low-volume irrigation systems, rainwater collection systems, wastewater treatment systems, and hot water recirculation systems also save water.
Resource-Efficient Features
These decisions -from home size, to orientation of the lot, to floor plan layout -are made in the design of your home and development of the lot. The house orientation and design should take advantage of natural daylight to reduce lighting needs, and should use strategies to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. The home should contain renewable materials (including rapidly-renewable wood species such as bamboo) and recycled-content materials in carpets, tiles, and concrete formulations.
Indoor Air Quality Features
The heating, air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC) must be appropriately sized for an efficient and properly ventilated home. Fans in the kitchen and bathrooms should cycle fresh air inside, and release stale air. Low-VOC paints and finishes and wall papers should be used as well. NAHB has developed the NAHB National Green Building Program, a comprehensive resource on green building and remodeling at www.nahbgreen.org. .
Source National Association of Home Buiiders (NAHB) www.nahb.org
As a disclaimer: I am not a proponent of bamboo flooring and would personally do more research. Wall papers trap moisture. Light bulbs with mercury are on my watch list and hopefully, another option will appear.
I have included links where you may find other good articles on the National Home Builders site:
www.nahb.org our source for this article on going green.

Lynnsy Logue The Real Estate Lady® and Condo Cando® in Charlotte, NC