By You’ve heard the term “Green Home” by now; perhaps a multitude of times if you have browsed environmental web
sites or magazines. Have you ever wondered what that really means? Are green home builders simply trying to ride the latest eco-fad or is there really some substance to the word “green” when it comes to homes? Why should we care anyways?
Essentially, living green implies being aware of the environment around us. We do our best to consider results of our actions when it comes to our bodies, health and nature around us. Green homes are no different and there’s truly much more to these homes than the philosophy behind it.
An eco-friendly home is a home that—compared with a standard home—uses less energy, water, and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier for its inhabitants. These homes can either be built green from the start, or they can undergo some alterations or remodels later down the road.
5 KEY COMPONENTS
Truly green homes will take into account the following key principals essential to green building and remodeling:
1. Design and size: Good site design and just large enough, as opposed to larger is better. The reality is that a 4,000 square feet home will require more heating, air conditioning and lighting than a 2,000 square feet home. If you really want a sustainable home, choose a smaller size. A green home will also consider orientation on its site to bring abundant natural daylight and to take advantage of any prevailing breezes. This obviously works best if you are a building a new home but you can also keep this in mind when shopping for a re-sale or considering improvements on an existing one.
2. Community connectivity: Located close to work, school, recreation and other basics. The idea is to consider the “walkability” of the neighborhood and whether you will be able to ride a bike to your best friend’s house. Less time in the car – less pollution. More time on the bike or feet – better health. I’m sure you’ll agree – both of the two will reduce your carbon footprint and increase your overall enjoyment of life. You can check your neighborhood’s “walkability” score at www.walkscore.com.
3. Energy and water efficiency: This incorporates things like natural day lighting through the use of skylights or daylight tubes, Energy Star appliances, better home insulation, low E rating windows, dual flush toilets, low flow sinks and shower heads. Increasingly, you will see the use of solar energy to produce hot water with solar hot water heaters and electricity provided by solar panels. In general, people who live in green homes save money by consuming less energy and less water than standard homes. Over the years, that also adds up to big savings.
4. Material selections: Use of sustainable and renewable materials, where possible recycled and/or reclaimed products. Wood-based features should come from rapidly renewable sources like bamboo, but if tropical hardwoods are used, they must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. A green home uses salvaged materials like kitchen tiles and materials with significant recycled content. Some of the most popular updates to do these days are to use recycled glass countertops for your kitchen and install cork flooring. Both look and feel amazing.
5. Indoor air quality: This one is obvious – avoiding the use of toxic materials at all costs. Use only low or no Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints. Keep in mind that materials and even furniture can off gas and slowly intoxicate the inhabitants of a home. One of the most important things is well thought out ventilation to bring fresh air from outside. Remember one general rule here: that new house smell is actually not good for you.
As you see, green homes are not some fancy labeled and awkward dome shaped structures that are reserved only to the taste of the hippies from the 60s. In fact, from outside they may look like any other home but they provide its dwellers substantial benefits like better air, lower bills and a feeling of doing the right thing for the environment.
It’s hard not to be excited about the future of environmentally friendly homes. We are truly at the forefront of green innovation and use of sustainable materials here in California.
Many people run out and protest in front of Congress demanding change but it is our homes that must be at the forefront of our efforts to stem the climate change problem. Our path towards sustainability and a brighter future can truly start at home.
More on Green Homes: http://SanJoseGreenHome.com
