Green Living - What is a Green Home?
Feb 29th, 2008 by Jody McLeod
The term “green” has been tossed around a lot lately and it seems to be filtering in to all parts of our everyday life. It makes sense then, that in my line of work, the question I hear most often is, “Just what is a green home, anyway?”
Here’s the “elevator speech” example explaining a green home:
The difference in a green home is in the details. They are designed and constructed to provide a variety of health and ecological benefits such as improved indoor air quality, energy and water efficiency, a cleaner environment, a smaller carbon footprint, reduced construction impact and lower maintenance costs for the owner.
In essence, it’s about living a better quality life with the least amount of impact on the world around us.
Another part of the explanation is determining green vs. sustainable. Green products are those that have less impact on the environment (Energy Star appliances, engineered lumber); sustainable products are fully renewable (bamboo products, clay flooring) and has the least amount of harmful impact on the environment. Many homes can have a certain degrees of green, but few homes are completely built with 100% sustainable products.
So, what are some of the things you might find in a green home?
- Insulation added to attics, exterior walls, basement walls and floors
- High-efficiency, dual or triple-glazed windows
- A high-efficiency heating system
- Sealed ducts and potential air leak areas
- Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
- Improved Daylighting (natural light)
- Water-efficiency - low flow toilets, showerheads and faucets
- Improved indoor air quality by removing toxic materials in the home and by making sure home is properly vented (no vinyl, low or no VOC (volitile organic compounds) paint, no asbestos, and no mold
- Solar Thermal (hot water) or solar photovoltaic (electricity) system installed
- Energy efficient water heater
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood
- No carpeting unless it is green certified or recycled
In addition, a smaller home is a greener home. Less square footage (1,500 square foot or less) takes less energy to heat, cool and light. Maintence is less on a smaller home and they require less stuff to fill them such as building materials, appliances and furniture.
Be watching for my next post on Green Living - Green Home Certification Programs.
Technorati Tags: Green living, eco home, sustainable, Energy Star, Portland home
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I’am a painting contractor, and for one I’m very glad to see the the manufactures of paint and painting supplies be more green friendly. I have painted all my life and in the last few years have noticed that paint is not making my allergies worse any more. It is a long time coming but at this stage in my life a good change. People have said enough is enough and thats good. I remember when they were first trying to change over to a more earth friendly paint and the product was not very good, but now the products are as good or even better in some ways. It just goes to show that if we want it bad enough we can make it.
Very good article Jody. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, John! I’m excited to share all the information I have been learning about improving our living space and helping the environment at the same time.
And you’re right, enough is enough. Our bodies weren’t meant to breath in all of the toxic chemicals we have been putting into our building supplies.