Joe Foster's Blog

As the health of our environment and our own personal wellness become issues of greater importance, the demand for eco-friendly homes continues to rise. Home builders and developers have responded to this rising demand, and are building "green" properties in greater numbers. While "green" has become quite the buzzword when it comes to home building and design, what exactly it means isn't always clear. There are a few standards for eco-friendly homes, but the term "green" doesn't have a universal meaning. So how does a consumer know when a “green” home is actually built with an ecological focus, or at least enough of one to justify its price?

A home must contain at least 3 of the following 5 elements to be considered green:

1. Energy Efficiency,

2. Indoor Air Quality,

3. Resource Efficiency,

4. Water Conservation; and

5. Site Management (A home's exterior use of water resources and electricity).

In order to conserve electricity and make your home more energy efficient, green properties utilize the power of solar energy. Installation of solar panels can provide most or all of the electricity that a home may need. While this solution can be relatively expensive, homeowners can easily recover the cost of their initial investment over time by the money saved on their electric bills. Solar water heaters, which are relatively inexpensive, are a great way to heat your home's water without the need for electricity or natural gas. Green property may also include radiant roof barriers and upgraded insulation, which can also greatly reduce your home's consumption of energy. Low-E windows and exterior sunscreens are extremely effective in lowering the amount of exterior heat that your home absorbs. If you can keep the heat out, you will use less electricity!

Beyond energy efficiency is improving the indoor air quality. The use of non-toxic, or at least less-toxic, materials is important in "green" homes. Look for a home with low VOC paints. (VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are toxins that gas-off from conventional paint.) Remember the lighter the pigment, the lower the VOC's, so white or off-white walls are healthier than some of the bolder, trendy colors. This is because it is the paint base that is quality controlled, but it is impossible to take the VOC's out of some pigments.

Another interior detail that is popular for eco-friendly homes is bamboo or cork flooring. Bamboo flooring is gaining popularity because it is versatile and comes in a variety of styles and colors. Cork is another great option because it is sustainable to harvest - removing cork does not damage the cork tree, as it replenishes its cork bark every year anyway. Cork makes a lovely, soft and springy floor surface that is also naturally warmer than many other flooring options.

Next look at the windows, are they double-paned? Windows can be a huge source of energy loss, as can appliances. Look for energy star appliances and make sure you keep any filters cleaned to ensure that your appliances are running as smoothly as possible. Air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters and all other appliances within the home should be of the highest standard of energy efficiency. In addition, compact fluorescent lights should be used throughout the home, or replaced by LED lights wherever those are suitable.

Check out the placement of duct work. If there is more warm weather than cool weather the air ducts should be high. Likewise, in a cool climate the ductwork should be low. Also, you should not be able to feel any drafts around doors. Of course, insulation is extremely important, so ask if the owner or builder can document the insulation installed. If insulation is the only thing lacking, you can have it installed to up the energy efficiency.

Water conservation is the next thing to look at. Low water use toilets are a must, and those that have different flush options are extra eco-conscious. These options allow you to have a more efficient flush for solid waste, while liquid waste just gets much more conservative flush. Shower heads, washing machines, faucets and dishwashers can also be equipped to limit the water used without compromising function.

Outside the home leaves plenty of room for "green" considerations, too. Xeriscaping is a popular means of landscaping utilizing plants native to the area being built in. These plants are naturally drought-resistant because they are acclimatized to the local environment, needing less watering and maintenance than lawns or beds full of foreign flowers.

Another "green" outdoor trend is utilizing permeable paving stones. These actually absorb water, which then is naturally filtered through the earth and goes back into the ground-water supply. These avoid the toxic run-off that can be caused by water rushing over cement and into drains, carrying oil and exhaust residue straight into the drainage system, which ultimately ends up being a nearby body of water.

Buyers can enjoy a multitude of benefits associated with the ownership of eco-friendly properties, not the least of which is significant annual savings on energy bills. Most of all, owners of green properties can take comfort in knowing that they're effectively doing their part to contribute to a healthier environment.