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How "Green" do you want to be? |
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How "Green" do you want to be?As energy prices go out of sight, the rationale for "Built Green" homes becomes increasingly stronger. Though the state of Colorado is weak with regard to financial incentives for built green homes, there is a strong ethic for ' building green" in the region. The neighboring community of Boulder, for example, is one of two cities in the United States which requires built green specifications for certain types of residential construction or renovation. Consequently, the region is rich in resource personnel with expertise in "built green" construction. Around here, "built green" generally means that homes have some or all of the following attributes: higher quality general construction, energy efficiency, minimal or zero use of interior pollutants and minimal waste of construction materials. In Colorado, to qualify as a built green home, owners and contractors utilize a comprehensive checklist which awards "points" for a specific element of construction. As a simple example, the selection of Energy Starr rated appliances earns points, while selection of appliances without the energy rating does not. The current version of the checklist is a thirteen page document. Bearing in mind that some built green techniques and products increase the cost of initial construction, and some do not, the following are listed as things to think about. Some may become standard across the project and others may be selected as add-ons to the basic price of houses. This list is not inclusive, just provided as food for thought: Siting for maximum solar gain, Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) rather than traditional stud wall construction, insulated foundations, Hardiplank ( a concrete composite) rather than wood siding, Low-e Argon windows, tankless hot water systems, radiant heat--or infloor heating systems, solar panels, wind generated power purchase commitments, bamboo or cork or other renewable flooring, air exchangers in completely sealed homes, and Energy Star appliances. More information, and the current version of the Built Green Checklist can be found at the:
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