The Green Building Inspector

Green Verified vs Green Certified

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:53:14 -0500

There is no doubt about it. Green is hot! It's everywhere! But, with respect to housing, what's the difference in "Green Verified" and "Green Certified"?

If you talk to 10 different people you'll most likely get 10 different answers to the "What does green mean?" question.

Everything from "Yes, we've gone green at my office, we've started buying recycled copy paper!" to "Green?, sure I bought one of GM's new SUVs, they're environmentally friendly. Don't you see how the commercials place their vehicles in a forest setting?" Actually, (according to www.greenwashing.com) General Motors is a member of the Coalition of Vehicle Choice, an organization that opposes clean air legislation and laws directed at reducing auto emissions.

So, when you purchase a home and the builder makes a green declaration how can you tell if he's done the right thing or just blowing smoke to ride a wave of hype!?!

There are two basic types of Green Certification programs in America today. The builder or owner verified program and the unbiased 3rd party verification.

The NAHB Green Building Standard, LEED-H, Energy Star, Earth Craft and Green Built are some of the more promenant certifying bodies in the US. Certifications for green construction are awarded upon successfully adhereing to the particular specifications of their respective programs. Typically, points are awarded for specific energy or resource efficient principles that are followed. Other areas of note are water efficiency, indoor air quality and home owner education.

The verification process is typically an indepth technical visual inspection process that confirms program adherence and includes performance testing. This test is provided by highly trained "energy raters" who deterime, amoung other readings, how air tight the building is and how well the heating and air conditioning system operates.

For more info about green building contact me toll free 1-877-809-6139 or online at http://www.greenbuildinginspector.com.

Find Green Verified Homes in America and Canada at http://www.greenverifiedhomes.com

Home Inspections in Central Mississippi at http://www.garynsmith.net

Hello

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:36:44 -0500

Many of you know me and other don't. I just joined ASHI on Active Rain and wanted to say hello to everyone. I started an ASHI group over on LindedIN. Visit us over there as well. While your out and about stop in say hellp to me at www.greenbuildinginspector.com.

New Blog

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:00:37 -0500

My "other" site for blogging. Yes, I've tried the outside world of blogging by self-publishing a blog outside of active rain called: The Green Building Inspector. Give a try?

Welcome

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:08:29 -0600

I'm Gary N Smith and a NAHB Green Building Verifier. I live in Ridgeland, Mississippi and serve the deep south with energy efficient construction consulting for both new construction and remodeling.

I hope you'll join this group and share ideas and trade information about saving our planet through smart building practices.

Gary N Smith

NAHB Green Building Verifier

601-454-5559

Wrap up a 2009 Tax Credit with Insulation

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:31:36 -0600

Want to save a couple of bucks and continue saving into the future? Take advantage of one of the many energy savings tax credits available this year from Uncle Sam.

Home improvement insulation tax credits are available...let's look at how you qualify.

The insulation's primary purpose must be to insulate. That means siding does not qualify, but a vapor retarder does.

A vapor retarder is a specially treated paper, thin plastic sheeting, or low permeance paint that prevents condensation of water vapor inside wall or ceiling materials. This trapped moisture can cause damage to the wallboard and paint as well as structural deterioration.

The product you use must be expected to last for at least 5 years or have a 2 year warranty. The cost of installation (your labor) cannot be included in the total. A manufacturer's Certification Statement is required. Remember, for tax purposes its a good idea that you save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Cert.

A Manufacturer’s Certification is a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. The IRS encourages manufacturers to provide these Certifications on their website to facilitate identification of qualified products. Taxpayers must keep a copy of the certification statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their tax return.

You must insulate between Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2009 and use IRS Tax Form 5695 (version 2009) when filing for the credit.

How much of a tax credit do you receive? You'll get 10% of the cost of the insulation, up to $500.00.

For more information about saving energy and saving your hard earned dollars contact Gary N Smith toll free at 1-877-809-6139 or find him online: www.GaryNSmith.net

Growing a Greener Mississippi

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 10:42:07 -0600

As co-chairman and on behalf of the entire Building Green Works Committee at the Home Builders Association of Jackson I’d like to thank Mississippi Home Corp for their efforts in promoting affordable resource efficient housing in Mississippi. Our HBAJ Green Committee includes builders, associate members, utility companies and government agencies. We’re proud to have them serve on our committee.

As a certified NAHB Verifier I believe this contest will not only promote energy efficient construction, but will offer Mississippi residences affordable homes that help them save water, live more comfortably in cleaner air, save money through lower maintenance cost and will encourage the public to save our planet’s natural resources.

In support of the contest, I would also like to announce that the Jackson Association will host the NAHB Certified Green Professional course (see below) February 17-19 at our office in Ridgeland, MS. The CGP designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes— without driving up the cost of construction. The three day class provides a solid background in green building methods, as well as the tools to reach consumers. The class will explain how to accrue points in seven categories: water, energy and resource efficiency; lot and site development; indoor environmental quality; global impact and homeowner education. The program sets point requirements in each category for the bronze, silver and gold levels. McGraw Hill reports that by 2012 - 20% of new homes built in the US are expected to be HERS rated, performance tested and built green.

The future? There is no doubt, through energy consumption and the living environment, the homes we build today will impact on our children and our grand children. That’s why it’s so important that we focus our efforts on the “science” of building construction.

Building Green is smart.

Building green is affordable.

First, through this contest and then into the future we will all be…Growing a Greener Mississippi. So…from the HBAJ Building Green Works Committee, Thank You!

Mississippi Home Corporation was created by the State in 1989 to serve as the State’s Housing Finance Agency. In that capacity, MHC administers the Mortgage Revenue Bond program and the Housing Tax Credit program, among others. MHC’s mission is to enhance Mississippi's long-term economic viability by financing safe, decent, affordable housing and helping working families build wealth.

For more information about the NAHB Green Building Program visit NAHB online at www.NAHBGreen.org.

For more information about the contest contact Gary Smith toll free at 1-877... or online at: www.GaryNSmith.net.

Green Building Contest is Growing a Greener Mississippi

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:00:24 -0600

At 11:00 a.m. on January 29th, 2009 at the Beau Rivage Conference Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Home Corporation will announce the "Growing a Greener Mississippi" green building competition designed to spur affordable green building throughout the Magnolia State.

The first of it's kind in the nation, the contest is based on the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Guidelines. The NAHB Green Program is a third party verified system designed to help builders construct healthier and more cost efficient housing nation wide. The program is a points based system offering homes in three categories, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

As the first certified verifier for Mississippi I will be attending the conference and will be present afterwards to answer questions pertaining to competition details and to help describe the program in more detail.

Prize money will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. First place entry will be awarded $50.000 based on design, energy efficiency and a host of other categories designed to show that going green does not mean expensive construction.

Mississippi Home Corporation was created by the State in 1989 to serve as the State's Housing Finance Agency. In that capacity, MHC administers the Mortgage Revenue Bond program and the Housing Tax Credit program, among others. MHC's mission is to enhance Mississippi's long-term economic viability by financing safe, decent, affordable housing and helping working families build wealth.

For more information about the NAHB Green Building Program visit NAHB online at www.NAHBGreen.org.

For more information about the contest contact Gary Smith toll free at 1-877-809-6139 or online at: www.GaryNSmith.net.

Having a Bad Air Day?

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:44:27 -0600

What is 2 to 1000 times greater inside than out, is impossible to see but at the same time has the potential to damage your eyes, can cause dizziness and nausea, and vaporizes at normal temperature and atmosphere? You guessed it…VOCs or volatile organic compounds.

Many of us spend more than 90% of our time indoors. Clean indoor air is as important as breathing. Some of the most critical factors influencing indoor air pollution concern our ability to eliminate or reduce specific sources such as tobacco smoke, radon, chemical irritants, and pesticides. It’s also as important that you control moisture, which can lead to mold growth and bacteria.

Ideally, it would be best to prevent these pollutants from being released in the first place, but that is not always possible or practical. An increased focus on proper ventilation can play a critical role in determining whether our indoor environment is healthy or not.

As a green building verifier my role is to help eliminate these conditions by teaching practical and proper building practices.

Listen to this National Public Radio program (Windows Media Player) conducted at Syracuse University on indoor air quality.

To learn more about VOCs and how to eliminate poor indoor air quality during construction contact Gary N Smith toll free at 877.809.6139 or visit him online at http://www.garynsmith.net.

A Shield of Protection

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:31:00 -0600

Before the days of gun powder and lead the mighty shield was used for protection from unwanted elements during battle.

In our struggle to save energy consider using one of the most protective and cost effective "shields" developed. The Radiant Barrier.

It's a foil backed product that's placed in the attic of your home, foil side down, to help protect you from the sun's radiating heat that drives your energy use up and the size of your pocket book down. A radiant barrier:

is placed foil side down in your attic (opposite of the way you think a shield should face!)
will lower the cost of your cooling dollars by 40%
will not effect your roof warranty (when installed as roof sheathing)
can be installed directly onto your attic insulation
lowers the negative effects of high heat on stored articles in your attic
can be installed by you, the homeowner, with little or no experience (however, always take special care when working in the attic)

Coupled with caulking and sealing your home's air leaks the radiant barrier has immediate payback.

For more information on energy savings and home inspections call Gary Smith toll free at 877.809.6139 or visit him on the web: http://www.garynsmith.net

EM - Energy Mortgage

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:26:46 -0600

If you were shopping for a home and found one that was…

well-built
comfortable
had lower-than-average monthly energy costs
was easy to maintain
required no additional income to pay for it

Would you stop shopping? I have good news! This kind of home is being built today.

How can you afford the purchase? That’s Easy! Get an EM - Energy Mortgage. The mortgage is unfamiliar to many homebuyers and believe it or not to many real estate agents.

How does it work? An EM increases your buying power by enabling the mortgage lender to count the monthly energy bill savings that a home’s energy efficient features deliver as extra income. There are two kinds of energy mortgages:

Energy-Efficient Mortgages

Credits the savings from a home that is already efficient into the loan qualification process and capitalizes the improved features into the appraisal.

Energy Improvement Mortgages

Increases the buying power of a consumer by financing energy improvements that are shown to be cost-effective and capitalizing the ensuing monthly savings into the mortgage loan.

All of the national secondary mortgage markets--conventional as well as federally insured programs--offer energy mortgage products.

Call Gary Smith for more info on Living Green at 1-877-809-6139 or online: http://www.garynsmith.net

Does Your Job Rely on the Housing Industry? We Should Fix Housing First!!

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 07:38:44 -0600

Energy Efficient Living Starts with a Caulk Gun

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:55:11 -0600

The most important (and easiest) way to assure that you save money on your energy bills is to seal all the holes and cracks in your home. Take a look around your bedroom. See any obvious leaks? I doubt it. Take a closer look at the small holes where you might plug your lamp in. Every unsealed electrical box and light fixture in your home leaks air. A 1" hole will allow 4 pints of water to filter into your home in a average winter. The moisture enters via water vapor in the air. So...what does the moisture do? It forms on the surfaces of your home (in some conditions) as fungus and mildew.

Unconditioned air leaking into your home also brings with it mold spores and if the leaks are near the insulated ceiling can draw tiny particles off fiberglass insulation.

When molds are allowed to grow in wet-damp indoor environments, there is a likelihood that they can develop into enough volume to cause both damage to building materials and harm to some people. Whether or not someone will have an adverse reaction to mold exposure depends on many factors that include, but are not limited to: 1) the amount of molds present, 2) the type of molds present, 3) whether there is a pathway from where the molds are located to the person, 4) how long the exposure may take place and 5) how sensitive the individual may be to the exposure.

Learn more about living greener, healthier and lessening your carbon footprint by contacting Gary N Smith at 1-877-809-6139 or visit him online at www.garynsmith.net.

Inspecting for "Bathroom Water Wasters"

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:05:03 -0600

Did you know that bath fixtures made before 1992 can waste up to 3 gallons of water each minute you spend in the shower? The shower and the toilet are the two areas in the bathroom where you can keep your money from going down the drain!

Take an empty gallon pale and turn your shower on full blast. Wait 2 minutes and check the pale. If it's overflowing you're wasting water! Change the shower head to a low flow model. Shower heads start at about $10.00 and changing it is a very simple task.

Plumbing leaks account for about 15% of water usage. It's a good idea to check your toilet for leaks. Here's how: Lift the tank cover and drop about 5-10 drops of food coloring into the tank. Now don't flush yet! Wait about 15 minutes, lift the toilet seat and check the water color. A leaky toilet will show in the bowl as colored water and you'll need to mend the leak.

Now for the most productive water saver! Just look into the mirror. Here are a few tips that you can use to help save water.

* When you brush your teeth, turn the water off.
* Toss trash into the waste can rather than flushing it down the toilet.
* Save 7 times the water by taking a shower rather than a bubble bath.

For more information on energy saving construction and green living contact Gary N Smith at www.garynsmith.net or call toll free at: 1-877-809-6139.

Q and A From the Field: Leaking Coil Cabinet

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:27:49 -0600

The following communication and information is taken directly from our reporting methods...

HVAC Systems and Components Refrigerant Lines: At the low pressure and high pressure lines ...A qualified licensed air conditioning contractor is suggested to evaluate leaking air as the copper lines enter the coil cabinet. I suggest that repairs be made to stop the leak.

_________________________________________________________________________

Dear Gary,

Does that mean that the A/C line is leaking?

Thanks,

Robert

_________________________________________________________________________

Robert,

No.

As the large and small suction lines enter the coil cabinet (in the attic at the furnace) the lines should be sealed to prevent air from leaking from the coil cabinet out into the hot attic (wasting your cooled air and your money). It will also improve the head pressure on the system thereby delivering more air to your home. It’s a common find and can be fixed by either taping or using liquid mastic to plug the hole up.

An HVAC Contractor can fix in 5 min or less… Cost: (not including the HVAC Tech’s fee… $0 - $25.00 (if you have the tape the cost is nothing…a gallon of mastic will paint 450 feet, 3 inches wide…way more than you need for this job, but, mastic works best!). I will return and re-inspect the items listed on the marginal section of the report when he’s done. I would suggest that re-inspections be performed before you close…

_________________________________________________________________________

For more information on home inspections and building energy efficient homes contact me toll free at: 1-877-809-6139 or online www.garynsmith.net.

How to Chop Your Energy Bill in Ten Easy Steps - #3. The Shower

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:43:17 -0600

Remember when you were a kid and your mom always yelled, "Are you still in the shower? You're wasting water."? Well not only were sending gallons down the drain but spending hard earned cash heating more water.

Ready-Set-Go ... Get a Timer: Use a shower timer and try to keep your shower limited to below five minutes, the shorter the better – sometimes just being aware of how long you have been in the shower will help you keep your shower time shorter. This may be very difficult, especially since we Americans average close to ten minutes, but any time that you can trim off will help.

Don't Be a Dope When You Soap: Turn the water off when you soap up! While you are shampooing your hair or soaping your body, you do'nt need the water running down the drain. In fact, it is almost easier if the water is off.

Go With the Flow - Low Flow: Buy a low flow showerhead. Make sure that your showerhead uses not more than 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm). It is best if you can find one that uses only 1.5 gpm. Realize that some showerheads, especially older showerheads, have a flow of around 6-8 gpm! Also, using a low flow showerhead does not mean that you have to sacrifice water pressure. There are many different, excellent low flow showerheads that you might even like better than your current, 6 gpm showerhead!

For more infomation on Building Smart and Saving Energy contact me at gary@garynsmith.net or toll free at: 1-877-809-6139.

New Home Building 101 - Window Placement

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:09:27 -0600

What factors will you consider in selecting, locating, and installing windows in your new home? When selecting windows you should choose those with low potential for condensation. For best results in Mississippi, windows must have a U value less than or equal to 0.50 and a solar heat gain factor (SHGF) less than or equal to 0.40, or must be Energy Star® or NFRC labeled.

The location of windows in your new home is also important. Daylighting is a technique of using natural light from the sun and the sky and incorporating it into your home via the windows. Using daylight is free and efficient, which translates to lower energy consumption and utility savings.

When using daylighting, be mindful of the seasons. In the summer, the sun’s rays are more intense. To avoid over-heating, window coverings or overhangs should be used to shield the windows from solar heat gain. In the winter, the sun moves on a different seasonal path creating less warmth. You may want to consider locating more windows on the south side of the home to take advantage of the natural solar affect, and locating fewer on the north facing windows. Plant trees on the south facing wall of your home to shade the home in the summer.

Windows must be installed correctly to protect moisturesensitive materials from rainwater intrusion. Install head flashing over the tops of the windows. Shingled drainage paper must be wrapped into the rough openings on the sides and bottom of the window. Pan flashing, which allows water that penetrates the window, or the window installation, to drain outside of the wall assembly and away from the house, must also be used at the bottom of the windows.

For more information about window installation and Best Building Practices contact me at gary@garynsmith.net or call me toll free: 1-877-809-6139.

CGP - Certified Green Professional Course - Ridgeland, MS

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:59:43 -0600

Mark your calendar for February 17, 2009. The Jackson Association of Home Builders is offering a Certified Green Professional - CGP course for home builders.

The designation requires 24 hours of NAHB-approved training, and additional continuing education every two years. Subjects covered in training discuss how green homes provide buyers with lower energy costs and higher value, and will include strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction.

When: 2/17/2009 - 2/18/2009
8:30AM - 4:30PM
Where: Ridgeland , MS
HBA of Jackson
195 Charmant Drive
Other Locations & Times: View All
NAHB Member Fee: $275
Non-member Fee: $350
Contact Information:
Spence Tribble
HBA of Jackson
195 Charmant Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: 601-362-6501
Fax: 601-982-7684
E-Mail Address: spence@hbajackson.com
Instructor(s): Thomas Gotschall
Sponsoring HBA: HBA of Jackson

Clean Energy at National Parks - SmartParks

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:15:55 -0600

The National Park Service (NPS) has joined with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish an innovative partnership called Energy SmartPARKS. This partnership will showcase sustainable energy practices in national parks and inspire a green energy future for America.

See a list of the Energy SmartPARKS proposed projects here.

The Energy SmartPARKS program will include such efforts as conducting energy audits, retrofitting lighting, replacing windows and furnaces, upgrading meters and thermostats, purchasing electric utility vehicles, and studying the feasibility of installing wind power.

How to Chop Your Energy Bills in Ten Easy Steps - #2. Your Heating System

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:33:59 -0600

When you consider the soot buildup, the dusty or poorly lubricated fans, the flickering pilot lights, and those loose fan belts, they can add hundreds to your heating costs each year. I recommend getting your furnace tuned up regularly. The maintenance can do wonders for both your wallet, not to mention your overall comfort. Your system should be serviced every two to three years and to make it even more efficient, prevent heated air from leaking into your attic or crawl spaces by sealing your ductwork with mastic duct sealant-a nontoxic, paint-on material-or foil-backed tape. Doing so will reduce your home's air leakage and could save you a bundle in heating and cooling bills.

Cost: $100 (mastic and tape) Payback: one heating season.

How to Chop Your Energy Bills in Ten Easy Steps - #1. The Fireplace

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:05:28 -0600

Sure, it's romantic, but when comes right down to it, your fireplace is an energy hog. As one of the most energy inefficient features of your home it eats about 24,000 cubic feet of nice furnace warmed air each hour and spits it out the top of the chimney (Department of Energy). And as a bonus the air is replaced by cold air that comes in the opposite direction through the same opening, causing your furnace to work extra hard to keep your house nice and toasty. Yet, we love gathering round a warm hearth with a nice cup of hot chocolate as much as the next guy. Just remember to turn the thermostat down a little when you use it. Also, crack a window in the room where the fireplace is located and then close the door, so it doesn't suck too much warm air from the rest of the house.

Cost: $0. Payback: Immediate.

How to Keep it Tight in Older Homes - Air Infiltration

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:32:39 -0600

If you are considering buying an older home or you currently live in one it only takes a few minutes to seal those drafty cracks and save on your energy bills.

Hidden air leaks cause some of the largest heat losses in older homes. Common air leakage sites include:

Plumbing penetrations through insulated floors and ceilings
Chimney penetrations through insulated ceilings and exterior walls
Fireplace dampers
Attic access hatches
Recessed lights and fans in insulated ceilings
Wiring penetrations through insulated floors, ceilings, and walls
Missing plaster
Electrical outlets and switches, especially on exterior walls
Window, door, and baseboard moldings
Dropped ceilings above bathtubs and cabinets

The best material for sealing these hidden air leaks depends on the size of the gaps and where they are located. Caulk is best for cracks and gaps less than about 1/4" wide.

Expanding foam sealant is an excellent material to use for sealing larger cracks and holes that are protected from sunlight and moisture. Today's products are safe for atmospheric ozone. Backer rod or crack filler is a flexible foam material, usually round in cross-section (1/4" to 1" in diameter), and sold in long coils. Use it for sealing large cracks and to provide a backing in very deep cracks that are to be sealed with caulk.

Use rigid foam insulation for sealing very large openings such as plumbing chases and attic hatch covers. Fiberglass insulation can also be used for sealing large holes, but it will work better if wrapped in plastic or stuffed in plastic bags, because air can leak through exposed fiberglass. Specialized materials such as metal flashing and high-temperature silicone sealants may be required for sealing around chimneys and flue pipes. Check with me if you're unsure about fire-safe details in these locations.

We provide comprehensive energy efficiency inspections.

Turning Green Building into Green Living

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:17:13 -0600

There are more important reasons to living in a energy efficient environment than saving money. Unfortunately, we’re mostly motivated by the dollar. So, as green building educators, when we talk about going green it would be smart to focus on showing how building smart can help you save through homeowner education, awareness and participation. The challenge will lie, like it so often does, in change.

Change is hard and more than not, comes slowly. Building or buying green and saving money is in the hands of the homeowner. As we construct new and improved features, designs and components in our homes, homeowners must learn to make a conscience effort to enforce good habits, otherwise the dollars they expect and the benefits we promote will be dramatically reduced.

We live in a world of absolutes and instant information. We want it now and we want hard cold facts. Green Building and saving energy is going to be largely dependent on the person responsible for keeping the doors and windows shut, the home caulked, the water turned off, the thermostat correctly set, and a host of other operational devices.

Yes, it is true that green buildings will perform better without much homeowner participation. But, to get the highest and best use of the money spent, "successful" green building will largely be defendant on how well we stay focused. At least focused long enough to change our “old” habits into becoming new ways of living. Green building then will have become green living and the savings we realize will be a nice by-product.

Value of Going Green

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:44:19 -0600

McGraw-Hill Construction released a report on Wednesday that found the value of green building construction starts was up five-fold from 2005 to 2008. According to the Green Outlook 2009: Trends Driving Change report, starts were up from $10 billion in 2005 to $36 to $49 billion this year and could triple by 2013, reaching $96 to $140 billion.

The report — based on data found in the McGraw-Hill Construction Network — was released on Wednesday at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston. The survey found that, since 2005, the perceived benefits of green building have increased as people become more informed about green building. The decrease in operating costs is the most often cited benefit (13.6 percent, up from 8 percent to 9 percent in 2005), followed by the increase in building values (10.9 percent, up from 7.5 percent in 2005).

Continuing Ed Class - NAHB Green Building Guidelines

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:48:38 -0600

The Building Green Works Committee of the Jackson Association of Home Builders in Ridgeland, MS held a continuing education class on Green Building. Dale Koelher from Purdue University was the guest speaker.

Moisture is no doubt a primary concern to builders and home owners.To help understand the principles of moisture control, you need to understand the basics of how moisture can move through your home.

Moisture or water vapor moves in and out of a home in three ways:

With air currents
By diffusion through materials
By heat transfer.

Of these three, air movement accounts for more than 98% of all water vapor movement in building cavities. Air naturally moves from a high pressure area to a lower one by the easiest path possible—generally through any available hole or crack in the building envelope. Moisture transfer by air currents is very fast (in the range of several hundred cubic feet of air per minute). Thus, you need to carefully and permanently seal any unintended paths to control air movement.

The other two driving forces—diffusion through materials and heat transfer—are much slower processes. Most common building materials slow moisture diffusion to a large degree, although they never stop it completely. Insulation also helps reduce heat transfer or flow.

Jackson, MS Home Energy Workshop

Gary Smith (SafeHome Inspections) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:52:24 -0600

Last Saturday morning I learned how cross flow ventilation can help you save money. The Energy Division of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and The Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Hinds & Madison Counties presented a home energy workshop at the AG Museum in Jackson, MS.

Michael Berk with Mississippi State University’s School of Architecture was the featured speaker. He shared his knowledge of energy efficient construction and principals of design that take advantage of solar energy. The audience learned how a building’s components work together naturally to heat and cool itself and how that landscape and site choice can have a dramatic affect on power usage.

“The ½ day workshop is one of many more we plan to do in 2009,” said Gayle Sims of MDA. Gayle shared some tips and strategies that help reduce energy costs in the home and spoke about recycling, renewable energy and conservation practices.

So...what next? The Building Green Works Committee of The Home Builders Association of Jackson will be holding an education seminar on Tuesday, November 18, 1:00-4:30 p.m., at the HBAJ Building. The cost to attend a mere $50.00. 3 Hours Certified Professional Builder Credit will be awarded to builders. The program will be presented by Dale Koehler, Educator & Consultant, Assoc. Professor Purdue University. Building Green Works is dedicated to teaching energy efficient construction to home builders and the public.