With no end in sight for the continued escalation of energy prices and with increasing concern for our environment, more homeowners and buyers are looking to purchase “green” or “sustainable” or want to retrofit their existing homes to make them greener. Is green building a fad or a serious issue?

Green building is definitely for real and it’s here to stay. The issues surrounding it are important and look to both our individual financial security and the future environment of our planet. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), more and more builders are joining the green revolution every year.

However, promoting homes as green or sustainable doesn’t necessarily make it so. Lots of builders, agents, and sellers have jumped on the environmental bandwagon. “Greenwashing,” a term used to describe products advertised as environmentally friendly but lacking in substance to back the claims, has become far too common as consumers struggle to sort through the hype. And while some of the marketing efforts may come more from confusion than deceit, they further confound buyers interested in reducing energy costs while preserving the environment. My advice is to question any claims regarding green construction or features, and I have provided links to some great resources at the bottom of this post. Green is good, but don’t be confused by the greed that sometimes comes from those capitalizing on “pop” crusades or technologies.

Look for certifications on construction or products. The U.S. government has established a Green Building Council (USGBC) to develop standards for green building, and has established chapters located in almost every state. The Council has established a certification called the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program for building projects that meet its guidelines. Nationally approved, these standards are considered the benchmark for green construction.

Surprisingly, not everyone agrees with the green approach. Just as there are those who dispute the issues surrounding global warming, there are critics who disagree with the emphasis placed upon green building. Some experts, for instance, point out that the energy expended in producing certain sustainable building products is more than that required for producing other products with a less eco-friendly reputation. They further claim that the necessary clearing and harvesting process pollutes the air even more.

But even the naysayers have to agree that certain products and building methods do save money, both initially and over time. It’s your task to become educated and see what is available in your area. Don’t accept information just because it’s touted in brochures; study the facts.

If you would like more information on green construction, the following resources may be helpful:

www.energy.gov – U. S. Department of Energy

www.energystar.gov – joint program of EPA and DOE to certify energy standards

www.usgbc.org – U. S. Green Building Council

www.nahb.org – National Association of Homebuilders

www.eia.doe.gov – Energy Information Administration

www.epa.gov – U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

www.pathnet.org – Public-Private Partnership for Advancing Housing Technology

www.repp.org – Global Energy Marketplace

www.greenseal.org – promotes manufacture, purchase, and use of eco-friendly products

www.awea.org – American Wind Energy Association

www.ases.org – American Solar Energy Society

www.globalgreen.org – non-profit organization that sets environmental certification standards

www.nsf.org – not-for-profit testing laboratory

www.dsireusa.org – The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy

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