"Green" Eco-Friendly Building

Recently a contest was put out here on AR asking us to list the Top 5 "green" eco-friendly items if money were no object, http://activerain.com/blogsview/300156/1-Points-Brad-Pitt

I thought this was a great idea and decided to write a blog on it.  I have already somewhat thought about it for when I build my "dream" house (whenever that is).

So here are the top 5 items I would do to make a "green" house if money were not an issue:

1. Use foam insulation that conforms to the surface and fills all air gaps.  If the entire country used this insulation, it is estimated that $2.58 billion annually would be saved in energy costs.

2. Use triple glazed vinyl windows that are at least 1-inch thick between the first and third window pane.  This would save the U.S. an estimated 2-trillion BTU's annually (for standard vinyl window, even more for triple glazed windows).

3. Have solar panels installed that are not only efficient, but aesthetically pleasing or hidden.  This would dramatically cut down, or eliminate, electrical usage and also lower natural gas usage.

4. Have the GreenSwitch installed that turns off all unnecessary lights and outlets when you leave the home.  This would lower electrical usage so that unneeded items aren't always wasting energy when they're on or plugged in.

5. Install artificial turf as much as possible instead of grass.  This would greatly lower the use of water, as lawns require the use of the most water in a household.  It sounds tacky, but my brother-in-law has very nice artificial turf, it looks and feels great.

 

23 Comments on "Green" Eco-Friendly Building

Hi Joseph, that is a great list!  I would like to hear more about Green Switch.  I don't think I have heard of that one. 

12/12/2007 06:54 PM by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® The Woodlands, TX Real Estate (Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors ®)


Stephanie, click on the word GreenSwitch in my post above and it takes you directly to the link for the website.

12/12/2007 06:58 PM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)


You got one on me too! I'd never heard of a Green Switch. Great post!

12/13/2007 12:25 PM by Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate)


The GreenSwitch is cool. I hope it works better and last longer than the old low voltage systems.

Green is getting bigger everyday. I wonder how much it might end up changing our home inspection profession.

Thanks Joseph 

12/13/2007 01:02 PM by Jim Ellis (Ellis Home Inspection Services)


Dena, thanks for stopping by... and how about making me the winner  ;-)

Jim, like everything, I think the GreenSwitch is expensive to install. 

12/13/2007 02:26 PM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)


Joseph,

Solar power is one of my favorites, although all of those are great. I am waiting for the day when they make roof tiles that also act as cells gathering solar power. Two functions for one item.

12/13/2007 05:19 PM by Esko Kiuru - Las Vegas NV Mortgage Consultant (Sinifox Financial)


Esko, that would be a great idea.  Let's design it, market it, and retire millionaires  ;-)

12/13/2007 05:27 PM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)


Hi Joseph~ 

Thanks for your entry into the December Challenge...Great ideas...and I had never heard of the green switch...verrrrrrrrry interesting! THX!

12/14/2007 08:56 AM by Asheville's GREEN Land & Homes ECO-Steward Realty


Joseph, GreenSwitch sounds interesting, but my wife does that already. It drives me nuts.

But the Astro Turf just doesn't cut it. Why not a grey water reclamation system to water that beautiful hybrid bermuda?

As for winning, you got some awesome competition. But good luck just the same.

Bill Roberts

12/16/2007 11:40 PM by Bill Roberts - "Baby Boomer" Retirement Planning (Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate)


Bill, have you seen the synthetic turf (the quality ones) in person?  I was skeptical too, but it's nice.  If I could afford it I'd install it.

12/17/2007 08:53 AM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)


Joseph - Thanks for some great ideas.  Really like the idea of the green switch. 

12/17/2007 11:17 PM by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges (Sherman Smith & Associates)


Great job judging the contest and sharing your ideas!

12/21/2007 08:34 AM by Lake Norman Real Estate ~ Diane Aurit (RE/MAX at the Lake)


You forgot one of the easiest and most effective things to do: passive solar heating and cooling.  No equipment necessary to buy, install or break down, and no special skills required by the builder.  The energy savings are in the design of the home by collecting the heat of the sun during the winter and shading the home from direct sun in the summer.

Esko - You've been beat to the idea: they already have solar roof tiles and shingles. 

01/03/2008 01:35 PM by Nicole, building her groovy green house now


Nicole, you're absolutely right.  I didn't include it since it doesn't cost money (as was the theme of the contest as I interpreted it).  But great point for people to think about, thanks for sharing.

01/03/2008 05:39 PM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)


Good info and thanks for it.  It is always good to have tips that help your clients.

01/03/2008 09:42 PM by Vincent Coccia (Construction Services Integration)


Good post Joseph. Recently there was a report on local TV about a woman who built a "green" home, and it was beautiful. For people who don't like the artificial turf idea, how about planting native plants? From what I have read, plants that are native to an area require much less maintenance.

I see that you are ASHI certified. That says a lot about your professionalism.

02/23/2008 09:16 AM by Rich Quigley CRS, GRI, ABR, SRES (Baird & Warner)


Rich, that makes sense about native plants, good idea.  And thanks for the compliment.

02/23/2008 09:31 AM by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)


On the topic of vinyl windows: as I understand it, vinyl is an eco no-no because it is so environmentally unfriendly to produce and break down. Does anyone know anything about that? I'm in the market for new windows to reduce energy consumption and like the feature of vinyl ones over the maintenance of wood, but am afraid I'll be sorry for using vinyl. 

03/29/2008 09:49 PM by jdubb


Great Post. Im a Realtor In PA and Im taking my Eco Broker course as we speak. Im also flying to Colorado Denver in a few weeks for their annual Green Real Estate Convention. I can't wait. There will be vendors form all over discussing creating Green Buildigs and Energy Efficient Green products. Right now more and more people are becoming aware that we have to do something and utalize the ressources we have to help our planet and live more energy efficient lives. That way we can all help in reducing our Carbon Foot Print.

I would add to your list methods of collecting rain water for watering your lawn or washing your car, Using a Geothermal Heat Pump ( GHP) that uses the ground instead of outside air to provide heating and air conditioning and in most cases hot water. Because GHP use the earths natural heat, they are among the most efficient heating and cooling technologies currently available. Energy Star GHP's use 30% less energy and include water heating capabilities.

 

Good Luck with your future house.

Im working on my Future House here is PA.

06/24/2008 10:00 PM by Hello from Joanna Gocan Realtor in PA


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Inspector: Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)
Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector
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