Very thought provoking post. It seems like something that is already built, particularly a home that is built to last would be very green!

Finally. The right words.

IF you are trying to go green by changing all your appliances on energy efficient, but sending your old appliances to the dump - DO NOT DO THAT. Being green is like a chess game. Count your moves, think before you go.

I try to find a good home for everything I do not use anymore. And I also do not buy things if I do not REALLY need them. We don't need so much STUFF. 

Old homes do not have a good insulation, they do need a new roof, windows, and many more things. But, you can try to donate old windows to antic shops, or built a green home on your back yard by using them. My parents ones did it.

Great post! I recently got rid of my Hummer and bought a little Honda mainly because I was tired of a $600.oo a month gas bill and because of this I've gotten into a lot of interesting conversations! Two nights ago with some friends we were discussing the oil issues verse alternative fuels and just like your housing example their are pro's an con's there too! Who's to exactly know what's right...I know I don't.

I like what you said in this post but don't let my custom home builder buddies hear me say it!

It's true the Greenest home has already been built. Same for cars.... If it has already been built the resources to built it have already been used. No more landfill objects etc. Same for automobiles. If they are still running they are much more "green" than even the most energy efficient car.

Best,

Scott 

Great info...also the cost of shipping new stuff  along with the raw material to make the new!

As an EcoBroker, I am committed to residential resale as the best alternative for green housing--condos and townhouses are especially efficient. It is very true that simply replacing appliances and windows with more efficient models without regard to what happens to them does NOT contribute to being green. Those items can most often be recycled in whole or in part. Not doing so makes you continue to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

People often forget that not disposing of their compact fluorescent light-bulbs properly when they do finally burn out can cause at least as much damage as using an incandescent would have (they contain small amounts of mercury and must be recycled properly just like a thermometer)

Perhaps one of the biggest gifts of the green movement is that it has begun to force us to think more about what we do and it's long term effects.

Hi Katharine, Hey you're from my neck of the woods too...just a little north of me, but Bellingham is beautiful! About the old green house...it really got me thinking too,  I'll have to defer to Ashley (our hometown beautiful Green Girl) for stats but the statement did put things in another light from what  a lot of people initially consider green. It's good to have the info and insight to understand different angles of the issue especially in our business, good talking with you and look forward to seeing you around the rain!

 

Hi Irina another one of my hometown "girls" now :) I'm like you with reusing and recycling things, Irnina...I especially love being able to refurbish household things and I agree about "STUFF" - that reminds me of a silly comedy routine George Carlin (comedian) does on 'Stuff" if you haven't heard it before...maybe one day you'll catch a re-run (he makes great fun of people and their "stuff") - it's true that making green choices is a bit like a chess game and there are a lot of things to consider. thanks for your input. good seeing you!

Cheers!

 

Hey Bill - WOW no kidding on the gas @ 600 a month that IS a HUMMER in more ways than one! Seriously what a big difference that'll make and with gas prices continuing to go up - I think that was a GOOD move! Oh and I won't say a thing to your custom builder buddies...but it should be ok anyway - everybody's got a niche and we can't ignore that there's so much builders can incorporate in terms of efficiency. I think the best thing is being able to learn from other peoples opinions and ideas. I just got an eflyer for a LEED Certified farm house-Listing says ZERO NET energy use (solar design)....now that's some kind of energy bill I could get very cozy with. Thanks for sharing Bill. Cheers

Hi Scott- another fellow Washingtonian...how true it is on the cars also. In fact the older the better when it comes to licensing them too. Once they hit the antique mode - it's all smooth sailing as long as you have the right plates :) and from what I hear...a lot less cuss'in going on in the mechanic shop when it's an oldie they have to fix since they don't have all the new computer stuff to work around...that's where simple sometimes is a treasure indeed! and talk about re-use it's almost necessary to shop the junkyards for parts on some of the older cars so WIN WIN again! thanks for your input!

Cheers!

William -the cost of shipping and raw materials are great adds to the list! appreciate your ideas! Thanks

Deb- thanks for your professional eco-broker opinion- knowledge is power and I love that you're sharing yours. I agree it's all got us thinking and the mercury in the fl. bulbs is something to be very careful of for sure... Conversations can help us identify issues and broaden our perspectives as we seek solutions...it is not an overnighter or a one-man task for sure! Thanks for your part in the solution and sharing with us!