I am now certified as a Green Certified Real Estate Professional-Green Leadership (GCREP-GL)!!! Normally, it wouldn’t be the best thing to be called “green” in any industry, but I’m extremely proud to be “green”.  I’m working towards educating my clients, office, SOI and family in green living, sustainability, promoting green renovations in existing housing and advocating green building for new structures.

Why “go green”?

Why not try to leave the planet a little better than we found it?  It’s amazing how much damage one person can do…
some facts:

• In the United States, we use 5 billion galls a day of drinking water…just to flush toilets!
• In the United States, buildings consume close to 40% of our total energy and 60% of our total electricity!
• A household of only two people uses an amazing 25,500 gallons of water a year…just to do laundry!
• Standby power can account for 9-10% of household energy!
• A television uses 25% of its energy when turned off!

Want to see how the way you live effects our environment?
Take the following quiz to see how you measure up and how easily you can make a difference:
        What’s your carbon footprint?                     

How do I “go green”?
Here are some easy tips, links and information:

• Buy local produce.  Less fuel for transportation and helps your local economy!
• Unplug electronic devices when they are not being used!
• Switch to CFL Bulbs (Compact Fluorescent Light) or LED bulbs (Light Emitting Diodes).  Both put forth less energy than a normal bulb, last a lot longer and cut back on your energy bills significantly. 
  Use the links below to calculate savings:
  LED Savings calculator  
  CFL Savings calculator
• Get your HVAC system a checkup every 2 years.  Change or clean your filter once every month…a dirty filter will significantly reduce the efficiency of your HVAC unit.
• Painting your house?  Consider using low VOC or no VOC paint…low to no odor, reduces landfill, groundwater and ozone depleting contaminants.
• Need a new appliance?  Choose ENERGY STAR® rated appliances.
• Need a new hot water heater?  Choose a Tankless Hot Water Heater…they use less energy by heating water “on demand”.  Models are available in varying sizes, gas or electric.
  

What is Baltimore doing to “go green”?

Baltimore is on the forefront of the green movement.  Here are a few resources to check out for Living Green in Baltimore:

Baltimore Green Map

Cleaner Greener Baltimore

Baltimore Office of Sustainability

Parks & People

United States Green Building Council (Baltimore Chapter)

Baltimore Bike Brunch

Baltimore Sun – Green Everything

Green Living Workshop August 20, 2008 Hunt Valley

I’m a GREEN REALTOR® and that’s nothing to be ashamed about, is it? 

I welcome your suggestions, ideas and input.
If we all work together, we might just leave this place better than we found it!