green living: What Makes A Home Or Building Green?
- 07/01/09 02:13 AM
In order for a building or home to be certified as "Green" it must be certified by one of the nationally recognized rating programs. The Most Common are as follows:1) LEED (Leadership In Energy And Environmental Design) 2) ENERGY STAR3) HERS Index (Home Energy Rating System). Today I will focus on LEED so I don't overwhelm you with information, tomorrow I will focus on ENERGY STAR and so on.LEED is a third party certification program that sets design, construction, and operational standards for high performance green buildings. The certification is awarded by the US Green Building Council.Qualifying Criteria Includes:1) New Construction … (2 comments)
green living: Green Federal Income Tax Credits 2009
- 02/12/09 09:10 PM
When Congress passed the financial bailout bill, it included a range of federal tax credits and cash gifts for businesses -- but also a suite of new and renewed tax credits for individuals who want to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their home or cars. The tax bill is filled with important incentives that will keep the solar and wind power industries competitive, and that means they should continue to innovate, producing more power at ever more affordable prices. That's critical for the U.S., and the world, as we confront the challenge of global warming. But what about … (1 comments)
green living: Going Green Finance And Mortgages - FHA's Energy Efficient Mortgage program
- 02/08/09 10:34 PM
FHA's Energy Efficient Mortgage program (EEM) helps homebuyers or homeowners save money on utility bills by enabling them to finance the cost of adding energy efficiency features to new or existing housing as part of their FHA insured home purchase or refinancing mortgage.
Type of Mortgage: EEM is one of many FHA programs that insure mortgage loans--and thus encourage lenders to make mortgage credit available to borrowers who would not otherwise qualify for conventional loans on affordable terms (such as first time homebuyers) and to residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods (where mortgages may be hard to get). Borrowers who obtain FHA's … (0 comments)
green living: Buying And Selling A Green Home
- 02/07/09 10:18 PM
Long-term cost savings: A common misconception about green homes is that they cost more. However, one of the biggest reasons a homebuyer would opt for a green home is the amount of money they actually do save in the long run. While the higher cost of building a green home is passed on to the buyer, the long-term savings outweigh the initial cost.In addition to the savings in utility bills, green homes are built with high-quality materials which make them more durable than a traditional home. This means the buyer will spend less money on repairs. Talk to buyers about the … (2 comments)
green living: Keepin' It Green For The Masses - The Glossary Of Terms
- 02/06/09 12:32 PM
Alternative energy- An umbrella term used to describe any non-traditional energy source (wind power, solar energy) that replaces more traditional sources that use fossil fuels.Carbon footprint- A measure of your impact on the environment terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced. Carbon footprint refers to the overall carbon emissions a building creates including construction and operation.Carbon neutral- A company, developer, or action that claims it does not make any carbon emissions or that if it does it offsets the emissions elsewhere.Carbon offsetting- The process of reducing carbon emissions by donating money to organizations that will plant trees or create renewable … (2 comments)
green living: Keepin' It Green For The Masses - The Glossary Of Terms
- 02/06/09 12:30 PM
Alternative energy- An umbrella term used to describe any non-traditional energy source (wind power, solar energy) that replaces more traditional sources that use fossil fuels.Carbon footprint- A measure of your impact on the environment terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced. Carbon footprint refers to the overall carbon emissions a building creates including construction and operation.Carbon neutral- A company, developer, or action that claims it does not make any carbon emissions or that if it does it offsets the emissions elsewhere.Carbon offsetting- The process of reducing carbon emissions by donating money to organizations that will plant trees or create renewable … (0 comments)
In order for a building or home to be certified as "Green" it must be certified by one of the nationally recognized rating programs. The Most Common are as follows:1) LEED (Leadership In Energy And Environmental Design) 2) ENERGY STAR3) HERS Index (Home Energy Rating System). Today I will focus on LEED so I don't overwhelm you with information, tomorrow I will focus on ENERGY STAR and so on.LEED is a third party certification program that sets design, construction, and operational standards for high performance green buildings. The certification is awarded by the US Green Building Council.Qualifying Criteria Includes:1) New Construction … (2 comments)
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