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Building Green: Just Remember what Grandpa Taught You

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Real Estate Sales Representative with Dublin & Central Ohio Homes

 

BUILDING GREEN- Just Remember what Grandpa Taught You

 

By Andrew Hill @ www.NewHomeSource.com New Home Source

 

Green building: It was once thought to be a fad, a lifestyle trend that was sure to burn out. But today, all signs point towards a steady future for green construction. Surprising? Maybe. But if you take the time to look at the big picture, building green seems not only to be a good choice, but oftentimes the right choice.

 

The most obvious question must first be asked: Why build green? When asked this question, architects and homebuilders have similar answers and feelings. They choose to build green because it improves: health, safety, comfort, energy consumption, and efficiency. Building green is important because many people become sick from low quality compounds used to build homes. Green products help improve air quality and reduce the risk of your home making you sick.

 

Okay, okay, we’ve all heard that before. But what about the cost? This is often a major deterrent for prospective green home buyers. But building green doesn’t have to mean installing solar panels on every wall of the house (although that is an option if you’re highly motivated). It can be as simple as designing a home to better control sunlight warming, installing low flow sinks and toilets, using cotton insulation, or switching to fluorescent bulbs. And all of these options will lower your utility bill.

 

Finally, building green is a great way to improve durability, quality, and sustainability. If you’re looking for a way to give back and conserve the planet for the next generation, then what better way to do it than by building a durable house? Green home construction incorporates products and techniques that are meant to outlast standard construction elements and procedures. By building a green home that will last longer, you reduce your carbon footprint and leave a home that will be a testament to future generations of the importance of conserving our environment. Whether you have children, grandchildren, or no kids at all, buying green is an investment for the future.

 

Building Green is as simple as remembering the lessons your Grandpa grandfather taught you:

 

1.   Stay healthy

 

2.   Be efficient

 

3.   Make wise investments

 

4.   Buy quality and it will last

 

 This blog is by guest writer – Andrew Hill with New Home Source – www.NewHomeSource.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Roberta Kayne, Realtor & Photographer - All Rights Reserved
Specializing in First Time Buyers and Relocation Buyers
Central Ohio - Columbus - Dublin
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Re/Max Affiliates, 614-537-4564
Dublin, Ohio
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Comments(6)

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Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

Another Green option is to retrofit new Green technology into you "old" house.

;)

Feb 15, 2012 02:12 AM
Erv Fleishman
Realty Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Luxury Prop Specialist Realty Associates

If you truly want to build green move to Dublin Ireland. Where green is all around.

build green because it improves: health, safety, comfort, energy consumption, and efficiency.

Please offer some examples that would justify the above statement. Start with health, safety and comfort.

I can buy consumption. However, what efficiency? Efficiency of what?

Feb 15, 2012 03:05 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Roberta, going green makes sense in almost every case, unless you are disposing of something that still has utility in it and the "waste" is not worth the benefit.  When Building or retrofitting, going green makes "cents"

Feb 15, 2012 04:42 AM
Roberta Kayne
Dublin & Central Ohio Homes - Dublin, OH
CRS, ABR, SFR, RRS, Realtor, Re/Max Affiliates

Betna - I agree that retrofitting is a good idea. 

Erv - Thanks for your comments - I didn't write this article; it was written by a guest writer with New Home Source - Andrew Hill - so I will defer to him for examples, but my first thoughts on examples would be for Health - if you are building with more natural products, wouldn't they be healthier than artificially made products.  As Andrew says in the article:  "many people become sick from low quality compounds used to build homes. Green products help improve air quality and reduce the risk of your home making you sick."  I'm sure you, as a Luxury Homes expert, can come up with examples also.  Thanks for stopping in to comment.

Chris - Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 

 

Feb 15, 2012 06:22 AM
Andrew Hill
Austin, TX

Betina- I agree about the retrofitting. It’s simple and anyone can do it. You can start by swapping out the incandescent bulbs for more efficient cfls.

Erv- Some energy efficient ideas include installing solar panels or wind generators to create your own energy. You can use more efficient materials for insulation. Caulking and weather stripping are some other ways of making your home more energy efficient. You can also install low-flow shower and faucet heads to reduce water consumption.

Chris- Thanks, I agree with what you said.

Feb 15, 2012 07:25 AM
Erv Fleishman
Realty Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Luxury Prop Specialist Realty Associates

I am all for energy efficiency. All homes should be caulked, and have weather stripping. Does that make them green? We have had low flow shower and faucet heads....it is the law here and this has been that way for years. Does that make it green?

My problem is that there are broad and sweeping statements with no scientific background. What are low quality compounds? How do green products improve air quality? I am all for solar panels and wind mills etc etc. Having read several books on the subject, the reality is that the cost per KWH must be competitive for these products to become mainstream. 

CFL bulbs represent a real problem with disposal. When they are broken they release dangerous amounts of mercury. Far more a health risk then regular bulbs. 

I think we need to get past the hype and to the facts. Claiming it is better for one's health without any studies to prove it is all simply hype. 

Feb 15, 2012 11:54 AM