Question: There’s so much stuff about “green this and green that.” Green sounds like just a fad to me. Seems everyone’s jumping on the green bandwagon. I drive a Prius and I use fluorescent bulbs, but this seems like small potatoes to me. Who’s going to make a real difference in America’s green scene? Can anyone bring about real change?
EcoWall: First, thank you for doing your part to reduce your energy use. If everyone replaced their incandescent light bulbs with fluorescents America would save hundreds of millions of barrels of oil a year.
Since the birth of the environmental movement right here in Santa Barbara back in 1969 there have been hundreds of green organizations in the US. The problem was there was no national effort given to address the country’s greatest energy hog – no, it’s not the car. It’s buildings.
Buildings consume more than 30% of the nation’s total energy and 60% of our electricity annually. The annual U.S. market in green building products and services was over $7 billion in 2005 – today it’s over $12 billion.
In 1993, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was founded to focus the building and construction industry’s vision for its own transformation to high-performance green building. Today, it includes more than 17,846 member companies and organizations. In the past five years USGBC’s membership has quadrupled.
The non-profit organization is composed of leaders from across the building industry working to advance buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. It’s USGBC’s vision to make a change quickly, too. According to their website (www.USGBC.org), their goal is to “guide the creation of buildings and communities that will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.”
The kingpin program that will make this change come about is LEED certification, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED provides a rating for buildings based on human and environmental health, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Nationally, more than 4.2 billion square feet of building space are currently involved with the LEED program. When buildings are built to LEED's rigid standards we will see significant improvement and outcomes in America's green efforts.
Question: Isn’t green building expensive? It doesn’t make sense during the economic crisis. Isn’t it just for the wealth homeowners?
EcoWall: No, the facts indicate the opposite. According to McGraw-Hill Construction's 2008 SmartMarket Report, "The Green Home Consumer," 70% of home buyers are more or much more inclined to buy a green home over a conventional home in a down housing market. That number is even higher, 78%, for those earning less than $50,000 a year, showing the increasing access to green buildings for all members of our society. In fact, 56% of respondents who bought green homes in 2008 earn less than $75,000 per year; 29% earn less than $50,000.
One of the best reasons to build green is economy. If a home is planned for green building in the initial design phase the total cost of construction may be 5% more. For a $300,000 construction cost that means building high-efficiency green may cost $15,000 more. This initial investment can be reduced with tax credits and energy company rebates.
When one considers that this completed home is saving 50% on energy costs the initial investment would be recouped in just five years. Every year after that is cash saved. Multiply these savings by millions of Americans and you are talking about a major reduction in reliance on foreign oil, as well as reducing the effects on global warming.
Building green is not only affordable, but it's the right thing to do.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
"Show Me the Money!" (aka, Energy Tax Credits)
More has happened in President Obama’s first 50 days than happens in other Presidents' 4 years. A whirlwind of spending measures has pumped a dizzying amount of money into the US economy.
Like you, I’ve been saying, “Show me the money!" So, where’s YOUR stimulus check? When can you expect to see the benefits?
The simple answer is, "When you build, or rebuild, something green."
As a green architectural designer it’s my job to answer these questions. And the best place to look is in the horse’s mouth – the Federal Government’s own websites.
The Energy Star program, created by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Dept. of Energy, offers consumers plenty of information about incentivising green building by way of tax credits. They are encouraging homeowners and home builders to install "energy- and environmental-wise" building supplies, products, and processes that will protect the environment and reduce energy use. This in turn will reduce your utility bills now, as well as clean up the environment and reduce global warming later.
But in order for all this to happen, it’s key to understand the details of the Stimulus bill’s financial benefits. Here’s what it means for you in three easy-to-read FAQs:
Question: How has the new Stimulus bill affected the tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?
Answer: On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:
• The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
• The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
• The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
• The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009-2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
• The $200 cap on windows has been removed, but the requirements for windows has been increased significantly. Not all ENERGY STAR qualified windows will qualify.
Question: What products are eligible for a tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?
Answer: On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits.
Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500 total, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:
• Windows and Doors
• Insulation
• Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
• HVAC
• Water Heaters (non-solar)
• Biomass Stoves
Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes & new construction) for:
• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Solar Panels
• Solar Water Heater
• Small Wind Energy Systems
• Fuel Cells
Question: I want to build my own home, can I qualify for any of the tax credits?
Answer: A 30% tax credit (including labor and installation), with no upper limit, is available for consumers building new homes (through 2016) for:
• Photovoltaics
• Solar Water Heaters
• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Small Wind Energy Systems
• Fuel Cells
To qualify for the fuel cell credit, the new home you are building must be planned as your principle residence. The credit for photovoltaic, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, and small wind energy systems does not have to be for your principal residence; so, rental units, second homes, etc... are all eligible. See the Instructions attached to 2008 IRS Form 5695 to help you further with this provision.
The tax credit for these products is ONLY available for existing homes:
• Windows/Skylights
• Doors
• Insulation
• Roofs (metal and asphalt)
• HVAC
• Water Heaters (non-solar)
• Bio-mass Stoves
There is a $2,000 tax credit for building a new energy efficient home, but it is ONLY available to "eligible contractors"; therefore, owner/builders may not receive the builder tax credit unless employed as eligible contractors. Home builders who qualify as eligible contractors are eligible for the $2,000 tax credit for a new energy efficient home that achieves 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and supplements. At least 1/5 of the energy savings must come from building envelope improvements. There is also a $1,000 tax credit to the builder of a new manufactured home achieving 30% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC and supplements (at least 1/3 of the savings must come from building envelope improvements), or a manufactured home meeting the requirements established by EPA under the ENERGY STAR program.
Remember, if you chose build your own home and act as your own general contractor and hiring subcontractors yourself you still need a professional set of architectural plans. The local building department still hasn't warmed up to approving sketches on a napkin. Be sure to call a qualified green designer, like Eccolo Design.
Like you, I’ve been saying, “Show me the money!" So, where’s YOUR stimulus check? When can you expect to see the benefits?
The simple answer is, "When you build, or rebuild, something green."
As a green architectural designer it’s my job to answer these questions. And the best place to look is in the horse’s mouth – the Federal Government’s own websites.
The Energy Star program, created by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Dept. of Energy, offers consumers plenty of information about incentivising green building by way of tax credits. They are encouraging homeowners and home builders to install "energy- and environmental-wise" building supplies, products, and processes that will protect the environment and reduce energy use. This in turn will reduce your utility bills now, as well as clean up the environment and reduce global warming later.
But in order for all this to happen, it’s key to understand the details of the Stimulus bill’s financial benefits. Here’s what it means for you in three easy-to-read FAQs:
Question: How has the new Stimulus bill affected the tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?
Answer: On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:
• The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
• The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
• The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
• The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009-2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
• The $200 cap on windows has been removed, but the requirements for windows has been increased significantly. Not all ENERGY STAR qualified windows will qualify.
Question: What products are eligible for a tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?
Answer: On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits.
Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500 total, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:
• Windows and Doors
• Insulation
• Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
• HVAC
• Water Heaters (non-solar)
• Biomass Stoves
Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes & new construction) for:
• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Solar Panels
• Solar Water Heater
• Small Wind Energy Systems
• Fuel Cells
Question: I want to build my own home, can I qualify for any of the tax credits?
Answer: A 30% tax credit (including labor and installation), with no upper limit, is available for consumers building new homes (through 2016) for:
• Photovoltaics
• Solar Water Heaters
• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Small Wind Energy Systems
• Fuel Cells
To qualify for the fuel cell credit, the new home you are building must be planned as your principle residence. The credit for photovoltaic, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, and small wind energy systems does not have to be for your principal residence; so, rental units, second homes, etc... are all eligible. See the Instructions attached to 2008 IRS Form 5695 to help you further with this provision.
The tax credit for these products is ONLY available for existing homes:
• Windows/Skylights
• Doors
• Insulation
• Roofs (metal and asphalt)
• HVAC
• Water Heaters (non-solar)
• Bio-mass Stoves
There is a $2,000 tax credit for building a new energy efficient home, but it is ONLY available to "eligible contractors"; therefore, owner/builders may not receive the builder tax credit unless employed as eligible contractors. Home builders who qualify as eligible contractors are eligible for the $2,000 tax credit for a new energy efficient home that achieves 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and supplements. At least 1/5 of the energy savings must come from building envelope improvements. There is also a $1,000 tax credit to the builder of a new manufactured home achieving 30% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC and supplements (at least 1/3 of the savings must come from building envelope improvements), or a manufactured home meeting the requirements established by EPA under the ENERGY STAR program.
Remember, if you chose build your own home and act as your own general contractor and hiring subcontractors yourself you still need a professional set of architectural plans. The local building department still hasn't warmed up to approving sketches on a napkin. Be sure to call a qualified green designer, like Eccolo Design.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Stimulus Funds = Green Funds
President Obama’s stimulus plan that targets $5.5 billion for green building projects is welcomed news for all Americans -- today and tomorrow.
President Obama’s latest stimulus plan has targeted $5.5 billion for green building projects and another $300 million to invest in fuel-efficient vehicles. This is welcomed news for our sustainable/green-building industry. It’s also good news for all Americans. These dollars will not only create needed jobs, but will begin to reduce the damage to the environment from unhealthy buildings and vehicle pollution.
Specifically, the stimulus calls for $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings, $750 million to renovate and construct federal buildings and courthouses, and $300 million to renovate and construct land ports of entry.
What does this mean for you and me? It means a superior workplace that is healthier for a million federal employees across the US. The federal government is taking the lead in incorporating the principles of sustainable design and energy efficiency into all of its building projects.
The private sector should pay close attention.
The goal is to require that all new federal construction projects and substantial renovations must be certified through the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
Projects will exceed basic LEED green building certification, by achieving the LEED Silver level. LEED is a set of nationally-recognized requirements for certifying that a project is indeed green.
These funds will also send a clear message that President Obama means to walk the green talk.
So what does this mean for you? As a consumer it means green is not just a nice idea. It’s real. And more and more, it will become a part of your everyday life. It also means that each of us must become students in learning how we can each participate in this process in our homes and businesses.
The educators of this green transition will be the local designers and builders. Each of us in the building trades is no longer just a designer, a builder, or a product provider. We now are sustainability consultants, energy-efficiency contractors and green building product providers.
It’s incumbent upon each of us “in-the-know” to know everything we can about how our companies can best provide consumers with cost-effective green products and services. It’s not going to be business as usual.
The stimulus package represents an enormous opportunity to ramp up the building business. New jobs will be the result today. Even better, we’ll clean up our world and reduce energy costs – leaving a better home for our children tomorrow.
The details about funding mechanisms, such as tax credits, rebates, and low-interest loans, are now becoming apparent. I’ll update these developments in the next EcoWall blog.
President Obama’s latest stimulus plan has targeted $5.5 billion for green building projects and another $300 million to invest in fuel-efficient vehicles. This is welcomed news for our sustainable/green-building industry. It’s also good news for all Americans. These dollars will not only create needed jobs, but will begin to reduce the damage to the environment from unhealthy buildings and vehicle pollution.
Specifically, the stimulus calls for $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings, $750 million to renovate and construct federal buildings and courthouses, and $300 million to renovate and construct land ports of entry.
What does this mean for you and me? It means a superior workplace that is healthier for a million federal employees across the US. The federal government is taking the lead in incorporating the principles of sustainable design and energy efficiency into all of its building projects.
The private sector should pay close attention.
The goal is to require that all new federal construction projects and substantial renovations must be certified through the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
Projects will exceed basic LEED green building certification, by achieving the LEED Silver level. LEED is a set of nationally-recognized requirements for certifying that a project is indeed green.
These funds will also send a clear message that President Obama means to walk the green talk.
So what does this mean for you? As a consumer it means green is not just a nice idea. It’s real. And more and more, it will become a part of your everyday life. It also means that each of us must become students in learning how we can each participate in this process in our homes and businesses.
The educators of this green transition will be the local designers and builders. Each of us in the building trades is no longer just a designer, a builder, or a product provider. We now are sustainability consultants, energy-efficiency contractors and green building product providers.
It’s incumbent upon each of us “in-the-know” to know everything we can about how our companies can best provide consumers with cost-effective green products and services. It’s not going to be business as usual.
The stimulus package represents an enormous opportunity to ramp up the building business. New jobs will be the result today. Even better, we’ll clean up our world and reduce energy costs – leaving a better home for our children tomorrow.
The details about funding mechanisms, such as tax credits, rebates, and low-interest loans, are now becoming apparent. I’ll update these developments in the next EcoWall blog.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
“Here it is” – Eccolo Design firm launched
Eccolo Design has opened a brand new design studio in Santa Barbara. The father-son led firm is owned by Wally and Matthew Hofmann and offers clients two decades of combined design and build experience.
Eccolo Design LLC offers the full spectrum of residential design services including interior, land planning, and landscape design.
Prior to launching a sustainable projects career, Wally was founder and publisher of the Mammoth Times weekly newspaper. Matthew is a graduate of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo where he received a Bachelors’ degree in Architecture and studied a year in Florence, Italy. The company’s name, Eccolo, is pronounced “echo-low” and is Italian for Here it is.
“Green building is ‘all the buzz’ in the design industry, but it’s more than just a fad” said Wally, “we consider sustainability a minimum requirement that all quality architecture must achieve.” The partners have been designing, building and remodeling high-end homes in Santa Barbara, Montecito and Mammoth since the 1980s.
Wally believes it’s one thing to say you design and build “green,” but it’s another to have completed the rigorous requirements of sustainable certification practices. Both partners are LEED Accredited Professionals, and Eccolo is a member of the US Green Building Council.
“We specialize in developing projects that explore innovative methods of design that are beautiful, affordable, and respectful to the earth and its resources,” said Matthew. “A residence should be as much of a representation of where it is as to who lives in it.”
To find more information on the firm and to see samples of past work, visit www.EccoloDesign.com or call (805) 845-5775. Also, don’t miss the chance to read their Blog to get the latest updates on the firm.
Eccolo Design LLC offers the full spectrum of residential design services including interior, land planning, and landscape design.
Prior to launching a sustainable projects career, Wally was founder and publisher of the Mammoth Times weekly newspaper. Matthew is a graduate of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo where he received a Bachelors’ degree in Architecture and studied a year in Florence, Italy. The company’s name, Eccolo, is pronounced “echo-low” and is Italian for Here it is.
“Green building is ‘all the buzz’ in the design industry, but it’s more than just a fad” said Wally, “we consider sustainability a minimum requirement that all quality architecture must achieve.” The partners have been designing, building and remodeling high-end homes in Santa Barbara, Montecito and Mammoth since the 1980s.
Wally believes it’s one thing to say you design and build “green,” but it’s another to have completed the rigorous requirements of sustainable certification practices. Both partners are LEED Accredited Professionals, and Eccolo is a member of the US Green Building Council.
“We specialize in developing projects that explore innovative methods of design that are beautiful, affordable, and respectful to the earth and its resources,” said Matthew. “A residence should be as much of a representation of where it is as to who lives in it.”
To find more information on the firm and to see samples of past work, visit www.EccoloDesign.com or call (805) 845-5775. Also, don’t miss the chance to read their Blog to get the latest updates on the firm.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
So, you want to rebuild green?
Q: Our home burned down in the Tea Fire, so naturally, we’d like to rebuild – but this time we want to build green. But it seems like everyone’s jumping on the green bandwagon. How can I know if a builder is really green? --Debbie, homemaker, SB Mountain Drive
EcoWall: Sorry to hear about losing your home, Debbie. The silver lining is that your next "green" home will not only be more efficient to operate, but it won’t cost much more to build green. You’ll be doing your part now towards reducing pollution and, down the road, your energy bills will be a lot less.
Good for the planet. Good for Santa Barbara. Good for you.
The quick answer to your question is this: Hire an architect or construction firm that is a member of the US Green Building Council and has a LEED accredited professional on staff. But there’s much more back story to tell… so let’s jump right in!
Green Beginnings. Since the birth of the environmental movement, right here in Santa Barbara back in 1969, there have been hundreds of green organizations in the US. Many have delivered excellent results. And many builders are utilizing green building practices in their construction every day.
But when it comes to the nation attacking the worst wasters, it would be wise to take on the worst pollution culprit. No, it’s not the automobile -- it’s buildings.
According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), buildings consume 40% of the nation’s total energy. The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) website reports that buildings in the US use 72% the nation’s annual electricity. Plus the built environment has a huge affect on many other hidden aspects of our lives.
The Reality. The problem is many building professionals are misinformed about their role in the solution. Check out this WBCSD article dated April 15, 2008: “The WBCSD’s Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EEB) project commissioned interviews with 1,423 such professionals in eight countries – developed and developing – from late 2006 through early 2007. Asked what percentage of CO2 emissions do you think buildings give rise to, participants responded, on average, 19% – less than half the correct answer. Responses from US professionals averaged 12%.”
The memo that building professionals and homebuilders need to get is that they are either contributing to the problem or part of the solution. Only a new awareness coupled with a drastic change in behavior will result in substantial energy and emissions reduction.
The Myth. Diehard, old-school contractors will tell you, “Sure, lady… I can build you a green home, but it’s gonna cost you twice as much!” But that’s simply not the case. The same WBCSD report asked builders, “How much more do you think a certified sustainable building would cost to build relative to a normal building.” The average response worldwide was “17% more in cost.” In fact, the additional cost is usually less than 5% in developed countries.
Maybe the most telling statistic of all was that only 13% of the respondents had ever been involved in the building of a green building! But that’s all changing with President Barack, you and me.
Building Boom? Despite the nation’s financial crisis there is a green boom going on. Ever since the 1990s, American retailers and consumers have been making the switch to more efficient and less polluting appliances and practices. The annual U.S. market in green building products and services is doubling at a rapid pace – worth over $7 billion in 2005 – today it’s over $12 billion.
But real change needs to come from the people like us – homeowners, home buyers, designers, builders, and even those who are out pounding the nails. We all have a role.
Taking the LEED. Truly, one of the brightest stars in the green building movement started in 1993 when the USGBC was founded. The USGBC was created to focus the building and construction industry on high-performance green building. Today, it includes more than 17,846 member companies and organizations. In the past five years USGBC’s membership has quadrupled.
The non-profit organization is composed of leaders from across the building industry working to advance buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. It’s USGBC’s vision to make a change quickly, too. According to theirwebsite their goal is to “guide the creation of buildings and communities that will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.”
The program that will make this change come about is LEED certification, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED provides a rating for buildings based on human and environmental health, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Nationally, more than 4.2 billion square feet of building space are currently involved with the LEED program.
In future EcoWall blogs we’ll discuss what LEED is, how it works, and what it accomplishes. For example, homeowners living in completed LEED certified residences today are saving upwards of $12,000 a year in utility bills. Now that’s thinking green.
Next time: A chat with former local USGBC Chapter President Michael Holliday, discussing the LEED projects that are underway in Santa Barbara County.
EcoWall EnergyTip: Switch out your standard light bulbs to energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs and use 75% less electricity. In places that require night time lighting for safety and security use daylight sensors and motion detectors.
EcoWall WebTip: The Mountain Drive Community Association (MDCA) has an excellent website devoted to Tea Fire victims and supports. Check it out HERE.
(When submitting an EcoWall question please include your occupation and neighborhood.)
EcoWall: Sorry to hear about losing your home, Debbie. The silver lining is that your next "green" home will not only be more efficient to operate, but it won’t cost much more to build green. You’ll be doing your part now towards reducing pollution and, down the road, your energy bills will be a lot less.
Good for the planet. Good for Santa Barbara. Good for you.
The quick answer to your question is this: Hire an architect or construction firm that is a member of the US Green Building Council and has a LEED accredited professional on staff. But there’s much more back story to tell… so let’s jump right in!
Green Beginnings. Since the birth of the environmental movement, right here in Santa Barbara back in 1969, there have been hundreds of green organizations in the US. Many have delivered excellent results. And many builders are utilizing green building practices in their construction every day.
But when it comes to the nation attacking the worst wasters, it would be wise to take on the worst pollution culprit. No, it’s not the automobile -- it’s buildings.
According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), buildings consume 40% of the nation’s total energy. The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) website reports that buildings in the US use 72% the nation’s annual electricity. Plus the built environment has a huge affect on many other hidden aspects of our lives.
The Reality. The problem is many building professionals are misinformed about their role in the solution. Check out this WBCSD article dated April 15, 2008: “The WBCSD’s Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EEB) project commissioned interviews with 1,423 such professionals in eight countries – developed and developing – from late 2006 through early 2007. Asked what percentage of CO2 emissions do you think buildings give rise to, participants responded, on average, 19% – less than half the correct answer. Responses from US professionals averaged 12%.”
The memo that building professionals and homebuilders need to get is that they are either contributing to the problem or part of the solution. Only a new awareness coupled with a drastic change in behavior will result in substantial energy and emissions reduction.
The Myth. Diehard, old-school contractors will tell you, “Sure, lady… I can build you a green home, but it’s gonna cost you twice as much!” But that’s simply not the case. The same WBCSD report asked builders, “How much more do you think a certified sustainable building would cost to build relative to a normal building.” The average response worldwide was “17% more in cost.” In fact, the additional cost is usually less than 5% in developed countries.
Maybe the most telling statistic of all was that only 13% of the respondents had ever been involved in the building of a green building! But that’s all changing with President Barack, you and me.
Building Boom? Despite the nation’s financial crisis there is a green boom going on. Ever since the 1990s, American retailers and consumers have been making the switch to more efficient and less polluting appliances and practices. The annual U.S. market in green building products and services is doubling at a rapid pace – worth over $7 billion in 2005 – today it’s over $12 billion.
But real change needs to come from the people like us – homeowners, home buyers, designers, builders, and even those who are out pounding the nails. We all have a role.
Taking the LEED. Truly, one of the brightest stars in the green building movement started in 1993 when the USGBC was founded. The USGBC was created to focus the building and construction industry on high-performance green building. Today, it includes more than 17,846 member companies and organizations. In the past five years USGBC’s membership has quadrupled.
The non-profit organization is composed of leaders from across the building industry working to advance buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. It’s USGBC’s vision to make a change quickly, too. According to their
The program that will make this change come about is LEED certification, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED provides a rating for buildings based on human and environmental health, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Nationally, more than 4.2 billion square feet of building space are currently involved with the LEED program.
In future EcoWall blogs we’ll discuss what LEED is, how it works, and what it accomplishes. For example, homeowners living in completed LEED certified residences today are saving upwards of $12,000 a year in utility bills. Now that’s thinking green.
Next time: A chat with former local USGBC Chapter President Michael Holliday, discussing the LEED projects that are underway in Santa Barbara County.
EcoWall EnergyTip: Switch out your standard light bulbs to energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs and use 75% less electricity. In places that require night time lighting for safety and security use daylight sensors and motion detectors.
EcoWall WebTip: The Mountain Drive Community Association (MDCA) has an excellent website devoted to Tea Fire victims and supports. Check it out HERE.
(When submitting an EcoWall question please include your occupation and neighborhood.)
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