Disadvantages of Building Green

Unfortunately, it seems that everything that is beneficial to people tends to carry a higher price tag with it. For example, the checkout receipt from a simple trip to the grocery store seems to double if the items that were purchased include fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and fish; instead of chips, cookies and canned foods. Just when a lot of people are seriously thinking about trying to help preserve the environment by building an eco friendly home, a few disadvantages to this type of construction are slowly beginning to rise to the surface. Of course, the primary concern is the tremendous initial cost that is usually associated with the whole “building green” process. Therefore, it is a wise thing to spend a little time and effort thoroughly sorting out and searching through all of the variables that may be connected to this fairly new style of constructing a home.

The most important stumbling block in this endeavor might just be the availability, or rather the lack of, adequate funding. This is something that will have to be quickly dealt with. Obviously, since this construction method is a fairly new concept to many people, the conditions and restrictions of such building loans might make it very difficult for the average homeowner to even be able to obtain a mortgage. Secondly, any potential green house builder also has to remember that since “building green” is a relatively newly introduced technique, the demand for these types of building materials has been very low up to this point in time.

Consequently, the possibility always exists that it may be more than a little difficult to obtain them from any of the material supply sources that are located in their particular area. As most people can attest to, the lack of competition automatically increases the prices of most items. Add to this fact, if a person has to order these things from a distant supplier, shipping and handling charges will also have to be included in the final price. Therefore, at the end of the day, the bottom line figure that will have to be mortgaged may be a whole lot more than some of the lending institutions will be ready to agree to. Locating qualified building contractors can become another exhausting undertaking.

Therefore, as you can see, there are a number of variables that just might have an adverse effect on the entire building process. Delving into any brand new idea or concept requires a whole bunch of planning, consideration and preparation. Try to envision how much more of all of these things will be absolutely necessary when dealing with a project of this magnitude.

Building Green – Government Incentives To Help You Get Started

There are lots of benefits to living in a green home, including reduced health risks, the knowledge that you’re making a difference for the environment, and reduced energy bills. However, you may not know that many state and local governments, as well as entities like utility companies are offering incentives for people to build green. This is occurring across the United States, and the number of incentives keeps growing.

Some of the private and government incentives for building green include tax breaks, rebates, and more – just for adding ecologically friendly elements into your life. These incentives can help you get more ambitious green building projects off the ground. There are lots of resources available to help you find out what incentives are available in your area, including books and magazines. However, the most useful of all is the Internet.

Different states offer different incentives, as do different locations. None of the states have no incentives for green building at all, but some are limited to tax breaks or other less desirable options. That means that every area is going to be a little different. Some are more favorable for green building, so it’s important to do your research.

The US government offers a number of incentives and tax breaks for people who upgrade their homes in ways that increase efficiency. These incentives are offered through the Energy Policy Act of 2005. More information can be found by looking up this act, or searching for government energy incentives in your favorite search engine.

The EPA has a number of link for sources of funding available to green builders, at state and local levels as well as nationally. These incentives are available to homeowners, but also to people in industry or government organizations and non profit organizations. It’s possible to get tax credits, grants, loans and more for specific projects.

Local incentives can be found by contacting local authorities or by online search as well. The DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency) can be used to find incentives at the federal, state, and local levels, and will also help you search for utility incentives for people who use renewable energy sources or more efficient practices. This non profit project gets its funding from the US Department of energy, via the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the North Carolina Solar Center.

You can find information about federal tax credits that can be earned just for using energy efficient appliances and other products, too. The Energy Star site, operated by the US government, tells home builders and consumers what they can get for switching to a better product. That means you’ll not only save on your energy bill – you’ll get a tax break, too.

There are lots of options out there for people interested in building green. Government incentives, as well as benefits on the state and local level, make it easier to change your life to one that’s better for the environment. Take a look at all your options and find out what you’ve been missing. It could be enough to kickstart your green building project.

Green. . .What’s It Mean?

lake-burdenCreating a green home is not a static process. Rather, it requires the application of several elements that, taken together, can result in a comfortable, durable, energy-efficient, healthy, and environmentally responsible structure. These elements include:

Energy: Energy conservation can be achieved through the judicious choice of construction methods, HVAC systems, lighting, appliances, and home orientation. For example, selecting a lot that allows the most energy-efficient orientation of a home in relation to the sun is a simple but often overlooked way to cut energy bills. In fact, some experts estimate that combining proper home orientation with a design that is focused on retaining the sun’s heat in winter and blocking it in summer can produce an energy savings of between 30 and 40 percent.

Water: Residential construction can contribute to the preservation of this most important resource through incorporating low-water-usage appliances and plumbing fixtures, efficient irrigation design, and use of drought-tolerant native plants.

Durability: A green home is one that will still be standing strong many years down the road. Construction methods, fire-resistant materials, moisture mitigation, and termite control all play a part in creating a durable structure.

Materials: Conservation of materials is the first and foremost goal in this category, and minimizing square footage makes the biggest difference. However, building materials that are produced or available locally, that contain recycled content, and/or that support sustainability (for example, wood with a sustainable forestry certification) are also important contributors to a green home.

Recycling of building material waste during construction is another principal component of material usage.

Health: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that indoor air is typically two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Proper ventilation and the selection of products with low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are two ways to improve indoor air quality. (VOCs, found in many paints, stains, carpet, carpet padding, cabinetry, particleboard, sealants, and adhesives, are emitted as gases that negatively affect air quality.)

Incorporating a central vacuum system can also improve air quality. Regular vacuum cleaners release dust and other allergens back into the air. A central vacuum system, on the other hand, deposits 100 percent of vacuumed substances into the canister (usually located in the garage).

By the year 2030, half of all buildings in America will have been built since the year 2000. Building green now will make a difference for years to come.

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Guest Writer Tracy DeCarlo

Tracy DeCarlo is author of The Difference is in the Details: The Homeowner’s Planning Guide for Building a Functional Home and owner of One Stop Green Home Certification.

>>Click Here To Purchase The Book<<

>>Click Here For More Information About Green Home Certification<<



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