Q: Doesn't being "green" cost more? Why should I make this investment?
A: Green products and services can cost more, but the payoff is two-fold. First, homebuyers are rapidly becoming more green-conscious. Builders, who can offer a higher green certification, highlight their offerings vs. the competition, and provide what is seen as a higher-value dwelling. Second, with the skyrocketing rise of energy prices, energy conservation savings narrow the difference between green and non-green pricing. Indeed, with the unpredictability of energy prices -- anyone want to predict the cost of gas, natural gas, and electricity ten years from now? Owning a green house may become a key factor in a family's financial well-being.
Q: When should I contact the Green Team?
A: The earlier in the planning stage, the better. Green Team member, H&M Concrete Company, can show you how to get a superior green product for your concrete needs, plus can advise on using concrete for energy conservation, radiant floor heating, and the like. For energy-saving automation, the best time for Atlas Smart Homes to wire the home is before the walls are enclosed. Because the Green Team members meet weekly, your project gets discussed with the combined expertise of all members of the team. Whoever you use to plan a green home, you should plan together as a coordinated effort, rather than as single projects.
Q: What is the difference between Green Team Client Services and Green Team Referrals?
A: Client Services are provided by the members of the Green Team. Currently, these are four business owners, all of whom know each other well, as people, business owners, and by reputation in the Central Oregon building industry. In the future, other complementary businesses will be added as Green Team members.
Green Team Referrals are made for green building services outside of the Green Team members. We use our relationships, contacts, and knowledge of other green businesses to refer those contractors to you. We are intent on selecting businesses with good reputation and service, who practice green building efforts, and who are compatible, on both a personal and professional level.
Q: Does working with the Green Team offer any financial benefits for the builder or home owner?
A: Each Green Team member will provide discounts on their products and services when you are using more than one Green Team member for your green building project.
Q: What’s green about concrete?
A: There are a lot of characteristics about concrete that are green. Concrete can be recycled, and it is has efficient insulating applications, like Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction and concrete floors over hydro radiant tubes (radiant floors).
Q: How can the manufacturing of concrete be more green?
A: Slag is now being used in concrete manufacturing rather than fly ash, slag is a by-product of iron production in a blast furnace. This makes use of a by-product material that might otherwise be land filled. Slag cement is one of the most sustainable construction materials available because it recovers an industrial by-product. Slag cement is a superior product and results in less environmental impact because it requires less energy to produce. To explore slag cement further, visit the H&M Concrete Company page on this site.
Q: How does installation of wiring, electronics and speakers differ when working on a green built home?
A: Building green starts with the running of wire. Green homes are often built with ICF insulation. The method for running wire to accommodate very air-tight houses requires special tools, as well as attention to all holes, created to run wire, then filled to keep energy in, and cold out.
Q: Why buy Energy Star appliances?
A: Energy Star appliances save you money, and often take less time to do their task. Most will qualify for tax credits and energy rebates. Energy Star is becoming the industry standard for homebuilding, and is an essential marketing tool for builders, as energy costs continue to soar.
Q: What can cabinet makers do to be “green” ?
A: Kemper cabinets are made by MasterBrand, which qualified for the KCMA Environmental Stewardshiop Program (ESP) certification. This nationally-recognized certification means that Kemper recycles waste, uses low-emission coatings, and uses environmentally responsible materials.
Green Building Resources - LINKS
Our link resource collection will be added to from time to time. Here is a good place to start your information search for Green Building...
From the Energy Star® folks
"Putting Energy Into Profits: Energy Star® Guide for Small Business" (recommended!)
a PDF format document
From the Common Fire Foundation (Green Building)
www.commonfire.org/community/greenwelcome.html
two PDF format brochures, worth reading
(the "15 Ways" PDF is a one-minute download on a broadband connection)
17 Ways to Green A NEW Building (before construction)
3.8MB
15 Ways to Green your Existing Home or Building
9.2MB
BuildingGreen.com
One of the Internet's most comprehensive sites about Green Building. Includes a fantastic database of green building products.
Affordable Housing Goes Green
Once a High-End Luxury, Energy Efficient Space Becomes Available to Average Home Buyers
www.washingtonindependent.com
"...affordable housing developers are beginning to take on the green standard. Low-income communities, many experts say, have a lot to gain from greener, more sustainable homes. Sustainable building practices lead to energy conservation, water conservation, healthier indoor air quality, more durable structures and access to public transportation -- all of which significantly cut down on long-term costs for residents.
The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings
State of California
The 130 page report can be downloaded from:
ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding
"While the environmental and human health benefits of green building have been widely recognized, this comprehensive report confirms that minimal increases in upfront costs of 0-2% to support green design will result in life cycle savings of 20% of total construction costs – more than ten times the initial investment."
Building Green on a Budget
www.buildinggreen.com
A checklist of design strategies, building practices, and material substitutions that will cost no more than—or actually cost less than—conventional practice. By no means should this list be considered complete in terms of what can be done on a tight budget.
Finding the Right Shade of Green
www.topbuildingjobs.com
People considering green homes “really think about it and plan well,” since he sees “80% of the benefit of green building” as coming from simple things involved in the planning process, such as orientation and location.
Metal Construction Materials and Sustainability
www.themetalinitiative.com
Commercial metal roofs with heat-deflecting coatings and finishes can save building owners up to 40% in heating and cooling costs. Additional savings can be realized if these coatings are used in conjunction with insulation under the roof surface.