Green Building is growing around the Nation like Wildfire! Houston is by no means an exception to this growth. Green seems to be the thing to talk about around here, and the term used by someone last week was Cocktail Conversation. No doubt that folks are hopping on the bandwagon and advertising GREEN Products.
I heard a statistic the other day that researchers expect consumers to be just as apt to purchase a product advertised as 'GREEN' as they would one advertised 'FREE' over the next few years.
With that said, we can see how powerful GREEN is right now.
BUT, that brings up another discussion to be concerned with. How do we know what is REALLY green? What is GREEN anyway? I personally expect, over the next decade, for that term to change meanings and other words come to play when describing anything. How about Sustainable, Recycled, High Performing...
The are so many other options. We are already seeing builders use the term GREEN for homes in the area that are ONLY Energy Efficient. As a system is it green? Probably, but when you throw in Oil Based paints, a 4500 sq. ft. home, Mass Manufactured Products shipped from a Country across the globe, that home has an ENORMOUS Carbon Footprint. This, in my eyes, is extremely misleading being termed GREEN.
So, with Green being the Rave right now, what can we look for? What is REALLY important to be Green? That is an emotional question since Green means something different to everyone, but here are some things to consider when looking at a 'GREEN Product' or home.
Indoor Air Quality-
- What kind of paints and adhesives are used? Carpets, Cabinets, etc. Do they have excessive amounts of VOC's?
- How is the HVAC system?
- If the builder is using a Spray Foam with a VERY tight envelope, is the home vented properly? Same if they are using an otherwise normal insulation.
- Any other products used with Formaldehyde or Petroleum base? A New Home does not necessarily equal Healthy.
Products Used-
- Do they come from a Sustainable resource?
- If it is wood, how and where is it Harvested? How about milling the trees cut down on lots to be used in the home somehow?
- Are the products recycled, engineered, pre-cut to size....If so, from where?
- Indoor Air Quality is closely tied to this as well.
Energy Efficiency-
- What kind of appliances, light fixtures are there?
- To clear up some confusion, JUST having Solar Panels on a house DO NOT make it GREEN.
Other Green Products-
- How far are they shipped? I found an excellent 'Wood' flooring the other day made from recycled Coke Bottles with an outstanding Warranty on wear and tear. Looked fantastic! I was all excited until I found out that it was from New Zealand.
- Paints and Adhesives- Low VOC? Petroleum Based? (it's everywhere! In furniture, baby diapers, etc.) These products can off gas for a long period of time.
- If it is Harvested, what kind of products were used to grow it? (Fertilizers, etc. can contaminate water supplies)
I think that is enough for now. For every item termed GREEN there may be unintended consequences on something else. Take for example the Fertilizer example I used above, or how about shipping the flooring from New Zealand? How about the Fertilizer used to make Corn for Ethanol contaminating water supplies in the South? Anything termed GREEN has an amazing Lifecycle from Manufacturing to Installing and Using.
So, with Green being RED HOT right now, let's not forget in the mean time what GREEN is all about. Let's not lose sight of the TRUE Meaning and what it is all about. Getting away from the Basics of Green could end up giving it a Bad Rap in the eyes of the consumers...Now that the Green has merged in to the mainstream of things, let's not ruin it.
What have you seen lately that has been termed GREEN in your area that probably should not be?
Stephanie,
I hope the term is not abused like the term 'organic' has become with food!!! Thanks, Fran
Stephanie, One of the things I have learned from my straw bale building friends is the idea of embodied energy. If we look at the amount of energy used to produce and deliver our products vs. the lifespan of the product. Things like Portland cement; making this, used everywhere stuff, is very polluting. The amount of CO2 released and the energy used in the process is stunning. But if designed right it can last a long time.
I like local building supplies, and reusing.
If we all show interest in the flooring you found they will license somebody to produce it here! What is it called? who makes it?
ah, Green. It sure is a buzzword now - remember last spring? Seems like 10 years ago. Now it's in the paper and on the tube weekly. Magazines in our area are tripping over each other to look greener.
I propose that we start an Activerain green certification - why not? Let's call it "Green-certified blogger" or something like that.
Cheers!
HI Stephanie - great post as always! I like Jeff's suggestion, "Green-certified blogger!" How fun is that!
Your post identifies why it is important for people to become active in organizations like USGBC and Green Building programs. Programs such as these help educate not only professionals but also consumers. Keep up the Green Quest! You're awesome!
HI Stephanie - great post as always! I like Jeff's suggestion, "Green-certified blogger!" How fun is that!
Your post identifies why it is important for people to become active in organizations like USGBC and Green Building programs. Programs such as these help educate not only professionals but also consumers. Keep up the Green Quest! You're awesome!
Stephanie~
SO important what you point out...an antidote to "greenwashing"...
"So, with Green being RED HOT right now, let's not forget in the mean time what GREEN is all about. Let's not lose sight of the TRUE Meaning and what it is all about. Getting away from the Basics of Green could end up giving it a Bad Rap in the eyes of the consumers...Now that the Green has merged in to the mainstream of things, let's not ruin it.
Stephanie,
Good point. It's going to be a big challenge to define Green, and not only that but to somehow enforce the standards of Green. There are lots of firms right now who promote their Green agenda and all it is is words. They just do it in hopes of attracting more customers, so it's up to the consumer to ask the right questions.