Take the ENERGY STAR new homes program, for example, the one I’m most familiar with. Version 1 required only one inspection, a home energy rating (for the performance path), and no checklists. Version 3, which becomes mandatory for builders wanting the ENERGY STAR label on their homes starting next January, requires 2 inspections, a home energy rating, and 4 checklists.

I understand the need for it from the perspective of the program administrators. Building and energy codes are catching up with voluntary program requirements, so they have to keep moving forward. Program leaders also have attempted to clarify the ambiguity of early versions of program requirements. And they have to make sure that the program is meaningful and that when the program label appears on a home, that home is significantly better than homes without the label. I get all that.

It just seems like we’ve lost our way, that we’ve all gotten blinded by a confusion of checklists, worksheets, prescriptive measures, and certification levels. Not to mention the confusion that comes from having so many different programs out there. If you’re a builder, you have to decide if you’re going for ENERGY STAR, LEED for Homes, EarthCraft House, NAHB Green Building Standard, Environments for Living… It’s not an easy task.

One of the first points of confusion that participants in the ENERGY STAR program face is whether to certify via the prescriptive or the performance path. That sounds pretty clear-cut, right? When you take a closer look, however, you find that the prescriptive path has performance requirements (e.g., testing for duct leakage and infiltration rates), and the performance path is chock full of prescriptive requirements. Just look at the 4 checklists required in ENERGY STAR Version 3.

As constructed, the performance path is differentiated from the prescriptive path by its requirement for a HERS rating. It’s based on how the home is constructed, how it tests out, and how the software does the energy modeling. It doesn’t depend on how the house actually performs, though, and that could differ significantly from the modeled performance. One reason we do it this way is so that the homes certified will carry the program label while they’re for sale, thus helping the builder to market their homes.

But what if we included the performance of a home over its first year of occupancy? Then we could include the actual energy use and calculate the energy intensity, even separating out baseload from the energy used for heating and cooling. It seems to me that this would be one of the best ways to handle quality assurance, too. If HERS raters, builders, and trade contractors know that their work has to pass not only the initial inspections but also a full year’s worth of performance assessments, don’t you think they’ll pay a bit more attention to getting the details right?

We could simplify the requirements for the initial certification and make sure everyone knows that the initial label means only that the home has gone through a process. Even though the energy modeling may say the home will use only $900 of energy per year, for example, everyone will know that that will be compared to the actual energy consumption for the ‘real’ label.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on this Monday morning. I’m interested to hear what you think.

Top photo by acearchie from flickr.com, used under a Creative Commons license. Lower photo by Ian Sane from flickr.com, used under a Creative Commons license.

GIMBBYs aren’t worried about seeing wind turbines or transmission lines from their backyards as are the NIMBYs. It’s the guy next store that they don’t want to see. And GIMBBYs number many among us. A recent study conducted for the National Association of Realtors found privacy to be very important in selecting a home for nearly half of the Americans surveyed.

What’s this got to with energy efficiency? To gain privacy we move to homes that are further from work, schools and stores, suburban and rural outposts that offer us bigger backyards. By way of disclosure, before I go any further let me confess that I am a GIMBBY. I’d probably give up my lights, heat and air conditioning before my five acres of trees shielding me from others.

The Environmental Protection Agency calls big-backyard neighborhoods like mine “automobile dependent locations” and contrasts them with “transit-oriented” neighborhoods, places where you can hop a bus or easily walk to regular destinations. The agency recently looked at which kind of neighborhood uses the most British Thermal Units (BTUs), taking into account size and type of house, its energy efficiency, and vehicle use of its occupants. This is known asLocation Efficiency.

The EPA’s findings indicate that location really is everything. Transit-oriented neighborhoods offered up more energy savings whether the houses were single family detached, single family attached or multi-family. This is significant because homes that share walls typically require less energy for heating and cooling. But that advantage was not significant enough to overcome driving distance for the big-backyard neighborhoods. Travel requirements pretty much trumped all, indicating that a home’s location is “a major variable for household energy consumption,” the EPA said.

The high fuel economy helped the MSU team garner 844 out of a possible 1,000 points, earning its first-place finish. Coming in second place was the Virginia Tech University team, which built an EREV with a 40-mile electric range, also driven by a 21.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack, but with a 90-kilowatt motor. Their extended range was achieved with a flex-fueled, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. Landing in third place was Pennsylvania State University, again with an EREV, which used a 12.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack to power an 80-kilowatt motor. Like the MSU team, their backup power source was a 1.3-liter, biodiesel-fueled, turbocharged diesel engine, which powered a 75-kilowatt UQM generator.

The May competition included a series of safety and technical tests at GM’s Desert Proving Grounds in Yuma, Arizona, marking the end of two years of hard work by the university teams. In the first year of the EcoCAR challenge, the teams determined the design for their vehicles, and in the second year, they had to turn those designs into reality. For the next and final year, the teams will have to refine their vehicles to near-showroom quality. In the meantime, you can participate in a Web chat with the top three teams on Friday, June 4, at 3 p.m. EDT on the EcoCAR blog site, “Inside the Green Garage.” See the press releases from GM and MSU, as well as the EcoCAR Challenge Web site.

A high performance home, like the beautiful home in Hattiesburg i recently verified to the NAHB green building standard is one that takes advantage of energy efficient sustainable construction. The definition of a green built sustainable home varies widely.

The fifth edition of The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal defines sustainability as the practice of developing new structures and renovating existing structures using equipment, materials, and techniques that help achieve long-term balance between extraction and renewal and between environmental inputs and outputs, causing no overall net environmental burden or deficit.

In 2007 the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the International Code Council (ICC) partnered to form and establish a much-needed and nationally-recognizable standard definition of what is meant by “Green Building.”

A consensus committee was formed to develop this standard in compliance with the requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The resulting ANSI approved ICC-700-2008 National Green Building Standard defines green building for single and multifamily homes, residential remodeling projects and site development projects while still allowing for the flexibility required for regionally-appropriate best green practices.

NAHB Green Building Standard is made up of 6 chapters:

1. Land Use
2. Resource Efficiency
3. Energy efficiency
4. Water efficiency
5. Indoor Air Quality
6. Home Owner Education

The USGBC’s LEED program, the EPA ENERGY STAR, and over 100 other green programs exist in the US today. There is no  doubt that learning all the nuances of these programs is a challenge to the appraiser.  So let’s look at a couple of steps that an appraiser can take to gather data in an effort to not only define green but to properly give it value.

If the green home you’re asked to value is part of a third-party rating, like the NAHB program, there will be a paper trail to document the analysis needed to produce the appraisal data. So ask for the following:

1. Any scoring sheet of the green building program
2. A home energy rating or HERS report
3. Fannie Mae Energy Report
4. Documentation of any incentives
   1. An IRS tax credit
   2. Utility rebate
   3. Real estate tax discount
   4. Lower interest rate mortgage
      1. i.      EEM – Sponsored by FHA, VA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as some conventional lenders, it credits a home energy efficiency in the mortgage itself and stretches the debt to income qualifying ratio allowing the home owner to qualify for a larger mortgage amount.

Another challenge to the appraiser might be describing improvements. Begin with the site and pay attention to shading, landscaping materials and water use techniques. Include language that describes the use of solar panels, low VOC paints, recycled glass counters, structural insulated panel (SIP) outside walls and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.

When comes to comparables don’t be fooled by the home with an energy efficient kitchen. That’s a far cry from a home with a green certification. Green built homes are also built “above code”, meaning that you’ll need to pay closer attention to the quality of construction line in the URAR. Actually there are three lines that need special care. Those lines are:

1. Quality of construction
2. Heating and cooling
3. Energy efficient items

If you’ve not made an adjustment in those area a comment should be made as to why they’ve been left off. Items that are not covered in quantity may be addressed in quality. Again, look for incentives, monthly energy savings, and lower maintenance items as good talking points in your analysis.

Appraiser should also remember that some loan underwriters may indicate that Fannie Mae does not allow adjustments for energy efficient features, but that is not the case. You may be called upon to support the energy adjustment, which can be done by multiplying the energy savings by the gross rent multiplier.This is a common capitalization technique and a way to place emphasis on energy efficiency contribution.

Fannie Mae’s Selling Guide includes the following:

“Special energy-savings items must be recognized in the appraisal process. Appraisers must compare energy-efficient features of the subject property to those of comparable properties in the “sales comparison analysis” grid to ensure that the overall contribution of these items is reflected in the market value of the subject property.”

Finding value in a new market can be a challenge but should not be considered impossible. Soon everyone will realize the importance of and recognize the value in building energy efficient.

Opponents state that this would ultimately drive up costs in the short term, however the return on investment would be substantial in the long term. The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(3)(c) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everybody. It’s one of the many organizations playing its role in this progression.

With recent green discussion on space travel/fossil fuel emissions, deforestation and land conservation, it’s important that we as individuals/citizens stay up-to-date on important global issues like warming. As larger organizations like the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative), AFH (Architecture for Humanity), and the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) conducts sustainability campaigns and enforce strict green constraints, our world will continue to become a better, cleaner place. Machines behind the CGI, Doug Band and Former President Clinton have been pursuing an emission reduction plan in the San Francisco Bay area. Meanwhile, GEC (Globetrotters Engineering Corporation) is underway with green building projects in Chicago, IL. Despite these few national examples, green infrastructure, particularly in places like Haiti, has become an integral part of restoration and construction.

This aligns with the implications of “economic viability” and long term sustainability, posing the questions, “Can Haiti really make it through all the costs of repair and reconstruction?” Infrastructure can take a toll on any economy, especially if the funds aren’t there. This goes hand in hand with meeting modern day LEED standards and approaching this in a “greener” sense. Organizations like Architecture for Humanity will make this possible. Architecture for Humanity (1999) is a nonprofit design services firm building “a more sustainable future through the power of professional design.” It was formulated through a group of building professionals whose overwhelming passion for construction drove them to provide a way for underdeveloped, suffering countries to rebuild. Through their dedication and hard work, these people will be able to not only create new buildings and infrastructure, but make them bigger, better, and greener.

To touch on just some of the things that AFH covers:

• Alleviating poverty and providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services
• Bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displaced populations
• Rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas
• Mitigating the effects of rapid urbanization in unplanned settlements
• Creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations
• Reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change

As polluters continue to buy their way out of Carbon Cuts globally, and large organizations continue to dump their waste into lakes, ponds and rivers, communities and must play their role in ensuring sustainability; organizations like the CGI, AFH, and USGBC provide repercussion and policy change for acts such as the above. Most of the results from warming and climate change are minuscule and unnoticeable now, but our youth and earlier generations will experience firsthand the effects of pollutants and unsustainable efforts. Feel free to visit http://www.earthday.org/ to learn more about what you can do to support your world.


Site preparation includes several steps. A survey comes first. Topographical features — trees, streams, rocky outcroppings, relative elevations, and open areas — are carefully marked, providing the basis for everything that follows. Property lines must be located precisely to confirm setbacks (the allowable distance between a structure and a property line) in compliance with local codes. Streets and sidewalks are mapped and flagged. Then the surveyors stake out the location of the various underground utility conduits through the neighborhood and to each house. In the case of a single house under construction, the existing utility services in the neighborhood must be located and the connections to the proposed house carefully plotted. Finally, a soils test is ordered to help determine the type and design of the foundation construction.

Most, if not all, of this information is mandated by the local building authority. Copies of the surveys and tests, usually signed and stamped by a registered professional engineer, must be attached to the proposed construction drawings and submitted for permits or approvals from that authority.

Once those steps are taken and the plans are approved by the building department, the next “site prep” step can be taken. The location of the foundation or footprint of the home is staked to provide a guide for excavation. Typically, the stakes and batter boards (which demarcate every corner or turn in the layout) are connected by nylon strings to outline the exact perimeter of the foundation to be built.

Then backhoes or excavators can get to work, digging ditches to extend existing or new utility conduits — for electrical, plumbing, natural gas, etc. — to serve the house (or houses). Foundations are excavated using the staked-out lines as a guide. The plans will call for footings and — according to individual designs — a crawl space, full basement, concrete slab, and/or perimeter foundation walls in preparation for concrete forms, blocks, or other materials to support the main floor.

Every new-home project requires these site prep steps, and it is important for our homebuyer clients to understand this phase of the job to track our progress and get a complete picture of what is required to build their new home.

Warm

To heat and cool a home built for high performance, a professional builder can select top-quality heating and cooling equipment to ensure year-round comfort and energy savings. However, if the owners want that equipment to perform as designed, they must maintain it.

Fortunately, the proper maintenance of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems (commonly referred to as “HVAC”) does not require homeowners to be mechanical contractors. A few easy steps for preventive care, conducted on schedule, are usually all it takes to keep those systems humming at peak performance.

The vast majority of residential HVAC systems are “forced air” configurations. The system consists of a centrally located condenser along with a furnace and blower units that push heated or cooled air through a network of large pipes (or ducts) into the rooms of the house through vent registers.

A forced air system relies on other ducts to suck in and return air to the system from registers near the ceiling. “Return” air is either recycled through the system or exhausted to the outside, keeping the inside air fresh and comfortable.

Maintaining this system starts at the blower, which circulates a high volume of air. The blower contains a removable filter to prevent small particles and allergens from contaminating the indoor air. For most HVAC systems, the filter should be replaced every three months. Some newer, high-performance systems may have filters that only need to be replaced semi-annually or even just once a year. Consult your owner’s manual for frequency of replacement as well as size of filter. Filters of all sizes are available at most home improvement and hardware stores and are easy to remove and reinsert into the blower.

The next component to maintain is the ductwork. It’s a good idea, even in a new house, to have the ducts cleaned out at least every two years. In fact, most professional builders will offer or simply conduct a thorough duct cleaning before the owners of a new house take occupancy. Responsible builders do not want their buyers to be greeted with a puff of construction dust the first time the HVAC system is used! Two years later, the owners should contact a local duct-cleaning service or ask their builder for a recommendation.

On the same every-other-year schedule, the entire HVAC system should be checked by a professional mechanical contractor. Again, your builder can recommend a reputable service, ideally the company that installed the system. This check-up will ensure that the system is operating properly; bringing enough fresh air into the house, providing adequate ventilation and maximizing energy efficiency. Homeowners can do random spot checks by inspecting the outside of the equipment for any leaks, cracks, or other abnormalities and reporting those to their builder or HVAC service contractor.

This type of simple and inexpensive maintenance program will help to keep the HVAC system running at optimum performance for many years.

But the performance and durability of these items doesn’t happen by accident. It’s true that appliances are built better these days but they are also more complex. Periodic care and maintenance by homeowners is essential to keep them in optimum working order. Lack of cleaning or care can force an appliance to work harder than it needs to, straining its motor and other moving parts and, in turn, shortening its usable life. Major repairs and replacement costs can be expensive so routine preventive maintenance is worth a small effort.

Appliance manufacturers do a good job of providing maintenance tips for homeowners, as do warranty service providers for each appliance or brand. We make sure to supply those manuals to our buyers when they move in to a new house and add our recommendation that they follow the tips provided.

Even so, here are a few basic appliance care tips that have a positive impact on the durability and performance of these products:

Dishwasher. Give dishes at least a light scrub and rinse before loading them. That eases the strain on the dishwasher’s built-in system that breaks down and disposes of food particles. Dishwashers also benefit from a routine interior wash with special scale-reducing solutions to help keep the parts working properly. The dishwasher drain should be cleaned out at least twice a year.

From time to time, inspect the door seal and keep it clean. Soil, food and soap build-up on the seal can cause deterioration or mold. Replace a loose or broken seal to avoid leaks.

Refrigerator and Freezer. At least twice a year, vacuum the front grill and the radiator coil on back of the refrigerator and freezer (if you have two separate or multiple units), to help ensure proper air circulation and optimum efficiency. Don’t forget to empty and clean the drip trays located underneath the appliance.

As with the dishwasher, inspect and clean the perimeter door seal and replace any loose or moldy seals. Good seals help the appliance maintain the temperature settings with less stress to the motor.

Defrost and clean the freezer regularly, as ice build-up will block proper airflow and lower the appliance’s efficiency. To maintain an even energy use and extend motor life, keep temperatures constant and within the recommended range.

A stand-alone freezer, that might be put in a garage or on a covered porch, should be located away from direct sunlight or heat sources so that the appliance does not work harder or less efficiently than it has to. Ideally, find a cool, level and dry spot with adequate clearance at the back for good air circulation.

Laundry Equipment. Today’s increasingly popular (and more energy-efficient) front-load washers require more care than their predecessors to prevent the build-up of mold, which can cause myriad problems. To reduce that possibility, leave the door open once all of the laundry is done and wipe down the rubber gasket.

Manufacturers note that we consumers have a tendency to overload both washers and dryers. Each brand of appliance has its practical capacity, but overloading puts a strain on the belt that turns the drum. The extra strain can accelerate wear and lead to repair or replacement costs. Overloading also leads to higher energy consumption and less effective cleaning.

To maintain the dryer, disconnect the dryer duct and vacuum the duct, the areas surrounding the dryer and the dryer’s vent hood outside the house. Restricted air flow can tax the motor. If the lint filter and the areas around it are clean, the dryer will operate more efficiently and safely.

Our best advice? Review the manuals for your major appliances. But if you don’t know where they are or if you’re short of time right now, don’t wait: Follow these few maintenance tips for a longer and happier life with your appliances!

Major Appliance Shopping Guide From ENERGY STAR

This easy-to-read guide may help you understand how appliances are rated for efficiency, what the ratings mean, and what to look for while shopping for new appliances. Go Here.

A recent American Institute of Architects (”AIA”) study highlights the national trend toward green building programs since 2007.  According to an AIA survery, more than one in five U.S. cities (with populations of more than 50,000) report having programs in place that promote green building.  This number represents a 50% increase in municipal green building programs over the last two years.  The Western and Mountain regions lead the nation in the number of green building programs per state.  Given the size of the cities with green building programs, the impact of these sustainability programs reach about 53 million people.

To find out more about these sustainability and green building initiatives throughout the nation, see the AIA’s new report,Green Building Policy in a Changing Economic Environment, which also contains policies and recommendations to assist policymakers in advancing sustainability and green building.  You’ll also find case studies that highlight the green building programs in several cities, including Boston, Philadelphia, LA and Grand Rapids.

In light of the economic downturn during the last two years, AIA Executive Vice President / CEO, Christine McEntee, finds the results of the AIA’s survey encouraging and a sign “that cities are recognizing the economic benefits of energy-efficient buildings.”  The AIA is a prominent adopter of the 2030 Challenge and has committed to a goal of carbon neutral (zero energy) buildings by 2030, in addition to its goal that “all design projects will be sustainable as a matter of course.”

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

The session will explain the implication of the DOE’s pending 2009 Energy Star changes for high altitude markets and review the product design responses planned by leading manufacturers.  Additionally, the session will discuss the interplay of the following factors on building envelop efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort: glazing to floor area ratios, dispersion of windows by elevation, glazing alternatives, frame materials, the often overlooked importance of quality installation

Attendees will come away with an understanding of what design elements should be given priority when developing a window solution for a given project, as well as the trade-offs associated with aesthetic, performance, and price considerations.

Included in the presentation will be an overview of the growing importance of performance-based measurements of building envelop efficiency (e.g.; Resnet’s Home Energy Rater modeling software) and how windows impact the HERS score.

USGBC Colorado has recently posted Populus & SolarGlass’s “Sustainable Window Selection” presentation on its website.  Of particular interest, on page 11 of the presentation, you will find a graph which demonstrates the specific concerns and trade-offs related to window selection for various ranges of desired HERS Index Scores.  Pages 13-18 contain a case study which analyzes the interaction of window selection and mechanical systems as it relates to home energy performance.  You’ll also see what happens to a HERS -4 home (beyond net-zero) when you take out the super high-performance windows and replace them with ENERGY STAR windows – the result might not be what you’d expect!

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

If you browse into your local auto dealer and peer into any model on the lot you’ll find a MPG (Miles Per Gallon) rating stuck on the rear window. The numbers should help you understand how much fuel (energy) the car will use under normal operating conditions. This info is a great way to determine how depleted  your wallet will be “before” you decide to drive that baby off the car lot. It might even help you budget for the purchase!

What about the home you’re looking to buy? How can you tell, in terms of today’s dollars, what the home will cost you to maintain? Wouldn’t it be good information? The info is available to you today. Right now. This instant…

Want to know more? I have the answer, and if you’re buying the right house the cost to know…is FREE!

Contact me for a detailed explanation of how a home energy audit can help you decide if the home you’re thinking of buying is a lemon. If it is and you just can’t live without it…I’ll show you how to make “lemon-aide”!

601-454-5559 in central Mississippi.

Roofs: Think about it. A roof takes more abuse from the weather than any other part of a house. It is the area that is the most vulnerable to potential damage. Twice a year, ideally in the early spring and late fall, we recommend that homeowners hire out or personally conduct a thorough inspection of the roof: Gently walk or visually inspect the entire roof, looking for damaged material or areas where the roof structure (usually covered with a black tar paper) is exposed. Then replace (or have a professional replace) any damaged or exposed areas with new material.

In addition, it is important to clear off any debris, as it can hold water and hasten deterioration. Trim back overhanging tree branches so that they don’t scratch and damage the roofing material or drop their leaves or needles directly onto the roof and into the gutters.

Removing overhanging branches will make debris clean-up easier and safer.  Proper roof maintenance should include checking the condition of any exposed metal sections. Typically, exposed, galvanized sheet metal is found around vent and chimney penetrations through the roof. It is also located along the roof’s valleys, where two roof sections meet to form a V-shaped gutter to shed water. Make sure the sheet metal sections are tightly fastened, show no rust, and are free of damage that might cause water to seep in underneath them.

A roof checklist should include inspection of the mortar around the chimney and/or parapet walls. Have the mortar repaired right away if it shows wear, such as cracking, flaking, or gaps.

Lastly, make sure that the attic space or framed roof structure is adequately vented so that air can circulate and moisture is kept in check.

Gutters: Not every house has a gutter system, but for the majority that do, gutters are a critical element of overall roof “health,” performance, and durability. We recommend troubleshooting the gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks at the same time as a roof inspection to make sure that everything is working as designed.

The critical chore is clearing the gutters of debris. From leaves and twigs to rocks and sludge, debris not only clogs the system but can also cause damage or loosen gutter supports. At the same time, identify and repair any gaps in the gutters or downspouts and make sure their supports hold these components tight to the structure.

Clearing debris and repairing gaps will ensure that water and light debris are carried to the downspouts and completely flushed out. To make sure that’s happening, hose down and flush the inside of the gutters once they’re clean, gap-free, and properly supported. Clearing the gutters can be hazardous to the owner and the roof. Consider hiring a professional. Whenever possible, use a ladder (safely!) to clean out the gutters instead of walking on the roof, which can damage that surface. It is best not to rest the ladder against an aluminium gutter as this metal can be dented.

Lastly, make sure water exits the downspouts away from the foundation to avoid water pressure on the home’s structure. Extend the downspouts, if necessary, and consider installing splash blocks at the end of each downspout to divert and dissipate water instead of allowing it to pool. Make certain that you have adequate slope away from the house to keep your foundation as dry as possible.

Whether the task is performed by the homeowner or by a hired professional, regular roof inspection is essential to the preservation of the home’s integrity.

ERHOM joins the National Recycling Coalition, Keep America Beautiful, and various other national and state organizations in recognizing America Recycles Day on November 15. America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Celebrating its 12th year, the day has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. Through America Recycles Day, Keep America Beautiful, Inc. and the National Recycling Coalition support local communities and raise awareness by educating citizens about the benefits of recycling. Volunteer America Recycles Day coordinators are positioned throughout the country and work to organize recycling awareness events in schools and communities, and in conjunction with local municipalities.

On November 15 each year, millions of people become better informed about the importance of daily recycling
and buying recycled products. The purpose of America Recycles Day is to continue to promote the social,
environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encourage more people to join the movement toward
creating a better natural environment. For more information on America Recycles Day and events, visit
the web site at www.americarecyclesday.org.

When America was its infancy the growth of this city was largely fueled by the need to build a better hub and city of “greatness” for the future, one with a mix of financial services and small industry. The city grew and is truly symbiotic as a one of the greatest cities in the world.

But its time for a new act for this great city. While the banking crisis has taken its toll its still a vibrant but very expensive city. It has little room to build upon a working class and what does it mean to live and work in city in our new economy.

I agree with the premise that its time to look to the infrastructure. The need for better public transport, better services in outer areas and the need for affordable housing in and outside of the city. This is a prescription that is for any city.

Having lived in San Francisco that saw great growth but very strident and cautious growth that led to outrageous prices in real estate while income fell flat and now in Seattle with the ubiquitous townhouses lining every street, absurd housing prices and the still ever growing sprawl in response I have to agree that without real improvements to the infrastructure a city cannot function well.

San Francisco tried to be responsive with making grand laws to get health care, free wi-fi, higher minimum wages and varying other “green” bills to make living in the City possible for a diverse group it did nothing to stop the ever growing white wealthy class taking over the city. Seattle is struggling with its light rail and trolleys to nowhere while realizing the best they can do to draw industry is poaching an investment bank from Tacoma to move north to the empty Washington Mutual building. Irony not lost.

And this brings New York.. bridges, roads and subways built in the times of grandeur dilapidated and pushed to extremes. Borough’s (the burbs) of NY still seen as being undesirable as more and more families, the backbones of cities, moving there and still seen as almost pioneers to a city that is largely populated by the rich and the white and very poor that serve them.

There is a real need to build our infrastructure to serve ALL the population and what a great way to build those green jobs that the maligned Van Jones wished for all. There is nothing more needed than building better public transport, better improved outlying areas to reduce the need to commute and maintain a better diverse city that has housing that is both rich and green for all. Schools that serve all the populations and not just the poor while the rich attend private academies.

The idea that the infrastructure is something that the Government is solely responsible is not true. There is nothing stopping private industry in taking on these projects and building new business models to find new business. We argue incessantly about the Government running everything and yet we turn to them to repair the largest and most significant part of our communities. While private developers are left to build nothing but commercial and residential properties that right now are at their highest glut.

Is it not time to see and demonstrate how we can prove the role of the private sector in making our cities and communities great again? And then in turn free up that financial obligation which will allow the Government to give us health care in return?

Source: GreenGoddess

Making a Difference with Green Community Strategies – Environmental sustainability and climate change issues are consuming the nation’s attention. As of February 2008, nearly 800 mayors have pledged to “meet or beat” the Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gas emission reduction target for the United States. Local leaders of cities and regions are adopting a wide array of green community strategies: “green” municipal operations and construction standards, alternative forms of transportation, and “energy smart” growth. Hear about these and other innovative implementation strategies.

We pride ourselves on building and delivering homes that bring our clients’ vision and imagination into reality. We build dreams. Along with a focus on aesthetics, we construct homes that are designed to maintain their luster and beauty for decades. But this is only possible if a home is nurtured and cared for over time.

Once they have settled into their new home, it becomes increasingly the client’s responsibility to maintain it. As a professional builder, we have a period of time in which we respond to warranty service calls and address questions from our new homeowners. Eventually the baton is passed to our owners for regular home maintenance. This helps insure a comfortable, secure and safe living environment and protects an important financial investment over time.

And while every house we build is slightly different, specifically with regards to the various exterior and interior finishes, (from the roofing to the countertops, flooring, and paint coatings) they all need to be cared for properly to retain our clients’ investment and maximize their quality of life. We see it as our responsibility to educate and help our clients tackle their role as ‘good stewards’ of their home.

Wood Floors. All types of wood flooring material, whether solid wood, composite, or laminate, require regular care. For prefinished products, no waxing is required. Clean these surfaces using a regular application of warm, soapy water. To maximize the life of wood flooring, keep it dry and free of debris that can cause scrapes and discolor the finish.

Drainage. An engineered combination of a home’s roof design, gutter system, and placement on the lot, work together to shed water from the house and its foundation. To maintain an optimum level of drainage, have gutters cleaned twice a year, ideally before the rainy seasons.  Also, adjust the gutter’s downspouts to empty into splash blocks or extend at least two feet away from the home’s exterior walls. If you add shrubs, flowerbeds, or other landscaping around your house, angle (or grade) the dirt away from the home’s foundation.

Appliances. Refer to your homeowner’s manual or binder to find the user manuals to all of the kitchen and other major appliances in the house. These guides typically include  seasonal and periodic maintenance tips. For instance, your refrigerator coil should be cleaned twice a year; check the seal of the door gasket, as well, to make sure you’re not wasting energy. In addition, the clothes dryer vent hose (between the dryer and the wall) and the vent louvers on the outside of the house should be cleaned out at least semi-annually. Every three months, replace the furnace filter, clean out the dishwasher strainer, and drain and flush sediment from your water heater. Such maintenance chores allow these appliances to operate at their optimal performance and extend their usable lives.

Air ducts and ventilation. Air ducts and vent registers can become clogged or stifled with debris, reducing their ability to distribute conditioned air and keep your house comfortable. About every two years, hire a professional service company to clean them out. For the same reason, clean the filters and check the general operation of ventilation fans in the kitchen and bathrooms so they work efficiently, as well.

Roofing. Make regular and thorough roof inspections. Pay attention for missing or damaged shingles or voids in the flashing that may allow moisture or air infiltration. Replace or repair as soon as possible to ward off problems that can occur unnoticed or unseen.

By following these guidelines, the time and energy owners invest in their home will continue to provide dividends well into the future.

LEED is responding and is evolving and I really wish they would get out of this silly awarding points and certification process and go fully into training, evaluation and the study of building science. I have made my reasons clear why I avoid third part certs of any kind and will continue to do as a way of minimizing my risk insurance wise and also removing any potential conflict of interest. I don’t see why I cannot participate in all building programs equally glean knowledge and share experiences without having to commit to one being “better” than the other. Really aren’t they all supposed to do the same things – make our environment cleaner and our homes more efficient?

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Today’s professional home builders are aware of the difference they can make in our Country’s energy future. Green Building has arrived and it’s here to stay.

There’s little doubt that today’s new homes are much more energy efficient than those of even a decade ago, and certainly compared to homes built before the “energy crisis” of the mid-1970s. Incredible improvements in the performance of windows and doors, major appliances, and heating and cooling systems have significantly lowered the energy consumption of new homes, helping lower utility bills and raise the quality of housing overall.

Builders do not work in isolation. Government agencies and their building codes have contributed to pushing energy efficient homebuilding into the mainstream. Builders must comply with basic levels of home energy consumption prescribed by governmental code, from minimum window performance standards to adequate levels of wall and attic insulation and proper fresh-air ventilation. Codes also set guidelines for reducing moisture and air infiltration into the structure, which not only saves energy but also reduces incidences of mold growth and other moisture-related problems.

In addition to more stringent and specific codes regarding energy-efficient homebuilding, there are an increasing variety of independent, public-private, and federally funded programs that promote the concept and even certify products and entire homes that meet energy-use standards. The most recognized among these entities is Energy Star, a government-sponsored program that certifies the energy use and cost savings of several thousand products from nearly 1,300 manufacturers, as well as builders and the homes they build.

In response to both codes and independent energy standards, manufacturers of various building products have not only met the code and other independent standards, but also developed materials and methods that allow builders to exceed the minimum and achieve a higher level of energy efficiency for new homes. Such upgrades or options include super-insulating, multi-pane windows, extremely efficient furnaces, air-conditioning equipment, and electronic programmable thermostats.

Builders who have taken the mantle of energy efficiency as a cornerstone of their businesses understand the added value of building homes that use less energy and cost less to operate. Their considerations extend beyond specific products. Energy efficiency is best achieved by looking at the entire system, including design issues and construction procedures, to achieve the goal of a more energy-efficient, comfortable, and long-lasting home.

For example, consider your heating and cooling system. A builder who specifies and installs a higher level of insulation in the walls, floor, and ceiling, seals openings in the structure (including around doors and windows), and uses products and design techniques that provide natural shading, enable cross-ventilation, and reduce thermal transfer through your home will be able to reduce the size of the furnace and air conditioning unit required to keep your home comfortable year-round. This system approach will often lower the cost to install and maintain the equipment. Chances are it will last longer and reduce repair and replacement costs as well.

Working together, homebuilders, code agencies, independent certification groups, and product manufacturers continue to improve the energy efficiency of today’s new homes. As a result, their efforts not only reduce energy use and costs, but also help stabilize our national economy, create longer-lasting homes, and boost overall housing value.

wood entry doors used in many homes have always caused me some concern. Even when installed in complete compliance with the manufacturers’ recommendations, there is always the likelihood of swelling, shrinking and warping. They can be a maintenance nightmare for the homeowner.  I’ve also noticed that often times the glass in any lites on these doors is single pane. Add to this the fact that wood only has an R-value of 1.25 per inch and you have a very inefficient, costly maintenance problem.

But they look so nice.

For the past several years I have been recommending foam core fiberglass to clients wanting stain grade exterior doors. My favored brand has been Therma Tru, which comes with its own gel stain finishing system. Properly finished, they are virtually indistinguishable from a comparable wood door, and the cost is also comparable. The similarities end there. The R-value for a 1-3/4” foam core is 8.33 versus 2.2 for a wood door. Insulated glass is standard. The dimensional stability (resistance to swell, shrink and warp) is fantastic. I’ve yet to have a call back with a fiberglass door.

I like the idea that all these benefits have been achieved, and we also may have well saved an old growth Mahogany in South America.

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With the increasing decline in the economy (and deny or pray it won’t get worse all you want) it is what it is. And we have to come to terms with what that means and our role in its decline – meaning living off credit, beyond our means, insatiable lust for cheap goods, greed and the rest to what it means to make it better – saving more, learning to live in smaller homes with less stuff, walking, taking public transport, being nicer to people and talking to each other.

Technology and financial growth has its rewards but it came at a massive cost. I watched one business of mine fold and turn into another, which I saw as a plus not a negative, although it was nonetheless challenging at the time; I have seen friends lose their jobs or their businesses decline and more importantly I have seen the decline of community.

I just finished Bowling Alone an excellent book on the subject matter. And as a woman of “a certain age” I have to look to the community to fill the gaps where marriage and family should but do not. I made my own choices but I am still shocked that as a woman over 40 how little valued and respected my contributions and choices are regarded.

I read today about a Boomer Temp Agency that only hires workers over 45 as they are more productive and reliable. This on the heels of numerous articles about how the over 45 worker is finding it difficult to find and maintain work at matchable skill and salary levels. I wonder if Obama and Michelle were to leave office what would happen if suddenly they too were in the no man’s land of too old – not old enough? That purgatory is causing many of us to wonder what is to happen when you still have passion and pleasure for work, the desire and the talent only to be relegated to Starbucks barista the position once thought of as entrance to the work force as opposed to exit from it.

Many people, regardless of age, are stuck in places of singular thinking. I recall talking to a Contractor almost 2 years ago about moving his business forward to more “green” orientation, modern communication and marketing and re-thinking how he did business for the future. The more transparent, open style that I advocate today and is becoming increasingly necessary if one is to stay afloat.

My conversation with him was pleasant and he called me a “spitfire” which I knew immediately was the kiss of death. When anyone, male or female, provides you with a label they are dismissing you. Would you say that to Bill Gates? Would you say that to the young man whose book I just read, Tom Szaky. No. You might call them focused, determined. But when you label them “intense” you have given them the male equivalent of “asshole.” Labels are great way of excusing your own ignorance and unwillingness to see beyond your comfort zone.

Young hiring managers that see “gray” hair see “old” “set in their ways” “intimidating” rather than “experienced” “knowledgeable” “valuable” and I have to wonder who taught them those values… well the gray hairs that raised them, the society that perpetuates them (Botox anyone?) and the very Grey CEO’s that hire them to do their dirty work. Bernie Madoff hired family which will not question him as the Patriarch that feeds and the rest of his staff eager young things that had neither the experience nor skills to ask questions that might have exposed him.

Young people need mentors and they need education and guidance. I think back to another great book, The Best and The Brightest, by David Halberstam, who wrote this book on another idealized President, Kennedy. The difference was that the title belied the fact that they were not the “best” or the “brightest”. We value youth and discount age. Perhaps its fear that we will age ourselves or we will do so in a manner that evokes say Madonna (50 and with surgery to prove it), Cher (102 and the equal number of procedures to her age) versus a Diane VonFurstenberg or Meryl Streep who look their age well and act it as well.

As for that Contractor, he of course, as I expected, canceled the meeting the next day.. by email. I was not impressed. And I see now he has joined the revolution, joining a social business network, revitalized his website and attempted a blog. Of course none of it updated since its inception and no, no green products or business mentioned. Well I may be a spitfire for my age and in this case I am grateful.

One of the big trends we’re tracking — and accommodating for an increasing number of our homebuyers — is the use of cabinetry in a greater variety of rooms and areas in the house. No longer are cabinets just for the kitchen, bathrooms, and perhaps the laundry area. We’ve seen and installed them in outdoor and secondary kitchens, closets, wine rooms, dining areas, butler’s pantries, home theaters, game rooms, and other spaces where storage is a practical necessity. Beyond their practical value, attractive cabinets are a worthy aesthetic addition, as well.

Cabinet suppliers, especially those of manufactured products (as opposed to site-built units), have responded to this broader demand with features and finishes that fulfill specific functional needs and stylistic tastes.

For example, cabinet catalogs display a wide variety of components, including wine bottle and glass racking systems, dedicated storage for CDs and DVDs, cabinets to display — or hide — audio and home theater components, and even electronic hardware to raise and lower flat-panel televisions from the surface of a cabinet. In the kitchen or master bath, “garages” with roll-up doors conceal unsightly countertop appliances, while other cabinets with glass fronts and built-in lighting highlight fine china, glassware, or even sculpture.

Suppliers have become hip to the outdoor kitchen trend by creating cabinet systems and finishes that better withstand the elements. No longer limited to stainless steel boxes and fronts (although that look has a certain appeal and durability), outdoor cabinets are either engineered with a polymer additive to look like natural wood or finished with coatings that adequately protect natural wood from weather and use.

In addition to improved function, cabinets now offer more variety in their style. Manufacturers offer a wide range of panel fronts, ranging from intricate and ornate designs to simple flat door and drawers that evoke a contemporary feel. They also offer more finish options, from dramatic paints and cozy glazes to stains that highlight natural wood grains.

One recent design trend combines different materials in the same cabinet. For example, a center pane of glass in a cabinet front could be framed with natural maple trimmed around the outside with a brushed metal rim. Another design approach uses one color for the perimeter cabinets of a kitchen and a complementary color for the center island.

These and other treatments allow us to offer unique cabinets to our homeowners, cabinets that are customized in both appearance and function. The cabinets that used to be mere “storage” have been transformed into furniture-quality fixtures throughout the home.