| Building green homes is a phenomenon that's catching | | | | to homes. There is a rapidly growing "green building" |
| on slowly but surely. Offices, schools, homes, even | | | | movement across the US. |
| weddings are proudly donning the Green badge. | | | | In the past, misperceptions that green or sustainable |
| Green or sustainable building uses resources like | | | | building costs more and takes longer to build caused |
| energy, water, materials, and land more efficiently | | | | a slow and hesitant reaction. However, a recent |
| than the traditionally built buildings we're accustomed | | | | economic analysis study, The Costs and Financial |
| to. As a result, this environmentally friendly building | | | | Benefits of Building Green, concluded that green |
| promotes economic, environmental, and our family's | | | | building can be incorporated at little increase in |
| overall well-being. | | | | construction costs and the financial benefits are over |
| How so? First, green homes are 25-30%, on average | | | | ten times the initial investment. What does this mean |
| more energy efficient. These energy sources are an | | | | to us? The report specifically mentions the financial |
| abundant, environmentally sound, and cost effective | | | | rewards of lower energy, waste, and water costs |
| alternatives. For instance, the sun's energy can | | | | and increased productivity and health. It |
| provide space heating, hot water heating, and | | | | conservatively projects a 20-year net present value |
| electricity for lights and appliances. Second, green | | | | benefit of $50-$65 per square foot in a certified |
| homes can improve air and water quality by reduced | | | | green building. According to the EPA, buildings account |
| emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, and by using | | | | for nearly 70% of the nation's electricity |
| less toxic materials. Third, green homes improve your | | | | consumption, 12% of the nation's water consumption, |
| family's quality of life. For instance, carpet made with | | | | and 38% of carbon dioxide emissions. Why is this |
| low-fiber materials eliminates the fibers that harbor | | | | relevant? Efficient use of energy, water and other |
| dust mites, molds, second hand smoke, and pet | | | | natural resources helps transform our environment |
| dander. These "indoor contaminants" can trigger | | | | into a sustainable future. For example, the |
| asthma attacks. Fourth, in 1992, the EPA estimated | | | | environment benefits from diverting construction |
| that nearly 1 out of 15 homes had radon | | | | waste from local landfills by recycling it and from |
| concentrations above their recommended level. | | | | conserving and restoring natural resources. And by |
| Another EPA report cited radon as the second | | | | offering more natural light and better air quality in the |
| leading cause of lung cancer and responsible for an | | | | education environment, students benefit from safe, |
| estimated 21,000 deaths per year. | | | | healthy, comfortable, and productive learning |
| Green homes use new radon resistant construction | | | | environments. Research shows that students tend to |
| techniques to address this issue. Rick Tozier, owner | | | | have lower absenteeism and higher achievement |
| of Sonoma Building Company in Winston-Salem North | | | | rates in these environments. |
| Carolina, builds green and Energy Star qualified homes. | | | | Green building is more than a phenomenon. It's a |
| "It's about doing what's right and having a vision for | | | | response to an enormous demand from people who |
| the future," says Tozier. Tozier's specialty is designing | | | | want to do things better. Join the movement to |
| and constructing homes; however, he is experienced | | | | promote environmentally responsible building and |
| at incorporating green construction techniques into | | | | healthy places to live, work, and play. |
| renovations as well. But, building green isn't just limited | | | | |