Holistically Green Homes

Most houses being built today are not as energy efficient as they could be. Every builder, if asked, "Do you build energy efficient houses?" will persuasively answer, "Yes." Without studying energy efficient housing in an objective way, most homebuyers will believe the builder's answer. Yet studies and tests prove otherwise. After reading the eighteen clearly defined principles in this book, the reader will have a basis for understanding and comparing the efficiency of one house to another and one builder to another. The eighteen easy-to-implement principles are based on tried and proven solutions for conservation and clean renewable energy generation. Homes that are built to be "holistically green" are economical and maintain their value. And by saving energy and improving indoor quality, they are environmentally responsible and provide a healthier place to live. Building an energy-conscious home is smart--a smart financial investment, a smart approach to our energy and environmental challenges, and "the right thing to do." The benefits of planning for and building based on the Eighteen Principles in total are greater than the sum of the individual principles. References are made in the text--from principle to principle--that will be helpful in understanding how each one is dependent in some way on the other. Economic and financial considerations are discussed based on examples and case studies. The studies show that, while it does cost more to build a house that is energy efficient, environmentally friendly and responsible, structurally stronger, and resistant to the challenges of time, a well designed, efficient home can be more economical to live in--beginning with the first month that utility bills are received. And it is a better investment because of the higher resale value and reduced maintenance. This book will educate and instill confidence in consumers with regard to their largest personal investment: their home. They will understand what specifics to look for to get an energy efficient, healthy home that will save them money and have a positive impact on energy conservation, energy generation, and climate change.

Lays out principles of green building, from choosing a right sized home to taking charge of the energy we use to selecting products that will keep our homes healthy. Practical suggestions on making changes for a healthier sustainable environment.

The green building movement has produced hundreds of “how-to” books and websites that are filled with tips about green building and what homeowners should do to go green. While helpful and informative, when it comes to making actual purchasing and installation decisions, these books do not make it any easier for a homeowner to prioritize against a budget. Here, Schifman shares her knowledge and experience for others to use in their journey toward a greener way of living. Whether the reader is building a new home or doing a minor remodel, a homeowner needs a framework by which to guide their decisions. These decisions are based on values, and the author posits that there are really only three reasons to go green: For Our Health: By building more sustainably, we reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins. For Our Wealth: By building a more durable home and being more efficient with resources like water and electricity, we reduce our monthly utility bills and ongoing maintenance expenses. For Our Soul: Collectively doing the right thing for our planet does make a difference—and that is soul-nourishing. Learn the logistics of choosing windows, insulation, appliances, and lighting. Find out about FSC certified wood and about using reclaimed materials. Here is everything you need to make your home sustainable.

A comprehensive guide to building green on any budget. According to conventional wisdom, building a green home is an expensive endeavor. The standard approach treats green as an add-on, tacking "premium" products, finishes, and equipment onto a traditional home design. As a result, many green home projects end up over budget or fail to achieve their environmental and performance goals. Green Home Building explodes the myth that green homes have to cost more. Using proven methods based on applied building science, the authors show how to: Lower base construction costs to provide funding for high performance upgrades Achieve a net-zero energy home, including "zero-ing" water, waste, carbon, and associated costs within fifteen years Live affordably into the future, despite anticipated rising costs for fuel, water, materials, taxes, and health care This comprehensive guide to building green on any budget defines the strategies that maximize the return on green investments. Written for anyone who has ever been swayed by the argument that the price tag limits how green a home can be, Green Home Building is a must-read for builders, contractors, architects, designers, and homeowners. Miki Cook is a green building and sustainability consultant who has dedicated her career to educating contractors and the public on the strategies, methods, and benefits of green homes. Doug Garrett has trained thousands of homebuilders, architects, and sub-contractors to build energy-efficient homes using applied building science to improve comfort, durability, and healthfulness while meeting or exceeding the energy code.

A guide to ecological renovation that explains simple steps people can take to make their homes more ecologically friendly and offers practical suggestions for project planning.

New Green Homes presents the latest innovations in sustainable architecture and design. Projects include "green" houses, apartments, lofts, and cabins, and explore various aspects of environmentally-friendly design from its ecological and economical benefits to the factors that need to be considered when choosing materials, such as the amount of energy that went into manufacturing the product; its sustainability; the life-expectancy of its materials; and the question of if the materials used can be recycled or safely disposed of if they break down over time. Specific topics covered include climate regulation, drainage systems, and regional planning. Each project contains photographs, floor and aerial plans, as well as detailed drawings that illustrate certain sustainable features revealing how much the parameters of ecological design have expanded in just a few short years. For the environmentally and aesthetically conscious, New Green Homes is as poignant as it is refreshing. It′s the perfect resource for homeowners, designers, architects, and all clients interested in creating warm and inviting homes that cause only a fraction of the environmental impact of those created using conventional building methods.

Want to do your part to reduce energy consumption, waste, and pollution; clean up the environment, and save the planet? Green Living For Dummies is packed with practical suggestions you can follow to make your lifestyle greener by doing as little damage as possible to the planet and the animal and plant life that depend on it. This practical guide delivers an array of realistic practices and changes you can undertake to help the environment and create a better home for yourself and your loved ones. You’ll discover easy and innovative ways to make a difference by reducing energy use and waste, scaling back reliance on your car, and even making minor adjustments to your diet. You’ll also find how to live green at work and in your community, and you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how these changes benefit both the environment and your own health and well-being! Discover how to: Go green gradually Make eco-friendly home improvements Work greener transportation into your lifestyle Save money by going green Eat locally and organically Raise your children’s environmental awareness Reduce waste by repairing, restoring, and reusing Become a green consumer Invest in green companies for fun and profit Complete with handy lists of things you can do to make a difference right away and down the road Green Living For Dummies is the resource you need to start taking steps toward shrinking your footprint.