Green and Sustainable Living Real Estate

With ever-increasing concerns about the environment and the use of natural resources, some people are looking for living alternatives such as green and sustainable real estate. Green building is an easy concept to understand. These types of homes are built with durable materials and are more energy efficient than traditional homes. In addition, the home’s carbon footprint, or the impact it makes on the environment, is much smaller.

The goal behind building homes with greener options is to lessen the impact on the environment. This is accomplished through reducing waste and pollution and making the home's energy and water resources more efficient. Installing low-flush toilets, Energy Star appliances and high-efficiency windows are easy additions that can be made to an existing home. Additional insulation in floors, ceilings and walls can also reduce the amount of heat that escapes from a building. This not only reduces the amount of electricity that needs to be used, but also lowers your energy bill. Installing low-energy light bulbs is another great and relatively inexpensive idea to decrease the amount of energy being used. The simple change saves money in another way because the bulbs do not have to be replaced as often. Positioning things like windows, trees and walls can offer additional energy savings by providing the most natural light inside the home during the day. This design technique also capitalizes on the sun during the winter months, using it to partially heat the home.

Green building also encompasses the use of alternative power such as hydro power, wind power and solar power. Solar panels can be installed on your home's roof to capture solar energy that can be used throughout the home. If enough space is available, electricity can also be produced through wind turbines. Hydro power, which is more commonly used in an industrial setting, takes advantage of the energy that is created through moving water. While these types of additions are generally the most expensive when building or renovating a home, over time, the money saved will pay for the cost of construction.

Although there are many things that you can do to retrofit an existing home to be more green, brand new homes can be built to even a higher environmentally-friendly standard. When constructing a new home, choose renewable sources like straw, bamboo, recycled stone and recycled metal. The use of steel roof truss designs as opposed to wood can be an element of green building practices. Other products such as clay, panels made from paper flakes and linoleum can be found that are both renewable and non-toxic, further reducing the building’s carbon footprint. You can also choose building materials that are made locally so that there is less impact on the environment from transportation.

Another feature of green homes are options to reduce waste. Installing compost bins reduce the amount of trash going into landfills. This garbage can then be used as fertilizer in flower and vegetable gardens. Rainwater collectors can be placed in the yard to collect water during rain events and from melting snow. This water can then be used for irrigation and to water lawns, reducing the need to use an exterior water connection. Greywater, or waste water from activities such as washing machines and dishwashers, can also be recycled and used for irrigation and other outdoor purposes. Using paint with low VOCs, volatile organic compounds, and cabinet sealants that are free of formaldehyde can be used to improve the air quality in a new or renovated home. Hardwood, vinyl and slate flooring can be installed to help reduce allergens and particles that are easily collected in carpet. Installing a proper air conditioning or ventilation system that controls moisture in the house also reduces the likelihood of mold or bacteria growing, which further damages the air quality.

Some real estate agencies focus solely on green building and green homes. Some of these are brand-new homes that are clustered in green subdivisions, while other homes have been retrofitted to offer more green options. If purchasing a green, energy-efficient home or building is important to you, using a real estate agent that has been trained in marketing and selling green properties is beneficial. These agents will understand the amenities that you as a buyer are seeking and on the flip side, will also be able to sell a green home more efficiently.

 

Green Building Resources
Find more green building and natural building sites on the web

GreenBuilding.com
Green Building provides knowledge and best practices on greening your building practices, developing your green business or project. David Johnston winner of the International SAM/SPG Sustainability Pioneer Award in 2007 has been training and educating builders on green building practices and helping organizations develop sustainable business practices. Before Corporate Social Responsibility David Johnston was helping to create an industry that addressed the importance of the environment, people and profit.

Powerpoint designers
In order to help you visualize the concept of your new home, Slidemaster powerpoint designers can help you create an accurate and professional presentation. This can be a big help when planning any form of house renovation, and will cost you less than getting an architect to draw up a concept presentation.

U.S. EPA Green Buildings program
Homepage of the U.S. EPA Green Buildings program, providing information on various components of green buildings, applicable to homes and offices. As the environmental impact of buildings becomes more apparent, a new field called "green building" is gaining momentum.

EU Green Building
In 2004, the European Commission initiated the GreenBuilding Programme (GBP). This programme aims at improving the energy efficiency and expanding the integration of renewable energies in non-residential buildings in Europe on a voluntary basis. The programme addresses owners of non-residential buildings to realise cost-effective measures which enhance the energy efficiency of their buildings in one or more technical disciplines.