Growing a Green Home Setting Down Roots and Saving the Earth

By Cathi Laughlin

Back when we were growing up, you would never have told someone you lived in a green house. They’d picture you lounging among the roses, then make a hasty retreat. But if you made that proclamation today, you’d be considered a heroine, as green living is now showcased everywhere at home-building trade shows, in magazines and on cable’s HGTV.

Before investing in a green building or remodeling project, though, it’s worth educating yourself in the jargon of all things green. With so many items stamped eco-friendly, and options growing like dandelions, one might just feel well green. So here’s a quick primer: Environmentally friendly, eco-friendly, and nature-friendly all refer to goods and services considered to impose minimal harm on the planet. Durable goods are those which do not wear out quickly. Recycled goods are reprocessed from old materials.

And then there’s ENERGY STAR a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. Its goals are to save homeowners and businesses money while protecting the environment with energy-efficient products and practices. Products in more than 50 categories are eligible for the ENERGY STAR stamp of approval.

Many local and state governments and utility companies across the country are offering rebates, tax breaks and other incentives for green homes and for remodeling with green products. Some companies are beginning to work with homeowners and the government to encourage green living.

“Our company is one of only eight in New Jersey that have been accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI),” says Carey Herrman, sales manager of Hutchinson Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing in Cherry Hill. All contractors who participate in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR are required to be accredited by BPI. “For a fee, we’ll run an assessment on your home to measure its air tightness. Then we insulate the house to make it more energy-efficient.” The beauty of Hutchinson’s accreditation is that, as a BPI contractor, the firm can not only do all the work, but can also offer financial incentives to save you money.

The real estate market has begun to turn its attention to green living, too. “I’m seeing more_ ENERGY STAR features available in new and resale homes, such as ES windows with Low-E coating and ES appliances,” says Tricia Morgan of Avalar Realty who serves clients in Burlington, Camden and Atlantic Counties. “As important as this is, I’d like to see these options_ become more affordable for the average buyer._ One suggestion build smaller homes to incorporate all ENERGY STAR features which would help the environment and lower utility costs in the long run.”_ _

“We haven’t had many requests to build green housing,” says Larry DiCicco, owner of DiCicco Builders in Haddon Heights, “but people are using products to save themselves money. For example, a major loss of energy is through old windows. I tell people if they can afford only one green item, let it be new windows.”

While it may not be worth buying new windows solely for the energy savings, both Morgan and DiCicco agree that windows with argon gas between the panes and a low-e (low-emissivity) coating can block heat from going through the glass, knocking 8% to 15% off your heating and cooling bills.

Another simple switch is using fluorescent light bulbs in place of incandescents. “We’re replacing a lot of old light fixtures in renovation projects. Recessed lighting is becoming more energy-efficient,” says DiCicco. By making the switch, you can save $25 to $45 over the life of a single bulb. And it’s a long life! Some fluorescents can last up to 13 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Color-corrected and warmer lighting is becoming available in fluorescents, too. But, note that fluorescents contain mercury and should be recycled after use.

Sometimes budgetary constraints and people’s unwillingness to change will put the brakes on plans to sprout green. But, if the funds are available, a building project with the highest quality materials is actually eco-friendly. “We have been green all along in our business,” says Eric Van Dexter, owner of Van Dexter Design in Sewell. “On average, a homeowner will renovate his kitchen three times during the time he lives in his house. We’ll do a kitchen using durable materials that are lasting, renewable resources, and we issue a lifetime warranty with it. What better way to be green than doing a kitchen one time?”

For health reasons, he says, many people sidestep cheaper cabinets made with particle board and formaldehyde because of the carcinogens. “We also try to recycle any old kitchen cabinets when doing a renovation,” says Van Dexter.

In terms of solar lighting, sun tubes are a wise consideration. A sun tube has a dome-like lens that juts out from the roof and is connected to a reflective tube which funnels light through the building and then diffuses it into the room below. “Two or three of these sun tubes can be put in for extra natural light. They are sealed so no energy escapes. They’re good for really dark spaces like an attic,” says Van Dexter. Sun tubes cost about $200 to $600. They’re usually less expensive than skylights, and they typically don’t have the problems associated with traditional skylights because their small, round shape doesn’t collect water and debris.