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Making green housing choices Published January 30, 2010 Consumers often consider the environment when making purchases. Just look at the popularity of hybrid vehicles, alternative fuels, locally grown produce and other products designed to conserve resources and reduce pollution and waste.You don’t think of houses being responsible for carbon emissions, but they are. The energy used for heating, cooling, appliances and lighting most likely comes from a source that produces carbon emissions. Other factors, like water use and building materials, also affect the environment. The best way to “go green” in housing is to start from scratch. If you’re building a new home, you can make decisions that greatly increase energy and water efficiency. You can also select the most environmentally friendly building materials and construction methods. But if you’re not building a new home, you can still make a difference. When considering an existing house, it’s possible to assess its energy use. How old is the A/C unit? Does the landscaping consist of native plants? You might even secure energy bills from the current owner to review. You can also hire a professional to better determine a home’s energy efficiency. Whether purchasing a home or wanting to make the best of the house you already own, here’s how to improve energy efficiency: • Install rain barrels to collect roof runoff and use that water for irrigation. • Plant landscaping that requires little additional irrigation. • Replace old windows with energy-efficient ones. • Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and other gaps. • Seal air ducts. • Add insulation • Replace appliances with EPA Energy Star models. • Replace heating/cooling units. EnergyStar.gov and other Web sites offer information about green housing. Your Realtor can also help. Some agents have even taken courses specifically designed to help their clients reap the benefits of environmentally friendly practices. For more information, please visit TexasRealEstate.com and HAR.com. Nancy Furst, CIPS, TRC, GREEN, GRI, is owner of The Furst Group and serves as southeast district director for the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR). She is actively involved in HAR’s governmental affairs efforts and has lived in the southeast district since 1997. Please visit TexasRealEstate.com or HAR.com for more. - Written By Nancy Furst |
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