Choosing Green : The Homebuyer's Guide to Good Green Homes

by Yudelson, Jerry

• ISBN13: 9780865716100
• ISBN10: 0865716102
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-05-01
• Publisher: Consortium Book Sales & Dist

Summary

Energy-efficient, non-toxic, healthy homes are the hottest trend in the building industry. Homebuilders are constructing green homes in astonishing numbers-nearly 200,000 in the United States alone in 2006. How does a home buyer who wants a green home know what to look for, what questions to ask a builder, which green home rating systems to trust, and what homes are on the market? Nationally recognized green-building expert Jerry Yudelson provides answers to some common areas of concern, including: Energy-efficient home features Water conservation fixtures Non-toxic finishes Green products Healthy indoor air Drawing from the expertise of dozens of homebuilders, government officials, and green home experts, Choosing Green deftly takes the reader through these considerations with easy-to-use tables, charts, maps, score sheets, and checklists. The book includes a glossary of green building terms, an extensive resource section, and a list of homebuilders, green rating programs, and financial incentives. This comprehensive book provides home buyers with every thing they will need to make a successful search for their own green home. Jerry Yudelson is the president of Yudelson Associates, green building consultants. He has trained over 3,000 people in the LEED green building rating system. He chairs Greenbuild, the world's largest green building conference, and has written six books on green building, including Green Building A to Z (New Society Publishers).

Author Biography

Jerry Yudelson is the president of Yudelson Associates, green building and sustainability consultants. He has trained over 3,300 people in the LEED green building rating system. He chairs Greenbuild, the world's largest green building conference, and has written six books on green building, including Green Building A to Z

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Foreword	p. xv
The Green Home Revolution	p. 1
Why Choose Green? Homeowners Share Their Reasons	p. 3
The Global Warming Challenge	p. 6
Energy Use in the Home and Climate Change	p. 8
Environmental Impacts of Homes	p. 13
Green Home Builders and Buyers Respond to Climate Change	p. 16
What Is a Green Home?	p. 21
Key Features of a Green Home	p. 22
Building Science Basics	p. 29
What's Wrong with Typical New Homes?	p. 35
The Experience of Living in a Green Home	p. 41
What Goes into a Green Home? Green Products, Systems and Technologies	p. 53
Products Used in Green Homes	p. 60
The Building Envelope	p. 61
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)	p. 63
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)	p. 64
Mechanical Systems	p. 66
Vapor Barriers	p. 67
Plumbing Systems	p. 69
Tankless Water Heaters	p. 70
Lighting Systems	p. 70
ENERGY STAR Appliances	p. 71
Solar Water Heating Systems	p. 71
Solar Electric Systems (Photovoltaics)	p. 73
Interior Finishes	p. 76
How Do I Know It's a Green Home? Green Home Rating Programs	p. 79
HERS Story	p. 79
ENERGY STAR	p. 80
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Green Building Program	p. 83
US Green Building Council's LEED for Homes (LEED-H)	p. 87
Local Utility Programs	p. 96
Local Government Programs	p. 98
Green Building Ratings from Local Non-profits	p. 100
Canada ENERGY STAR	p. 104
Environments for Living (GE ecomagination and Masco Contractor Services)	p. 105
American Lung Association Health House Program	p. 108
Bringing It All Together - Building Science and Third-party Certification at Civano	p. 109
Where Can I Find a Green Home? Single-family Home Developments	p. 113
ENERGY STAR Builders	p. 113
NAHB National Green Building Program	p. 115
LEED for Homes	p. 115
Local Certification Programs	p. 116
Pacific Northwest	p. 116
Northern California	p. 120
Southern California	p. 124
Southwest	p. 127
West	p. 131
South and Southeast	p. 136
Eastern Seaboard	p. 139
Midwest	p. 141
Canada	p. 142
A State-by-state Listing of Leading ENERGY STAR Homebuilders	p. 144
Where Can I Find a Green Condominium?	p. 149
Portland, Oregon, South Waterfront Development	p. 150
Seattle, Florera	p. 151
Victoria, British Columbia, Dockside Green	p. 152
Los Angeles, South Park	p. 153
Toronto, L Tower	p. 153
Toronto, Radiance @ Minto Gardens	p. 153
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Silva	p. 154
Boston, Macallen	p. 154
New York City, Riverhouse at Battery Park City	p. 155
New York City, Lucida	p. 155
Minneapolis/Bloomington, Reflections	p. 156
St. Louis, Missouri, Gustine Townhomes	p. 157
Nation's Capitol Region	p. 157
Atlanta, Oakland Park	p. 157
Palo Alto, California, Vantage	p. 158
Green Condo Rating Systems	p. 158
How Can I Pay for a Green Home? Show Me the Money!	p. 161
Credits and Incentives	p. 162
Using Energy Savings to Pay the Mortgage	p. 165
Energy-efficient Mortgages	p. 166
Resale Value	p. 168
Choosing Green: Evaluating Home Builder Offerings	p. 169
Doing Your Homework	p. 170
Testing Your Own Preferences for a Green Home	p. 172
Evaluating Builders' Green Offerings	p. 174
What Does It Take to Become Certified Under LEED for Homes?	p. 175
Financing the Purchase	p. 177
After the Sale: What Can You Do to Make the Home Greener?	p. 179
Saving Water	p. 180
Saving Energy	p. 182
Producing Energy	p. 183
Buying Green Power	p. 184
Downsizing Your Ecological Footprint	p. 185
What You Can Do at Home	p. 185
What You Can Do at Work	p. 186
What's in Store for Green Homes	p. 189
Looking out to 2010	p. 190
Zero-net-energy (Z0NE) Homes	p. 191
Let the Sun Shine In!	p. 195
A Final Word	p. 195
Glossary	p. 197
Resources for Further Study	p. 205
Books	p. 205
Publications	p. 206
Websites	p. 207
Local, Regional and National Green Building Programs	p. 208
Canadian Resources	p. 212
Additional Resources	p. 212
Endnotes	p. 219
Index	p. 229
About the Author	p. 237
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