Frequently Asked Questions

What are some options for green insulation?

There are several possibilities when it comes to green insulation. To narrow the field of appropriate materials for your particular project, being with knowledge of your climate. To do this, visit the Department of Energy’s website (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation.html) which shows estimates of total R-value (resistance to heat loss) your home should have based on local climate. A quick reference to the USGBC’s Buyer’s Guide (http://greenhomeguide.com/know-how/article/buyers-guide-to-green-insulation) provides a quick overview of the pros and cons of materials like cellulose, cotton and mineral wool.

How can I find windows that qualify for tax incentives?

It is important to be careful when selecting windows to qualify for federal tax incentives becase not all Energy Star rated windows meet the requirements. Windows with a U-value and a SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) of .30 or less will qualify for a tax credit of 30% for the cost of the windows, up to $1500.

How can I control pests naturally?

To keep pests from coming inside, eliminate the initial temptation by cleaning up well after food prep and meals. If you own a pet, seal their food up well, too. Finally, seal external cracks, joints, edges and entry points with caulking. To manage pests outside, the most natural and long-term solution is to create a biodiverse yard. A yard dominated by one species (say, lawn) is susceptible to providing habitat for one type of insect (say, ants). A diverse yard encourages a balanced ecosystem where pest populations keep each other in check, naturally.
 

The bottom line.

First, the bad news: Worldwide, buildings consume 40% of total energy use; they utilize 25% of virgin wood resources; they generate 16% of total water withdrawals; and 30% are believed to have such poor indoor air quality that they cause occupants to become ill. Now, the good: With a few DIY projects, you can transform your shelter into a low-impact, less-expensive and healthier place to dwell.

 

Know the facts

On average, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, inside buildings of all types -homes, offices, grocery stores, shopping malls, schools and exercise gyms.

Buildings and transportation infrastructure (streets, sidewalks & parking lots) replace natural permeable surfaces with impermeable materials, creating runoff. Urban runoff is the fourth leading source of impairment in rivers, third in lakes, and second in estuaries.

Indoor levels of air pollutants may be two to five times higher, and occasionally more than 100 times higher, than outdoor levels.

Buildings in the U.S. contribute 38 percent of the nation’s total carbon dioxide emissions.

Building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris totals approximately 136 million tons per year, accounting for nearly 60 percent of total non-industrial waste generation in the U.S.

Buildings account for approximately 70 percent of total U.S. electricity consumption. All statistics listed were compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Building Workgroup in Buildings and the Environment: A Statistical Summary, (December 20, 2004).
 

Get inspired. A few projects to get you started.

Look into natural fiber wallpaper and window treatments.
Install a water filter on your kitchen sink.
Invest in high-quality door mats and place at all entryways in your home.
Install bath and kitchen fans that exhaust to the outdoors (not the attic) if you do not already have them.
Decorating? Be sure to support your local artisans.
Any time you construct or remodel, design and implement a waste and demolition management plan.
Provide controllable interior shading.

 

Find support. A list of recommended resources.

Print
Toolbox for Sustainable City Living, Scott Kellogg & Stacy Pettigrew
Home Safe Home. Debra Lynn Dadd.

Online
USGBC Green Home Guide; http://greenhomeguide.com/
National Geographic Green Guide; http://www.thegreenguide.com/
AID & USGBC ReGreen http://www.regreenprogram.org/
 

Other
Attend a Backyard Skills course at The Ecology Center.

 

Local Case Study. California Bungalow Remodel. San Diego, CA.

In 2008, a couple named Jennifer and Alex selected a bank-owned 1930s California bungalow as their first home. They kept their commitment to environmental stewardship as they remodeled and their home is now featured on the ReGreen Program website. Jennifer and Alex removed non-structural walls to let in natural light, installed double-pane windows, ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fans and low-flow fixtures and added blown-in cellulose insulation. Outside, the couple swapped a solid patio for a permeable surface and installed a zoned irrigation system. Source: http://www.regreenprogram.org/case-studies/california-bungalow

Location: Near Balboa Park in San Diego, CA
House Size: 750 sq. ft., not including detached garage and office
Green Materials: Salvaged ceramic tile, FSC and antique furniture, bamboo engineered flooring, recycled-fiber MDF trim, low-VOC paints and finishes
Water Strategies: drought-resistant plants, zoned irrigation, permeable pavement, low-flow fixtures, no dishwasher
Food: potted herbs, a lime tree and strawberries
Annual Energy Use: 137 therms of natural gas, 2149 kWh electricity


Don’t stop now!

Informed? Inspired? Stay connected to your local source of sustainability education and become a member of The Ecology Center today.