Just like your lawn in spring, everything in the home improvement market is coming up "green." But what does green really mean? Just because something says it is green, does that automatically mean it is an environmentally responsible product? What about wood products certified as "sustainable" or appliances labeled with the Energy Star(R) logo, are they green?
The first step in being a savvy shopper is to understand what you hope to achieve with your "green" building project. Are you trying to fight global warming, wean the nation from foreign energy dependence, reduce your monthly energy bills, or simply do your part to help the environment? Once you understand your goals, getting the right materials to help you succeed means understanding how not all greens are alike.
Over the next few years as pressure mounts to reduce carbon emissions, conserve water, and lower energy use, more and more products will be labeled green. To be sure, manufacturers, distributors, and big-box home improvement centers realize that going green is good business. As a consumer, by clearly defining your building goals and paying attention to the fine print, you can make sure your project ends up the right shade of green.
Today, most progressive home building products and technologies can be grouped into one of four major categories: energy efficient, high performance, green, and sustainable. While these labels often share the same attributes, understanding the difference between each is important.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
An Introduction to Green Building
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