| Welcome to the world of Green! Alive, Refreshing | | | | standards or better. Energy Star is the |
| and Healthy living are the thoughts that come to | | | | Department of Energy's guidelines and standards |
| mind when I ponder the meaning of Green. | | | | that exceed building codes by 15% or more. All of |
| It is said there is nobody converted like the newly | | | | this takes pressure off of the grid. The Grid |
| converted and that would describe me. In my | | | | meaning our typical energy source-. the power |
| recent certification as an EcoBroker I have | | | | and gas companies. |
| learned a tremendous amount about the changes | | | | Alternative Energy or renewable energy includes, |
| in how we use our resources to improve our | | | | solar and wind power, geothermal heating and |
| lives. The awareness is increasing and changes are | | | | cooling. Solar hot water heaters, photovoltaic solar |
| taking place across the United States and around | | | | systems all take pressure off of the grid and |
| the world. | | | | make the home more self sufficient. Our |
| Some key trigger words you will hear in the Go | | | | technology affords high quality and efficient |
| Green movement are: Energy efficiency, energy | | | | hardware to run our homes and there is a pay |
| savings, renewable energy and Energy Star | | | | back time. That's right! All of the appliances, |
| Certified and Earth Advantage Homes. | | | | heating and cooling - the whole house as a |
| You will read and hear about alternative fuels, | | | | system has a longer life span then a |
| renewable resources, and recycling, recyclable | | | | conventionally built home and has a pay back time! |
| materials. | | | | When comparing a conventionally built to code |
| There will be phrases such as Energy trust of | | | | home to an energy efficient home there is a time |
| Oregon with its' energy tax incentives, energy tax | | | | when the better built home pays for its self. Then |
| credits, energy rebates, energy efficient | | | | at that point the home begins to make or save |
| mortgages, Green mortgages and Green housing. | | | | you money. that is sustainability! |
| Indoor air quality, low VOC paint, Recycled carpet, | | | | There is that other word that seems to get |
| bamboo flooring, low formaldehyde glues, air | | | | thrown in the mix when "Go Green" comes up. |
| filtration systems, hybrid heating and air | | | | Sustainable! |
| conditioning, and energy efficient appliances. | | | | Was the house built with energy efficiency in |
| And the list goes on. | | | | mind? Was it built with environmentally friendly |
| In the Green Building movement it is clear we | | | | products...low volatile organic compounds and |
| have better built and constructed homes or high | | | | recycled materials, is it self sufficient if the power |
| performance homes that are energy efficient, | | | | grid shuts down? If so, it is more sustainable then |
| healthier to live in and hold more value as a result. | | | | a conventionally built house. |
| The green builder or remodeling contractor and | | | | Entire housing developments are being built with |
| their client are paying close attention to building | | | | green sustainable features and techniques in other |
| materials that are made from recycled sources. | | | | parts our country. Salem Oregon has a housing |
| This takes pressure off of resources. | | | | development started with all energy efficient |
| Attention is paid to windows, doors, lighting, and | | | | homes, the streets are laid out for the homes to |
| insulation types, appliances of all kinds and the | | | | catch the most sun for solar ready applications a |
| HVAC system and its duct work. All of these | | | | rain water catch system for the orchards and |
| materials are available in Energy Star Rated | | | | parks and on and on. |