Green Building Myths

Posted on November 3rd, 2009 by Bruce

Green Building Myths

There are many myths about green buildings and constructing a “green home”. Let’s take a quick look at a few of the more popular misconceptions.

A Green Home is Ugly

For the vast majority of “green” homes, you can not see anything different from a traditional home. Most of the “green” features went into the building – air tight envelope, more insulation, south facing windows, etc. These don’t impact the “look” of the building. Features inside, such as low-VOC or no-VOC paint, look the same as their non-green counterparts.

Green is Expensive

Not really. A green home will cost you much less over your lifetime, than a traditional home. Yes, there may be a very slight increase in the initial price of the home, but this is usually paid back within the first couple of years. It’s all profit – or reduced operating costs, after that.

Green “things” Don’t Work

This myth starts via “new” products that don’t work as advertised. Most of the technology used in green buildings has been around for decades. But yes, some of the newer products did have poor starts. My first LED lights were not very bright and 20% of the units died and needed to be replaced. But these technologies have improved over the years. The heat recovery units, air exchangers, and CFL’s all work well.

Green Building is Just a Fad

R2000 homes were being built in the 1970′s and 80′s. These homes have saved their owners more than the price of the original purchase, in the past 30+ years. Green homes today, are built on these same techniques, with additional features not available many years ago. Living in a world of over consumption, based on fossil fuels and coal, is a fad that’s coming to an end.

It’s All About Energy

Sustainable building means much more than reducing energy consumption of a home. A truly green building fits in with it’s surroundings. A green home has a minimal footprint on water, sewage, garbage, as well as energy. Healthy living is a major part of green – air quality via no-VOC paints and healthy floor coverings for example. Consider some of the points used in a LEED home.

Sustainable sites
Water efficiency
Energy and atmosphere
Materials and resources
Indoor environmental quality
Innovation and design process

There’s Nothing I can Do with THIS House

There is usually a long list of improvements you can make to an existing house , that will make both you and your home a little greener.

seal air leaks – a little caulking and weather striping goes a long way to reduced bills and increased comfort
lighting – replace incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent and LED bulbs.
reduce your water consumption – low-flow shower heads, aerator faucets, brick in the toilet or dual flush toilets.
add insulation – attic and basements are a good place to start
redecorating – look into no-VOC paint, sustainable floor coverings, insulating window blinds.
replace old appliances with new energy efficient units. Consider replacing an inefficient furnace.
stop using pesticides on your lawns and gardens.
use rain barrels to water the lawn and gardens
plant local plants that survive well in your local environment
compost

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