Green Building
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the impacts of US Buildings?12% Water Use
30% Green House Gas Emissions
65% Waste Output
70% Electricity Consumption
What are the average savings of green building?
30% Energy Savings
35% Carbon Savings
30-50% Water Savings
50-90% Waste Cost Savings
What are some simple things that can be done to go “green”, without major renovations or cost?
A few things include increasing insulation, weather-stripping and efficient siding, purchasing low-E windows, incorporating Energy Star appliances, sealing duct and crawl spaces, and closing the fireplace damper.
I just bought Energy Star qualified windows? What do I need to save for my taxes to get the tax credit?
Tax credits are available for Energy Star windows purchased in 2006 or 2007 for 10% of the cost of windows, up to $200. Installation costs are not covered by the tax credit. Homeowners should save receipts and Energy Star labels from all windows. You will need to fill out IRS Form 5695 and submit with your taxes.
Can I over-seal my house or make it too tight?
While it is possible to seal a house too tightly, it is very unlikely in most older homes. A certain amount of fresh air is need for good indoor air quality and there are specifications that set the minimum amount of fresh air needed for a house. If you have a concern that your home may be too tight, contact an energy specialist who may recommend that a fresh air ventilation system needs to be added to your HVAC system.
Does it cost more to build with green products and materials?
There are many green products and materials that cost the same or even less than conventional ones. The Green Building Resource Guide includes a unique feature that compares the cost of green products to conventional products that they are most likely to replace. It is significant to note that many of the products listed in the Guide are the same cost or less than conventional products
How can I find information about clothes dryer efficiency?
There is no requirement to display the EnergyGuide label on clothes dryers, so it is not easy to compare the energy use of various dryer models. In terms of energy use, gas dryers are generally less expensive to operate than electric models. Within the respective gas and electric dryer categories, however, the energy use of dryers currently on the market does not vary widely. Other than fuel type, the major energy consideration is whether the dryer uses controls to sense dryness and turn the dryer off automatically. The best dryers have moisture sensors in the drum for sensing dryness. Another consideration is how dry the clothes are when they are put into the dryer. Today's resource-efficient clothes washers use higher spin speeds to remove more water from clothes while they are still in the washer. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency clothes washer to maximize energy savings throughout the laundry cycle.
Which single improvement would make the most difference ecologically?
Replace regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents.
Should I be concerned about the mercury that is in my CFL light bulb?
Mercury is a toxic substance, and as a consumer it is important to be aware of the mercury content of the products you buy, know how to properly dispose of them, and understand the health risks to your family and the environment. In the case of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), it is important to note that these bulbs save 2-10 times more mercury from the environment than they contain by avoiding pollution from coal-fired power plants, and the amount in each bulb is not significant enough to pose a health risk in your home. Most CFLs have an initial mercury content of 3-4 mg (For comparison, a household mercury thermometer contains 50-3000 mg). Some low-mercury CFLs contain as little as 1.4 mg. Over the life of that same 20W CFL, it will use 550 kWh less electricity than the 75W bulb it replaced, which translates to about 6.5 mg mercury saved from the atmosphere on average. In certain southeastern and western states that depend primarily on coal for electricity, each bulb would save closer to 13 mg of toxic mercury emissions.
To learn more about proper disposal in your area if your CFL burns out or breaks, the EPA Energy Star Program provides clear clean-up tips and contact numbers (pdf).
Will going “green” restrict the look of a home?
With the right design, products and planning, one may not even be able to differentiate between a “green home” from a standard home. If anything, many of the improvements enhance the beauty and value of a home or office.
Is there a difference between a solar electric system and a solar hot water system?
Yes, solar hot water and solar electric systems are separate technologies. Solar electric systems consist of photovoltaic modules that convert sunlight into electric current to operate appliances, motors, pumps and other devices. Solar hot water systems utilize solar thermal panels that involve water or another liquid medium circulating through tubes in the panels to be heated by the sun for domestic hot water use or swimming pool water heating.
Do I have to change my habits with a solar hot water system?
No. Solar water heaters are always installed with a backup heating system in the storage tank to ensure that hot water is available at all times. However, to maximize solar utilization and your savings, you should attempt to use the most hot water in the late morning and early afternoon when the solar system is operating at its peak due to the available sunshine. Also, your solar system will be more effective if your use of hot water is spread more evenly over the week. For example, if you use hot water for laundry, instead of washing seven loads of clothes in a single day, wash one load each day. This will reduce the amount of backup energy required for your solar system.
Will a photovoltaic system produce enough meet all my electricity needs?
It is important to understand that a solar electric system does not need to provide all of the electricity you need to be of great value. A small system that displaces an average of one-quarter to one-half of your average demand reduces your electric bill. With battery backup, it can deliver uninterrupted power to critical loads during utility outages for days or weeks. We are happy to provide you with a system that supplies 100 percent of your energy needs, but cutting your electricity by 40 to 50 percent is typically the most cost-efficient approach for home solar power. *resource GE power.
What kind of warranty is typical with renewable energy?
Most solar photovoltaic systems come with at least 20 year warranties!
What is Net-Metering?
Net metering allows your electric meter to go backwards when you are producing more electricity than you are using. Essentially, it indicates how much electricity you pulled from the grid rather than the amount of electricity that you used.
What if the tax credit generated is more than the federal taxes I owe?
If the federal tax credit exceeds your tax liability, the excess amount may be carried forward to the following tax year.
How do residential wind turbines work?
A wind turbine, which is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home's electrical system.
In a normal residential application, a home is served simultaneously by the wind turbine and a local utility. If the wind speeds are below cut-in speed (7-10 mph) there will be no output from the turbine and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the house needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no batteries in a modern residential wind system.
Will a small wind turbine save me money?
A wind turbine typically lowers a household electricity bill by 50% to 90%. It is not uncommon for wind turbine owners with total-electric homes to have monthly utility bills of only $8 to $15 for nine months of the year. In northern parts of the U.S. where less air conditioning is used the bills can be very low year-round. The amount of money a small wind turbine saves you in the long run will depend upon its cost, the amount of electricity you use, the average wind speed at your site, and other factors.
Since energy conservation is usually less expensive than energy production, making your house or farm more energy-efficient first will likely reduce the amount of investment in a wind system to meet your needs. Most wind system purchasers have done all the reasonable efficiency measures first.
Where are the businesses in my area that provide these products and services?
Link to Business Member Directory
