Green Building
own timer, at about $200, installed, is another way to cut
energy usage and utility bills.
Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent
Residential wind turbines—as tall as 80 feet or more—
of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, mak-
depend on a host of factors to make them feasible, including
ing them a top contributor to global warming, according to
unobstructed land, building codes and cost considerations. A
the Environmental Information Administration. The green
10-kW system will cost about $40,000.
building movement now encompasses improved insulation
For anyone building a new home, a geothermal heat
and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; energy-
pump is one of the best long-term energy investments. Pipes
efficient windows and appliances; low-flow commodes
are buried in the ground outside the home, where the tem-
and showers; use of recycled and more durable materials
perature remains stable; these move heat from the ground
for roofs, decks and countertops; and paints free of volatile
via encased fluid to the home’s ductwork during cold months
organic compounds. According to McGraw-Hill Construc-
and reverse the process in hot months. The overall system
tion’s Green Outlook 2009, the overall green building market
costs about $7,500, more than a $4,000 furnace and central
is likely to more than double from today’s $46 billion to $49
air system, but it requires little maintenance. Payback can
billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013.
come in as little as two years.
Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building,
Many incentives help. A 30 percent tax credit is avail-
combined with a national push for healthier homes and
able through 2016 for home renewable energy systems
green jobs, has led to opportunities for homeowners. Federal
(search the Energy Star website). Local utilities often offer
tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for
further rebates and incentives (search Database of State
various metal and asphalt roofs, biomass stoves (used for heat
Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency). For solar panels, tap
or water heating), increased insulation and more energy-
into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), where
efficient windows, doors, air conditioners and water heaters.
a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as
Details are available at the government’s Energy Star website.
SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18
More, the the Federal Housing Administration is offering
years.
Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit
to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase
Contact: American Wind Energy Association, awea.org;
an Energy Star-rated home.
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency,
dsireusa.org; Energy Star tax information, EnergyStar.gov,
Contact: Energy Star green building tax credit information,
search “tax credits”; Solarbuzz, Solarbuzz.com; SunRun,
EnergyStar.gov, search “tax credits”; U.S. Green Building
SunRunHome.com.
Council, usgbc.org.
Renewable Energies
Organic Clothing and Linens
While major brands like Levi, Gap and American Ap-
Despite the poor economy, the Solar Energy Indus-
parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few
tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar
years, organic and natural fiber fabrics, including sustainable
energy’s best years: Here at home, solar power connected to
bamboo and hemp, is still a niche market. While people
the electric grid was up 58 percent, and solar water heating
now better understand the health benefits of organic foods,
capacity grew 40 percent. The research firm Clean Edge re-
“Most consumers don’t understand organic… when it comes
ports that, worldwide, solar is expected to grow from a $29.6
to clothing,” says Mark Messura, executive vice president of
billion industry in 2008 to $80.6 billion by 2018. In 2008,
Cotton Incorporated.
the United States surpassed Germany to become the world
Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent
leader in wind energy; that industry is projected to expand
organic cotton, a practice it began in 1996. Recently, a more
from $51.4 billion in 2009 to $139.1 billion in 2018. A host
widespread advance in green standards for all consumer
of other renewable energies promise bright futures, too,
products has emerged from an unlikely source: Walmart. In
including geothermal, hydropower and biofuels.
July 2009, the retail giant announced that it is developing
For those who want to convert their house to renewable
a universal rating system and “eco label” that lets shoppers
energies, cost is a factor. Solar panels generally cost between
know the environmental impacts of the products they are
$35,000 to $72,000 before rebates and tax incentives. Solar
buying, from energy consumption to water use.
water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go; at
For cotton clothing and bedding, pesticide and water
$2,000 to $4,000 for 80-100 gallons, they can provide more
use are major concerns. Petra Kjell, of the Environmental
than half a home’s hot water needs. Wrapping a water heater
Justice Foundation reports, for example, that it requires 500
in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its
October 2009
17
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