Archive for the 'The Greener Side' Category
Encinitas Civic Center Gets Green Makeover-SDBJ Excerpt
November 19th, 2008 categories: Our Market, The Greener Side
A Carlsbad construction firm has completed a $3.5 million retrofit at the Encinitas Civic Center to improve its energy efficiency.
The work by Xnergy could save the city up to 80 percent on energy bills each year, or $4.3 million over 25 years, according to company and city officials.
Mayor Jerome Stocks said the project would also help reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
The retrofit features the installation of a rooftop 96 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system, installation of a central plant that cools and heats more efficiently, and installation of skylights for natural lighting.
The city is seeking U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification for the work.
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Homeowners Insurance Goes Green, Auto Coverage May Be Next
August 5th, 2008 categories: Our Market, The Greener Side
An excerpt from the San Diego Business Journal.
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced on July 31 the state’s first green homeowners insurance policy, which enables homeowners to rebuild to environmental standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council after a loss.
The new policy, available Aug. 1, covers costs typically not covered in traditional policies, like green recertification fees and other expenses that environmentally conscious homeowners may incur when rebuilding.“I encourage all insurance companies to expand options for consumers.
Innovative products like these are a win-win for consumers and the environment, lowering energy bills and cutting consumption,” Poizner said in a news release. Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is the first to offer the policy. Under the coverage, California homeowners can rebuild under Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) standards set by the Green Building Council. The policy provides up to $25,000 for a LEED-certified architect to oversee the rebuilding of the home and the LEED application process.
Commissioner Poizner is also supporting Senate Bill 1279 by Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Monterey, which will allow insurance companies to submit paperless filings to the Department of Insurance to reduce the amount of paper wasted on filings. And he is working to develop regulations for a green auto insurance option for California drivers. “Pay as you drive” auto insurance will be a voluntary way for consumers to pay rates that most accurately reflect their coverage, and encourage Californians to drive less, reducing the environmental strain of vehicle emissions.— Ned Randolph
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A Green Mortgage?
July 2nd, 2008 categories: Our Market, The Greener Side
Not the green as in cash green but Green as in Clean Green. Mortgagegreen, Inc. has introduced the first National Green Residential Mortgage Underwriting Standard at the Capital Markets Partnership Organization Meeting at JP Morgan Chase in New York on June 18, 2008. The focus of this new standard is as follows;
Clearing the path for discounted financing on green-certified buildings
Accelerating the greening of the real estate industry
Resulting in significant impact of greenhouse gas emissions and global sustainability
Buildings are the largest single category of carbon-emission producers contributing to global warming. One half of the content of our nations landfills comes from new construction debris. There is a real need for change in our building technologies and change is underway with Green building standards as established by Leed, Build It Green and others, each system with its own set of criteria for certification. The rating systems are different but over time will grow more similar as research is shared and compared and BMPs are established.
Green underwriting criteria for mortgages is a wonderful new idea brought about by a shift in at least one company’s priorities. It shows a new maturity on the part of the financial sector- this same sector that has brought about the current credit debacle that has been so impactful in the downturn of the nation’s housing market. Finally, a great idea with positive consequences.
Agenda items from the June 18 meeting include topics such as “Sustainable Investment Market Brief: Giving the market what it wants”. Discussion points were on this topic included the following;
- Higher valued collateral
- Reduced risk
- No climate credit risk- stop dangerous climate change/irreversibility
- Innovation and good will
- Enhanced liquidity
- Improved investor confidence
- Near term economic stimulus
- Cheaper cost of capital
Improving the standards by which we build homes and commercial buildings and utilization of sustainable technologies creates a more valuable end-product and reduces risk on multiple levels. Mortgage programs that reward builders and buyers of Green properties will encourage more Green building which in turn will drive down costs as Green products become more prevalent and readily available which then makes Green projects more profitable encouraging more Green technology. It’s a great example of the far-reaching benefits of rewarding good behavior.
For more information about Green mortgages, visit the website for Mortgagegreen and learn how owning a Green home can save you some green.
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Green Wood and the FSC Label
June 22nd, 2008 categories: The Greener Side
There is green wood and there is ‘Green’ wood. One is not great to build with and the other is your best choice when considering using wood in your home. Perhaps you are updating your home with new floors- hardwood flooring is definitely the ‘hot ticket’ today for home decor. But did you know that you can have a perfectly ‘Green’ wood floor if you are just a little bit more discerning?
What you want to look for are woods that are FSC Certified. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.
FSC’s standards are the highest social and environmental requirements in the forestry sector and they have proven to work across continents, forest types, sizes and ownership. The FSC standards setting process is transparent, democratic and inclusive with many opportunities for the interested public to participate. It is this process that has allowed FSC to become an important and recognized forum where innovative solutions have become possible with the support of all stakeholder groups interested in forestry issues. FSC is the only certification system in forestry recognized by ISEAL (Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental Standards) to follow best-practice in standard setting.
What sets the FSC apart from other forest certification systems is their commitment to all aspects of forest management. Their stewarship benefits the eco-system and protects against deforestation but also is concerned with habitat for indigenous creatures and the economic effects on the indigenous peoples. The FSC doesn’t promote plantation farming but managed harvesting of natural forest areas. Plantation farming can be harmful to the soil and does not provide habitat for woodland species. The FSC also promotes the use of a varied assortment of woods so that one type is not over-harvested and endangered.
Bamboo is often thought of as a Green product for flooring. And it is. Bamboo is actually a grass, not a wood and it is a fast growing and easily replentishable resourse. But you should be careful when choosing a bamboo floor for your home. Bamboo is very soft so high traffic areas will show signs of wear and some less expensive bamboo floors can delaminate. Because bamboo has become so popular, often times it’s harvested too early in it’s lifecycle. Younger bamboo is considerly softer and less durable. One must also be aware of how their bamboo flooring is being installed. There’s nothing worse than going to the trouble of installing a ‘Green’ product such as a bamboo floor and then having toxic glue adhering it to the sub-floor. Some of the adhesives used in flooring installation can off-gas for over a year. It would really be a shame if your bamboo floor was worn out just as the glue stopped stinking up the place! Bamboo can be a great product to use and can be very beautiful but ask the right questions and be sure the installation is as green as the product.
There are also many lovely hardwoods you can use and still have a ‘Green’ heart and home. Look for the FSC Certified label and you can feel confident that your beautiful floor isn’t a burden on our beautiful planet. FSC Certified woods are likely to cost a little more than non-certified products but if it’s the natural glow of wood that you want in your home, it’s really a small price to pay to keep our forests alive and healthy and over time, costs will go down as more people insist on FSC Certified products and supply meets demand.
Thank goodness for organizations like the FSC that are helping to maintain our quality of life by protecting our life sustaining forests. Remember to look for the FSC Certified label next time you buy wood.
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Trash Talk- A Path to Greener Living
May 30th, 2008 categories: The Greener Side
I know most of us care about the planet and feel a responsibility to leave a better place for our children and theirs. If you’re like me, you are always thinking about how to be more efficient; biking when you can to save the auto trip, following everyone around the house turning off lights after them, bundling up in a sweater rather than turning on the heater or using the ceiling fans rather than the air conditioning. It’s become a habit for most of us to consider our impact on our environment. One thing that still gets to me each week is the amount of waste we produce as a family. Sure, we recycle everything we can but still our family of four (plus Max, our Black Lab and third son) fill two 33 gallon containers with trash headed for the nearest landfill. Can we do better? Here are a few ideas from ‘Green Living for Dummies‘ that may help;
- Buy Less
There’s a novel idea! I must admit I hadn’t thought of that. But consider all the stuff you bring home each week that isn’t really essential and that most likely, sooner than later, you’ll be figuring out how to dispose of. This is also a great way to get your children to abstain from the “new toy of the week” (or day). If your kids are like mine, they have more than they can use already. This of course goes for Mom and Dad too. Be aware of each thing you purchase and consider whether it’s the best use of your money, space and ultimately waste.
- Buy Better
So let’s assume you cannot live without that new pair of shoes. And you shouldn’t. Go ahead and indulge but consider the quality of what you are buying. Will it last, or after a month or two, will you be needing to dispose of it and replace it? While less expensive products might seem like a good deal at the time, if they don’t have a long enough life span, you waste much more money than you allegedly saved. You’ll find yourself back to the stores, not only replacing the cheap crap you just threw out but probably picking up some more that you don’t really need, you know, to get the most out of your trip to the store! Not to mention the environmental and humanitarian issues that are at stake when you buy products that are produced so cheaply. How do you think they save so much money producing them…
- Be Mindful of the Packaging
Be aware of the packaging included in the items that you buy, particularly if it’s not recyclable. Shop at stores that sell loose items or use refillable containers. An example of this is our local Jimbo’s, a grocery store offering organic foods and bulk items. We fill up on granola and yogurt covered pretzels, just to name a couple of treats, from the bulk dispensers. If you’re really thinking ahead, use the plastic bags from last weeks purchase of granola and yogurt covered pretzels this week. Dedicate a kitchen drawer to the storage of clean plastic bags that you can reuse (remember to always throw out any bags used for raw meat or other items can carry bacteria). When buying juice or water for your family, buy larger containers and send your little ones off with juice or water in reusable plastic bottles. Same with lunches- avoid the prepackaged cheese and crackers and opt for the Mom-packaged type. These small adjustments will not only save tons of waste, it will save you tons of money too! Also, it’s best to avoid aerosol cans whenever possible as they are not recyclable. Choose pump spray bottles instead. And of course, take your own reusable bags to the grocery store. Many stores sell them (or visit the next trade show that comes to town and load up on cloth shoulder bags for free! You’ll be doing a little advertising for the provider as well).
Here’s a few statistics to get you motivated in a Green way;
From Green Living for Dummies
“According to the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA), more than 245 million tons of municipal solid waste is generated every year in the U. S. - that’s 4.5 pounds of solid waste for every person in the country, each and every day. That’s the most trash generation per capita of any country in the industrialized world. (Canada is second at 3.75 pounds).
The EPA reports that municipal waste included 34 percent paper, 13 percent yard trimmings, 12 percent plastics. The rest is a mix of metals, rubber, leather, textiles, glass, wood and other waste.
The good news is that of most of the municipal waste that’s generated, almost a third of it is recovered and recycled or composted. Just over half of it ends up in a landfill, while 14 percent is incinerated. The amount that’s recycled is significant, and in fact, the U.S. is one of the leading industrialized nations when it comes to recycling.”
Today we’ve dealt with mostly papers and plastics. Stay tuned for another post where we will dive head first into composting, figuratively speaking of course. Thanks for reading on and Stay Green!
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A Successful Home Expo 2008
May 15th, 2008 categories: Community Happenings, Our Market, The Greener Side
On Saturday, May 10, JB Home Sellers attended the 2008 Home Expo at the San Diego Convention Center and it was a success for everyone who attended. This expo was more informational than it was decorative with speakers all day discussing topics such as the right time to buy a home, getting your home For Sale Ready, which loan is right for you and the advantages of going green.
One of the day’s speakers was Nate Kredich of the USGBC or US Green Building Council, and he gave a compelling discourse on the many advantages of Green design. He spoke about how Green design doesn’t always cost more but it always saves money. If you are building a new home, the orientation of the home on the lot can make it much more energy efficient. Situating the majority of windows on to the north and south will maximize light without the heat. Choosing home sites with public transportation opportunities and with available life style options such as restaurants and grocery stores within walking or biking distance can save many auto trips per day and cut down on energy use and carbon emissions. Nate spoke about Energy Star appliances and windows that will save thousands of dollars per year in energy costs.
Each day as more of us become Green conscious and take action to become more energy efficient and Greener Consumers, prices of Green products go down due to increased supply coming on to the market. These days, building a Green home is practically cost neutral when you calculate the savings in water and power. But it’s not neutral to our planet- it’s a tremendous benefit and once everyone acts with a Green conscience, it will be a better place indeed.
Also speaking at the Home Expo was Russ Valone of Market Pointe Realty Advisors. Russ is an industry icon and once again shared his valuable insights on our regional Real Estate market. Russ confirmed that while it’s still a buyer’s market today, shifts are taking place and increased activity is cutting into the supply on homes on the market, both new and resales. Smart buyer’s today are making tremendous buys in the market and those on the side lines cannot benefit unless they take advantage of the opportunities that exist today.
JB Home Sellers and their sister companies Pacific Shoreline Home Building, Inc and Pacific Shoreline Electric, Inc had a great show and made many new friends while manning our booth and visiting booths around the convention center. Standard Pacific Homes was there showcasing their beautiful new homes at the ‘Green’ Del Sur community; Bridgewalk, Cabrillo, and Avaron. At 4S Ranch, Gianni by Standard Pacific offers townhomes starting in the low $400,000’s. These are a few of their new home communities around San Diego and we highly recommend Standard Pacific Homes to all of our clients. In fact, call us today and we’ll take you to the new home that best suits your needs.
So fun was had by all at this year’s Home Expo. Please give us a call and let us help you “LOVE where you live“!
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A Good, Green, Clean
April 28th, 2008 categories: The Greener Side
Better living through chemistry, right? Maybe not. Some folks are taking a “Back to Basics” approach to things because so many of our modern conveniences are choking us to death. It seems to be the right time to re-evaluate our habits and our actions and measure their effectiveness considering their long-term consequences. That’s where the Green Movement is coming from and many recognize it’s time to bring it home.
Which is the topic of our discussion today. Green cleaning products.
In an effort to create a clean and comfortable environment, we have often polluted the very space that we call home. Yes, this is true of our planet but I mean our actual homes. Pesticides cover our fruits and vegetables and harmful chemicals reside in our cleaning products. Not only is this not a healthy choice for the planet, our families could be better cared for as well. Today there are a plethora of Green cleaning products on the market and we will list some websites that offer Green cleaning alternatives. But, here are few ideas that may surprise you in their simplicity and affordability.
The Kitchen
Countertops and sinks- Good old baking soda and water will help keep counters clean. Sprinkle baking soda on the counter then scrub with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda and water into a paste and let set for a while before you remove. The method also works well for stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, refrigerators, stove tops and more.
If you need a tougher abrasive, Kosher salt and water work well on cast iron pans. Be careful using this on stainless steel as it can scratch.
For a natural disinfectant, mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. Spray or rub on countertops and other kitchen surfaces.
For Ovens, coat the inside of your dirty appliance with a paste made from water and baking soda. Let stand overnight. Then, wearing gloves, scour off that grime! Make spotless with a moist cloth.
To rid your fruits and vegetables of pesticide residue and germs, sprinkle a little baking soda on wet produce then gently scrub and rinse. Read the rest of this entry »
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Stand Out In The Crowd… By Adding Green
April 18th, 2008 categories: Our Market, The Greener Side
We all know there’s a lot of competition out there. So, what can you do to differentiate your home? How about adding a little Green? Certainly, you can spend a lot of Green going Green but you don’t have to. The little things all add up and that can add up to value when home shoppers consider your home over the competition.
According to broker Laura Zambratto with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty on Long Island, “Home buyers are looking for added value in every purchase they are making. They either want an awesome price or extras - such as those extras found in a more energy-efficient house.”
Here are some ways to make your home stand out by going Green:
- Energy prices have gone through the roof all over the country and San Diego County is no exception. Lower utility bills can help off-set the monthly mortgage payment if you are being Energy Smart. Start by changing out your incandescent light bulbs and replacing them with CFLs (Compact Flourescents). CFLs use one quarter of the electricity of regular light bulbs and account for twenty percent of a homes energy use.
- You might consider updating your inefficient or questionable appliances and replacing with new Energy Star certified models. The EPAs blue and white label indicates models must be 10% to 50% more energy efficient than standard offerings. It’s also a good idea to install a programmable thermostat if your home doesn’t have one.
- Insulation is key to saving energy. This is a simple process of checking for tight seals around doors and windows and making sure cracks are caulked. This can save hundreds of dollars in utility costs per year just by itself. If your home is older, perhaps it makes sense to ‘beef up’ your behind the walls insulation a bit.
- Health sells. People care very much about the environment that they live and raise their families in. You can make a huge difference in the indoor air quality of your home with a little touch up paint. Choose paints with low or no VOC’s or Volatile Organic Compounds and not only spruce up the appearance of your home but cut down on toxins that can seep into the breathable air in your home. These paints and other wall coatings are widely available. Check out the Green Building Pages for products, manufacturers and retailers of all sorts of Green Products.
- That beautiful new carpet you installed ten years ago has definitely seen it’s better days. Not only can a fresh step of flooring improve the look of your home, choosing the right carpet or hard surface flooring can add healthy points too! There are terrific eco-friendly carpets available today that include recycled content and don’t have toxins such as formaldehyde hidden inside.
- Any opportunity to remove polyvinyl chloride or PVC will also improve indoor air quality. This may be found in some flooring, shower curtains, plastic board material and more.
The best way to prepare to sell green is by contacting an expert in the green field. The first place they will probably start is an energy audit. They can help you find healthy products to use in your Greening Up and contractors who specialize in Green Building Technology.
Remember, going Green may help you qualify for state or local tax credits too.
Consider these steps if you are thinking of selling your home. They just might get you the Green you’re looking for.
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Green Homes 101 (From the USGBC Green Home Guide)
April 15th, 2008 categories: Our Market, The Greener Side
Making your home a greener place is a commitment – to yourself, your family, your community and the world. But more than that, it is a learning process. As exciting new technologies, products and scientific breakthroughs constantly emerge, staying educated on the hows – as well as the whys – of maintaining a green home is the best way to ensure your efforts are as effective and beneficial as possible.
Green Home Defined
A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people living inside compared to a standard home. It’s as simple as that!
A home can be built green, or you can make it green later. A green makeover can happen all at once, or it can be a gradual process. But what it all comes down to is a new way of thinking – and a new way of living. From a more energy-efficient kitchen to a tree-filled backyard paradise, your home can be green top to bottom, front to back, inside and out. And it doesn’t matter whether you rent or own, live in an apartment or single-family home, or live in the city, the suburbs or the country.
The Benefits of a Green Home
There are many very real benefits to living in a green home, and every day, more and more Americans are discovering those benefits. Green homes are healthier, more durable and more cost-effective.
That’s why green homes are expected to make up 10% of new home construction by 2010, up from 2% in 2005, according to the 2006 McGraw-Hill Construction Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report. Owning or renting a green home is good for your health, your wallet and our environment.
Incentives
Beyond the health and environmental benefits of living in a green home, many local and state governments, utility companies and other entities across the country offer rebates, tax breaks and other incentives for adding eco-friendly elements to your life.
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Green Paint…
April 11th, 2008 categories: Home Decor, The Greener Side
Whether you are about to undertake a complete remodel or just sprucing up your digs, you can make a huge impact without spending a fortune. Color! Wall coatings add so much to your decor and the colors you choose can have a dramatic effect on your emotional state. Cool colors relax and subdue the anxious mind while warm colors give you energy and can bring sunshine into your home even on the darkest day. But, colors are not the only choices you have to make. There are many different brands of paint offering endless shades but some also offer VOC’s or Volatile Organic Compounds harmful chemicals that contribute to poor air quality and can cause respitory irritations or worse if one is particularly sensitive. The solvents in paints can include benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene, which are known carcinogens or neurotoxins. Oil-based paints rely on VOC-emitting solvents such as mineral spirits to control their drying time, but conventional water-based latex paints aren’t necessarily milder: They can contain such VOCs as formaldehyde and the suspected carcinogen acrylonitrile, as well as ethylene glycol ethers associated with lowering sperm count, and fungicides and preservatives to combat mold and mildew.
Here’s some examples of paint alternatives from The Green Guide;
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