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

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. 

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.   

• 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!

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“!

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.

The Bathroom

For porcelain and tile, again, baking soda and water will keep the bathroom clean and odor free. Dust surfaces with baking soda and scrub with a moist sponge or cloth. Kosher salt can be added for tougher grime but again, careful not to scratch that tile.

Lemon juice or White Vinegar attack stains, mildew and any grease streaks. Just spray on lemon juice or white vinegar and scrub with a stiff brush.

Instead of using bleach as a disinfectant, make your own by mixing 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil.

Mirrors and Windows

For streak free windows and mirrors, mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water. Dispense into a reusable spray bottle and spray on windows and mirrors, then wipe with newspaper (paper towels cause streaking and deforestation).

If you can’t stand the smell of vinegar, you can substitute straight lemon juice or club soda (don’t dilute either in water).

Clogged drain? Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the problem drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. If that doesn’t do it, chase the baking soda with 1/2 cup of vinegar and cover tightly. This allows the vigorous fizzing of the chemical reaction to break up the clog. Then flush with up to one gallon of boiling water.

Underfoot

For spills on carpet, club soda really is your best defense. But you need to attack it immediately. First you need to lift off any solids that may be part of the spill. Then, liberally pour on club soda. Blot with an old, clean and colorless rag until all the color from the spill is absorbed by your cloth. The soda’s carbonation should bring the spill to the surface and the salts in the soda thwart the staining.

You can make your own spot cleaner by mixing 1/4 cup liquid soap and 1/3 cup of water in a blender until foamy. Put into a reusable spray bottle and spray on to stains. Then, rinse with vinegar.

Do deodorize carpets, sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on carpet or rug, using about 1 cup per medium sized room. Vacuum after 30 minutes.

These are a few alternative methods of cleaning your home that are easy on the environment and your wallet. As with all cleaning products, test first in a small, inconspicuous area to make sure you get the desired result. It’s a good idea to check the manufacturers recommendations for cleaning before using any products, especially wood floors, granite and marble countertops and wool carpeting.

You can find tea tree oil in many places but also at www.wholehealthproducts.com. The Green Guide is always a great Green source. Go to www.thegreenguide.com and search cleaning products.

Happy (and healthy) Cleaning!

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.

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.

Here’s some examples of paint alternatives from The Green Guide;

Natural paints, which tend to cost more, are usually made from citrus and other plant ingredients, milk protein or clay. They are better for the environment because most do not use petrochemicals or produce smog and are free of preservatives and biocides. While they take a lot longer to dry, are more difficult to apply and often need to be layered in several coats, the environmental and health benefits associated with natural paints are worth the extra time. Natural paints are best suited for drier areas, as they are less resistant to mildew and molds.

Clean Air Counts, an initiative to reduce ozone-causing emissions in Chicago, recommends using paint with VOC limits within those set by SCAQMD. These limits state that flat paint VOC levels should not exceed 100 grams per liter and non-flat paint (semi-gloss, gloss, eggshell, or satin), not exceed 150 grams per liter. Often labeled “low-“or “no-VOC” these latex paints are water-based and emit fewer harmful fumes than regular latex paint.

While they generally cost more, “VOC-free,” “no-VOC,” or “zero-VOC” paints are less toxic than conventional low-VOC paints, and are virtually free of chemicals listed as carcinogenic under the California law. Because most still contain toxic preservatives, chemically sensitive people should avoid areas exposed to VOC-free paint.

Biocides such as preservatives and fungicides are commonly added to conventional latex paints to fend off mold and mildew, extending shelf-life. “Low-biocide” paints are 90 to 95 percent free of biocides, but may still have high VOC levels. They are best suited for use in indoor dry areas because they are more susceptible to mildew.

“‘Natural milk‘ paints are virtually odorless and are made using the milk protein casein and lime to which are added earth pigments.” They contain no solvents, preservatives or biocides, though some do have synthetic ingredients like acrylic and vinyl. They come in powdered form and once opened or mixed with water, they should be used quickly, as they can mold if left to stand for a few weeks.

“Whitewashes,” which only come in white, contain only lime paste, water and salt. They are a low cost option that, like milk paints, are more fragile and are best applied to plaster, cement or stucco walls.

“Recycled paint,” often a bargain at under $10 per gallon, is created when a few types of paints are consolidated into one. According to the Waste Watch Center, recycled paint should have a minimum of 50% recycled content and be available in consistent colors. However, because several paints are mixed together, recycled paint is often best suited for areas where consistent color is not required.

What to look out for

Alkyd- or oil-based based paints, whose entire carrier (which keeps the paint in liquid form) is a volatile organic compound, contain much higher levels of smog-generating VOCs than do latex paints. (”Environmental Building News Feb 1999 “Paint the Room Green”) While oil-based paints can be marketed as low-VOC, their VOC content is usually much higher than that of latex-based paints. If you must purchase an oil-based paint, make sure it does not contain any of the ingredients listed below:

acrolein, acrylonitrile, antimony, benzene, cadmium, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, etylbenzene, butyl, benzyl, phthalate, formaldehyde, hexavalent, chromium, isophorone, lead, mercury, methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, naphthalene, phthalate esters, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, toluene, and vinyl chloride.

So where do you go to find these air-friendly products.  From the Green Guide:

To find the VOC content of a paint, check the back of the paint can. Also look at the manufacturer’s material safety data sheet (MSDS), which most manufacturers provide on their websites. The MSDS contains detailed information about the ingredients found in the paint, as well as its VOC levels.

The paints below are either no- or low-VOC formulated to reduce air-polluting emissions. Most are only available at retailers that specialize in environmentally-friendly products (See Retailers). If you can’t find a particular brand, call the manufacturer for a list of distributors (See Company Contact Information).

Company Contact Information

AFM, http://www.afmsafecoat.com/, 800/239-0321

Aglaia, www.beeck.de

Auro Paint, http://www.aurousa.com/, 883/302-9352

Benjamin Moore, http://www.benjaminmoore.com/, 800/344-0400

BioShield, http://www.bioshieldpaint.com/, 800/621-2591

Chem-Safe, 210/657-5321

Coronado Paint, http://www.coronadopaint.com/, 800/883-4193

Duron Paints & Wallcoverings, http://www.duron.com/, 800/72-DURON

Kelly Moore Paint Company, http://www.kellymoore.com/, 650/592-8337

ICI Dulux, http://www.iciduluxpaints.com/, 216/344-8000

Innovative Formulations Company, http://www.innovativeformulations.com/, 520/628-1553

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company, http://www.milkpaint.com/, 978/448-6336

Retailers

Environmental Construction Outfitters, http://www.environproducts.com/, 800/238-5008

Environmental Home Center, http://www.environmentalhomecenter.com/, 800/281-9785

Green Home, http://www.greenhome.com/, 415/282-6400

Natural Home Products, http://www.naturalhomeproducts.com/, 707/824-0914

NEEDS, http://www.needs.com/, 800/634-1380

New Century Paints, www.fargbygge.se, 413/528-4319

Nirvana Safe Heaven, http://www.nontoxic.com/, 800/968-9355

Planetary Solutions, http://www.planetearth.com/, 303/442-6228

Brighten your environment while maintaining your indoor air quality.  This can also be a great selling point when you are marketing your home.  Don’t forget to let prospective buyers know about this valuable addition you have added to your home.