Sustainable/Green Building & The Environment

Treat the earth well. It is not inherited from our parents. It is borrowed from our children. ~ a proverb

Our homes impact the environment just as surely as the daily choices we make while living on our planet. Many folks are aware of this and want to take steps to make their existing homes more ecofriendly or perhaps they want to start from scratch but aren't sure where to start or what is involved with building green. Others are just concerned about their bottom line. Either way, sustainable and energy efficient choices are good for the pocketbook as well as the planet.

Because of my ongoing concern for the environment and commitment to quality of service to my clients, I have completed the Earth Advantage® Broker, GREEN, and EcoBroker® certification programs which have provided training in the various aspects of sustainable building including the systems of the home and energy efficiency. I am not an expert but I continue to meet professionals who are experts and I have developed a referral base for clients who have this interest. With this training, in addition to my background in interior architectural design, I can discuss and explain these added components that work together to reduce the environmental impact of a home as well as your monthly energy bills.

At Earth Advantage® I learned that approximately 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions result from the energy services required for residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Almost half of that number, 20%, comes from residential use alone. Our choices in new construction and remodeling have an impact. Find your ecological footprint.

One key component of green building is Daylighting or Building Orientation. Ideally this begins with the choice of the land parcel itself. The Department of Energy has provided a useful article on this subject. Click here to download the article. Proper Daylighting of a home can contribute significantly to personal comfort and a home's energy efficiency. This concept can be applied to existing homes or parcels of land. I'll be happy to review the concept with you regarding properties under consideration.

I recently facilitated a workshop here in Hood River regarding energy efficiency & remodeling which featured two local Green builders. It's important to remember that there are small steps that one can take as well as more comprehensive steps in remodeling. The first step is an energy audit. A professional will inspect the home and indicate what energy saving opportunities may be available. You may qualify for a free one hour audit or you may want something more comprehensive. As a Trade Ally of Energy Trust of Oregon, I can help with this as well as provide you with a copy of the current state and federal Energy Trust Incentives.

If you have interests in the area of green building, whether it's new construction or a retrofit, please give me a call. The tipping point has been reached and people are recognizing that there is value in embracing sustainable building practices as well as commitment to the environment, and that make good sense/cents!

We relocated here to enjoy this unique quality of life and environment. It has exceeded all our expectations. I am proactively involved in the community to ensure that it remains viable both environmentally and economically for future generations.

Other considerations for a healthy environment:

Columbia Riverkeeper is a local non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving our greatest natural resource, the Columbia River, from it's headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Check out their
web site. There are many ways to get involved.

Our seafood choices also impact the environment. This link will take you to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's web site which will provide you with a printable pocket-sized guide to refer to when shopping for seafood.