Savvy Consumer - Going Green

by Cindy Green

It seems to be everywhere these days - the Go Green initiative.  You see it on TV shows, read about it in the paper and its popping up in commercials left and right.   Finally, a fashion trend that we won't be embarrassed about 10 years from now!    Now this certainly isn't the first time environmental awareness has come into the spotlight, in fact, the first Earth Day took place back in 1970, but something feels different this time.   There seems to be more steam behind it this time…an urgency to do something, a desire not just amongst the "tree-huggers" but the general public to find a way to somehow minimize our impact on the earth…reduce our ecological footprint.   But how? 

Well…you start out small.  Don't talk yourself out of making an effort by convincing yourself that you have to sell your car, live by candlelight and grow your own food in order to make a difference.   Each and every one of us can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and all it takes is a little bit of effort.   Here are just a few ideas to get you started: 

• Reduce water consumption and cut utility costs by:
  1. Installing low-flow shower heads (newer products are becoming available that use less than the current 2.5 gallon per minute standard, but still deliver good water pressure). 
  2. Take shorter showers…I know…this is a tough one, but you'll get use to it.
  3. Wash clothes in cold water.
  4. Adjust landscape timer to water correct amounts and at correct times…most people over-water and water at the wrong time of day.   
• Replace light bulbs with low-energy compact fluorescent bulbs - they use about 75% less energy than standard bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
• Buy a filter for your tap water instead of buying bottled water.  So far this year alone in the U.S. an estimated 24.5 billion beverage cans and bottles have been sent to landfills, incinerated or littered about…that doesn't include the ones that have been recycled!  (See website: www.container-recycling.org for running estimate and other interesting info.)
• Take your own re-usable coffee container to your favorite coffee spot.  Not only can you get a small discount at most major coffee shops, but you save a cup and lid every single time…see bullet point above for why this is so important.
• Carpool to work…or better yet, telecommute. 
• Hang-dry your laundry.  In July you could probably dry your clothes in 10 minutes flat!
• Use cloth grocery bags.  Sure, at first you might feel a little silly…I mean really, what could be more embarrassing than showing you care about the Earth?  But remember - green is in…so be a trendsetter!

 

And…just what exactly is Cachet doing to be more green, besides offering suggestions?   Well, over the last couple of months we have been working with an Energy Star certified inspection agency to have our blueprints and material/equipment specifications reviewed to determine what it would take to become Energy Star compliant.   Energy Star is a joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy whose focus is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy consumption.   For homebuyers the benefit of buying an Energy Star home is reduced energy expenses, but the bigger benefit for all of us is the reduced negative impact on the environment. 

To qualify as an Energy Star builder you have to meet certain standards that include:  insulation values; window ratings for solar heat-gain coefficient and U-values; air conditioning SEER rating; furnace ratings; air duct insulation; water heater energy factor; etc.   In addition, on-site inspections by a third party inspection agency are required on every job-site in the Energy Star program.   During these inspections they will field verify compliance with the above mentioned items, as well as inspect for:  proper install of insulation; HVAC and ductwork installed to provide proper airflow; ductwork leakage; building envelope meets air infiltration standards; home is properly sealed and weather-stripped.   

When we decided to head down the Energy Star path we had already made the commitment to do whatever was needed to become Energy Star certified.  We were delighted to find out that most of our homes were already very close to qualifying due to the quality of materials and specifications we had already chosen to make standard.   With just a few tweaks and changes to make here and there we are well on our way, and have already implemented the program at several communities.  

Now that we have that learning curve behind us we are, as always, looking for new ways to improve our building process, incorporate further environmentally friendly practices, and continue to strive to deliver the best possible home we can to our homebuyers.   It all starts with taking the first small step.  

If you would like to learn more about the Energy Star program log-on to www.energystar.gov.