Sustainable/Green Building & The Environment

Our homes impact the environment in addition to 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, where possible, or perhaps they want to start from scratch but aren't sure where to start or what is involved with building green.

Because of my ongoing concern for the environment and quality of service to my clients, I recently completed the EcoBroker® Certification, as well as the Earth Advantage® S.T.A.R certification program, which provided training in the various aspects of green building. 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 I can discuss and explain the various components that work together to reduce the environmental impact of our homes.

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.

One of the key components 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 a home's energy efficiency. This concept can be applied to homes or parcels of land and I'll be happy to review the concept with you regarding properties under consideration.

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.

Earth Advantage® S.T.A.R. as well as EcoBroker Certified® real estate agents receive additional training on energy and environmental issues that relate to real estate transactions. With this training, I can provide a better understanding of energy opportunities and environmental issues as they relate to your real estate decisions.

If you are considering retrofitting your existing home or one that you may purchase, you may be eligible for an energy audit. A professional will inspect the home and indicate what energy saving opportunities may be available. As a trade ally of Energy Trust of Oregon, I can tell you about energy-efficient features and improvements for homes.

If you have interests in the area of green building, whether its new construction or a retrofit, please give me a call. The tipping point has been reached and people are recognizing the value of embracing sustainable practices that make good sense/cents!

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.