What does ‘Green’ mean?

According to a survey performed in 2010 by The Shelton Group, EcoPulse 2010™, Knoxville, TN the following terms were most associated with ‘Green’:

• Environmentally Friendly (69%)
• Recyclable (46%)
• Energy Efficient (31%)
• Natural (26%)
• Renewable (21%)
• Organic (20%)
• Safe (14%)

When we think about ‘green’ homes and construction the primary idea is to create a “sustainable” environment, that is – “the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance“.  Sustainability is measured by the amount of energy consumption.  For some folks, ‘green’ implies saving money through energy efficiency – therefore – savings, investment, and opportunity might be a few terms that folks also associated with ‘green’. These are just a few of the terms associated with ‘green’.  Some other terms that we’ll eventually discuss are – renewable, greenwashing, regenerative, generational housing, energy efficient, net zero energy, adaptive, transformational, passive house, and smart house. Here’s another source for green terminology – http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/200/1/Green-jargon-and-terminology.html

Next time…we’ll talk about energy audits, assessments, and surveys and assessments…

I would be honored to help you with your real estate needs and happy to explain tax benefits and other aspects related to financing a home or investment property. Also, I’d love to discuss these ‘green’ aspects and help you understand what the implications of energy efficient design and construction might mean to you as you search for a new or existing home.  Just give me a call or contact me.