Today, the word “green” can mean anything from the description of a product to the description of a lifestyle. However, many surveys exist claiming to have ranked the top greenest cities in America despite this term’s lack of definition. So, how can the top “greenest” cities be numerically ranked when the “green” concept is still so sweeping?

With so many lists claiming to have identified the “top” greenest cities in America, it is unclear which is “the” list. But each survey taken usually consists of different measures of greeness. As you might have noticed, there are various shades of green because each person places importance on different issues regarding our environment. These surveys are no different.

One poll may measure the amount of public transportation a city has and not necessarily the actual use of public transportation. So how different are the outcomes when disparate factors are used to measure a common idea? Below is a comparison of three “top” lists. Each has slightly different criteria and, in turn, slightly varying results.

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LEED has made quite an impact in the green building world and more buildings are beginning to receive recognition for their designs. But how does LEED determine which buildings get to don the highly recognized plaque? They use a consensus-based point system that determines a building’s level of sustainability and ranks it accordingly.

LEED’s ranking system may not be an exact measure of sustainability, but it provides the structure necessary to evaluate the construction and operation of a building and its environmental impacts. The ranking system is built from six categories that are used to evaluate a design. Each category has a maximum amount of points that can be earned. Below is a description of these categories:
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Architect, Sarah Susanka, has helped reduced the popularity of McMansions by introducing a quainter lifestyle, beginning with our homes.

Her book, ‘The Not So Big House,’ embraces the idea that less is more and that luxury does not have to mean excess. So what does this have to do with green and energy efficient homes? How can a smaller home work for you?

A small, modest home means less heat, less air-conditioning, and less lighting. A home with fewer square feet is more efficient because a smaller amount of energy is needed to run the A/C, provide hot water, and perform other energy consuming activities.

So what can we do to make the most of the space we have?

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Your yard has always been an important part of your home, whether cooking on the grill in the summer or enjoying a fall fire. Making these spaces an extension of your home has become popular and almost expected in today’s market. But how can our outdoor living space become part of our green home?

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Ditching your commute for a home office may seem like a great way to save money, but working from home isn’t entirely free. Running computers, office equipment, heating/cooling equipment, and lighting all day as opposed to just the few morning and evening hours in a day will increase your utility bills.

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Changing out your old water fixtures for low-flow ones is easy and fairly inexpensive. But if you have been avoiding this task because you are afraid of losing precious water pressure, don’t worry, low-flow fixtures have come a long way.

How Much Can I Possibly Save?

Taking a quick 5 minute shower can use up to 40 gallons of water, according to FlexYourPower.org . Replacing your showerhead with a low-flow fixture can save up to 80% of that water per shower!

So the answer seems easy: replace your water-wasting fixtures with low-flow fixtures. But most of us are still reluctant to do so because a low-flow shower suggests low pressure, which doesn’t sound too attractive in the morning. However, manufacturers have recognized this and have developed low-flow showerheads that feel just like their less-efficient, conventional counterparts.

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Almost 20 million people in America suffer from asthma according to the Environmental Protection Agency . Indoor air pollutants are a large part of the problem for asthma sufferers. What does building a green home have to do with the fight against asthma?

The amount of time we spend indoors might have something to do with it: most of us spend as much as 90% of our time indoors. With various indoor-air pollutants lingering in our homes, indoor-air quality can become a major factor for people with asthma. The impact can be reduced by taking a few simple steps, many of which are practiced in healthy green homes already.

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Is Radiant Floor Heating For You?

Radiant Floor Heating seems all the rage lately, but how does it work? Why is it used in green and energy efficient homes? And is it a better choice than a Forced Hot Air system?

Radiant Floor Heating can be installed under any type of floor but slab, tile, and masonry floors are the best because they store heat most efficiently. Hardwood floors also work well with a Radiant Floor Heating System, but carpet should be avoided because it essentially insulates the floor, reducing the heat that enters the room.

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A room used exclusively for taking off shoes and throwing down belongings is great during inclement weather or for a home with kids, but a mudroom is more than just practical. Mudrooms have also proven to be part of a healthy, green home. What is it about this entry room that makes our homes healthier and more efficient?

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Planning to build a green home can be confusing.What makes a green home green?What factors are most important and why? 

Factors such as, building envelope, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, renewable energy, local conditions and green materials have significant effects on the health and efficiency of our homes. Deciding what matters the most to you and your family is up to you.

Protecting your home from the elements is one of the most important considerations. The building envelope is the separation between the interior and exterior of a home (essentially, it is the outer shell). This separation is usually made up of walls, a roof, and a foundation and is an important factor in the home’s efficiency.

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