4 myths about green building |
Written by By David Johnson & Scott Gibson (http://www.styleathome.com)
Yes, committed environmentalists do like green building. But green building is not for extremists. It's going mainstream. According to an estimate from the Environmental Home Center in Seattle, the overall market for sustainable building materials is about $20 billion a year, and it's expected to grow more than 10 percent annually. That makes it big business.
Why are a growing number of consumers buying into green building? Rising energy prices are certainly a big reason. Consumers are beginning to realize that sustainably built houses mean lower heating and cooling costs.
Health is another major reason: Our health and well-being are notably affected by the large amount of time we spend indoors. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more than 38 percent of Americans suffer from allergies. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the number of asthma cases grew by 75 percent from 1980 to 1994 -- to more than 17 million.
Since when is saving money and enjoying good health an issue for any particular cultural or political minority?
MYTH #2: Green building is too expensive
Some green building components do cost more. But many cost less. When thinking green is part of the initial planning process, it’s easier and less expensive to incorporate features that significantly lower operating and maintenance costs.
For example, passive solar design coupled with high-performance insulation can make a conventional furnace or boiler unnecessary. Orienting a house to take advantage of solar energy does not in itself cost a penny more than standard construction. Adding a few windows and investing in insulation does cost money, but the rewards on the other side of the ledger are far more substantial, initially and over the life of the house.
Many builders have found that the real cost is in learning new techniques. Products themselves are becoming more readily available and more affordable as major manufacturers develop new lines to meet consumer demand.
Excerpted from Green from the Ground Up by David Johnston and Scott Gibson Copyright © 2008 by David Johnston and Scott Gibson. Excerpted by permission of The Taunton Press, a division of Random House of Canada Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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