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Once upon a time there were homes that did not efficiently use energy. Every day these homes waste energy they contributed to the global climate crisis. Because of that construction companies and architects found ways to make home more energy efficient. Research shows that if we all make small changes to where we live together, we can minimize some of the impacts of the coming climate catastrophe. This work is important to me because for a long time I have felt like there isn’t anything I can do to combat climate change but doing things like making changes to where I live can have some impact. If we all make these small changes, hopefully we can buy some time for humanity to find larger scale solutions and save our planet.

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We can create homes that use significantly less energy but still look like what most of us are use to.  Small steps including insulation can make a huge difference in energy costs.

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Building Energy Efficiency | This Old House

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The Anatomy of  a Green Energy Efficient Home

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Although most folks know green homes pack plenty of eco-friendly benefits, there are some pesky misconceptions that need correcting. Here are 9 myths busted.

1. Myth: Green Homes are Expensive
Eco-friendly homes come in different types, sizes, and price tags, from a green-minded prefab that can cost less than $150,000 to an eco-urban condo for $690,000 or more. The big difference is in resale value: Eco-friendly homes fetch higher prices compared with conventionally built homes.
2. Myth: Green Homes Look Kooky
Fact: Not all green homes look like grass-roofed hobbit holes or extra-crunchy Earthships. That's old school. Eco-friendly abodes being built today can look just like traditional houses - except they may have solar panels or small wind turbines.
3. Myth: Green Homes are a "California Thing"
Fact: California has the strictest environmental laws in the country, so it would make sense to think green homes are a hot property in the Golden State. But when you add up the number of houses that were certified in 2012 by Energy Star for their energy savings and eco-friendly benefits, Texas is a green home leader, with more than three times the number of Energy Star-certified homes than California.

Plus, both Delaware and Maryland have a higher penetration of Energy Star homes. Both have 40% compared with California's 23%. (Texas is 27%.)
4. Myth: Green Homes Use Only Non-Toxic Materials
Fact: Not always. Spray polyurethane foam is a petroleum-based product that's a controversial green building favorite. Although it's considered an energy-saving rock star because it creates a tight seal and has a high R-value (insulation), the off-gassing it creates during and shortly after installation can cause serious respiratory issues. The EPA still supports its use, but the Passive House Institute U.S. won't certify homes insulated with the material because it contributes to global warming.
5. Myth: Green Homes Require Newfangled Technologies
Fact: Green homes aren't about gizmos and gadgets. They're about better construction methods that boost energy efficiency and promote healthy indoor environments. With that said, developing eco-friendly home habits like unplugging vampire devices or mastering how to program a digital thermostat can help to further shrink your home's carbon footprint.
6. Myth: Green Homes Need Exotic New Building Materials
Fact: Nope! New building materials have a negative impact on the planet because they produce greenhouse gases during both manufacturing and shipping. That's why locally salvaged flooring is considered greener than the bamboo stuff that's harvested from a sustainable source thousands of miles away.
7. Myth: Green Homes Need New Energy-Efficient Appliances
Fact: It's not very green to trash appliances in good working condition, even if they're not rated for energy efficiency, according to the EPA. With proper maintenance major appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines, can be useful for 10 to 18 years.
8. Myth: Green Homes are Needed More in Urban Areas
Fact: In actuality, rural and suburban homes are the ones that need some serious greening. Thanks to walkability, people who live in high-density cities have a smaller carbon footprint since they burn fewer fossil fuels. Bonus: Walkability can actually increase your home's value.
9. Myth: Existing Homes Can't Be Green
Fact: False! Retrofitting an existing home is much greener than building a new one, according to a study by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. New green homes take 10 to 80 years to overcome the negative environmental affects of the construction process. Since remodeling older homes requires fewer building materials, retrofitting can leave a much smaller carbon footprint.

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9 Common Misconceptions about Green Homes * Kay Pratt RE/MAX

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Although most folks know green homes pack plenty of eco-friendly benefits, there are some pesky misconceptions that need correcting. Here are 9 myths busted. 1. Myth: Green Homes are Expensive Fact: Eco-friendly homes come in different types, sizes, and price tags, from a green-minded prefab that can cost less than $150,000 to an eco-urban condo [...]

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10 Facts about Green Buildings that Architects must know - RTF | Rethinking The Future

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Environmental concerns from prevailing automated and technological reconstructions still produce a bulk of global concerns and matters, a more active call for improvement to be sustainable is being executed....

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Green Architecture can be both energy efficient and beautiful

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Green Architecture can be both energy efficient and beautiful

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Architects can design living spaces that are more energy efficient and provide amenities to their residents.

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Sustainable cities: lessons from a Swedish community -level initiative

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Sustainable cities: lessons from a Swedish community -level initiative

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This article studied how to motivate people to be more energy efficient. Over a period of time the people conducting the research found that people were more likely to be conscious of the way they use energy when presented with small tasks they can do, such as a community garden or shared tools. It showed that small changes can add up to make a difference.

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This article focused on how we currently use energy at home. It was written to address the way people work from home and how they are consuming more energy while doing this. The article provided insightful information with suggestions on things we can change around the house to make a difference in the amount of energy we use.

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It's Not Easy Being Green, But Worth it.

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It's Not Easy Being Green, But Worth it.

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Muppets - Kermit - Its not easy being green (original)