Focus on "Green" Communities
 

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Everywhere you look these days, whether on TV commercials, magazine ads, newspaper stands or point of purchase displays, it seems like everything is about going “green”.   Even “green” communities are popping up and active adult communities are no exception.  In fact, a recent market study projected that the green building market could account for $20 billion in sales, or about 10% of the overall homebuilding market this year.  Those figures are expected to double within five years.

But what, exactly, is a green building or community?  There doesn’t seem to be any single definition and, in fact, some projects claiming to be eco-friendly really aren’t.  The U.S. Green Building Council has taken the challenge to come up with some definitions and standards for green buildings and is working on the same for whole neighborhoods or communities.  This new rating system is called “LEED” which stands for Leadership in Energy Environmental Design.  While it is not the only system for determining a green project, it is the most commonly accepted benchmark.

Some terms you might see in looking at a green building include:

  • Building Envelope.  This is the entire perimeter of a building enclosed by its roof, walls and foundation.  Green designed envelopes will minimize temperature gain or loss and minimize moisture infiltration.
     

  • Captured Rainwater.  Green roofing materials and gutter systems can capture rainwater and store it for future non-potable use such as showers and hand washing.  This is also sometimes referred to as “graywater”. 
     

  • Certified Wood.   These are certified wood-based materials used in construction supplied from sources that comply with sustainable forestry practices, protecting trees, wildlife habitat, streams and soil.
     

  • Construction Waste Management Plan (CWMP).  This is a plan that diverts construction debris from landfills through plans to recycle, salvage and reuse.  The best CWMP plans also include plans to eliminate the packaging construction materials come in.
     

  • Daylighting.  This is a plan to incorporate natural daylight into interior spaces to specifically reduce levels of electric lighting, minimize glare and otherwise optimize lighting quality.

  • Energy Efficient.  These are products and systems that use less energy to perform as well or better than standard products or systems.
     

  • High Performance Green Building.  These are buildings that include design features that conserve water and energy; use space, materials and resources efficiently; minimize waste; and create healthy indoor environments.

Other factors that can be used to determine how green a community or house really is include:

  • The Location.  Make sure the location is not in wetlands, floodplains or on quality farmland.  Also, developments should naturally form a close-knit community where amenities are within walking distance.
     

  • Commute.  To be truly green, a building must be near where you work, shop, places you frequent and near public transportation, if it is available.  Most places that you go you should be able to get to cheaply and easily without burning up much, if any, gas.
     

  • Landscaping.  Efforts should be made to preserve any existing native plants.  The area should also have lots of shade around your driveway, sidewalks, and around any other paved or rocked areas.  These “hardscapes” absorb the day’s heat and then radiate it back.  This can greatly affect energy bills.  There should also be systems in place to direct run-off water from driveways and gutters toward the lawn.  The watering of lawns and gardens consumes up to 50% of the potable water brought onto the typical residential property.

Green residences and communities are popping up all over the world.  Some features you might see include things like two faucets per sink.  One dispenses drinking water and the other dispenses recycled water.  Recycled tires can be packed with non-degradable plastic containers and then mixed with straw and mud.  The mixture is stronger and more durable than cement. 

One of the most talked about green communities is Del Sur in San Diego, CA.  Their welcome and information center has the second highest green rating in the U.S. (5 trees) and is one of only thirty such buildings in the world.  It utilizes all of the above factors.  On the LEED scale it received a 59 out of a possible 69 rating.  It utilizes solar photovoltaic power, airtight ductwork, tankless water heaters, low-emission windows, Energy Star appliances, dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets, drought-resistant landscaping and weather-based irrigation.  The building is comprised of 25% reused materials, 10% recycled materials and 5% rapidly renewable materials such as cork, sunflower husks and wheat waste.

In the U.S. one of the leading builders of eco-friendly active adult communities is Shea Homes.  They strive to reduce waste and increase energy efficiency at every phase of construction from start to finish.  Another fine example of a green active adult community is Bartlett Hollow in CT.  There are many more in the planning process.

There are even new ways to finance green residences.  Some banks now offer what are called green or energy mortgages.  These are lower interest, higher borrowing amount mortgages offered only to properties that qualify as green under LEED standards.  Often when you get a green mortgage, the lender will also purchase carbon emission credits to offset your so-called ecological footprint. 

Regardless of what our economy is doing, it is always smart to purchase an energy efficient home.  It just makes sense financially and ecologically.