Green Building Information for Homeowners

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The ReSource Tool Library ‘Community Tool Lending’ The ReSource Tool Library proudly announces the launch of Tool School  offering 50+ classes in five track: Tool Skills Green home DIY Garden & Landscape Kids and parents Tools for Efficiency Tool School begins on April 16th with a free course on Drip Irrigation, and continues with weekly offerings through October 2011.

Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources - energy, water, and materials - while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle - design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal.

In the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), buildings account for:

• 39% of total energy use
• 12% of total water consumption
• 68% of total electricity consumption
• 38% of carbon dioxide emissions (GHG)

Buildings are responsible for 54% of GHG emissions in Boulder County and the residential sector accounts for 25% of these emissions.
Source: Boulder County Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Analysis Executive Summary August 2007
See more on GHG Reduction and Making the Case for Energy Efficiency in our Buildings

Important Considerations for Homeowners

Saving Energy in Your Home

There are many strategies you can use to save on your energy costs at home, ranging from simple, no or low-cost opportunities, to significant investments that will yield excellent returns. The GEO Energy Savings Guides will help you identify opportunities that make sense for your family. First steps include:

• Take care of the low hanging fruit such as efficient light bulbs and programmable thermostats.
• Then get an energy audit so you understand the best strategy for tightening up.

HERS Ratings: A HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating is a key component of local energy code compliance and gives you a clear picture of the energy efficiency of a home.  A home energy audit (or survey) evaluates an existing home to determine where and how energy is being lost, what systems are operating inefficiently and what cost-effective improvements can be implemented to enhance occupant comfort, make the home more durable and lower utility costs. (See RESNET Benefits of a Home Energy Audit).

Buying and Selling a Green Home

The IRES MLS system is the first in Colorado to list green fields and you can find homes with this information on the public listings. If you have green features and are selling your home, make sure your Realtor lists them on IRES. Efforts are underway to push the other MLS systems to add these features as well and to ensure that the Appraisal Community integrates the sales data into values and financing programs.

The Green MLS Toolkit This website is a valuable resource for those interested in implementing a green initiative for their Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Green Home Rating Systems
There are many certification programs that rate green homes according to criteria established by those programs. These certifications can help you understand just how green a home really is and compare apples to apples.

The U.S. Green Building Council's Green Home Buying Guide

Colorado New Home Choices' Comprehensive Resource Hub for Finding and Purchasing a Green Home

Rental Properties

SmartRegs  requires all rental units to meet new energy efficiency requirements. The proposed implementation date is Jan. 3, 2011, with an energy efficiency compliance date of Jan. 2, 2019 for all rental properties in the City of Boulder.