It's getting much easier to be green

 Kermit the Frog said, "it's not easy being green." For homes, being "green" is getting easier every day. But what is a green home? It's one that uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier and more comfortable to live in. Specifically, these homes have lower energy and water bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less susceptibility to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. This is accomplished in part by taking advantage of natural sunlight, rainwater run off, treed lots and using products with recycled content and products that cut energy consumption. The popularity of building green is helping reduce the costs of products associated with more environmentally conscious homes. Some sources indicate a more energy-efficient home may cost only 3 percent to 5 percent more to build than a traditional home. This small premium is recuperated in energy-cost savings within the first several years, delivering a return on the initial investment and the satisfaction of knowing you're preserving the environment. For existing homes, Low Impact Living (www.low impactliving.com) has an Environmental Impact Calculator that considers a home's overall environmental impact and suggests updates for minimizing it. At www.zoeshield.com, a calculator located on the "save money" page will figure your savings from replacing older windows with ones incorporating the technology found in advanced glazing systems such as Zo-e-shield. "Windows are a practical home improvement that can reduce a home's environmental burden by improving energy efficiency," said Jeff Williams, of Weather Shield Windows & Doors, a leading manufacturer. "They also help improve livability by drawing in natural daylight and improving air quality." Windows' composition and placement in a home also can affect energy usage. In warmer climates, locating windows away from the most direct sunlight will help keep a home cooler. If your home is designed for passive heating/cooling, you'll want windows that allow maximum sunlight into a home - windows without low-emissivity coatings (Low E) that reflect sunlight. You'll also want to consider wall, roof and flooring materials that absorb the sun's heat during the day and release it gradually as temperatures cool. Passive heating/cooling is not feasible for many new or existing homes. For these green homes, today's most advanced windows incorporate features to minimize energy consumption. Warm-edge spacer systems that affix the two panes of insulated glass together help reduce the heat gained or lost through the window while minimizing glass condensation. Low E coatings on windows' glass dramatically reduce solar heat gain and filter harmful UV rays. Inert gas-filled airspaces further insulate against heat/energy transference. By adding a third pane of glass, energy efficiency multiplies further. The combination of these components can cut energy costs by as much as 30 percent compared to standard dual-insulated glass. As the green building and remodeling trend continues, more home buyers may wonder how to determine a prospective home's greenness. Green-built homes are not the same as the '70s "earth homes" built into hillsides. Today's green homes are in mainstream developments and typically blend with the traditionally built house next door. National certification programs, such as LEED for Homes and the National Association of Homebuilders' National Green Building Program, also will help identify truly green homes. Certified projects receive points for the way they're constructed. For example, homes can earn points for proper placement of windows for allowing daylight in, providing views through the perimeter of the building and ventilating the structure as well as using windows with low-emitting paints and coatings. Choosing to build a green home or remodel in an environmentally friendly way truly is becoming easier. For more information on green building, visit: zoeshield.com/weathershield, weathershield.com, Green Building Council at www.greenhomeguide.org/, and the National Association of Home Builders at www.nahbgreen.org. Metro Creative Services