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Innovations : Green Design :
Resources
Resources
More Information on Green Design
Green design is a science, not an art. Some principles apply
across the board, but many measures will depend on your
home's age, construction techniques used, building codes,
local climate (temperature and humidity) and the land on
which your home sits. If you're going to get serious about
green, you'll want to do a lot of research and eventually
some testing. To help you along, we've provided this list of
recommended resources.
American Lung Association Health House
(www.healthhouse.org)
Since 1993, this program has educated homeowners about
indoor air quality and its impact on health, particularly
asthma and allergies. The Web site provides an indoor air
quality checklist, tip sheets on issues ranging from lead to
radon, home maintenance guides and other information about
creating a healthy home.
Earth Advantage
(www.earthadvantage.com)
Begun as a utility-based energy-saving program, Earth
Advantage now also addresses sustainability and home
performance for Oregon and Washington states. The site
includes an interactive quiz to see how green your home is,
information on mortgages that reward green homeowners, and a
design resource center that provides green recommendations,
how-to info and products for each room of your new or
existing home.
EarthCraft House
(www.earthcrafthouse.org)
Looking to build or remodel a home in the Southeast? Born in
Atlanta for new single-family homes, the EarthCraft House
green building program has spread to multifamily existing
homes, and throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South
Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. EarthCraft offers
education, training and guidelines for builders, but
homeowners can benefit from the knowledge, as well as a list
of EarthCraft House builders, remodelers and communities.
Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor
(www.rehabadvisor.com)
Based on the information you plug into it—age of home,
location and type of project—this interactive tool
recommends specific energy-efficient, healthy, durable and
sustainable improvements, such as adding insulation or using
low-flow faucets. Information on costs and savings is
included. The tool is based on information from the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). Recommendations are based on
averages and computer models, but it's a good starting
point.
Energy Star
(www.energystar.gov)
To earn Energy Star qualification, homes and products must
meet strict criteria for energy efficiency set by the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of
Energy. The Web site offers lists of Energy Star-qualified
products such as dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes
washers, lighting fixtures and ceiling fans; information on
tax credits, special offers or rebates; home improvement
tips; and a database of builders, developers and home energy
raters who can help you build an Energy Star home.
Recommended Reading
For the best books on green kitchen design, remodeling and
construction, visit our
Tools & Resources section.
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