Do you want to save money on your energy bills? Do you want to have better air quality in your home? Of Course!
Do you want your building and remodeling work to cost even more than it does now? Do you want the government to decide you have to build green? Well….
Lately it’s become impossible to pick up a construction industry magazine without being bombarded with “green this” and “sustainable that”. It’s become kind of taboo to question how important it is to everyone. Having only been asked about this by a handful of our remodeling clients I wonder if it’s just another case of the media telling us what to care about or if it does really matter to homeowners here in the Glen Allen, Virginia area. And more importantly should it be the law?
Don’t get me wrong, I am not against building more energy efficient homes with better air quality but with construction already struggling and homeowners putting off projects because of the cost do we really need to force more costs into the system?
One thing that bothers me is just how safe the green products are. With the current push to jump on the band wagon just about everything gets labeled green these days. Most of them haven’t been around long enough to know if they are truly safe. Which one is the next asbestos or lead? Will contractors need to be government certified to remove these products from homes in ten years?
Is bamboo grown in China and shipped across the ocean and trucked across the country really greener than oak grown in a sustainable tree farm closer to it’s final destination?
On the other hand I do have to agree with better building practices that make for a tighter seal and better insulated house. Being from the north I have a great appreciation for insulation and draft stopping to keep out the cold but those same principals do work here in the south to keep the heat out too. Making for more efficient cooling in the summer. But this is more about hiring a contractor that cares about the details and quality that you can’t see after the siding is on.
Is green building really as important as the media would lead you to believe? Maybe it is. Since we already have an energy code, do we need a green building codes to force us all to build green too? I’m not so sure.
Let me know what you think. Add your comments below.
Herb Coulter, The Remodeling Company LLC
NO, we do not need a ‘Green Building Code!’ Additionally, we need to be able to keep those ‘Plastic Bags’ we received at grocery stores…without charge!
Every time I hear a ‘Tree-Hugger’ speak….I go out and ‘CUT DOWN A TREE!’