Aug 9, 2021 | Energy & Water, Green Home Building/Remodeling, Green Home Living, Landscaping, Toxins & Chemicals, Water
We depend upon bees for so many things that bring joy and comfort to our lives: cotton, coffee, flowers, berries—about 1/3 of our food supply needs bees for pollination! We can all do something to help save the bees. But transforming your lawn into wildflowers does so...
Jul 1, 2019 | Energy & Water, Green Home Building/Remodeling, Green Home Living, Landscaping, LEED Certification, Water
The fourth in my monthly series that I write for Rise, translating the LEED rating system into what it really means for homeowners, this is all about water efficiency–both inside your home and outside in your yard. Read on BuildWithRise.com.
Feb 24, 2018 | Energy, Energy & Water, Green Home Building/Remodeling, Green Home Living, Water
This first quarter of the year is supposed to be devoted to tips on home energy savings, but it would not be complete without talking about water. Saving water also saves energy, especially if you are talking about saving hot water, because it takes energy to make it...
Jul 1, 2017 | Energy, Energy & Water, Green Home Building/Remodeling, Green Home Living, Water
Most people think that going green costs more. Sometimes it does (and in many of those cases, it pays back in a reasonable timeframe). But sometimes, it does not cost more – and in that case, they are really no-brainers. If something does not cost more, but it may...
Jul 26, 2011 | Energy & Water, Green Home Building/Remodeling, Green Home Living, Water
Many people ask me what my favorite “green” features of our home are, since we have now lived in it for over two years and can honestly assess whether we would make the same green choice again. While don’t people ask what was the worst choice? What...
Feb 3, 2011 | Green Home Building/Remodeling, LEED Certification, Water
Since my last post on “Final LEED Meeting,” a few things have come to light that have delayed our pending certification. As a starting point, we were at 90 points, including the exemplary performance points for our irrigation system and efficient clothes...
Feb 2, 2011 | Energy & Water, Green Home Building/Remodeling, Green Home Living, LEED Certification, Water
As I am scrounging around for another few points to hit the Gold level threshold for our soon-t0-be LEED Certified home, I am advised to do an easy thing, that is worth two points: install aerators in all of our sink faucets (except the kitchen sink). Aerators lower...
Sep 1, 2010 | Green Home Building/Remodeling, Water
This last sub-section in the Water Efficiency portion of LEED for Homes gives points for water-efficient fixtures and fittings. According to the Reference manual, faucets, showers, bath and toilets typically account for 2/3 of a home’s indoor water use....
Aug 31, 2010 | Green Home Building/Remodeling, Water
This credit goes together with SS 2.5, which awards points for reducing irrigation demand by 25%. This “performance-based” approach requires a higher level of verification and site-specific, complicated calculations that only a trained landscape...
Aug 30, 2010 | Green Home Building/Remodeling, Water
This credit gives just one extra point to have a third party inspect the irrigation system in operation. I’m am not sure if our Green Rater has done this or not, but it is easy enough to do, and just costs his time (for which the builder is paying). He needs...
Aug 26, 2010 | Green Home Building/Remodeling, Water
Like the Water Reuse section, the idea is to reduce the demand for water — but in this credit, through an irrigation system. My first question was: what if people do not have an irrigation system? Many people do not! No points, unless you account for a...
Aug 25, 2010 | Green Home Building/Remodeling, Water
This credit is an either/or with the first two in Water Efficiency (you cannot get points in the first two and claim the points here). It grants 3 points to homeowners who design the plumbing such that irrigation system water demand is supplied by municipal recycled...
