I’m
a big fan of “New” – New Construction,
new ideas, new technology, I love NEW stuff.
I love old stuff too but...
I’m sharing because when I hear the word
“green”...that historic turn-of-the century home is
not the first thing that comes to my mind – but maybe it
should be?
While reading green home tips online I ran across a thought
provoking opening line:
-Here’s the opening
line:
“The
greenest house is the house already built”
- (from Preservation Magazine
January/February 2008 issue)
A straightforward interpretation of
“going green” can be to upgrade to newer, energy
saving, more eco-friendly product versions as they’re
developed, and that can effect our home and lifestyle choices BUT
sometimes it isn’t as simple as all that. The question might
be: At what cost?
What cost to the environment for disposing of those outdated items
being replaced and what cost to our communities culturally and
historically when it involves teardowns and replacing things as
significant as homes.
Materials and energy that would be consumed to build new homes in their
place and amount of space consumed at the landfills for disposal are
two obvious considerations but there are more
Even “New” fans can acknowledge how existing and
older homes and communities contribute to sustainability and
“greenness” Their relevancy to the three
R’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is HUGE!
With education and awareness we can continue to help clients make
informed choices because “green” is a color as
diverse as the types of homes and people who live in them are.
So whether you agree with the statement or not... I Like it!
Is it true?–that may depend on the particular circumstances
and perspective.
old home green...is it true?
14 comments • Teresa Berry • April 21 2008 06:10PMComments
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Finally. The right words.
IF you are trying to go green by changing all your appliances on energy efficient, but sending your old appliances to the dump - DO NOT DO THAT. Being green is like a chess game. Count your moves, think before you go.
I try to find a good home for everything I do not use anymore. And I also do not buy things if I do not REALLY need them. We don't need so much STUFF.
Old homes do not have a good insulation, they do need a new roof, windows, and many more things. But, you can try to donate old windows to antic shops, or built a green home on your back yard by using them. My parents ones did it.
Great post! I recently got rid of my Hummer and bought a little Honda mainly because I was tired of a $600.oo a month gas bill and because of this I've gotten into a lot of interesting conversations! Two nights ago with some friends we were discussing the oil issues verse alternative fuels and just like your housing example their are pro's an con's there too! Who's to exactly know what's right...I know I don't.
I like what you said in this post but don't let my custom home builder buddies hear me say it!
It's true the Greenest home has already been built. Same for cars.... If it has already been built the resources to built it have already been used. No more landfill objects etc. Same for automobiles. If they are still running they are much more "green" than even the most energy efficient car.
Best,
Scott
As an EcoBroker, I am committed to residential resale as the best alternative for green housing--condos and townhouses are especially efficient. It is very true that simply replacing appliances and windows with more efficient models without regard to what happens to them does NOT contribute to being green. Those items can most often be recycled in whole or in part. Not doing so makes you continue to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
People often forget that not disposing of their compact fluorescent light-bulbs properly when they do finally burn out can cause at least as much damage as using an incandescent would have (they contain small amounts of mercury and must be recycled properly just like a thermometer)
Perhaps one of the biggest gifts of the green movement is that it has begun to force us to think more about what we do and it's long term effects.
Teresa- I hadn't quite thought of it that way but yes!
Hi Chuck, I hadn't either before doing a little reading and that broaden my perspective for sure.
Cheers!
I love this post. You are exactly right. Green is not always about buying "green" products... Often, it is about not buying! however, you do need to consider the amount of resources that will be consumed if you keep an old appliance vs. buying a new one. Why is there not anb easy calculator out there that can do the math in both dollar value and in carbon footprint - then you need to take into consideration comfort, ease of use, the benefit to society of investing money into "green" purchases, etc. ooh, the head hurts!?
Hello Alex- I love that You as an eco-broker love it! Because you more than many realize what a big factor "Going Green" is and will continue to be - Thanks for stopping by and for your comments...you are so right....it can be enough to break out the aspirin bottle. Cheers