Going Green in Chicago
Chicago is becoming known as an environmentally focused city. Chicago's Sustainable Market is emerging and many potential home buyers understand the benefits of higher initial costs vs. long-term residual savings. Going forward , comprehensive city programs, like the Chicago Green Home Program, cover a range of topics and city services including:
Green Home resources in Chicago are abundant, from government subsidized programs to community initiatives. The Historic Chicago Bungalow Initiative, which demonstrated 'green building' home construction and rehabilitation through its Green Bungalow Model Block program, offers greening tips for bungalow owners. Illinois State Government provides an "Environmental Helpline" that offers information and assistance to residents with questions or concerns related to the environment. Homeowners that want to 'green' their home will begin the project with a Home Energy Rating performed by a member of the IL Assoc of Energy Raters.
Guidelines for Environmentally Friendly, Sustainable Green Buildings
When shopping for a Sustainable Home in Chicago, be aware of the terminology and specific aspects of what defines a Green Building. Some homes will be geared toward energy efficiency whereas other properties may tout environmentally friendly construction materials and methods. The National Association of Homebuilders cites six eco-friendly guidelines for Green Homes:
- Lot Preparation and DesignEvaluating the impact of construction on the soil, vegetation, and wildlife of the immediate environment surrounding a building site can yield considerable long-term benefits, as well as highlighting areas where the impact of construction can be reduced or eliminated all together.
- Resource EfficiencyAdvancements in technology and building methods have allowed for a far more efficient use of building materials which can reduce the demand on the environment and the overall waste produced by construction.
- Energy EfficiencyReducing immediate energy needs and integrating techniques that utilize available energy more efficiently are two of the most significant long-term benefits of sustainable design. Realistically, most energy efficient upgrades and hardware will recover the cost of initial expenses within a five year period.
- Water Efficiency/ConservationTrue 'green design' will encompass a plan that manages and encourages effective use of water supplies. This one aspect can cover more areas of home design than any other, from faucets and other interior hardware to rain gutter downspouts and exterior cisterns.
- Occupancy Comfort and Indoor Environmental QualityThe interior environment of a home is also factored into a building's overall green design. Indoor air quality can be more severely polluted than the air outside, so managing interior ventilation and moisture is a significant aspect to consider in the design of any green project.
- Operation, Maintenance and EducationAfter all of the time, energy, and commitment that a builder puts into a green project, it is absolutely critical that the homeowner is educated on how to maximize their return on the features that have been built into the home.
Green Home Features: Considerations when buying a Green House
New technologies and increased efficiency have created countless products specifically designed with the environment in mind. From energy production to water conservation and everything in between, green design not only reduces negative environmental impact, but can also significantly contribute overall to the clean Earth movement.
Windows: The most significant aspect of windows and how they contribute to the 'greenness' of a home is in their energy efficiency. Specialty coatings, called glazes, on the panes of glass can greatly reduce the amount of UVA and UVB rays that are permitted to pass through into your home which can help to reduce the workload on air conditioners. Multi-pane windows do better than single pane windows at insulating a home from the exterior elements and retaining a higher percentage of heat which can significantly reduce wintertime heating bills. Dressed windows have some form of light control built into them; usually a style of blinds. The important feature to note here is that with the blinds encased in the window, there is a drastically less amount of surface area on which dust and other particles may accumulate, leaving less airborne pollutants to contaminate indoor air. Smart Windows use cutting edge technology such as 'suspended particles' and 'liquid crystals' to increase window efficiency in ways never before imagined. Whether you've decided to install new energy efficient windows or retro-fit existing windows for greater efficie
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