ENERGY:

Being energy efficient with the home; takes actions with insulation, ventilation, heating, examination of materials and methods, and changing one's behavior.

In striving to obtain both environmental and energy saving features; One should look at the whole Energy picture:

1 CHOOSING LOCAL MATERIALS = LESS GREEN HOUSE GASES

ENERGY EFFICIENCY = LESS GREEN HOUSE GASES

Explained:

CHOOSING LOCAL MATERIALS= Less EMBODIED ENERGY.

Most scientists agree that global temperatures will continue to rise this century, due mainly to carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels for power and transport.

While it is beneficial to choose goods that resource environmental materials; it is equally important to take a closer look at where, as in proximity to your building lot, the materials are FULLY coming from.

When available, local building materials should be examined during the initial design phase, a look at the embodied energy can be beneficial in considerations between green materials.

Choosing products that originated or are made with local materials AND are manufactured locally, generally have less environmental impacts. These products do not include the high environmental costs of transportation. Also, purchasing locally supports local workers and enhances the sustainability of the locality.

Preference to products within a 500 mile radius is reasonable.

Take a look at the following:

EMBODIED ENERGY EXAMPLE

WATER

RESOURCES: materials

NEW VS REMODEL: Preservation