I took an informal poll recently about what green-building nerds want in homes and buildings. I posed a question in some LinkedIn groups that are virtual water coolers to the profession – “If money were no object, what green features would you install?” Like an editors’ choice award versus peoples’ choice answers.
I think it was one of the most highly responded threads I’ve ever posted, with a real Santa’s bag of answers. I boiled the answers down into three broad categories. First, the features that are really pricey. Remember, money is no object.
Second, the nerdy. Some of the features in this category may not be well-known to lay people, but green-building pros know what matters and what’s pure upsell. (Tip to readers – pay attention here.)
And third, the obvious. A lot of the responses I got were at the level of 30-second big-box hardware store commercials – AND these things really work.
THE PRICEY – Santa’s bag of expensive toys
Coming in first in the higher-ticket category is bought-and-paid-for SOLAR ELECTRIC (PV, photovoltaic). Big PV arrays can practically eliminate electric bills. And connected to those owned solar arrays would be TESLA home-electric BATTERY STORAGE to sever all need of utility-provided electricity.
Also in this category (but could also be in “nerdy”) is HRVs and ERVs - heat and energy recovery ventilators. Basically, they’re highly efficient systems to keep indoor air fresh and healthful, and they tie into heating and cooling systems.
Also notable in this category is INDUCTION COOKING. Cooking on induction cooktops can be 15 percent more efficient than electric, and cooking pros are starting to fall in love with the new technology. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for the rest of us.
THE NERDY - Before you write this section off, take heed – energy geeks know the field.
The top vote getter was ABOVE-CODE INSULATION in every area of a home – underneath slabs, enhanced insulation in walls, and in ceilings and attics. An additional benefit is that above-building code insulation makes homes more comfortable, too – also a top reason owners opt to increase it.
Where construction is going is NET-ZERO DESIGN AND BUILD. That means the building saves and/or generates as much energy as it uses. California has even mandated it for new-home construction by 2020, and green-building pros want it NOW.
And one feature that showed up on Santa's wish list lots is GREY-WATER systems. They capture water that hasn’t come into contact with food or human waste, and reuse it for things like toilet flushing and yard irrigation. It’s not possible to do it in some places like my home in Colorado, but if you can, it’s a great option.
THE OBVI – You’ve heard these things a million times. AND they work.
Coming in way at the top of the list is high-efficiency WINDOWS. Window salesfolks canvass cities, knock doors and cold call like crazy. And it shows as many homes may not have even one energy-saving feature except new windows. They make a BIG diff in terms of reduced the sun's heat gain and air leakage.
LED LIGHTING is next. It’s finally at parity with other types of lighting, and IMHO, there’s no excuse to use any other kind.
And we’re at the beginning of accessible HOME-AUTOMATION SYSTEMS. I’ve written about these before, and I think we’ll see entire platforms controlling all aspects of home function.
BRINGING IT DOWN – One colleague asked for a small nuclear power plant because they are free from greenhouse gas emissions. Smart guy (aleck). I also think he may have a storage issue with that. No matter, though, since money’s no object.
And one pro asked for a plaque telling the world how amazing he is for helping make better choices – “A big plaque on the wall explaining how cool I am for saving the planet.”
We should all get them.
For detailed poll results, email me. I'll send it to you.
(IMAGES: Stamp from ShutterStock.com. Green Santa from MyCityLife.com)