As we mature as a species, most people realize we need to take care of our world. That being said, most people think doing so is expensive. So, what does green construction cost?

The cost of green construction is a rather complex subject. It is an easily misunderstood subject also. One reason for this is the idea of an integrated approach that considers the economic benefits of any green project in relationship to the cost. The up front costs of a project may be higher. Yet, these costs are often balanced against the long term low operating costs of the building. It is further complicated by the fact that many of the benefits of the green approach cannot be easily expressed in dollar and cents. If our personal environment is safer and cleaner, and our health is better as a result, how do we quantify this?

In one example cost study done in California, $1578 was added to the cost of a home in order to bring it to a minimal green construction level. The additional costs went into projects that made the home more energy efficient. The estimate was that at current energy costs, the savings would be $185 per year. The initial cost would be amortized over the length of an 8 percent mortgage, and this would yield an additional cost of $139 a year. So, the net result would really be a savings of $46 dollars per year. It is how one prefers to look at this example that they would answer the question of cost. One approach claims the green construction improvements cost over fifteen hundred dollars. Another approach claims that the green improvements actually save over forty dollars per year. It is all a matter of perspective.

Most experts agree that green construction cost ranges from nothing at all to a nominal cost. It is possible to go to the next level and increase costs by using exotic items in the building plan. In most cases, this is not done, and the cost of the green structure does not differ much from the cost of the traditional building. Most builders are trying to do the right thing today anyway. Even when they do not consider what they are doing as green, they still try to do the right thing. They also have some very strict codes they must follow.

It is hard to compare recent projects. Green construction planners do not normally do cost estimates on their jobs comparing traditional costs. Traditional planners do not usually do cost estimates on green construction costs for their projects. In a recent study of 33 properties in California that did compare costs, the cost of going green was about 2 percent higher. This amounted to about $3 to $5 per square foot.

Green construction might very well be the wave of the future. Many new projects take years from the initial planning to the completion of construction. It is likely that code changes, and customer demands will change over the next few years. What would be the cost of scrapping a construction project and starting over again? Green construction costs little, and sometime even saves. It is the wave of the future though, and the bigger cost might come from ignoring it.

Going green used to be on the fringes of society, but now modern skyscrapers are being built using the philosophy. Here are some interesting things about the movement.

Green structures are not weird or ugly things. They are not necessarily geodesic domes or something that looks like a Mongolian Kurt. They do not have rows and rows of solar panels on the roof or a giant windmill in the backyard. At least, they don’t have to look that way. The truth is that most green structures are indistinguishable from any other building based on appearance. Although style can be modern, it is not how they look they makes them a green structure.

Green structures are not always new buildings. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for existing buildings (LEED-EB) program awards certificates to older building that incorporate green ideas, or make changes that support them. They also have standards for existing building that evaluate the environmental impact of work that has already been done. The green construction movement does not focus completely on state of the art type of technology alone.

The whole idea of going green is not an all or nothing proposition. Many people have the mistaken idea that this is so. They think that in order to be considered a green structure; it has to be built as one from the bottom up and from day one. The truth is that a building can be “a little” green. The idea is environmental protection and even the smallest change or improvement in a building that brings that goal closer makes it part of the green construction movement.

Green structures are not necessarily more expensive. Studies show that buildings consume more energy than any other sector. This includes even transportation and industry. So, energy savings can result in considerable money savings. Operating costs are often much less in green structures when compared to traditional ones. They are just more efficient. Commercial buildings retain and attract tenants better, and they lease and sell faster. There is actually a great deal of money to be saved through going green.

The mere idea of green construction, much less the practical application of the philosophy is fairly new. The field is evolving quickly which means periodicals are a good way to keep up with it.

The green construction movement has become well established in the United States and Europe. One sign of this growth is the number of magazines that are devoted to the subject. One such magazine is “Green Source - The Magazine of Sustainable Design.” The new magazine is a product of McGraw-Hill Construction and is targeted to the over 40,000 architects, interior designers, building owners, and members of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Environmental Design + Construction is another magazine that is directed toward architects and designers and that addresses green construction issues. There are articles concerning research issues and current design trends. There are reviews of various products. You can find out about the latest environmental issues that impact green construction.

Green construction is certainly a modern concept. This is reflected in the large number of online magazines and newsletters that are devoted to it. EcoIq is one of these. It is an online journal that claims to be dedicated to “a future that works.” Environmental Building News is a monthly news letter that gives “unbiased” information on green construction. You can check them all out to stay abreast of the latest developments in the field.

There are two very popular green construction magazines published in Canada. Green Living is dedicated to the lifestyle. It is aimed more at consumers than at the builders and designers. It gives information on all of the environmental choices that we are going to be facing in the future. Healthy Living is the other magazine and it is from the same publisher and stresses the healthy aspects of green construction. In keeping with the totality concept of the green lifestyle even the pages of these magazines are made from glossy tree friendly paper that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

These are just some of the periodicals and online publications that are being produced to capitalize on the popularity of green construction. The issues that are raised in these periodicals are of great concern to a wide variety of readers. Builders and designers are kept informed of the newest trends and research, as well as the newest environmentally sound products. The consumer is able to follow this information also, but can take it further. They are able to learn of how these environmental concerns influence the health and well being of their families. Although none of the periodicals have made it into the very top tier of magazines, the day is coming when one of them will move into the best seller list. Green construction is still a rising star on the horizon of the American landscape, and before long a magazine will come along to catch the imagination of the public.

Two of the bigger energy uses are cooling and heating. Green heating systems are designed to minimize such energy use during cooler periods.

There are several heating systems used in green homes. One type uses geothermal energy for heat. Geothermal refers to using the natural heat of the earth. Most systems work by running water from under the earth through a series of pipes called a loop. The loop takes the water to a heat exchanger where the heat is removed from the water and used for heating purposes. The most simple is the open loop. Since ground water generally maintains a constant temperature, water is pumped from one well through a heat exchange device, and deposited into a second well, usually at a distance from the first.

A closed loop geothermal system circulates the water through a series of pipes. The pipes are buried in the ground and the water picks up heat and the heat exchanger removes it. There are several arrangements of piping, but the general idea is the same. Although geothermal heat is very inexpensive, a system has to be fairly extensive to provide all of a homes heating requirements, and most systems are intended to supplement other heating sources.

A much better source of heat is sunlight. Solar power systems convert sunlight to heat for use in space heating and domestic water heating. Most solar power systems have a very high initial cost, but a very low operating cost. This low operating cost is often overlooked in the planning stages when more attention is being paid to the initial costs. In order to maximize the advantages of the low operating cost, it is important to make sure that the home is well insulated. In the case of water heating systems, all pipes must be heavily insulated.

Solar water heating systems can be either passive or active. Passive systems use natural convection to move water from the heat source to the heat exchange point. An active system uses pumps and controllers. The water is collected in a tank fitted with solar panels or heat absorbing materials where it is warmed by sunlight. The pumps move it to a heat exchanger where the heat is removed and circulated through the home. In the case of a water heater, the water can be used directly, and it is replaced by cold water from the existing water supply.

Geothermal and Solar heating systems are two examples of green construction types of alternative sources for heat and energy. The advantage is the reducing of the reliance on fossil fuel generated heat or energy. The technology for utilizing these sources of heat is still in its infancy. It is expected that the rise in green construction philosophy will encourage further experimentation in this area.

There is a new trend in construction – building with environmental concerns in mind. In this article, we cover going green with insulation in a structure.

Insulation is one of the more urgent green issues in construction. Proper insulation can have such an important role in the reduction of energy waste in a home. The well insulated home holds in the heat and keeps out the cold. Today, with the wide spread use of air conditioning, the opposite is just as true and just as critical. Asbestos and vermiculite, compound containing asbestos, have been widely used as insulating materials. It was efficient and easy to install. It was flame retardant. There were many reasons that made it the popular choice. It was, however, highly toxic.

The story of asbestos insulation is a good example of the totality of the green construction movement. The concept is not about trade offs. We do not pollute our water in order to have more material goods from our factories. We do not foul our air to have less expensive automobiles. We also do not risk our health to have an inexpensive insulation, regardless of how efficient it might be or how well it prevents fires.

There are alternatives, and when we approach these alternatives from the perspective of totality, we often find they are better and less expensive anyway. In the case of insulation, one good example is insulation made from recycled cotton. The cotton insulation is 100 percent recyclable and it is non-toxic. The manufacturing process uses less energy than the manufacturing of asbestos products or even fiber glass insulation.

Another alternative insulation is vegetable oil based polyurethane. It is sprayed into the areas needing insulation and when it contacts air it expands filling in the space completely. This allows an extra tight fit that results in even better insulation than the more toxic insulations that it is designed to replace. These alternative insulations are free of VOC and CFC. These are volatile organic compounds (VOC) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) which are common toxic substances in older types of insulation.

Insulation is a major component of going green in construction. The conservation of heat and the reduction of wasted energy are important standards. Yet, green construction is not about trading off one hazard for another, nor reaching one goal by failing to consider its impact on other environmental areas. So, even though insulation is an important part of building green, selecting environmentally safe insulation is just as important. The good news is that, as is often the case, the right choice is not only the safer choice, but many times the least expensive option as well.

To the surprise of many, the government tries to modify our behavior through monetary strategies and the same is true for promoting green construction. In this case, we are talking about funding a green project.

There are numerous sources for the funding of green project research and construction. They exist on the National, State, and local level. They include grants, tax credits, and loans. The important thing to understand when you begin a search for a source of funding is that the government and society in general is very anxious to assist you with your green project. We are not just waking to the global dangers. Our leaders are already wide awake and know that green construction is an essential element of the future health of our nation. They want to help, particularly on the state level.

The central clearing house for Federal Programs is the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). This website based catalog gives information of all federal programs that supply funds to state agencies, local agencies, and non-profit organizations. They also list programs that are available to private developers and even individuals. This catalog can be accessed online and application made online as well.

There are over $400 billion dollars offered in over 1,000 Federal Grant programs. These programs are all listed and explained on the grant [dot] gov website. In addition to full information, application forms for the grants can be downloaded from the site, and the final submission can be entered there as well. Grants are not as easy to get as some people think, but they are possible. They also have the major advantage over loans and other funding sources because they do not have to be repaid in most cases.

There are several national green construction funding opportunities. One is the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Obviously, this office is interested in Energy Efficiency in building construction use and also of the use of renewable energy sources. They will provide funding for research and the demonstration of these two things in green construction. Green Communities is a five year and $555 million dollar initiative to build a total of 8,500 environmentally health houses for low income families.

There are also several Foundations dedicated to green construction funding. The Home Depot Foundation is one, and another is the Kresage Foundation. There is help available on the State and local level also. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is one example of a State level resource. There are also a large number of local based incentives as well. Green construction is an interesting meeting between those looking for funding and those agencies willing to provide it.

When it comes to new construction techniques, grants are often a way to cut costs. Federal grants for green construction are plentiful with billions literally available.

A federal grant is an award of financial assistance from a Federal agency. It is intended to carry out a public purpose or support or stimulate a purpose that is authorized by a law of the United States. Federal grants can be found and applied for electronically. The site Grants.gov is the central clearing house for Federal Grants.

There are twenty six different agencies that offer over 1,000 grant programs. The grants that apply to green construction are mostly offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The total amount of grants available exceeds $400 billion dollars. The grants offered by the feds fall into twenty one categories. The categories that have the most impact on green construction are Energy, Environmental Quality, and Health.

Most of the grants are directed toward specific geographical areas. Some of the major concerns of the grants include water quality improvement and the prevention of urban storm water runoff. Many of the grants are connected with the Leeds certification program. Leeds stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a program that is run by the United States Green Building Council and it establishes green construction standards and awards certificates to those that maintain these standards.

Although there are federal grants available, it is on the state and local level that the large majority of grants can be found. The green movement is a grassroots type of thing that appears to be strongest at the local level. Environmental concerns are often very local, and the problems that have been caused by the neglect of the environment are local as well. The pollution of waterways is a good example of this. grant programs exist that are directed at the Great Lakes or at Puget Sound, for example. States that are bordering these waterways usually offers these grants. The idea of environmental impact areas has led to the localities that border or are inside the impact area being the best source of funds for projects that will address the problems.

Private foundations like the Kresage Foundation are among the best sources of green construction grants. The Kresage Foundation has been offering grants under their Green Building Initiative Program. It is specifically geared toward the area of planning and design. While it is true that State, local, and private foundations are the major sources of grants that can be considered pure green building, the federal government is also a source. Research is the key to finding a grant for your project, so take the time to explore the various options mentioned above.

The new-construction boom has crated thousands of new condominiums. Some are well built and some utilize questionable building techniques. Before you sign a real estate purchase contract, be aware of some beyond the surface construction flaws that should make you run not walk from the development.

-Before falling in love with a builder, ask for the addresses of other projects they’ve completed. Talk to condo association board members on the track record of the builder. Warranty issues should have been corrected in a timely manner. And, don’t be afraid to ask if they had to file lawsuits against the builder.

-Concrete or cinder block construction, requires ongoing waterproofing maintenance. If moisture seeps through, mold in addition to structural damage will result.

-Ask for 2 coats of finish paint over 2 coats of primer. Less, and you’ll be painting sooner than you expected. Tops and bottoms of doors should be sealed and painted, to eliminate expansion in humid weather. Run your hand over painted walls, if it’s bumpy, the wall wasn’t prepped properly.

-Exposed kitchen and bath cabinets should have finished, matching end panels, not particleboard with wood-look laminate. All drawer and door pulls should be in the same place. Look for dovetailed drawer construction and drawers that roll all the way out, both quality signals. Doors should hang square and hinges should be adjustable.

-All plumbing and electrical pipes should have finish plates that screen holes through walls or cabinets. Irregular and large holes are signs of a sloppy contractor and a mediocre builder.

-Phone and cable jacks in every room. If one room wired is standard, it’s a sign that the builder will nickel and dime buyers. Ditto single clothes bars and shelves in closets. If 100 amp electric service is a minimum code requirement, but the builder has installed 200 amp service, it’s a sign that they do things right.

-Do your homework on appliances, furnaces, air-conditioners and hot water heaters. There are wide ranges of price points, and some builders know that consumers don’t know the difference between a low-end and a top-of-the-line furnace.

-All ceramic or glass tile should feature on all outside edges a rounded corner “bull-nose”. And, grout should be sealed. A quick test to check the seal is to sprinkle water on grout, if it beads up, it’s sealed, if it’s absorbed, it’s not.

-Windows are not all created equal. This feature is one commonly discounted in building budgets. Ask the brand name of the windows and do a search on the Internet to determine quality. Metal-framed windows conduct cold. Wood framed windows are considered best.