The official green building organization is the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization and a great place to start tracking down local incentives. Search their database to learn about tax benefits for implementing LEED supported strategies in your project. You can also look at the Department of Energy’s website. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended many consumer tax incentives originally introduced in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) and you can learn about Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credits, Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits as well as Automobile Tax Credits.

Another great resource is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE), another non-profit organization subsidized by the U.S. Department of Energy that will point you to local, state, federal and utility incentives for replacing your conventional systems with environmentally responsible ones.

You can also look for grants and loans to help you with initial start-up costs for building green. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website has a comprehensive list of agencies you can contact to guide you through the process.

If you are purchasing new appliances and other energy critical products, first consult with the U.S. government’s Energy Star site. The site will give you an overview of which energy-efficient products to buy, since not all Energy Star qualified products qualify for tax credits. However that should not discourage you from buying Energy Star qualified products, since although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, they will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, without a tax credit. If you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit. The site will also guide you through how to apply for a tax credit when you purchase a qualifying product.

Lastly, don’t forget to look for local Energy Alliances. If your search does not yield anything, then just start your own alliance. Energy Alliances are a great way to mobilize your community so that everybody can benefit from building green.

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Going Green With Tax Incentives

Bigger is not better: A large home consumes much more energy than a small one and there is no way around that, regardless of all other green strategies implemented. Try to make your home efficient by keeping it just as big as necessary. A custom home designer can create a small house plan that takes into consideration your family dynamics and how each space will be used to avoid wasted space.

Fill-in your home into the existing fabric: Properties such as former parking lots, shopping malls or factories are the greenest to build your home on. Building on fragile sites like prime farmland, wetlands and endangered species habitats is not only often restricted by law but also harmful and the least green. Choose sites with densities of at least six units per acre.

Access to transportation: If you can walk to public transportation and other places such as parks, schools, stores or use your bike you could consider giving up your car and join a car share group instead. Not only will you get a lot of exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise but you will save a lot of money by eliminating the cost of owning a car. Plus insurance companies often offer lower rates to residents that live close to public transportation.

Siting and natural light: Your home should be laid out to capitalize strategically on natural daylight. A home designed to capture southern sun exposure can lower energy costs. Plan for sunshades, overhangs and vegetation to block sun during summer months on the facades facing south and west. Allow for windows and skylights and other means to capture natural light. Invest in properly installed, insulated dual glazed windows to reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss during winter. Light colored roofs reflect heat instead of absorbing it, making it a greener option. Landscaping with large trees provides shade. Try to minimize hardscape surfaces by using plants which do not require constant irrigation.

Materials matter: Pay attention to using nontoxic building materials. You want to avoid volatile organic compound (VOC), so look for low or zero-VOC paints and sealants. Use natural products such as wood responsibly by ensuring that they come from rapidly renewable sources such as bamboo does. For exotic woods they should be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Also consider salvaged materials or materials with a high content of recycled components.

Insulate, insulate, insulate: Formaldehyde is used as a binding agent in most products, so you want to avoid that and look for cellulose, recycled-content or formaldehyde-free insulation. Look for insulation made from materials like soy or cotton and be sure it has a high R-value. The R-value indicates an insulation’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.

Use less energy: When buying appliances, look for Energy Star rated appliances. You can save energy by using energy saving light bulbs, efficient heating, cooling and water-heating systems.

Renew energy: Consider strategies that are self-renewing such as drawing energy from photovoltaic solar panels or geothermal heating systems.

Save water: Pay attention to the flow rate of kitchen and bathroom fixtures and install a water-conserving irrigation system. Some rainwater collection and storage systems are also great ways of reusing rainwater.

Indoor light and air quality: A green home receives at least 75% of natural daylight. Natural ventilation is also very important in a green home, think about operable windows and fans. Filters in your HVAC system provide fresh incoming air, stale air should be vented directly to the outside.

Although not all of these green strategies are immediately obvious, they are very intuitive. With a little bit of common sense, they are not difficult to achieve. The health and money-saving benefits are absolutely worth the effort.

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What to Look for in a Green House Plan

The Closet Office

Think about the space in your closet. Small walk-in closets are an ideal space to tuck a work surface in with filing cabinets or computer equipment space below and wall mounted shelves above. Instead of buying a standard office desk, you can use a door leaf and have it cut to size and installed to fit perfectly. A dedicated desk chair is optional as you can always borrow a chair from the room your closet is in. Add task lighting and you are ready to go.

The Staircase Office

Another idea is to use the space underneath your stairs. If you have a closed staircase you can break open the wall that encloses it and insert a small desk into that space below the stair. If you already have an open staircase, it will be a lot easier to capitalize on that small space. Be sure to find a desk that fits neatly: it should not stick out on one side becoming an obstacle. If you can’t find an appropriate desk, you can work with a cabinet maker to build a custom desk with shelves.

The Dining Room Office

If you do prefer your dining table because you can spread out on it, you can think about complementary furnishings that blend well with your dining table and will invisibly store your office equipment. For example, you can use a bench on one side of your dining table with storage capacity underneath - think of it as a large box with a lid that is the seat of the bench, some piano chairs have such a secret compartment underneath the seat.

The hidden corners in your small house may not have ever appeared to you to be usable space but you will be surprised how a few subtle moves can make the use of your space so much more efficient. You can work with a designer or cabinet maker to micro-tailor your space and furnishings to maximize your use of it.

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Creating an Office in a Small House Plan

What is your designer’s commitment to green design?

You want to work with somebody who not only has experience with green design but stays current with industry trends and is truly committed. A custom home designer that is knowledgeable about green building can help you design a home that will save energy and be sustainable, plus qualify for LEED or other energy programs.

How well does your designer work in teams made of professionals of different disciplines?

Since any type of building requires many players, it is important that your designer is a good team player and can communicate well so that the experience is a pleasant and effective collaboration between all consultants.

What is the estimated time frame to complete the home design?

It is essential that your designer will make a schedule that contains milestone dates and a realistic time frame for completion. It’s also important to understand your designers ability once your custom home is being built for any changes that may be needed.

How will your home designer bill you?

Some designers bill hourly, some bill hourly with a maximum cap while others charge a flat fee or a percentage of total construction. Before signing an agreement, you should fully understand how and how often you will be billed.

Does your home designer have a portfolio of completed work and other references?

Different designers have different styles and specializations. The best way to see if your designer and you are a good match in regards to personal stylistic preferences is to ask for a portfolio of work. It is also a good idea to ask for references.

If you can get satisfactory answers to all of your questions, you should be very comfortable with your selection of home designer. Do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to during the design process, a good designer should be able to have or find answers for you. It can be a complex process, do not be shy to also get explanations for issues you may not fully understand at first. A smooth collaboration between your designer and you will make your dream of your own custom small house come true.

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5 Questions to Ask Your Custom Home Designer

Eliosolar Thermal Shade Structures offers a wide range of residential shading devices such as sunshades, facade sun shields or canopies. These devices contain an integrated solar thermal collecter. While the shade cools the building, the solar energy is collected to generate hot water for the building’s use. Thermal Shade Structures are easily installed by attaching them to facades with steel brackets, engineered and manufactured for wood studs, steel beams and other facade types. They are also easily connected to existing or new plumbing systems. But this will not only lower your water heating costs, but proper shading will reduce the interior temperature of your home and provide peak energy savings. This translates into the reduction of your electrical expenses dedicated to air conditioning.

The future is here now. Get your Eliosolar Thermal Shading device and marvel at your own private solar system.

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Eco Friendly Friday: Eliosolar Thermal Shading

Here are some common green building mistakes:

Low quality or poorly installed windows
Windows that leak or do not have a tight seal are the cause for major air infiltration which increases energy consumption and consequently your utility bills. However when you do install tight, non-leaking windows, air circulation is impeded which means you can end up inhaling reused air over and over. It’s not very green, or very pleasant. Be sure to provide means for plenty of ventilation by installing whole house ventilation systems and natural ventilation options.

Poor installation of ductwork
Installation of ductwork in unconditioned spaces such as the attic, right under the roof where it gets extremely hot during the summer months, and frigid during the winter means your heating/cooling system has to work harder, increasing your energy bills. HVAC ducts should be installed in conditioned spaces such as between floors to improve efficiency, minimize waste, and make the maximum green effect.

Poor insulation choices
Poorly insulated walls are big energy wasters, and on top of that, the material insulation is made out of isn’t always great for the environment. Plenty of insulation with the minimum required R-value per code is essential. Beyond that there are several great green insulation products which use natural fibers to choose from. There are also spray foam insulation products made from soy, which are better green options.

Be deliberate and work with your contractor to ensure that all components of your small house are deliberately chosen and installed. Doing it right the first time will not only save you many headaches but money and energy in the long run.

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Top 3 Green Building Mistakes in Small House Plans

When it comes to insulation, the more, the better. When you build your new house, make provisions for as much insulation as possible between exterior walls. But also pay attention to the R-Value. Insulation comes with different R-values. The R-value indicates an insulation’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. Some states’ building codes require new buildings to use a minimum R-Value, check with your local building code officials to find out what the minimum R-value in your jurisdiction is. Don’t forget that the roof also needs insulation.

Formaldehyde is used as a binding agent in most products, so you want to avoid that and look for cellulose, recycled-content or formaldehyde-free insulation.

Batt insulation comes in standard widths of rolls or as the name says in batts. Be sure that the insulation does not contain fiberglass which is a typical component in conventional insulation products. Instead look for insulation with natural fibers such as wool and cotton. Blue denim jeans is a popular recycled material for insulation giving it a blue color. Cellulose is formaldehyde free and a loose-fill insulation made from recycled newsprint. In order to make it fire resistant, it is treated with natural chemicals. There are also spray-in foams made from natural soy. There are a green and much healthier alternative to conventional spray foam and also do not contain formaldehyde or other hazardous components.

Now that you understand what to look for, having options is a wonderful thing. Do your research on different products and compare prices. A design or LEED AP professional can assist you in choosing the type of insulation that is just right for your small house.

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Eco Friendly, Energy Efficient Insulation

This can be true for various appliances or the installation of plumbing and mechanical systems. For example, a tankless water heater costs more to install than a conventional water heater with a large water tank, but the lower energy consumption of the tankless water heater will pay for itself over time and continue to pay you back with lower utility bills.

But there are simple, inexpensive strategies as well, that will help build energy efficient homes:

Tax Incentives

Many green initiatives are rewarded with generous tax incentives on all levels. Be sure to check with federal, state and even cities to learn about potential tax savings.

Higher Quality Products

Put money into energy saving products while using less but higher quality, longer lasting products in other areas. For example, don’t skimp on high quality, high performance windows, just use fewer of them. The energy savings of double insulated glass will make it a worthwhile investment. Not to mention possible tax benefits.

Insulation and a Tight Seal

High quality contractors will ensure that openings are tightly sealed and insulation properly installed, essential for long term energy savings. Choosing a higher R value insulation will save money long term.

Home Siting

The orientation of your home can save you plenty of energy. Carefully consider which spaces should be South facing and which facades should have roof overhangs to keep undesired sun out. A design professional can help you with these decisions.

A little bit of research and working with professionals in the field will help you to budget and prioritize without sacrificing all your needs and wants for your green small home. Don’t forget to evaluate the long term savings over the life of any installed product against the initial cost. You will be surprised by the savings. And planet Earth will thank you for it, too.

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4 Cheap Ways to Design and Build Energy Efficient House Plans

The USGBC developed the LEED program, LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system which provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance of buildings’ overall consumption. LEED addresses all aspects of energy use, such as general energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

LEED has different rating systems differentiating between New Construction and Existing Construction and various building types. LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. Green homes use less energy, water and natural resources, create less waste, and are more durable and comfortable for occupants. Why pursue LEED? The financial and environmental benefits to pursue LEED certification are obvious. But beyond the tangible benefits, the pursuit of LEED gives you good exposure in your community.

How can you apply for LEED certification? Applying for LEED is simple. LEED is run locally by LEED for homes providers. These providers are your primary connection to LEED certification and the first person to contact. Administrative and technical support providers oversee all performance testing and make sure your home meets benchmarks. It is advisable to involve a LEED accredited professional. A LEED AP is an expert in the field and will help you achieve your LEED goals. Log on to USGBC’s website to chose a provider.

Your project team should work with your provider and create an action plan. The project team will decide who will be responsible for which credits. Next you need to register the project directly with USGB on their website. If you are working with a LEED accredited professional he or she can do this for you.

Stay in close contact with your green rater to verify that requirements are met. After performance tests are conducted, the green rater prepares the documents:

* LEEDS for home final project check list
* a signed accountability form
* a durability evaluation and inspection list

The green rater then hands the documents to the provider. After a review by the USGB, USGB certifies to a third party provider.

After all is sealed and done you will receive a certificate, marketing tools and a press release which gives you exposure for your project and will facilitate future resale of your home.

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LEED: What is it and how does a home qualify?

But under close inspection, wood frame construction requires additional structural bracing between studs and building up walls with rigid or batt insulation and may not be the most structural or economical system after all.

This is where SIPs come in. These Structural Insulated Panels consist of a core of rigid foam plastic insulation which is sandwiched between two structural skins.  The default skins are oriented strand board panels (OSB) but other materials can be used, depending on the particular use.  SIPs can be used in floors, walls and roofs typically in light commercial buildings.  These high performance panels are extremely strong, energy efficient and also cost effective.  Because SIPs are manufactured under factory controlled conditions, the quality is always consistent and there are no surprises on the construction site.  Typically the rigid foam core is encapsulated by an exterior sheathing on one side and interior sheathing on the other, but the nice thing is that they can be custom designed for each home.

The ease of construction when using SIPs is obvious: the panels already contain both structure and insulation and only need to be installed.  By eliminating the need for erecting an entire wood frame, you save the cost of labor, and the quick installation of SIPs also saves you time.  You will benefit from long term savings as well,  as the high performance panels will require less energy from your heating and cooling systems.  You not only lower your utility bills but also reduce the environmental impact your house will have on our natural habitat.

Because of the energy savings, first home buyers may also qualify for a tax credit.  So if you area looking to build  a quality green home that saves energy, money and time, SIPs may just be the right choice for you.

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Structural Insulated Panels: SIPs