It Ain't Easy Being Green

old wood
We used lots of salvaged materiels when we renovated our brownstone and are convinced we saved money and gained charm in the process. So did Ryan Temple of Portland, Oregon when he renovated his Craftsmen house last year. “We probably saved $6,000 to $7,000 by using salvage,” Mr. Temple said. Off course, the conventional wisdom is that green building in general costs 10-15% more in the short run--though advocates would argue this extra expense is more than made up for over time by savings on energy bills. One point that NY Times makes is that even if you are willing to spend a little extra on envirnmentally friendly building, you may not be able to find a contractor who's up to the task. Or as the director of education for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry put it, “The consumers are far ahead of the contractors.” Have any readers found their green intentions stymied by a lack of knowledge and competence among contractors?
It's Tough to Find a Green Builder [NY Times]
Photo by Stylin99

Comments

From my blog recently: "The cost of building Green is dropping, or maybe it was never accurately monitored before. Consensus is that the premium has decreased from 10-15% in the mid-nineties to less than 3-5% today. That's almost at the noise level, a rainstorm or two can affect building costs as much. And the payback is real."

If you can save a few thou a year in energy costs and better building techinques, the payback time can be 5-10 years. And forever after that.

Here in NY, just using insulated concrete forms instead of cinder block with batt insulation would make a tighter, possibly cheaper and more long-lasting envelope. But the construction industry adapts to the new very very slowly.

Posted by: cmu at October 2, 2006 11:21 AM

There is no real definition for "Green" building yet.

It has even less meaning than 'organic' does.
What you are talking about is smart building.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 2, 2006 3:46 PM

Sorry if this is OT - seems on topic! Has anyone installed solar panels on their brownstone or limestone rowhouse? We are just starting to look into it, and we know NY State offers great incentives to install solar power, but we didn't know the restrictions if any, on rowhouses, where other people have access to your roof. I just wonder if that's a concern or issue, it being expensive equipment. If people ARE putting in solar panels on Brooklyn houses, what company is the best? Anyway great thread to start here, I'd love to hear more about what people are doing in terms of green building and renovations.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 2, 2006 4:51 PM

« 242 Hancock In Contract: We Still Got It! Woodframey Goodness on Kenmore Terrace »

October 2, 2006

It Ain't Easy Being Green

Comments

Post a comment

Latest Restaurant Additions