DEFINITIONS: Green Features

GREEN FEATURES DEFINED

Green Features Defined:

Attic Fans	A powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, is a ventilation fan which regulates the heat level of a building's attic by exhausting hot air. A thermostat is used to automatically turn the fan off and on, while sometimes a manual switch is used. An attic fan can be gable mounted or roof mounted. Ventilation of the home attic is important for two reasons. During the summer, excess heat that builds up in the attic during the day results in high energy costs for cooling. Also, moisture produced within the home may move into the attic if ceiling vapor barriers are not used. If this moisture is not exhausted from the attic it can condense and cause insulation and construction materials to deteriorate. Thus, temperature and moisture control are the major reasons for providing attic ventilation.
Cellulose Insulation	(post consumer recycled content): Cellulose is blown in and typically is a natural wood product and recycled newspaper. Fire-retardant chemical additives give the material a class-1 fire rating, making it a very safe product. Because of its density, it has a higher R-rating than and outperforms many common insulation products.
Dual Flush Toilets	These fixtures actually have two different buttons depending on your “business” and use 0.8 or 1.6 gallons of water, depending on the flush. The Half Flush and Full Flush technology can reduce water usage by up to 67% compared with the traditional toilet that uses 2.9 gallons in a single flush.
EarthCraft House	EarthCraft House is a green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment. The aim of the program is to help home builders be leaders in smart growth management and environmental stewardship.
Energy Star® Qualified	The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star® Qualified Homes is national program that qualifies homes based on energy efficiency. In addition, Energy Star® labeled appliances typically exceed federal minimum efficiency standards by 15- 20%. Currently, in our MLS you may search for the following Energy Star® labeled items: hot water heater, windows, HVAC, and appliances.
Energy Star® Windows	Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.
Energy Star ® Water Heaters	Heating water accounts for approximately 15 percent of a home’s energy use. High efficiency water heaters use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models, saving homeowners money on their utility bills. Actual energy savings from high efficiency water heaters depend on family size, heater location, and the size and placement of water pipes.
Fireplace Inserts	Fireplace inserts or wood stoves are available to fit into an existing fireplace. These inserts are equipped with glass or metal doors, outside combustion air vents, and heat circulation blowers. Fireplace inserts dramatically improve fireplace efficiency by blowing heat from the fire into the room and limiting the amount of heat and conditioned air lost up the chimney.
Instant Hot Water Dispensers	Hot water dispensers work by heating up filtered water quickly, without having to wait around as you would when boiling water in a kettle. In addition, their main feature is the easy dispenser that releases water without having to pour water in a cup, saving you time and enabling energy efficiency in your kitchen.
Insulated Glass Windows	Windows are thermal holes. An average home may lose 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy through its windows. Energy-efficient windows save money each and every month. There are even some cases where new windows can be net energy gainers. The payback period for selecting energy-efficient units ranges from two years to ten years. In new construction, their higher initial cost can be offset because you'll probably need a smaller, less expensive heating and cooling system. And more-durable windows may cost less in the long haul because of lowered maintenance and replacement costs.
LEED	Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. The net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of owning a conventional home.
Low Flow Plumbing Fixtures	Low-flow fixtures and aerators use high pressure and aeration to produce a comfortable, pleasing flow without using nearly as much water. Because of this strategy, low-flow fixtures are a win-win situation.
Low VOC Paints & Carpet	Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. Low VOC paints and carpet therefore, have less or none of these compounds.
TVA & NES Insulation Package	Because of consistently changing standards, you should contact each respective agency for further information.
Programmable Thermostat	The average household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy bills — nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings without sacrificing comfort.
Sealed Ducts	Roughly 40% of a home’s energy consumption is from the heat and air system. Up to 30% of the air conducted through the ducting often leaks at the joints and poorly connected ducting. Ducting can be sealed with approved tape (not duct tape) or mastic.
Solar- Passive	Passive solar design is a system for designing and building a home so that it can use the sun to address a fraction or all of it’s heating needs. In the northern hemisphere south-facing window orientation for winter heat gain is an example of this system. In general this is not an additional cost for the builder to include in a home.
Solar- Active	Unlike passive solar systems, active systems use mechanical devices (such as fans and pumps) to distribute solar heat or cooling effect from a collector. Examples of these types of systems are solar water heating systems, photovoltaic systems (produce power off the grid), solar heating and cooling systems.
Solar Water Heaters	Solar water heaters, also called solar domestic hot water systems, can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for= your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use sunshine is free. Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which don't.
Spray Foam Insulation	Spray foam insulation is non-toxic and typically has a lifetime guarantee. It expands to about 100 times its original volume, so it fills in air gaps unlike standard fiberglass insulation. Over time, as the house expands and contracts, so will the foam insulation. This eliminates cracks and spaces for warm air to escape.
Storm Doors & Windows	These help keep a house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Energy usage will drop and home owners can see an energy savings of up to $26 per year per window. With 15 windows, that amounts to a $390 annual savings.
Tankless Hot Water Heater	The US Department of Energy estimates that about 14-25% of energy consumed by families is due to water heating, with average of $200 to $450 yearly on operating costs for a tank water heater. Tankless units heat the water only when you need it, take up less space, and typically have a longer life span. Energy Star® labeled units can qualify for up to a $1500 tax credit starting in 2009.
EarthCraft House	Earth Craft House is a green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment. The aim of the program is to help home builders be leaders in smart growth management and environmental stewardship.
ERV	Energy Recovery Ventilator: Energy recovery ventilation systems provide a controlled way of ventilating a home while minimizing energy loss.
Green Roof	vegetation/garden: A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. Because green roofs reduce the surface temperature of a roof by minimizing heat absorbing surfaces, a green roof helps to reduce energy costs inside the building.
ICF	Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are rigid plastic foam forms that hold concrete in place during curing and remain in place afterwards to serve as thermal insulation for concrete walls. The foam sections are lightweight and result in energy-efficient, durable construction.
Kilowatt Hour	The amount of power the customer uses is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). The average household in the US uses about 8,900 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Most electricity in the US is generated by burning coal. Emissions from coal burning are among the top contributors to green house emissions and other toxins such as mercury in to the atmosphere.
Rainwater Collection System	Most rainwater collection systems are designed to capture rainwater from the roofs of buildings. The water collected can be used for irrigation, laundry, hygiene, or even potable water, depending upon the materials used and the treatment undertaken by the homeowner.
R- Value	R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. Properly insulating your home is one of THE MOST important things you can do boost its energy performance.
Reflective Roof Coating	Reflective roof coatings, also known as albedo coatings, are products applied to roofs to reduce solar heat, especially in areas with hot, sunny weather for a good part of the year. Because they can reduce surface temperatures by up to 80ºF (about 45ºC), these products also have a big impact on cooling costs.
SIP	Structural Insulated Panels are a high performance panelized building system. SIPs create an extremely well insulated and air tight building envelope. An efficient building envelope is a critical component in an effectively integrated green building.
U- Value	Measurement of the rate of heat loss, or how well a product prevents heat from escaping. The lower the U-factor, the greater a product’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value. An example of where you would want low U-value is in your home’s windows.
Xeriscaping	Refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental irrigation. It is promoted in areas that do not have easily accessible supplies of fresh water, and is catching on in other areas as climate patterns shift.

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