Along with programs that talked about new and emerging green technologies for both residential and commercial properties, along with many vendors showing off their latest products, there were a number of home building awards that were given out. Some of those include:

New World Home‘s “NOGM 4 Atlanta”, of Atlanta, GA, won the National National Green Building Award for Project of the Year, Single Family – Production/Luxury.

JR Construction Building & Design, Petoskey, IN, earned what’s called an Emerald Rating for energy efficiency, only the second single family home ever to earn the award.

Other individual family home projects earned awards:

Cunningham | Quill Architects, Washington D.C., Project of the Year – Single Family – Custom/Luxury

Mungo Construction LLC, Columbia, SC, Project of the Year – Single Family – Production/Affordable

A remodeler, Philip Beere of Green Street Development in Phoenix, AZ, earned two honors: The Green Remodeling Project of the Year and Green Remodeling Advocate of the Year.

To see a listing of all the winners, you can follow this link back to the NAHB website.

What Are Some Green Energy Saving Ideas?

The recent demand in both green building and energy saving products has provided plenty of new green building materials and products designed to help a home become more energy efficient. Below is a list of both materials and products that are commonly used in new green homes today.

Foam insulation reduces energy costs by preventing air from seeping in and out of your house. Foam insulation is sprayed on unlike the traditional rolls of fiberglass insulation. To learn more about foam insulation, where it can be purchased, and associated costs, visit www.fomo.com/handi-foam.aspx or www.touch-n-seal.com.

Solar powered attic fans help to circulate the warm air in an attic in order to reduce the overall home’s temperature. Solar power fans will not place a burden on either your electric bill or on the environment. For more information on where to buy solar attic fans, visit Solatube’s website – www.solatube.com/residential/solarstar.php.

Energy Star appliances on average use 40 percent less energy passing the savings on to the homeowner. Energy Star certified homes are all built standard with Energy Star appliances which range from refrigerators, ovens, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers. Visit EnergyStar.gov for more details.

Double paned windows are additional energy saving products that work by preventing the sun’s heat from penetrating the house, while at the same time keeping the cool air in; or vice versa if you live in a cold climate. A great resource to learn more is Efficient Windows – www.efficientwindows.org/energycosts.cfm.

Air conditioner units can play a big role in reducing utility costs. A 14-SEER air conditioner provides as much as 42 percent better energy efficiency over a conventional 8-SEER air conditioner. Learn more about heating and cooling systems by visiting www.residential.carrier.com/knowledge/efficiency/ratings.shtml.

Attendees of the event include green home builders of single-family & multifamily homes, remodeling contractors, green architects & designers, land developers & planners, green product manufacturers, and remodeling contractors.

Industry professionals will be educated on the developments in green building and will be provided the necessary tools and ideas needed to stay competitive and to grow in the green housing industry.

T. Boone Pickens will be guest speaking at the event on the topic of alternative energy, natural resources, and water & energy conservation.

An award ceremony will be held to recognize representatives of green design, new home construction, green advocacy efforts, and remodeling projects. The National Association of Home Builders will also acknowledge the achievements of green building programs and initiatives of local and state home builder associations.

This year’s National Green Building Conference is going to be held at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, an extraordinary resort that features priceless art collections, fine dining, the stunning seven-acre Anatole Sculpture Park, walking trails, a fish pond, tennis courts, and a full-service fitness center at the Veranda Club & Spa. Room rates listed on the NAHB website are $174 plus taxes per night.

California Wind Turbine

The Assembly Natural Resources Committee in California is aggressively seeking a zero energy home bill that would require all new homes in California be zero energy by 2020. Under the proposed bill, zero energy new homes would help to decrease the state’s dependency on fossil fuels and natural resources.

The bill is designed to have new homes constructed with solar power or to be powered by nearby wind geothermal plant, which would allow each home’s electricity utility bill to essentially be eliminated. Advocates of the proposed bill suggest that the system could be set up similarly to a giant battery. The grid would store energy produced by homes throughout the day to power homes during the evening when energy use spikes.

Lori Saldana introduced the bill last year and while the Assembly passed the bill, it was later denied in the Senate. Saldana says that nearly one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions is directly related to the cooling and heating of buildings. In the proposed bill, the greenhouse gas emissions would be substantially reduced.

Opponents argue that newly constructed homes are already energy efficient and that a better solution is to target existing homes, which have a more detrimental impact on fossil fuel use.

Estimated costs to upgrade an average home to a zero energy home could range between $15,000 to $50,000. Saldana is confident that this expense would not be entirely passed on to either the builder or the homeowner; but that federal tax credits, state rebates, and the decrease in energy use would ensure that the investment is a sound one.

California officials are leaders in pushing energy conservation and in reducing the carbon footprint that new construction leaves on the planet. If the bill does pass, it would undoubtedly be a great move towards saving our planet.

See more:

http://www.newhomessection.com/blog/zero-energy-homes-in-california-could-be-mandatory-by-2020/2009/04/12/

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/11/07/zero-energy-homes-in-california-by-2020/

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/7949

CFL Bulb

By changing the light bulbs in your house to compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s) you can save about $45 in electricity cost per light bulb. Another way to save energy is to implement shading can save up to 40% of cooling costs.

Planting trees in strategic areas will save the home owner about $100 – $250 a year in energy costs. Be sure to turn televisions, computers and DVD players off, not just leaving them on standby, will make a significant difference in how much you will pay on your next utility bill.

If you replace a washing machine that is older than 1994, you will save up to $110 a year on your utility bill. Purchasing Energy Star approved appliances, or even an Energy Star approved new home, you can save your family up to 50% more money than non Energy Star approved appliances.New washing machines come standard with the Energy Star and can be purchased for less than $1000. These washers will not only conserve energy but will also conserve water as well.

Other ways to conserve water is by changing your shower head. For an investment of $10 or less you can save $50 to $75 per year on water bills and $20 to $50 more per year on energy bills (depending on your current shower head and utility rates). Every new shower head should pay for itself within the first year.

On March 13^th and 14^th the Southwest Build-It-Green Expo & Conference is making its way to the Phoenix Convention Center, located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

The Southwest Build-It-Green Expo is the largest expo and conference the Arizona will host this year, and those of you who are involved in green building, design, architecture, appliances, landscaping, etc., wont want to miss this one.

Attendees include green home builders, contractors, interior designers, engineers, and of course home owners seeking the latest green furnishings, and green appliances available.

Speakers include representatives from the commercial and residential building industries. They will be covering all topics green related.

The Southwest Build-It-Green Expo and Conference is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs and business executives to network and discuss future trends.

For more information about exhibiting your business at the Southwest Build-It-Green Expo, contact Tina Robinson, the Exhibit Director, at (602) 424-8855, or email her at trobinson@azbusinessmagazine.com.

When building green there are two main factors that need to be taken into consideration. First, is conservation – energy conservation, water conservation, and natural resource conservation. Then there is taking into consideration the carbon footprint that constructing and living in a new house has on the environment.

Ways to conserve:

When conserving energy there are numerous products and materials available to builders. Let’s see, we’ve got solar-powered attic fans, which helps to circulate fresh air, ventilate the warm air out, and even extend life of the roof.

Seal all areas where air can seep in and out with sprayed foam insulation. In addition, use blown-in wall insulation to ensure that your energy saving home keeps your house cool in the summers and warm in the winters using the least amount of electricity. And don’t forget your dual-pane windows.

Install a 14-SEER air conditioning unit. With this bad-boy you’ll be saving an impressive $42 on every $100 spent on electricity for an 8-SEER system. Another effective energy saving approach is to have Energy Star® appliances – refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, hot water heater, etc.

Ways to reduce a new home’s carbon footprint:

Using certified wood from sustainable forests is a very eco-friendly approach to building. Sustainable forests are carefully monitored and help to maintain the local ecosystem and preservation by regenerating growth.

Use recycled materials where possible and be sure to recycle left over materials and waste from the construction process.

Conserve water by installing low-flow faucets and showerheads, plus low-flush toilets. You can also utilize one of many exterior water conservation systems that will monitor weather reports and adjust your watering schedule for rain, and some systems will gather and store rainwater for use on grass and other plants.

Finally, consider installing solar-panels. A home solar-panel system can save money on utilities by conserving the electricity used from the utility company, and can even generate as much as 40 percent of the average household’s daily electricity use.

You can find many very useful “green” home building resources online. When building green check out GreenerBuildings.com, the EPA’s Green Building web-page, and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Most green homes require less maintenance and will have lower operating costs than conventional homes. Sometimes the initial cost to build will be higher, but the savings received over the years will more than pay for the added expenses.

Building a green home should begin with the correct lot purchase. Green homes reduce the impact on the environment and nature features, such as trees and other vegetation must be considered. This will provide value to the homeowner and the community.

Selecting the right building materials for a green home will reduce the time and money needed for maintenance. It will also allow for less waste of materials during construction.

One of the most important aspects of a green home is efficient energy use. Energy Star appliances, insulation, and building materials are at least fifteen percent more efficient than those without this important designation. Energy star heating and cooling systems can improve the overall comfort of the home, while also reducing the maintenance involved with other systems. Energy efficient windows in your green home can not only lower heating and cooling costs, but will block the ultraviolet sunlight that can cause carpets and other home furnishings to discolor.

Lighting fixtures, appliances, and compact fluorescent bulbs will greatly reduce the energy costs to the owner of a green home. Using less energy will result in greater environmental benefits as well.

Water efficiency is also of great concern to green home owners. Downspout collection points and rain gardens are an excellent way to conserve water, while adding to the value and appearance of your green home.

When contemplating a green home purchase, or custom building a new green home, it is important to research and understand the concepts involved and the materials needed. By conserving energy through the use of a green home, you are ensuring a better world for all to live.