Why Should I Go Green?

Going green is a great way to save money, but it's also an important step in preserving your health, comfort and the environment.

In the United States, buildings account for 40% of total energy use and 65% of electricity consumption. In addition, they are responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions and 30% of raw materials use. Consumed energy is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon, and because the majority of the nation's power plants is fueled by coal and are highly inefficient, electricity is the culprit for the highest carbon emissions.

Electricity generated by fossil fuels puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. By implementing energy efficiency strategies in your home, you can significantly reduce both your energy bills and your impact on the environment.

The typical U.S. family spends close to $1,300 a year on their home's utility bills. By using a few energy-efficient measures, you can reduce your energy bills by 10% to 50%. In addition, by fixing efficiency problems in ducts, insulation, HVAC equipment and the building shell, building owners can dramatically reduce utility costs and energy consumption. The key to achieving these savings is a whole-house approach towards energy efficiency. Energy efficiency improvements can allow you to yield long-term financial rewards and in turn make your home more comfortable.

Reducing the amount of natural resources buildings consume, the amount of pollution created and lessening our impact on the environment is seen as crucial for future sustainability.

Can My House Make Me Sick?

In industrialized countries, most people spend more than 90% of their lives inside buildings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately 30% of new or renovated buildings have serious indoor air quality problems and ranks indoor air quality as our most prominent environmental problem.

A house becomes "sick" because it isn't ventilated properly and, as a result, isn't able to breathe. When a house can't breathe, the amount of indoor pollutants increases, exposing its inhabitants to a wide variety of health issues.

Moisture build-up due to poor ventilation can lead to the growth of toxic mold. Mold growth within buildings is known to cause respiratory problems, allergies, headaches, coughing, congestion, rashes, irritated eyes, nose and throat, and in extreme cases, lung damage.

Another major indoor air pollutant is building materials that emit toxic gases into the home. These materials are commonly found in conventional (non-green) items like cabinets, carpet, paint, fabric, and countertops. These materials can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOC's) that can lead to headaches, nausea, irritation of eyes, nose, and throat, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, to name a few.

How Do We Fit Into the Picture?

Harding Construction & Sustainable Solutions will address all of these issues in determining whether your home is sick and energy inefficient and, if so, how to remediate the specific issues occurring in your home.

In addition, we focus on using green construction materials to limit off-gassing within the home. There are many green alternatives to conventional construction products available that will help improve indoor air quality and reduce the amount of toxins produced in the home. These products are healthy for both people and the environment, as green products are sustainable, biodegradable and made without creating a negative impact on the environment. Deciding to go green creates a world that is healthier for you and your family, both indoors and out.

Green building or sustainable building is a way for people to make a positive difference in the world around them by reversing - or at least reducing - the impact of humankind on the planet.