It's EASY Being Green!

Remember that old Muppet tune, "It's not easy being green"?

Thankfully they weren't singing about green/sustainable buildings. And while not "easy" to design and build any type of structure -- with calculations/considerations too numerous to mention -- green/sustainable living and office spaces are changing the way we, in the Pacific Northwest (in particular Portland, Oregon) are trying to manage our daily lives.

What makes a green/sustainable building? New designs take into consideration such things as energy management (lighting, heating, air circulation) with an overall emphasis on occupant health, reducing energy costs/maintenance, and reductions to the negative impact of waste on the environment. This would even include the proximity to public/mass transportation.

For residential living, having a green/sustainable home might involve landscaping that involves low-water and pesticide needs, or having a "weatherized" home with Low-E (emission) windows, wrapped water pipes, proper insulation (R-values) in walls, ceiling and floors, and using appliances that are new(er) which use less energy.

When I was growing up our family believed in "green/sustainable" living as well. Although this consisted of my parents yelling at us kids to "Shut the door, we're not heating the entire neighborhood," or reminding us to "Turn the lights off," because, after all, my parents didn't want to pay an electric bill for lighting an empty room.

Today, not only can we save our planet, but our vocal cords as well. Technology has made it possible to analyze energy needs and design cost efficient buildings that promote our health, and the health of home.

Check out what Portland, Oregon is doing:
http://www.portlandonline.com/osd

And don't forget to call me for your real estate buying needs.