You’re still reading, and probably wondering,  “How do I get started?” 

Fact is there is so much information out there to learn that the average homeowners eyes just glaze over and then the process just stalls out.  The actual things that make green building work can be pretty complex.  I'm going to make this a little simpler.

Think about Green Building from another perspective, what's in it for me?  What does green really mean to me?  What do I want to accomplish in all of this.  Everybody's perspective on this is a little different, that's why building green has certain "shades of green", or different levels.  Do you only want to save money on power bills?  Do you want to singlehandedly save the planet?  Are you somewhere in between?  I know you have some interest or you wouldn't still be here.  All you have to do at this point is consider how much green is right for you. 

Next you want to get someone to lead you through the process.  You can learn all about how this stuff works if you want and it is very interesting, believe me, but you probably just want the house.  Us green guys are so into the complexities of the process, we haven't learned the short answers to the questions yet but we're working on it.  All you need to do at this point is to identify your leader.  Someone who comes highly recommended as an expert, and a guy that can get you where you need to go.  I can get you through the plan part, but I'm not a builder.  You want one that knows green.  Go to our website for builders in this area. www.columbiagreenbuilders.com  If someone's on the council they're interested.  If they've completed a green house they're experienced.  That's you're bet bet.  Then have the "green talk" with them. If you're comfortable, sign on, so to speak.  They will steer you to the other parts of the puzzle that you need.  A rater/ verifier for the advanced engineering and testing, a qualified HVAC contractor, plumber, and subs.  The right products for your green home and your green needs.  While you're on the site check out the associates section.  These are the subs and suppliers who have made the commitment to green.  They can help you make the right choices.  Also on the site are the details of the program that we use to measure green.  If you're interested in the technical part dive in by all means dive in.  But don't get lost in there.  Get your builder to lead you through it.  Get a guy like me to lead you through it.  There are lots of parts that we have to get the engineer to keep explaining to us even.  Don't get overloaded. You probably just want the house, not the added knowledge of btuh transfer through a west facing wall at different times of the year.  We got people to do that.  It's all covered in there though trust me.

When you get started, your builder and your team will help you evaluate the choices that you need to get green.  You don't need everything on the list, you just need a certain amount of each category.  It's about choices and benefits.  You can get solar if you want it.  You can get geo thermal if you want it.  You can get spray foam insulation if you want it, or an instant water heater, or bamboo floors if you want it.  Your team helps you get the right combination of stuff that's right for you.  At the end you get this great house!  A house that's better built.  A house that performs better.  A house that used less resources to build and uses less resources to operate.  A house that sent less stuff to the landfill.  A house that sends less stuff to the sewer plant.  And a house that uses less energy.  A house that is all that you want it to be.  See you on the other side.