The Calvert Group Ltd, in collaboration with the Boston College Institute for Responsible Investment, conducted a survey of the 13 largest publicly traded U.S. homebuilders.
The study focused on four major ‘green’ indicators:
1. Energy Use
2. Building Material Use
3. Water Use
4. Land Use and Conservation of Open Space and Habitat
The Homebuilders ranked as follows:
1. KB Homes
2. D.R. [...]
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What is a radiant barrier?
Radiant barriers are materials that are installed in buildings to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, and hence to reduce building heating and cooling energy usage. The potential benefit of attic radiant barriers is primarily in reducing air-conditioning cooling loads in warm or hot climates. Radiant barriers usually consist [...]
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Green City Profile: Austin Texas
Several cities across the US are noted for their progressive city governments and citizenry in regards to environmental issues. Known as ‘green cities’, they not only initiate and practice policies that promote clean air and water, but often promote other programs and practices such as alternative energy systems and construction methods.
Austin, [...]
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What Does Green Building Cost?
The cost of Green Building is a rather complex subject and one that is often misunderstood as well.
It is important to consider the economic benefits of any Green Building project in relationship to the cost. The up front costs of a project may be higher, yet these costs are often balanced [...]
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Going Green with Construction - Insulation
There is a new trend in construction – building with environmental concerns in mind. In this article, we cover going green with insulation in a structure.
Insulation is one of the more urgent green issues in construction. Proper insulation can have such an important role in the reduction of energy waste [...]
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Austin Energy Green Building’s™ Green Home Checklist
Make Your Home a Greener Place to Live
A green home is an earth and people-friendly [...]
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Austin Energy’s Residential Green Building Program
This Green Building Program rates new and remodeled homes using sustainable guidelines on a scale of 1 to 5 stars the more green features in the home, the more stars). A 3 star energy home is quite good and much more common than a 4 or 5 star rating.
Homes [...]
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Akoya is a progressive 4-star Green Development project centered in the vibrant South Lamar District. The Michael Hsu Design Office has carefully designed each unit to architecturally respect the surrounding environment and site with inventive common areas like the AKOYA Courtyard and Pool and Shared Cooking Area.
The South Lamar District is home to many ‘uniquely [...]
Green can mean very different things to different people.
Whatever your walk of life, or the role you find yourself in at this very moment, the concept of green has never been more relevant – whether on a personal, professional or global level. While there is no “one size fits all” answer, you may resonate with [...]
Toxin Sources
Particulates
Lead
• Old house paint (especially made before 1950) found on interior and exterior of home; notably, window frames, window and door trim, railings, baseboards, radiators, walls
• Plumbing pipes and the service connection into homes (before 1950s)
• Solder used to join water pipes in modern homes
• Miscellaneous household items (ceramic pottery, lead crystal, hobby materials)
Asbestos
• [...]