House Fix It Blog

The Era of “Greenwashing” has Begun

As a nation we are becoming more aware of the importance of saving the planet earth. In the course of this paradigm shift, economic opportunities are created, and the “Green” movement is no exception. Green products are typically viewed as an upgrade, like organic food, and hence there is a surcharge connected to them.

Greenwashing is the term given to claims made by manufacturers that their products are environmentally friendly, all natural, non-toxic, and helpful to reduce global warming. Greenwashing is designed to appeal to the “feel good” side of the consumer’s conscience. Green products can range from cleaning supplies to computers, to cars, offices, and houses-a very broad spectrum. With each product claiming to be green, by what standards are they judged? After all, if 100% natural products are “green”, then arsenic, radon, lead and asbestos would be green since all these substances occur in nature and are not man made.

Apart from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) which has published environmental marketing guidelines on product claims made by manufacturers for the past 16 years, there are other organizations that rate various products according to established environmental standards. The most recognized one is the federal government’s Energy Star Program which covers not only appliances, but just about any device that consumes electricity. Other organizations include: EcoLogo for many household products, Green Seal also household products, EPEAT which covers computers and peripherals, Forest Stewardship Council which certifies wood and paper that come from renewable non-old growth forests, U.S. Green Building Council and Build It Green . These latter two organizations certify buildings as they are being built to give them a green rating according to each organization’s point-by-point checklist.

For a newly constructed residence to achieve an independently recognized green rating, considerable effort must be undertaken by the builder. Under the broad goal of trying to get to zero energy consumed by the house, specific items such as super insulation packages, air-tightness of ducts, photovoltaic collectors and tankless water heaters are considered. Even the percentage of construction waste that is recycled is a factor. Because a point system is used, not all green rated houses will have the same energy saving components.

At this time, a few municipalities have adopted mandatory green building standards as part of the building permit process. Where there is no government mandate, builders are free to follow any green program they like, or follow none. To stay competitive and say they are building a green home, several builders are creating their own green building standards. Since the homes will not be built according to a recognized green building program, the issue of greenwashing comes front and center. Without exhaustive studies or research performed by utility companies, it will be extremely difficult for a builder to approximate to a buyer how much energy their home will save compared to a home without the green features. Predictably, the sales brochure is likely to list the energy saving and green features, and the consumer will have to decide whether this house is greener than the one on the other side of the fence.

Green. The buzz word of 2008. We are told that we must all become green. What does this mean? The terms renewable, sustainable, and carbon footprint are often used to the confusion of many. But in its simplest form, going green means conserving energy. The price of fuel is doing its part to reduce travel, and hence greenhouse gasses, but what about your home? In general, the older the home, the more energy it will consume. Here are some tips to apply to your residence without breaking the bank.

Energy Audit. Most utility companies will give their customers a free energy audit. A trained representative will come to your house and inspect your appliances, weatherstripping, insulation, water heater, furnace and air conditioner. The following recommendations are common:

Insulation. About 73% of a house’s energy is gained or lost through the attic. About 22% is lost through the walls and windows/doors, and about 5% is lost through the floor. Proper attic insulation is the most cost effective way to conserve energy in your home. Attics should have at least 12 inches of loose cellulose insulation or the equivalent in batt insulation. Even if the insulation in your house was 12 inches at one time, it may have settled. Adding more insulation is a simple, cost effective task. If the walls are not insulated at all, foam insulation can be pumped into them. If the first floor is not insulated, it is more cost effective to install a thick carpet pad, unless there is a stand-up basement to apply insulation batts. Replacing old weatherstripping is also very cost effective.

Lighting. Fortunately, the incandescent bulb is rapidly becoming a dinosaur. Compact florescent lights (CFL’s) are the replacement of choice. They use about 20 % of the energy of the incandescents, and they now give off a warm glow instead of the old harsh white look. However, there are two caveats to using CFL’s: they cannot be used with dimmers, and the burned out bulbs need to be sent to a hazardous waste disposer because they contain mercury.

Furnace and Air Conditioner. If your furnace is 20 years or older, and if your air conditioner is 10 years or older, they should probably be replaced. Many technological advances have been made in recent years that have dramatically increased heating and cooling efficiencies. This is a capital expense that will increase the comfort of your home and very likely increase its value.

Appliances. Older kitchen appliances are energy hogs, especially electric ranges and refrigerators. When replacing any appliance, look for the Energy Star label before you purchase. Other appliances, such as plasma TV’s, use a significant amount of energy, not only when they are operating, but also when they are in the “standby” mode. If you leave the house for three or more days, it is best to unplug all appliances that have a “standby mode” feature.

Toilets. Toilets may not be thought of as energy consumers, but it takes energy to pump, store and distribute water. Toilets, even the newer 1.6 gallon flush models, are notorious leakers. Depending upon the water quality, deposits can build up inside the tank, thus making the valves hard to seat. Flappers and ballcocks should be replaced about every three years. Toilets that use more than 1.6 gallons per flush (such as the old 3.5 and 7 gallon models) should be replaced entirely. The price of 1.6 gallon flush toilets has come down in recent years, while the price of water has gone up, so this replacement is a cost effective move.

Other Devices. Newly popularized devices, such as photovoltaic solar roof panels, tankless water heaters, bamboo flooring, green lumber and coatings get mentioned frequently in the press, but unless you are planning to buy a new house, your most cost effective way to enter the green movement is to start with the insulation package in your current home.