Thomas Veatch

... Seattle Green Real Estate ...

I aim to develop here a detailed economic cost/benefit analysis for a variety of green building construction features. Green means:

saves precious limited resources, uses renewables instead
reduces travel requirements
saves water
saves energy
- in creating it
- in transporting it
- in using it
reduces unhealthy impacts
- on occupants, workers, neighbors
- on the environment (e.g., landfills, air pollution...)

Reducing Energy Use

Light bulbs! Compact fluorescents are probably a good idea.
High-R-Value insulation: thicker 6 inch fiberglass (studs of 2x6 instead of 2x4 wood)
Air-tight building: Airflow through porous walls, electricity outlets, window and door edges accounts for most of the energy loss in buildings.
High-performance windows let the heat you need in.
Solar energy installations on the roof already:
- solar water heating
- photovoltaics
South-facing steep roof for solar installations in the future

Buy new within developed areas or in developing hinterlands? Cost tradeoffs include at least these: