When my husband and I graduated from architecture school with degrees in Landscape Architecture, we had learned enough to know the importance of highering an eco-friendly architect to assist us in our home building and remodeling adventures that are beyond our own design skills.  We have settled in the Wasatch Mountains between  Park City, Utah (home of the Sundance Film Festival, and some of the ‘best snow on earth’) and the Sundance Resort (Robert Redford’s playground).   A beautiful and serene place to work, learn, play, and lay our heads each night, though not the most saturated ‘green’ building area.

Where to begin your search (associates, family, friends)

I asked questions of people that I knew, but didn’t find a great green wealth of information this way.  My contacts, friends and family at the time, were not in the ‘green’ circle.  If your circle is more reliably green, this is a wonderful place to begin your search.  Ask about their green projects.  Did they do it themselves, or did they hire an architect or builder to do the work?  Were they satisfied, and what would they recommend?

Research via the internet to find local green building resources

Despite my fruitless beginning, I was determined.  So I began by researching on the Internet.  After using Google to search ‘green building, architect, utah,’  I was led to some architect’s websites as well as my current resource for green building, The Green Building Center, in Salt Lake City.  The site showcased their products, green building info, photos, workshops, and a particularly helpful friends page, that gives links to other green building professionals, certification, and organizations.

Using my green architect list recommended by the Green Building Center, I began examining their online portfolios.  Another learning lesson from Architecture school: its all about the portfolio! Just from looking at their projects, I could see which architect would be willing to design my preferred style and had a similar green vision.  The architects I researched were ‘green’ to varying degrees.  I found the firm that matched my husband and I’s green scale in building.

Who you know - Ask friends and family with green architects about their experience
Use the www- Research online to find local green resources.  They are a wealth of knowlege as they work with your local green architects, and have heard stories and opinions from their clients.
Portfolio - Make sure that you see projects/styles that agree with your taste
Vision - Does the architect’s green scale match yours?
Accreditation - Are they licensed?  Where did they study, and how long have they been designing with green in mind?
Press - What are others saying about their work?
Literature - Have they written anything?  That is another great way to understand their philosophies and how to utilize their talents.
Eco-friendly Magazines - Discover projects you admire and architects that may be near you.  Some excellent green magazines: Natural Home, Grist,  Environmental Design & Construction, E-Magazine,
Visit your local library - Look for green building books that give an overview of projects and list green architects that may be in your area.
Contact an architect you admire - If you find an architect whose green vision matches yours, but they are not in your area, look at their site for references.  One of my favorite green architects is the famous Mid-western architect, Sarah Susanka.  On her amazing The Not So Big House website, she has an extensive green architect registry.  If you still come out short after searching their site, contact the architect directly.  Chances are, they will be able to think of someone in your area with whom they are familliar.
1. Books on selecting an architect- Two of Sarah’s recomendations:  Designing Your Perfect Houseby William J. Hirsch Jr., AIA and How To Work With An Architectby Gerald Lee Morosco, AIA.
Pricing - Building and remodeling a home is expensive.  Choose an architect that is willing and able to give you product and service pricing during the design process.  Make sure there are no unwanted surprises with the architect you’ve selected.

Internet resources to help you find your green architect:

Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility- Group of proffessionals who support several environmental causes, including green building.

Sustainable Sources - A worldwide directory of green building professionals.  The site also has wonderful green building info, such as an international strawbale registry, articles, book recomendations and bookstore, discussion board, additional green building sites and groups, and a green real estate locator.

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Comittee on the Environment- Group within the National chapter of Architects that focus on eco-friendly architecture.  Resources for clients listed on the site.

LEED Architects- Architects that have passed an exam demonstrating their knowledge and sensitivity of enviornmental design.

Best of luck to you.  Fill us in on your experience and suggestions in finding your green architect.

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The all new GSZ44 controller-amplifier (with keypads included) is just what you need if you want four separate areas of your home to have speakers and music flowing throughout.  With the GSZ44, your master retreat and master bath can be tuned to an Elton John CD, while outside the kids are playing in the yard to the sounds of High School Musical 3.   All the music coming from your single home stereo!  So you decide you’d rather tune to XM satellite, well just press the Source button on the keypad on your bedroom/bathroom wall.   Guests at parties can hear the same music throughout your home as they mingle.

For $999, the complete GSZ44 package enables whole house audio distribution in four separate areas of your home, and includes four keypads that are placed like light switches on your wall.  The keypads allow you to change from CD to radio to satellite to cable audio (and more), and adjust volume in the room you are occupying.

So what is so ‘green’?  Each GSZ44 controller-amplifier features award winning Eco-System™ circuitry, which offers twice the power and a tenth the energy consumption of its competitors.  This patent pending circuit determines which speakers are in use and delivers power only to those channels needing it. The channels that are “off” are truly off, not in “standby” or “mute”.

According to Knoll Systems, a typical homeowner will enjoy a savings of hundred dollars or more per year in electrical costs and that can be multiplied when taking into account the increased costs of air conditioning to extract unwanted heat produced by a typical multi-channel amplifier. A comparable amplifier without the Eco-System™ circuit  uses about 14 times (40 watts) as much power while idling in standby. By comparison the GSZ44 with Eco-System™ uses under 2 watts while idling!

We still haven’t seen a product like this for home audio at GetWithGreen.com.  If you are going to be including “distributed audio” or music in your home and want to get a bit more eco-friendly in the process then we think you should check out the GSZ44 at a Knoll Systems distributor!

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With an Energy crisis on the brink in the US, consumers are asking more questions and demanding responsibility and answers.  Open Energy Corp is offering solutions to homeowners, business owners, and institutions alike: solar roof tiles.

Open Energy’s solar tiles will work on flat as well as sloped roofs.  Their solar roof tiles offer quiet & reliable power generation.  The power your roof will be generating is clean, safe, and of course, free, thanks to the sun.  For those of you with an aesthetic eye, the tiles come in three colors: slate gray, terracotta, and brown, to help integrate with your existing roof materials.

Using the solar roof tiles will significantly lower your energy bill each month.  You will also find tax incentives and rebates available to increase your savings.  Should you produce more power than you need, your local power and energy company will actually buy the excess power from you.   Adding to the savings, these long lasting tiles are maintenance free.  Should you desire to resell your property in the future, the solar tiles will raise the value of your property.

Not only are Open Energy’s solar roof tiles great on your pocketbook, but they will positively benefit the environment as well.  There are no emissions or pollutants emitted from Open Energy’s solar roof tiles.

Other considerations:

• Should you reside in a windy area, know that with a wind clip, Open Energy’s solar tiles will endure winds of up to 125 mph.
• For those living in areas with winter snow, the tiles can handle snow loads of up to 200 lbs per square foot.
• The tiles are light in weight at 14 lbs per tile.
• With 80% power output, there is a 25 year warranty on Open Energy’s solar tiles.
• Tiles are easily installed.

For more Open Energy Corp’s specs and details, check out on Open Energy Corp’s site.  You’ll find a page with their residential project portfolio, that has photos and a data sheet for the project shown.  Read more about each of the Open Energy Corp products here.  Finally, learn more about Open Energy’s vision, identity, profile, strategy, and history here.

In some of the project photos, you have to look intently to see the solar tiles.  Efficiency, simplicity, and beauty; solar power becomes a reality with Open Energy Corp’s solar roof tiles.

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In the spirit of Halloween, the EPA today warns us all to be on the watch for lurking energy vampires - or vampire power. These are the electronics and adapters that consume electricity when they are not being used. Power adapters and phone chargers are easy vampires power suckers to spot, and also easy to slay. Every energy vampire you vanquish saves you money, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and helps in the fight against climate change.

“EPA encourages everyone to look for vampires in their home and get rid of this energy waste,” said Brian McLean, director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Protection. “Using less energy means less greenhouse gas emissions.”

The average U.S. household spends $100 per year to power devices while they are off (or in standby mode). On a national basis, this standby power accounts for more than 100 billion kilowatt hours of annual U.S. electricity consumption and more than $10 billion in annual energy costs.

These simple steps can protect our homes from energy vampires:

• Unplugging power adapters or battery chargers when equipment is fully charged or disconnected from the charger.
• Using a power strip that can be switched off when electronics and appliances are not in use.
• Looking for the Energy Star label when purchasing products.

Come back soon to read more about vampire power products at GetWithGreen.com.  Boo!

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My journey to find the mythical green mortgage was not an easy one.  My fingers ached from repeated online searches and from dialing far too many phone numbers.  Truthfully, today it is tough to know which banks are in business, which banks have merged with each other and which banks have decided to suspend their mortgage programs.  My personal mortgage has been sold countless times over the past three years and even paying the bill can be tricky because it is tough to know just what company I should be writing the check out to each month.

First, I began my journey by contacting mortgage brokerage firms.  Larger banking corporations filter their products down through brokers, so generally mortgage brokers are the last to receive a new product.  Still, they are able to provide competitive products from a number of banks.  The mortgage brokers I spoke with had heard of green and energy efficient mortgages, but had yet to see one.

Next, I moved on to small baking chains.  Susan, A Senior Vice President from a small community banking chain told me that, “banks are not producing new products.  We are just trying to tread water.” She then added that “green mortgages may be a great product for homeowners in the future when banks can be more competitive again.”

Finally, I moved on to the big guys.  Bank of America is known within banking circles to be a progressive frontrunner that has big resources.  That reputation seems to be true when exploring green mortgages.

Terry Francisco of Bank of America was happy to talk about his company’s new green mortgage product with me.  The bank is offering $1000 towards closing costs for buyers who outfit their homes with energy star appliances.  Terry likens the $1000 to making-up costs from upgrades to energy efficiency.  “Helps homeowners who blink when they see a higher price tag,” said Terry.

As for just how many homeowners have taken advantage of the $1000 rebate towards closing costs, Terry said, “The mortgage market has been so impacted that it hasn’t reached our expectations.”

When (cross fingers and knock on wood) the market makes a turn for the better, it will be interesting to see how banks will compete for the mortgages of energy efficient home owners.

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If you’re looking to buy or install cork flooring, this article is a comprehensive guide to the top ten must knows of cork flooring, and it will also provide you with 20 informative sites on cork.

10.  The easy maintenance is another benefit of cork flooring.  It will not collect dust, and is therefore, hypo-allergenic.  It is an insect repellant, and anti-microbial, making it a great choice for your kitchen, bathrooms, and children’s play areas.

20 sites that are cork informative:

Jelinek Cork Group - A great history of cork and its uses, as well as a large list of cork products in addition to cork flooring.

Simply Cork /flooring - The one stop source for articles about buying & installing cork flooring.

CorkDirect - Has an About Cork section that offers a visual guide to the cork manufacturing process.

About.com - Tutorial on cork, its benefits, background, and construction information. 

BuildDirect - Site that offers quality building materials for less and publishes articles helping you make your decisions regarding cork flooring. 

AmCork - A great site for sample cork colors, patterns, and a wonderful photo gallery that offers many cork design ideas. 

WECork - Company with a long list of cork flooring installations, even high traffic areas.

iFLOOR- Purchasing information for DIY installers.

floorbiz - Information on the different choices in cork floor style (plank, laminate), as well as a good site for background cork information.

Natural Cork - Floating floor systems, as well as laminate cork flooring.

CorkStore - Buy cork rolls & sheets, wall coverings, fabric, closures, etc.

Green Building Center - Learn why they supply Expanko and Vida Cork.

Expanko – Glueless and floating cork floor systems.

Environmental Home Center - Learn how to install your own cork floor planks/tiles.

Sustainable Industries - Article exposing cork myths and giving more detailed information on cork flooring.

Global Sources - Suppliers and manufacturing resource list.

Flooring Area - News Articles on cork flooring.

Flooring - Online Guide to flooring, including cork floors, articles and tips.

Apartment Therapy - Article on protecting your cork flooring.

Wood Floor Guide - Cork flooring reviews.

Team Wicanders - this blog includes all kinds of innovative uses for cork besides flooring.  Some of the uses include furniture, home decor, purses, cottages (made of cork), and prefab building blocks for homes. 

(The photo was taken at Balance Massage & Wellness Center, located just outside of Park City, UT.  The Owner Marty, made ‘green’ choices when renovating the old home.  Balance is a wonderful example of green remodeling.)

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Green Eco Services is a comprehensive website complete with a green services blog and green services listings by state and category.  They bill themselves as “your one click source for all things green.”

Thank you to Green Eco Services for recognizing us as an exemplary resource for homeowners and builders alike who are interested in using more earth-friendly and sustainable materials for their projects.  All of us here are happy to be recognized by others like us who are happily promoting sustainable practices.  Aw shucks.

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California Paints is now offering Elements, a new line of paints that are zero VOC, GreenWise Certified, and follow LEED guidelines.

Considered to last longer than ordinary zero VOC paints, Elements paint, is made with Microban Technology.  California Paints explains that this eco-friendly technology “contains a unique anti-bacterial additive that creates an internal germ-proof barrier within the paint formulation.”  Other anti-bacterial additives release harmful gasses or odors.  Microban protects gasses or odors from leaching into the paint over time.  Several of California Paint Products have Microban technology.  Click here to read more about these products.

California Paints is part of the California Products Corporation, committed to preserving the environment through waste management.  Products are created on site and evaluated by employees that have been trained in environmental issues.  California Paints is conscious of the production, shipping, manufacturing and storing of their products.  They recycle or reuse any waste created during production.

The California Paints website offers useful tools.  Among them are paint calculators, painting tips, and a color blog.  The Scheming Center page lets you explore paint colors, combinations, and even apply them to different virtual projects.  Click here to find a Dealer near you.  You’re sure to find paint that you will love and feel comfortable using.

Additional zero VOC paint companies:

Milk Paint - “The safest paints available,” organic, nonpolluting, and bio-degradable, as well as long lasting, quality paint.  Known for creating period-style furniture and home decorating.  Online purchasing available, as well as through dealers found within the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Ireland, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Netherlands, and Thailand.

American Pride Paints - Green Seal Certified, interior and exterior paint for your home.  Dealers found within the US.  If you are not near a dealer, you can buy online from the nearest dealer.

Green Planet Paints - Minimal additives, renewable, and non-toxic materials hand-crafted within the US.  Instead of petroleum-based acrylics, they use soy-based resins, and mineral pigments, mostly from clay.  Dealers are currently in the US and Canada.

Yolo Colorhouse - A low odor, premium interior and exterior paint.  little Yolo is a separate line designed especially for little ones.  Purchase online or at a dealer within the US and Canada.

Freshaire - Can be bought at the Home Depot, GreenGaurd Indoor Air Quality Certified, zero VOCs in paint and pigment.

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I was twelve when I ordered my first Marvin Window & Door brochure. I know, starting a bit early right? At the time I was obsessed with designing floor plans and loved to pour over my mother’s Better Homes & Gardens magazines. It’s been a while, but I believe they still have the pull-out tabs where you can request product information. So, for a long time, I would spec out my designs to include the Marvin Windows & Doors that I liked best. Almost 20 years later, Marvin products are still desirable, ever growing, and amazingly eco-friendly. Maybe all that childhood research will someday bring about a beautiful home of my own with Marvin Windows & Doors…till then, here are some green reasons to use Marvin:

Thinking Green: The Marvin green thought, “Always striving for improvement, Marvin Windows and Doors has introduced initiatives that rethink our value chain, improve resource productivity while lowering environmental costs, and implement green practices that make producing beautiful windows an environmentally-friendlier process.”

Good design and careful decisions make a difference in our environment. Marvin has one of the lowest percentages of wood-waste in the industry.

Energy Efficient: Marvin fulfills Energy Star requirements and standards. Click here to read more about Marvin Products and the Environment.

Reduce: The Marvin team is always looking for ways to reduce waste from their production process.

Reuse: Marvin Windows & Doors are built to last and be reused. If still in good condition and working correctly, feel free to reuse it.

Recycle: After your Marvin products arrive, recycle the packaging. Though not meant to be taken apart, if this should happen, the main pieces are made from materials that can be recycled (wood, glass, & aluminum). The windows are made from recycled material (15%-33% crushed scrap glass, aluminum is over 98% recycled, and wood is recycled by finger jointing and edge-gluing smaller pieces).

Forest Management: With properly managed forests, Marvin has found that not only do they have a continual supply of wood, but an excess in wood production. They are committed to supporting the conservation of natural resources.

LEED Certification: By using Marvin products, home owners can receive credits for LEED Certification.

Click here to see a list of green building organizations that Marvin Windows & Doors participate in and support.

For those of you looking to remodel your windows and doors, check out Marvin’s Remodel & Replace page. It has useful information as well as links to additional articles and answers to frequently asked questions.

Marvin Windows & Doors are eco-friendly, sustainable and beautiful. What kinds of experience do our GetWithGreen readers have with Marvin? Willing to share?

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To help, The Home Depot is offering up a $5,000+ prize and more to homeowners who are remodeling, and getting green at the same time.

To win this bounty, you’ll need to shoot a short video showing how you are saving money and helping the environment by making your home more energy efficient.  According to THD, your video must focus on home energy issues such as insulation, appliances, and water usage. 

Not only is there (1) Grand Prize winner who will win that $5K (plus additional cash toward insulation services), but there is also a 2nd place ($1,500) and a 3rd place ($500) prize. 

Submissions started on September 25th, and the final day to submit is November 9th.  The Home Depot tells us that winners will be announced no later than November 24, 2008!

Read all details on a Home Depot website on YouTube:  Save Money. Save Energy. Win Big.

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