We have had enough- there has been way too much "Greenwashing" and "Green Veneer" in the media- we think it is time to get real.

What is NOT Green in a home? (partial listing)

EXCESSIVE SIZE- in 1950 the US average was 290 ft2/occupant- now it is over 900 sq/ft.  There is no way a 3,000+ sq/ft single family home should be called Green- no matter how many solar panels are on the roof.  (Unless perhaps Grandma and Grandpa and the 5 kids live there too).

VINYL SIDING AND/OR WINDOWS- toxic manufacturing process, hazardous chemicals released when burning, etc. have a look at this film- click here.

ASPHALT SHINGLES- pollutant runoff, least durable roofing option, a football stadium 18 miles high in annual tear-offs sent to landfills.  

POOR SITING- long-axis facing E-W when it can face N-S (failure to take advantage of passive solar heating), new construction in "Greenfields, " etc.  The biggest energy gains are free- failure to design them in to new construction is ridiculous.

INEFFICIENT WATER/ENERGY SYSTEMS-  high-end (or low-end) low-efficiency appliances- (e.g. Sub-Zero anything), incandescent light bulbs, human carwash showers (multiple-heads), steam showers, saunas, jacuzzis, towel warmers, etc.

HUMAN-ASSISTED LANDSCAPING- if is going to require mechanical irrigation to survive (and its not food) don't plant it.

VOC'S AND/OR FORMALDEHYDE BINDERS- glues, paints, sealers and finishes made with unhealthy off-gassing compounds.  Note- this is most of them.

COPPER PIPE- highly polluting extraction/manufacture process AND inferior to PEX for almost all applications.

OCCUPANT BEHAVIORS- long showers, hot water heaters and (non-programmable) thermostats set too high where a sweater would serve nicely, leaving lights on.