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Conservation Easement – The preservation of green space within a community.
Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) – Highly efficient compact fluorescent bulbs are available on the market today. According to Energy Star, they use approximately 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. With improving technology, you can now purchase CFLs compatible for three-way or dimmer switches, and in warm and soft shades.
Compost – Decomposed remnants of organic matter most notably used as a natural fertilizer in landscaping. Compost is produced by microorganisms, such as bacteria, as well as insects and other soil organisms, such as earthworms. The main components of a compost pile include green plant materials, such as grass clippings from mowing the lawn, and brown plant materials, such as fallen leaves. Additional organic wastes from the kitchen can also be added to the pile, further reducing your waste output. Compost activators are available to accelerate the process.
Source: Henry Loconte
ENERGY STAR® – A joint program developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy with the goal of education consumers to save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. In addition to rating the efficiency of individual appliances and products, Energy Star also affixes its blue star of approval on homes that meet efficiency guidelines. Such homes provide $200 to $400 in annual savings.
See: www.energystar.gov.
EarthCraft House™ –
EarthCraft, a well-established residential green home rating system, was developed by the Southface Energy Institute and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.
Green Building Certification –
A comprehensive green building certification program outlines criteria against which potential green homes can be checked. Everything from tree preservation to building products to the home’s performance on a variety of tests is taken into consideration, and points are awarded for each component that is met. The most notable programs in the Carolinas include LEED for Homes, EarthCraft House™, NC HealthyBuilt, NAHB National Green Building Program™ and EnergyStar.
Green Home – Definitions vary, but the National Association of Home Builders offers a good explanation of what sets a green home apart, citing that a truly green home incorporates at least three of five environmental considerations: energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water efficiency, resource efficiency and site management.
Green Mortgage – A special mortgage offered by some lenders to homeowners of a new or renovated green home. Often features a reduced down payment or other helpful terms.
Home Energy Audit –
A review of a home’s energy efficiency. Online audits, which require you to enter information about your home and your current utility usage into online calculators, are convenient and can provide a lot of good information. The best option, however, is to arrange for an onsite consultation in your home. To set up an audit with a professional, check with your local power company or search for local consultants who can perform this service for you. In many cases you may be able to find free inspections, but don't be scared off by a fee – any cost will typically be recouped in energy savings in very little time.
Home Envelope – Encompasses the entire exterior of a home, from the foundation and windows and doors to insulation and the roof. A vital step in making a home energy efficient is reducing uncontrolled air leakage in the home envelope.
Kyoto Protocol – An agreement made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Countries that ratify this protocol commit to reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 2012 and beyond. Mayors across the United States have pledged to meet or beat the emissions goals set by the Kyoto Protocol for the US (a 7% reduction from 1990 levels) by signing the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
See: www.usmayors.org/climateprotection
Low-E Windows – Short for “low emissivity,” these state-of-the-art windows improve the insulation value of the window itself.
R-Value – Typically referring to insulation. Short for “resistance to heat flow.” Increasing the R-value of insulation implies better thermal performance and energy efficiency. An example of a high R-value insulation is spray foam insulation, which is literally sprayed within a wall cavity as foam, and then expands into every nook and crevice, tightly sealing all corners.
LEED for Homes – The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Rating System (or LEED for short) is perhaps the most widely recognized standard for building green. A home can qualify for one of four levels of certification (Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum).
See: www.usgbc.org/leed/homes
NAHB National Green Building Program™ –
The National Association of Home Builders launched a new green building certification program in February 2008.
See: www.nahb.org/greenbuildingprogram
NC HealthyBuilt – NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program is a collaboration between the North Carolina Solar Center, the State Energy Office, NC Department of Administration, and local building professional organizations. It is a prominent example of a local green building certification program in the Carolinas.
See: http://healthybuilthomes.org
Over-Planting – Positioning plants without enough space to grow into maturity. For example, a tree can be over-planted underneath utility lines or too close to a building, or shrubs and flowers can be over-planted when positioned in large quantities, often to procure an instantly full look for new landscapes.
Source: Henry Loconte
Pervious Surfaces –
A better option than impervious pavements, such as cement and curbs and gutters, pervious surfaces reduce stormwater runoff by allowing water to be naturally absorbed into the ground. A great example is gravel.
Pre-plumbing – Typically refers to setting up your plumbing systems for a solar hot water heater, even if you do not currently have solar panels. In this way, when you are able to invest in solar technology, your home will already be set up to be able to incorporate it.
Rain Barrel – A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from your rooftop to use later for things like lawn and garden watering. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally flow through your downspout, onto a paved surface, and eventually into a storm drain.
Source: Roger Bannerman
Rain Garden – A rain garden uses native landscaping to soak up rain water from your downspout. The middle part of the garden holds several inches of water, allowing it to slowly infiltrate into the ground instead of being delivered to the stormdrain all at once.
Source: Roger Bannerman
Siting – Siting your home on its homesite refers to orienting your home to true south to take advantage of the sun’s natural path across the sky. In winter the Southern sun helps to warm your home, and the exposure is particularly important if you have solar panels.
Sustainable Development –
A comprehensive approach to community planning that views a community as a dynamic, living entity. It integrates green ideas into every aspect of the community and focuses on creating an environment where humans and nature can mutually thrive for generations to come. Therefore, in each and every decision, the interdependent relationships between the two are carefully considered. In Developing Sustainable Planned Communities, a book published by The Urban Land Institute, a group of industry experts explore how sustainable development is the umbrella under which traditional neighborhood development (often called New Urban), conservation development, transit-oriented development, smart growth and green building converge. Another component to consider is landscaping (a viable option whether you live in a truly sustainable development or in your average neighborhood).
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) –
Harmful, invisible toxins that are normally released by things like paint, varnish and carpeting that are breathed in by humans. Look for low or no-VOC products on the market.
Xeriscaping – The practice of planting drought-resistant varieties of plants in landscapes.
This reduces irrigation needs, saving water (and money).
Do you have a term that you would like to see added to our glossary? Or do you want to amend a definition?
Just email Kristen Fischer at
kfischer@carolinaliving.com
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