The problem with Green Homes

Some of you may have seen Scott Adams' latest article talking about his trials and tribulations as a builder of a green home. Basically he concludes that it can be done but there are countless obstacles in the way, from planning commissions to contractors that don't want to do a risky project.

While these are problems, I think they'll be over come with time. The largest problem that is stopping more green homes being built is home owner ignorance and this is being perpetuated by the contract building firms.

There is someone I know that is building a house at the moment and they didn't know what eaves where and how they could be used to ensure that summer sun stayed out but winter sun got in, thus ensuring better temperature control in the house. Now I don't think it is their job to go out there and completely inform themselves of every aspect of building a house (although I would totally be out there trying to find out everything that I could, but I am an engineer that thinks too much information is never enough) but it should be the job of the building firm that they are engaging to build their house.

It should be a requirement that the builders provide information on things like this to the future house owner. It should also be a requirement that they can't build a house without eaves or any other environmentally ridiculous ideas, but that is another matter, with the push for mandatory 6 star ratings failing in the back rooms of government once again. Even more so, for companies etc that have a heap of model homes etc surely they could provide modelling etc that shows the new home owner what the effects of each inclusion or exclusion has on the energy efficiency and heating and cooling costs for the new home. 

The owner needs to be able to make an informed decision and it is such modelling and cost benefit analysis that gives the home owner the ability to make the best possible decision.