A very important part of our culture’s transition to sustainability is providing energy efficient homes.

Local materials, recycled materials, low-flow and cost efficient improvements are potential solutions to conserve Earth’s limited energy. Looming fuel shortages and climate change will affect everyone; in what capacity we choose to live is an important step in fighting these future issues.

“Going green” is a very popular concept these days. The term has been around for a while but only within the past two years have I really noticed all the hoopla it has been given in the news, television programs and books. Regardless of the media’s future influence on this topic, it should be everyone’s responsibility to know how to lessen our environmental footprint on the world. This week I will explain two such ideas in green building and conservation.

A few weeks ago I learned about a new efficient home development here in Richmond. Bilder & Terranova Development and New Earth Building are partnering to build two adjacent homes on West Clay Street. From reading the site specs it was apparent to me that this development was unique in that the construction is incorporating green technology with recycled and natural materials. It has a little bit of everything.

Ryan Wenger and Bert Terranova of New Earth Building have been in the construction business for a while. Years ago they were into historic renovations but within this past year they are becoming educated and environmentally certified with such organizations as Earthcraft and Liveroof. The West Clay Street project is their first building from scratch that showcases mostly environmentally friendly improvements; I say “mostly” because they have to stay within their budget.

Ryan and Bert’s construction team started these two homes in July. My first impression of them during my visit was they appeared similar to any other house on the block. However, one exterior feature that no one can really notice is the Liveroof on one of the houses. Around 800 individual sedum plants have been installed on this green roof, approximating 1,600 square feet. This is the first residentially installed green roof that I have heard of in Richmond.

I was taken on a tour of one of the new houses being constructed. Bert stated that this house would be finished within the next month for the new homeowners to move in. There are some very interesting interior features that have been installed that make this house unique.

The idea of using bamboo for their floors was an honest choice. Bamboo is becoming an emerging sector for green developments. The reasons are that it can be sustainably grown and provide an economic incentive for developing countries that grow it. However, I want to note that bamboo is being grown at the expense of natural forests, uses energy-intensive equipment to produce and may have negative impacts on the host region’s environment. Aside from these thoughts bamboo is becoming a more valuable commodity.

Non-bamboo floor space in this house has been laid with reclaimed flooring and trim from other Richmond homes. Also, the kitchen counter tops are recycled, Greenstone concrete. I think the natural materials fit well with the recycled improvements in this house.

The most interesting feature of this house is the new technologically-advanced Bluwood that provides most of the framework. Bluwood is a non-toxic preservation treatment to all structural and framing lumber. The end product is a lifetime guarantee against mold, mildew, termites/pests, fire and water damage. This is the first house built with Bluwood in Richmond.

Other great construction choices include dual-flush toilets, a tankless water heater, non-toxic spray insulation, low-VOC paints and Energy Star appliances. These items are now becoming common in the green building sector.

According to Bert, this house will sell for between $235,000 to $260,000. New Earth Building’s future plans include two more house constructions off Catherine Street and a mixed-use development in Union Hill.

As I stated earlier, energy efficient homes like the ones that Ryan and Bert’s team are invested in are a sign of the future. Green building and living a green lifestyle have never been so popular.

Most of the ideas of “going green” are to purchase commodities that use less energy, pollute less and reduce water use as well as provide organic, environmentally friendly products that are not laced with potentially harmful ingredients. The new homes that are in New Earth Building’s future are a testament to what will probably become the norm.

However, I want to point out some confusion that surrounds this public discourse that should be taken seriously. Green building technology represents only a portion of the puzzle. Each one of us will have to change in order to sustain healthy people and ecosystems into the future.

The consumer could purchase low-flow shower heads, dual flush toilets, and a rain barrel but there is no incentive that the person will reduce their frequency of water use. A similar case can be made for the consumer that purchases a hybrid automobile that doesn’t necessarily lessen their vehicle miles traveled.

To the consumer it is easier to change what to buy or own than it is to change themselves. Changing your ‘self’ is the more important goal for becoming environmentally friendly. This means a drastic reduction in our demand of commodities and conservation in the use of what things we do have.

The ‘techno-centric’ green movement that the media has sponsored masks the other equally large issue: consciously reducing our consumption patterns on global natural resources. Reducing our demand, i.e. conservation, is the other, and more important, piece of the puzzle.