More and more people are certainly finding a way. Consider the experience of the Porters of Massachusetts. Through creativity and good old fashion hard work the Porters were able to fulfill a dream and a commitment to the environment by building their green home. They acknowledge that they spent a fair amount of time scouring second hand shops, viewing websites and “how to” manuals, not to mention dealing with multiples of contractors (trying to get the best “green” systems and products) and of course, navigating through all the bureaucratic language to assure they build within government parameters and LEED certification standards.
They regularly used a calculator to determine how much each system would cost and how much they could ultimately save. “They tell you you have to be rich to go green,” states Erin Porter. “You hear it everywhere. You have to fight the perception.” The Porters succeeded in proving that perception wrong. See how they did it: http://hollistonleedhouse.blogspot.com/
Frank Schiavo’s remodel of his home in San Jose, California, shows how a budget-minded person can capitalize on passive solar heating and cooling. Frank’s home features conservation techniques and in the process he has reduced his electric and gas bills to just a few dollars a month. Frank does have a background in environmental studies and he has put it to good use. Are you successful at reducing your garbage output to zero? Frank is. Frank is a regular guy doing some pretty amazing things with a very small building budget.
Have you been successful and building or rebuilding green? Are you one of the ones that can show the rest of us the way? Write me and let me know. I’d love to showcase your efforts and your expertise. Let’s share the wealth of green.
