Is Building a Green Home Better Than Renovating an Old Home?

I love TED talks! Today I discovered this one, thanks to Gary Smith of Energy Rated Homes of Mississippi.

I love TED talks! Today I discovered this one, thanks to Gary Smith of Energy Rated Homes of Mississippi.

In this short video, Catherine Mohr, an engineer and surgeon, discusses the thinking and calculations that went into the process of building a green home. What I really like about it is her discussion of embodied energy, a topic that I studied a while back when looking into the question of whether or not photovoltaic panels produce more energy than is used in making them. It’s also a key concept in some of the fundamental academic studies cited in peak oil literature. 

Anyway, this little video might help you to see green building in a whole new way, especially if you feel confused by all the talk of bamboo flooring and low VOC paints. She does a good job of blowing away all the emphasis on finishes.

 

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Now, I need an embodied
    Now, I need an embodied energy black book so I can keep track of all my calories. Seriously, it would be handy to have some info to make more intelligent decisions. I definitely have to learn more. Maybe a Southface embodied energy class to complement HERS.

  2. Good one Allison. 
    Good one Allison. 
    It was hard for me to wrap my head around the payback of 6 years for tearing the house down. That seems contrary to me. Those trucks have already been on the road and the lumber has already been milled and shipped, etc… Embodied energy, I will think about this some more. I think the part of this industry that I like the most, is that it has a payback. When else have you been able to remodel or build with a payback opportunity.

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