Green home tools
What is green building?
The term “green building,” refers to a way of designing and constructing buildings to increase performance and enhance the health and experience for people who work, live and play in these structures. A green building:
- Saves energy and conserves water
- Minimizes material use
- Protects the site
- Uses low-impact, low-toxicity materials
- Maximizes longevity and durability
- Minimizes construction waste
- Is healthier for occupants
- Recycles existing buildings
- Has a low carbon footprint
Green building is growing in popularity with good reason – it makes sense. Building green is also about adventure and exploration – finding those one-of-a kind pieces of salvaged wood or lighting fixtures that add character to your living room or learning new ways to save energy and save water. Your decisions help drive sustainability in the local and national marketplace, ultimately creating more cost effective green product choices.
Why build & remodel green?
It makes sense. Every decision you make while remodeling and building has an impact on your health, your community and the environment at large. Whether you are planning a simple or complex project, if you plan ahead, you can make green choices that achieve your goals and dreams of a high-performance, accomodate your budget for a healthy, functional and beautiful home.
Does green cost more?
No matter what your style and budget, you can build green by making informed choices. Some green options may cost more upfront, but significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs over time. Other green options cost the same as typical products, but perform better and are more environmentally friendly.
Are green products hard to obtain?
It is easy to find beautiful, affordable, sustainable building materials. Options range from natural linoleum to recycled glass tile, recycled rubber or metal roofing and sustainably-harvested lumber, to name a few. You can use the latest technologies or 100-year-old salvaged materials to achieve high-performance, healthy and low-impact remodeling and building.
What building and remodeling choices are “green”?
Today there is an expanding spectrum of green building options for your home. You can begin by choosing deconstruction, less toxic paints or an energy-efficient dishwasher for a kitchen remodel. You can replace your lawn with drought-tolerant natural plants, reclaim your rainwater and install energy-efficient dual pane windows.
How do I know a builder follows green practices?
Tips to be more informed
Green design
Residential green building checklist (new and remodel)
Low-cost green design measures
Ideas for integrating green in your project for not-a-lot-of-green
EPA Green Homes NEW!
Helpful green and energy efficient upgrade ideas for each area in your home
Green Home Remodeling Guide
Our helpful 92 page guide available in hardcopy or downloadable for free online
Aging-in-place tools
How to adapt or design your home to have it suit your changing needs as you age
The Green Home Guide
The ReGreen Program includes a downloadable guide, question board and informative website - a collaborative effort from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the American
Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
Clean Water Hero
Residents served by Clean Water Services of the Tualatin River Watershed can get free technical design assistance for water-efficient landscaping.
Living Smart homes
Permit-ready plans available at the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS)
City of Portland Water Bureau Water Conservation Hotline: 503-823-4527
City of Portland Construction Waste Specialist: 503-823-1110
Metro Recycling Information Hotline: 503-234-3000
Incentives and funding for your project
$ $ $ $ funds to help make your project a reality
New Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs)
GreenStreet
Home equity and renovation loans for energy efficiency upgrades from Energy Trust of OR and Umpqua Bank
Green mortgages from ShoreBank Corporation
Green building programs
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes (LEED-H)
The US Green Building Council's (USGBC) new certification program for new homes administered locally by Earth Advantage
Earth Advantage
This non-profit has their own suite of home certification standards
Energy Star
A federal energy efficiency program administered locally by Earth Advantage
Living Building Challenge
The local chapter of the USGBC - Cascadia has issued this green building program
Case studies
Local green residence case studies
Lifestyle
City of Portland: Your Sustainable City
Your online resource for the many ways the City supports living sustainably
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