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The purpose of this web site is to offer real estate services for buying and selling any property type in the Greater Park City, UT area, including Deer Valley, Wasatch and Summit County.  Our emphasis is on Green Built and Energy Efficient properties.  Given the fact that a large percentage of available properties are not Green Built or energy upgraded,  I have put together a complete network of subcontractors for making energy efficient upgrades to existing properties.

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Contributed by Eric Miller, New Leaf America

New Leaf America is dedicated to helping homeowners and small businesses to evaluate and implement cost effective energy saving retrofitting options. The process starts with a home evaluation. Once completed, a retrofitting plan is presented to the home or business owner. These recommendations focus on the most affordable, high return on investment, (ROI) energy efficient retrofitting options and include a true “common sense” approach to taking the first steps toward energy saving retrofitting for a home or business.

These first retrofitting steps (before going solar) focus mainly on exterior and interior lighting through the use of state of the art lighting products, water saving devices, slaying power vampires, and weatherization.

The local contact for New Leaf America is long time Park City resident Eric Miller, a LEED Accredited Professional.  Eric Miller can be reached at (435) 640-3934 or email Eric

Contributed by Jason Dittmer, DwellTek
It is important to state at the outset of this article that I am not a real estate agent, appraiser, or mortgage broker.  I am a residential home inspector and a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) energy rater. I have, however, owned a home and had the good fortune to recently sell it.  Because of my profession, and recent real estate transaction, I have had the opportunity to talk with many people in the industry and have examined this current market from both sides of the “For Sale” sign, and I believe the solution to all of our problems is the HERS energy rating………. Well, not really, but I think it can help and here is why.

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Federal Tax Credits Return for Efficiency Improvements to Homes

What is a Green Building?
The U.S. Green Building Council’s definition of Green is “a high performing home that’s energy and water efficient, has good indoor air quality, uses environmentally sustainable materials and also uses the building lot or site in a sustainable manner.”
• Energy efficient- a generally tight house with energy efficient use of water, energy efficient appliances, windows, Cooling and Heating units and HVAC and ventilation systems.
• Recycled content used in the building process
• Uses environmentally sustainable materials
• Uses the building lot or site in a sustainable manner
• Use of locally manufactured goods
• Indoor environmental air quality

 
Going green during a remodel does not always cost extra. In fact, green renovations might even save you money.  Begin by looking for professionals with experience doing “green” remodeling. Those experienced in green remodeling will know more about the toxicity and sustainability of certain products, as well as how to take advantage of natural light and heat, reduce consumption, and lower energy costs.

Look for products certified by The Greenguard Environmental Institute (www.greenguard.com), the Forest Stewardship Council (www.fscus.org), or Cradle to Cradle ( www.mbdc.com/c2c/). All have undergone rigorous certification procedures to test for environmental impact. Learn about these and other certifications at www.BuildingGreen.com.

Look also at environmentally friendly substitutes, many of which won’t cost more that their less friendly counterparts. For example:
Low or no-VOC paints. Regular paints release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but non-VOC paints are now readily available. Also, look for low or no-VOC sealers and caulks.
Bamboo, cork, or reclaimed wood instead of carpet or hardwood. Carpet is a particularly bad choice if it emits VOCs, as most do. If you’re planning on replacing carpet anyway, consider eco-friendlier options like cork or bamboo, both of which regrow quickly. These are good alternatives to hardwood too, and costs will be comparable because much of the expense is the cost of installation. If carpet is your choice, seek out products certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label and Green Label Plus programs, which have low VOC emissions.

Remodeling a Kitchen
Kitchens are high on most home remodelers’ wish lists. If you’re remodeling yours, here are some ideas for making it green:
    * Choose Energy Star rated appliances, which will use less energy and often don’t cost more. Check with your utility company too: you may get a rebate on your purchase.
    * Put in formaldehyde-free cabinetry to avoid releasing environmental toxins. Better yet, go for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which will be sustainably harvested.
    * Install a beautiful alternative to shiny granite: recycled-content glass countertops (IceStone).
    * Get a water filter as an alternative to buying bottled water.
    * Take advantage of natural light with well-placed windows, skylights, or sun tunnels.
    * Keep the refrigerator out of the sunlight and away from the oven, where it gets hot and must work harder.

Remodeling a Bathroom
Second only to kitchens, bathrooms are another top place remodelers spend their dough. Eco-friendly options include:
    * Replace toilets with low-flow models.
    * Install tiles made of recycled content.
    * Use flow reducers on the shower and sinks so you’re using less water.
    * Put in a fan to keep air circulating and to prevent mold growth.

Adding On

If you’re adding a new room to your home, you can pay attention to these particular possibilities:
    * Don’t add more than you need. Consuming less is always eco-friendlier.
    * Install ceiling fans to keep warm air down in the winter, and to provide cool air in the summer.
    * Install insulation in the walls and attic to prevent heat transfer.
    * Strategically place windows, shades, and overhangs to take advantage of the sun’s heat.

LED (light emitting diode) holiday lights are a shining example of the fruits of research and development efforts to increase electrical energy efficiency. Consider the advantages LEDs have over traditional incandescent lights:
Comparison of Light/Unit Energy
• Efficient — LEDs save up to 90% of the electricity that is needed to power conventional painted or ceramic coated bulbs.
• Environmentally friendly — The low electricity use of LEDs means less carbon emissions, and manufacturing LEDs is more environmentally friendly as well. They require no glass or tungsten, since LEDs do not have a filament like incandescent bulbs; electron movement in semiconductor chips is what causes illumination.
• Durable — LEDs are encased in hard-to-break plastic versus the more fragile glass of incandescent lights. Because the LED is electronic, its lifetime is up to 10 years.
• Practical — LEDs come in standard packaging of 25- to 100-bulb strands that can be connected together to provide a seamless string. The long life of LEDs means that replacing bulbs will be rare, reducing maintenance.
• Safe — LEDs generate much less heat when they operate so they are cool to the touch, and are less likely to overload a circuit.
• Attractive features and colors — LEDs come in traditional shapes, sizes, and colors. LED strings with desired features such as blinking and flickering are also available.

LED holiday lights are typically a little more expensive to buy than their incandescent counterparts, but they virtually pay for themselves in the first year’s electricity savings, and thereafter they are the gift that keeps on giving.

Tom Ward
GRI, CRS, EcoBroker Certified
Cell/Text: (435) 647-3727

Jess Reid Real Estate
PO Box 682511
750 Kearns Blvd.
Park City, UT 84068

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