Green homes result in reduced cost of living
SUNSET PARK When John Lee first launched his green building construction firm a few years ago, he decided to hold on to his conventional home contracting business on the side, seeing that opportunities still existed in his original venture.
But times have changed. Lee saw the demand for “green”homes — structures that incorporate environmentally friendly elements — gradually increase and decided to marry the two companies together.
Nearly two years later, Santa Monica-based Lee Capital Builders has completed three sustainable homes — two in the city and one in the Pacific Palisades. Two homes are currently undergoing construction.
“The more I learned about green building, the more I became a believer,” Lee said on Friday.“I wish I would’ve done it sooner.”
Green building has found a niche in construction circles in Santa Monica, a city with a proud collection of sustainable mixed-use complexes, commercial developments, public facilities and even a prefab home that was Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified in 2006. LEED is a green building rating system applied by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Santa Monica is among approximately 20 to 30 California cities that have adopted green building guidelines for new construction, according to Michael Hodgson, a member of the California Building Industry Association and president of ConSol. An energy consulting firm for construction companies, ConSol helped developed the state’s Green Building Program.
“There are many cities that are adopting green building guidelines, some mandatory,” Hodgson said on Friday. “(The term) green in the home building industry is not well defined, so it’s nice to have a program and structure so the builder knows what to do.”
Santa Monica’s Green Building Design and Construction Standards could be amended at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night to apply to all new construction, including single-family homes and duplexes, which are exempt under the ordinance as it currently exists.
“These are standards for environmental performance we feel all new construction in the city should meet and strive for,” Brenden McEneaney, the green building program advisor, said on Thursday. “Water efficiency, construction waste — these will reduce the cost of homeownership and create healthy indoor environments … and reduce climate change-contributing gas.”
The proposed amendment, which is expected to be approved by the council, will also increase the required number of green building materials used on new construction from four to five. New construction projects must include at least one material from at least five of 10 categories that range from insulation to water efficiency.
“The idea is realizing that it’s not just recycled content we should be looking at when thinking of green,” McEneaney said, referring to the current list that includes only recycled content. “There are things like zero-VOC paint or water saving appliances that would also count as green materials.”
The amendment also includes increasing the energy efficiency on projects to 10 percent better than Title 24, which is the state’s energy efficiency code. Landscaping requirements would also change for new projects, limiting turf grass to 20 percent and encouraging the use of more drought tolerant plants.
The city’s green building grant program would also be expanded to qualify homes that are LEED certified. The U.S. Green Building Council just began certifying single-family residences after completing a pilot program.
The changes have been embraced by green developers like Lee. The home he just completed in the Palisades is the first LEED certified in that area.
But when it comes to green home construction, there is the matter of cost and whether such requirements might scare away some developers.
Lee said that the cost difference tends to be 5 to 10 percent higher than conventional home building.
“There’s no doubt there is a premium,” Lee said. “A lot depends on the features you put in like solar panels, which is a big ticket item.”
But for home owners, the benefits come in the form of energy savings, and of course one step toward saving the world.
“The good news is you can see the trend that the gap is closing [between green and conventional] because there are more vendors providing more options in terms of green materials,” Lee added.
Jesse Bornstein of Jesse Bornstein Architecture, which recently designed sustainable townhouses called “Green on 19th” at 1035 19th St., said there are also rebates and tax credits for developing eco-friendly projects.
The Santa Monica-based architect said there are cities moving toward adopting green guidelines.
“Santa Monica with the new requirements is upping the ante,” he said.
He added that while the regulations might scare off some builders, he thinks the guidelines end up weeding out developers in it for the wrong reasons.
“There’s no question Santa Monica has a reputation amongst design professionals as well as builders as a challenging place to work and I think that’s OK,” he said.“I think I’m old enough to realize our responsibilities extend well beyond our own self interest.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 21, 2008. Read the original PDF.